Racing Advice please

[Nickp47]

Racing Advice!

I would like to race a Caterham this year and so I plan to take my ARDS test asap.

I have a Superlight 1.6k 130 bhp that I have been using for track days and I would like to race this car but I am unsure if it would be eligible and if so for what club.

The Graduate racing club looks good but it would mean me swapping the car to a Classic Grad (as I think the other classes are full).


Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Nick

[fcat]

Nick,

Clubs like SEMSEC have classes that might suit your car. Geography may be an issue as SEMSEC run mostly at Lydden with the odd meeting at Brands. Where are you based ?

regards
Nigel

[Nickp47]

I am based in Derbyshire so Donington, Oulton, croft, Mallory, Silverstone and Cadwell would be a good geographical area.

[James.S]

Classic Grads,Super Grads and Roadsport B's if you want to keep you lights and windscreen, Mega Grads or Roadsports if you don't.

Probably better to chop your car for an ex racer as the regs are pretty strict to give close racing. You can't buy a laptime in any of the aforementioned.

Come along to the Donnington festival next weekend, ALL the Caterham Race series will be there.

J

Edited by James.S on Thursday 17th May 11:30

[James.S]

No they won't, they will be there a week later, 31st - 2nd - sorry.

[incorrigible]

Agree with James, if you want to race competitively. If you just want to race I think 750mc have a class that you could go in (don't really know, I race in Grads) Or there are a variey of speed options (sprints and hill climbs (SEMSEC as mentioned, there's probably a midlands one but I don't know the name))

Come to Donnington and have a chat

[andy blight]

Nick

If you're interested in racing in Mega Grads this year, please see here:
www.graduates.org.uk/forsale/defau
or drop me a mail.

Cheers
Andy

[James.S]

or this, http://forum.caterhamracing.com/index

Chris Bialan's 2006 Roadsport B car, now converted to Roadsports. Well known as having a very strong engine.

He was open to the possibility of hiring it, might suit you even more to dip your toe so to speak.

Edited by James.S on Thursday 17th May 13:50

[bse]

You could race your car in its current spec with the 750MC. They've races to come this year at Pembrey, Silverstone and Snetts. You'd just need the normal racing stuff (harness (in date), cut-off switch, extinguisher etc.). Some details on 750mc.co.uk The grids are currently a bit small, which means less dicing but also less chance of bending the car!

[Nickp47]

Thanks for the info folks.
I am off to Croft on Sunday to have a look at Graduates and will also have a look at 750MC.
Cheers
Nick

[Mikeww]

Hope you enjoyed Croft-hadn't seen this post or we could have met up-I race in Megas
The 750MC is not great for Caterhams at present IMO- and generally is R400's/the odd C400 and ends up quite processional
There are a few upgrades you would probably need on your current car-forged pistons, new plenum, new gearbox so would be far better selling and buying a Mega in current spec. A few of them are now been sold with racing membership included.
In terms of flexibility the Supergrad is a good option since it's effectively the same as a Roadsport.
PM me if you need any help

MikeW

[mechsympathy]

Mikeww said:

Hope you enjoyed Croft-hadn't seen this post or we could have met up

Likewise (I've just started in Supers). It looks like there'll be a few from PH racing in various classes/clubs at Donington so if you're going to make it it'd be worth arranging to meet



(And perhaps we should have a PH mini-meet?)

[Nickp47]

Croft was great fun the supers and the megas had packed grids

the racing was good and close.



I am now thinking that supers or roadsports are the way forward.

Not sure if there are any places in supers though?



Have pm'd you MikeW

[h_____]

36 Megas and 31 supers, smallest grid this year I think. No quali races, that makes a change!

[MikeWW]

Good to have a chat Nick
Hope to see you racing soon

Cheers
MikeW

[tortoise]

Plenty of room in Roadsport B. Around 22 starters for Donnington and the car is virtually identical to Academy spec. and easily upgradable to Roadsport spec. Also you run on the same program as the Roadsports so plenty of Caterhams, drivers and support around.

[dreamer75]

I'm thinking of racing in the 750 either next year or year after - interesting what you're saying about a small lineup.

My car is too far from any of the Caterham classes i think (I don't want to change the 6 spd box etc.) but the fact that 750 isn't looking good atm is a bit worrying

[bse]

Dreamer75,

Small grids are a bit worrying, which is a shame as I think the series does offer something different to the others (opportunity to race Roadsport As, R400s and probably most Caterhams with fairly limited changes). 750MC are currently in a situation that they have a few very popular series that often require 2 grids(Locost, Stock Hatch, Forumla Vee) and some others (Caterhams, Hot Hatch, Bike Sports) that struggle to get a half grid. The club obviously needs to keep the diversity, so are likely to do their best to continue to run the less well supported championships in some form or another.

(With regards to the 6 speed box, I'm sure the grads drivers will say take it out, sell it, replace with a 5 speed and have some money left over for entry fees! Personally, I think they add a lot to the car and they're rather nice to race with).

[fcat]

Hi Dreamer75

if you're based in the South East then you could always try SEMSEC - quite a few sevens race with them.

regards
fc

[dreamer75]

BSE - i think my car was originally an RSA, hence the interest in 750, thanks for the info (and I haven't driven a car with a 5 spd box so can't compare, but I like the 6 spd one )

fcat, I know someone else who is thinking of racing with SEMSEC, and yes I'm based in the SE - what I'm unsure about, is how to choose a series !