The system will be similar to that of its UK cousin, taking inexperienced drivers through the licensing process and then through a real competition season. The events will be run by experienced French motorsport agency, Caterham Competition France (CCF), while also receiving the support of French motosport magazine Sport Auto.
"CCF has already sold over 40 Superlight R300 race cars in France for one-make championships, so we know there is demand for Caterham racing," said Caterham Motorsport Manager, Simon Lambert.
The UK Caterham Academy was started in 1995 and has formed more racing drivers than any such organization. It is still as popular as ever, with the two 28-car grids for next year already sold out. The academy gives young drivers the opportunity to improve their skill, while also rising up the performance ranks, providing only the starting point of the Caterham Motorsport ‘ladder’.
“Once our French novice drivers have completed the Academy, there is a ready-made and proven infrastructure there for them to move up the performance ‘ladder’ and race R300s,” Lambert also stated.
The French package will consist of a road-legal Academy Seven, technical support and on-event guidance from Caterham’s experienced team, together with an introduction to several different motorsport disciplines, with circuit racing, hillclimbs and sprints.
Caterham’s success comes due to the affordability of its programs, making them available to people from all walks of life. According the company, the 2010 grid included a pilot, a microbiologist, an actor and a brewery chairman.
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