Academy 2008

Author
Discussion

_TC

Original Poster:

1,938 posts

254 months

Monday 9th July 2007
quotequote all
Just placed my order for a 2008 Academy car. very excited now.
Any tips on what to do from now until December when the kit arrives?smile

I have watched lots of vids on youtube etc. think i should stay away from the computer for now and try not to think about it.

peter-2006

357 posts

215 months

Monday 9th July 2007
quotequote all
Try to get to as many of the remaining academy races as possible and talk to as many of this years competitors.
Have a look at the videos on our website http://www.spy-motorsport.co.uk

Plundy

27 posts

214 months

Monday 9th July 2007
quotequote all
Come and see us at Castle Combe this Sunday (15th July) - the racing is brilliant. Both Academy Groups will be there - just come round the paddock and ask away (we will be at the arse end of the paddock by Folly / Avon Rise). Quite a few of us doing the track day on Friday too - I'm sure you could get a ride if you ask nicely.....

Paolo
Group 2
Red 3

_TC

Original Poster:

1,938 posts

254 months

Monday 9th July 2007
quotequote all
Thank you very much chaps, i am unfortunately away for a week in cornwall on my hols but i am very keen to see the cars in action. Where are the next few rounds?

Plundy

27 posts

214 months

Tuesday 10th July 2007
quotequote all
Cadwell Park - Sunday 2nd Sept with the Grads, and then Brands Hatch on Sun Oct 21st with Roadsports.

P.S. you don't want to by a Tillet seat including adjustable runners and all fixings? Barely used - could save you a bit on factory prices!

Incorrigible

13,668 posts

266 months

Tuesday 10th July 2007
quotequote all
Where abouts in the country are you ? Grads are racing at Lydden on the 28th. Lots of ex accademy drivers who will talk to you all day !

tel777.

128 posts

214 months

Tuesday 10th July 2007
quotequote all
I'm doing this years academy and found that zero track experiance really hurts against guys who have driven tracks before.

My advise is to get on track as much as posible before the season starts (and during the season) if time and money allows. I don't really think it matters if your in a caterham or not but just finding the limits of your abilityand building confidence takes time.

I found that at the start of the season I didn't use nearly enough of the track and made corners sharper than they needed to be causing slower exit speed spins.

Good luck for next year.

tel777

ps - my car seems to get quicker the more miles I put on it upto 2200 miles now and I wished it felt this loose from the start. Get some time in the car.

pps - set up helps but at our level of ability it's mainly about the driver, find a set up which feels good then stick to it.

_TC

Original Poster:

1,938 posts

254 months

Tuesday 10th July 2007
quotequote all
Incorrigible said:
Where abouts in the country are you ? Grads are racing at Lydden on the 28th. Lots of ex accademy drivers who will talk to you all day !
Im in Devon but my parents are near Basingstoke so spend a bit of time there. i think more so next year as its fairly central for the tracks etc.

Tel777. thank you for the advice. i remember posting with you about this back in feb but now i have bitten the bullit and ordered one. cant bloody wait.
I have an Exige which i have 2 track days booked for now but with your advice i think i will book some more. I wish the caterahm was here now as it would be great to get some experience in that.

Thanks fellas and see you at a track soon.

dannylt

1,906 posts

289 months

Wednesday 11th July 2007
quotequote all
Rent a Caterham on trackdays, e.g. BaT? Cheaper than owning one I reckon!

_TC

Original Poster:

1,938 posts

254 months

Wednesday 18th July 2007
quotequote all
Plundy said:
P.S. you don't want to by a Tillet seat including adjustable runners and all fixings? Barely used - could save you a bit on factory prices!
I have emailed you Plunky, i hope its still avaliable.

Dan1heMan

134 posts

223 months

Thursday 19th July 2007
quotequote all
Hi Guys,

Just paid my deposit for the Academy 2008, I cant wait till its delivered in November and i can dive in and give birth to my racecar. Think its time to buy some heaters for the garage smile

Dan.

_TC

Original Poster:

1,938 posts

254 months

Thursday 19th July 2007
quotequote all
Nice one Dan, i look forward to meeting you at the events.

don777

129 posts

231 months

Thursday 9th August 2007
quotequote all
Hi Guys,

I signed up a couple of weeks ago too. Decided to go for self build option in the end. Never built anything before, will my Leatherman do?

wink

Don.

_TC

Original Poster:

1,938 posts

254 months

Thursday 9th August 2007
quotequote all
Excellent news Don. Yeah, leatherman should be fine mate. Have to dust mine off ready for December.biggrin

Dan1heMan

134 posts

223 months

Thursday 9th August 2007
quotequote all
Fantastic Don, Look forward to meeting you smile

tel777.

128 posts

214 months

Thursday 9th August 2007
quotequote all
Guys who have signed up for next year, don't expect that your cars will be delivered when promised. Caterham have nearly sixty academy cars plus others all going out in a couple of months and only one person delivering them also as the time window for all these cars going out is small then you also get lots of parts missing.

My advice is to give them hassle all the time and give them dead lines.

Your in safe hands with James and Mike though.

Tel777

_TC

Original Poster:

1,938 posts

254 months

Thursday 9th August 2007
quotequote all
Was yours late then Tel777?
Can you pick the kit up from them instead?
I have been told mid december. would really like it before so i can get as many miles under my belt as possible.

tel777.

128 posts

214 months

Thursday 9th August 2007
quotequote all
I paid the deposite in June and was told that I would get the kit in late sept early oct, I actually received it 24 Nov. So yes it was late, which made a big difference. I had planned to have most of it done by Xmas as my business is very busy in Jan/Feb so when it arrived late I was under pressure to get it done ASAP.

Plenty of late nights and long weekends which really didn't go down to well with the wife and kids.

I get the feeling that the sales people at caterham don't really know true time scales from the factory. Best to speak to James Gibson at the factory he's very accomodating and will help if he can.

Tel777

Dan1heMan

134 posts

223 months

Thursday 9th August 2007
quotequote all
Thanks For that Tel777, I have had a letter saying it will be delivered in December but the guy at Caterham Midlands said it would be end of October beginning of November. So looks like he didnt know what he was on about...

_TC

Original Poster:

1,938 posts

254 months

Friday 10th August 2007
quotequote all
Dan1heMan said:
Thanks For that Tel777, I have had a letter saying it will be delivered in December but the guy at Caterham Midlands said it would be end of October beginning of November. So looks like he didnt know what he was on about...
I had the same letter. I am hoping it will be the earlier date but i have a horrible feeling it wont.
Come on, come on, the wait is killling me!!