[Source: Caterham Challenge] Caterham Technology and Caterham Composites, part of the Caterham Group, have joined with MGI CEO Mike Gascoyne and MGI Sailing Director Brian Thompson to run a Class40 offshore racing campaign under the banner of ‘Caterham Challenge’.
This two-year campaign follows on from Mike’s successful 2012 solo transatlantic aboard a ‘Caterham Challenge’ branded Class40.
Campaign objectives
- Bring F1 standards of technology and logistics to off-shore racing
- Encourage green, sustainable and reusable energy technologies in the marine, automotive and aerospace sectors
- Utilize Caterham’s extensive experience in F1, R&D, engineering, competitive sailing and sports marketing
MGI is building an Akilara RC3 Class40, due to be launched in early August with sailing and training in The Solent and the English Channel.
The racing calendar for ‘Caterham Challenge’ includes the Transat Jacques Vabre 2013, leaving France for Brazil in November; the Caribbean 600 in early 2014, together with the Global Ocean Race, leaving from the Southampton Boatshow in September 2014 around the world. For the TJV Caterham Challenge will be co-skippered by Mike Gascoyne and Brian Thompson.
Mike Gascoyne, CEO MGI
“This is a fantastic day for MGI and me personally. With the announcement of the ‘Caterham Challenge’ project I will be able to use my experience of the past 25 years in Formula 1 and transfer it to my passion, short handed sailing.
There are lots of similarities between high performance engineering, project management in F1 and competitive yacht racing.
Caterham Composites and Caterham Technology already work in vehicle simulation, with the aim of introducing those models to the marine industry as well as high performance carbon fiber application in the yachting industry.
With Brian on board we have the perfect package to combine many years of experience in both competitive sailing and motorsport engineering; run global sailing projects, from developing young talent to managing fully fledged sailing teams in major racing series.
Brian Thompson, Sailing Director MGI
“I’m very excited the be on board for the launch of the Caterham Challenge project. As sailing Director of MGI I will be combining sailing duties with Mike and looking at the development of the whole sailing and racing program for the team.
It’s clear with the backup we have from the Caterham Group that our sailing objectives reach far and wide, to the Open 60 class and beyond. This is a truly inspirational and innovative program to be involved with, and I am sure the coming weeks and months will prove to be ground breaking.”