On Tuesday 14th December Catesby Projects put on a launch day event for Catesby Tunnel, a state-of-the-art automotive testing facility. Guests included F1 engineering legends Mike Costin and Peter Wright, who unveiled a plaque on the outside wall of the tunnel. A classic Lotus 79 F1 car then stunned the crowd as it took a trip through the tunnel making a spectacular noise.
Mike Costin founded Cosworth Engineering in 1958 with Keith Duckworth. It was their engine that powered the Lotus 79 and Mario Andretti to the 1978 Formula 1 World Championship. Peter Wright developed the pioneering ground effect theory whilst working for Lotus, which also undoubtedly propelled Lotus and Andretti to the world title in 1978.
Catesby Tunnel’s launch day marks the official beginning of a new era for the tunnel. One which will see some of the world’s largest automotive companies and motorsport teams pulled to the Northamptonshire countryside to test in a repeatable and productive facility that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world.
The event also included a presentation from Catesby Projects’ Managing Director Rob Lewis and talks from individuals who were crucial to the completion of the tunnel works. This part of the event was hosted at the newly-completed Catesby Innovation Centre situated on Catesby Park. Catesby Innovation Centre is designed to bring together local high-tech companies. The centre offers businesses the opportunity to rent office space and access the quality business facilities, including meeting rooms and seminar space.
“We are really proud to see the tunnel open and ready for customers. To have automotive and motorsport customers start to use the tunnel and to find out for themselves what makes Catesby so powerful is really exciting.” – Jon Paton, Group Leader at Catesby Projects.
“The Lotus 79 was the perfect car for this event. It was the foundation for ground effect vehicles and so important to the history of F1. To have Peter and Mike here also, is the icing on the cake. It would have been easy to choose a modern car for the launch, but the historic nature of the Lotus ties in nicely with the history of the Catesby Tunnel and it’s new life as a test facility.” – Rob Lewis, Managing Director at TotalSim Group.
“It’s [Catesby Tunnel] something for us [Northamptonshire] to be really, really proud of. This operates on the world stage in terms of transport technology” – Cllr Jonathan Nunn from West Northamptonshire Council
“This is the top of the range facility you can have for doing aerodynamic research” – Peter Wright, ex-Lotus F1 world championship winning engineer.
Catesby Tunnel Key Stats:
Length - 2740m
Width - 8.2m
Constant Gradient - 1:176
Working Section – 40m²
Testing Capabilities
Aerodynamics – Determining aerodynamic performance including drag, downforce and aerodynamic balance.
Vehicle Performance - Evaluating vehicle performance such as speed, acceleration, braking and ride height comfort.
Cooling Performance - Assessing thermal and cooling performance of engine bay, radiator, powertrain and brake components. Testing and validating thermal counter measures. Evaluating heat soak issues.
Noise Performance - Acoustic testing for passenger comfort and conformity to government legislation. Examples include the evaluation of cabin noise, engine sound levels, exhaust systems or even fitment of structures and assemblies.
Aeroacoustics - Determining noise source, measuring noise levels and analysing sound propagation as a consequence of turbulent airflows.
Emission Tests - Representative vehicle emissions testing of carbon dioxide and pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen.
Dirt Deposition - Practical testing of complex vehicle contamination processes due to adverse environmental conditions
Heritage
Catesby Tunnel began construction as a Victorian railway tunnel in February 1895 and was completed in May 1897. The railway line was part of the Great Central’s ‘London Extension’ with the first train running through in July 1898. The railway tunnel was in service for 68 years until its operational retirement in September 1966. The underground nature of the construction was a result of Catesby Estate owner, Henry Attenborough, objecting to unsightly trains passing through the landscape. Approximately 30 million bricks were required to construct the perfectly straight 2.7km long tunnel.
Vision
Catesby Tunnel is set to become the worldwide benchmark for aerodynamic testing and vehicle development. The facility is expected to attract customers from Europe and the rest of the world. The development will enhance the capabilities of the UK vehicle industry and provide a base for the commercialisation of new technology, innovation and R&D. A science and technology park will be built adjacent to the tunnel that will bring together high-tech companies allowing opportunities for collaboration and growth in the South East Midlands.
Media Coverage
The event featured on regional television after being covered by both ITV Anglia and BBC Look East. The feature created by the BBC in which presenter Stuart Ratcliffe takes a drive down the tunnel after witnessing the Classic Lotus 79 F1 make the same trip.
Bookings are now being taken by Catesby Projects, a worldwide reseller of Catesby Tunnel.
Further details can be found at www.catesbyprojects.com
If you would like the opportunity to visit the tunnel to see what the facility has to offer, please get in touch at info@catesbyprojects.com