Century Racing formally unveiled the Century CR7 T1+ on Thursday, including a brand new challenger to the subcategory. The automotive will make its début at this weekend’s South African Rally-Raid Championship‘s Renergon 400 with Brian Baragwanath and Leonard Cremer as driver and navigator, respectively, with the primary focus being the 2024 Dakar Rally.
The CR7 is a four-wheel-drive automotive, a break from the crew’s conventional 2WD autos; an AWD automotive was final developed by Century with the BMW X6 T1.1 in 2012. Whereas sure elements just like the double wishbone rear suspension and the final form carry over from its predecessor CR6, the CR7 in any other case attracts extra from the upgraded CR6-T. For instance, the CR7 and CR6-T each use a twin-turbo V6 Audi RS4 engine able to 434 horsepower, whereas the CR6’s 370-hp motor comes from the Chevrolet Corvette LS7. The CR7 additionally has much less wheel journey and a decrease centre of gravity.
The crew has additionally produced two extra CR7s, although these are missing key options and are subsequently not ready for racing for the time being as additional improvement and testing proceed.
“It’s been a largely profitable launch for a clear sheet product however by no means can we underestimate the quantity of labor left to have this automotive win races, not to mention ending them,” mentioned crew supervisor Julien Hardy. “I have to stress that this upcoming race debut is solely an extension of our testing programme, and a possibility to see how every thing works in a unique setting than our two take a look at tracks. The 4WD system could be very novel and has been performing as deliberate however we’re nonetheless missing details about the excessive velocity behaviour of the automotive. Cooling on steady runs can also be one thing we have to affirm however we’re fairly happy with the launch spec to date.
“The goal might be to complete every loop with out points however Brian and Leonard have been instructed to cease if something suspect is occurring and are beneath no stress to finish the complete race distance. At this stage, preserving the automotive in working situation is extra essential than a race end as we need to preserve placing mileage on all of the launch elements as rapidly as potential.
“It’s been a balancing act in the previous couple of months, and a race in opposition to time as soon as once more. We weren’t completely sure in regards to the performance and sturdiness of sure components so we needed to manufacture the minimal required quantity for the prototype and solely after we are actually satisfied they’re as much as the duty that we may give the go forward to the machine store to supply extra. The truth that the following two vehicles within the manufacturing line are confirmed to be on begin line in Saudi Arabia in January have put us beneath large stress however that is how this crew often thrives.
“It’s additionally an enormous reduction for the engineering crew that every thing labored so nicely from day one, as among the technical options on this automotive are fairly radical. Now we have by no means spent a lot time going into so many particulars whereas designing a automotive and optimizing the package deal to such an extent. Being the primary clear sheet T1+ within the discipline gave us a singular alternative to leapfrog forward of the competitors, and solely time will inform if our radical answer is the reply or not.”
The CR7 is yet one more addition to the rising class of T1+ vehicles, which is reserved for upgraded 4×4 machines. It has primarily been dominated by the Toyota Hilux T1+, which incorporates the DKR Hilux T1+ produced by SVR Hallspeed, Overdrive Racing’s mannequin, and a privateer-friendly model constructed by fellow South African firm WCT Engineering. Toyota’s major World Rally-Raid Championship rival Prodrive has the Prodrive Hunter T1+, whereas MINI’s John Cooper Works Rally Plus can also be a W2RC common although a lot of its success has come on the Cross-Nation Bajas aspect.
Pink-Lined Motorsport, one other South African outfit, launched in 2023 the REVO T1+ that competes alongside the WCT Hilux within the SARRC. The Ford Ranger T1+ constructed by M-Sport and SARRC powerhouse Neil Woolridge Motorsport will make its W2RC début on the upcoming Rallye du Maroc.
“It’s not typically that I get to drive an all new idea out of the workshop however this was a particular expertise,” Baragwanath supplied. “After months of labor and anticipation, it was lastly time to match the idea to actual life driving and we weren’t disenchanted. Solely after a handful of sighting laps was I capable of push the automotive and obtain comparable, if not quicker lap instances, than the CR6, which was sudden. The dampers and brakes weren’t fairly in the appropriate window however I felt at house instantly, the CR7 feeling eerily much like drive than the CR6, apart from the large traction you expertise out of corners. I’m assured that our clients might be thrilled by this new machine.”
Century supplied ten vehicles on the 2023 Dakar Rally, two of which competed because the Astara Idea 01. Baragwanath raced one among two CR6-Ts, which stands out from the same old CR6 with the aforementioned engine swap.
The 2024 Dakar Rally begins on 5 January.
