Caterham dominates Monte-Carlo 2005 Sportscar Challenge

One of the ultimate tests of endurance and reliability, the Monte Carlo Sportscar Challenge, has been dominated by the legendary Caterham Seven. Examples of the British manufacturer’s two-seater swept the board, taking first and second overall as well as three out of five class wins.

The winner of the event was sail-maker, and former Olympic Yachtsman, Roger Tushingham, who along with his co-driver, Alan Robinson, successfully guided their Caterham Seven Roadsport 1.6-litre through 2,000 kilometres of demanding stages. This is Roger Tushingham's second win in his ever reliable Caterham. In 2000 he won the tough GME six day rally in Corsica.

The famous Monte-Carlo Sportscar Challenge 2005 tests the reliability of the cars, and the driving and navigational skills of their drivers and co-drivers. Throughout the four-day event, competitors are encouraged to stick to an average speed with penalties for arriving at the end of a stage too early or too late.

Second place overall went to part-time motoring writer Francie Clarkson and navigator, Clare Owen, in the new Caterham Seven CSR 260.

It was Clarkson’s first time behind the wheel of the 260bhp Cosworth powered Caterham, but she quickly got to grips with one of the fastest accelerating production car on the planet to take first place in the over 2000cc class. Afterwards Clarkson commented:

"This is my fifth time doing an endurance challenge of this sort and it was arguably the most exciting. I really enjoyed driving the CSR and the torquey engine certainly allowed us to make short work of the steep mountain passes. If we hadn’t got stuck behind a bus on an extremely narrow pass we may have taken the overall victory!"

Forty sports and specialist cars challenged for honours in the event which took in some of the most testing tarmac in Europe with numerous steep climbs and demanding switchback turns.