Caterham academy -Smaller BHP from Larger BHP
Discussion
Hi all, not posted in the Caterham area before so excuse any missed protocols.
I sold my Tuscan 2 S nearly a year ago and have been weeping ever since, well, my wife and I had a lovely little boy so it's not all bad. Well actually it is all bad, but there is hope. A ray of light shone through the clouds this Saturday precluded by Jon at Millwood who was a wealth of info and let me take out a Caterham for a test drive. He wasn't the ray of light, my wife was, who told me I could do the Academy season next year if I so wished. Brilliant. However before I run, cheque in hand back to the powers that be and beg for a place on next years academy, I wondered if you could provide any general feedback:
My main worry is that, while on the track the car is obviously fantastic, in the real world does the smaller academy car feel a little underpowered?
This in itself is not really an issue for its first year of life as it will be standard academy spec, however after the first season is it daft to start spending money making the car more powerful when in fact I should have paid up in the first place, not done the academy and bought something (still a Caterham) more powerfull and just done track days.
Simply put, is the Adamey spec car still gratifying outside of the racing environment?
Sorry this is a bit of a ramble but any responses much appreciated. Thanks
I sold my Tuscan 2 S nearly a year ago and have been weeping ever since, well, my wife and I had a lovely little boy so it's not all bad. Well actually it is all bad, but there is hope. A ray of light shone through the clouds this Saturday precluded by Jon at Millwood who was a wealth of info and let me take out a Caterham for a test drive. He wasn't the ray of light, my wife was, who told me I could do the Academy season next year if I so wished. Brilliant. However before I run, cheque in hand back to the powers that be and beg for a place on next years academy, I wondered if you could provide any general feedback:
My main worry is that, while on the track the car is obviously fantastic, in the real world does the smaller academy car feel a little underpowered?
This in itself is not really an issue for its first year of life as it will be standard academy spec, however after the first season is it daft to start spending money making the car more powerful when in fact I should have paid up in the first place, not done the academy and bought something (still a Caterham) more powerfull and just done track days.
Simply put, is the Adamey spec car still gratifying outside of the racing environment?
Sorry this is a bit of a ramble but any responses much appreciated. Thanks
I think it depends very much on yourself and what you expect to get from the car. If you are after lazy power like your TVR then you will be disappointed. However, if you want a car that is well balanced, has an engine that whilst quite flat with its torque, is great to use and keep buzzing along and is a real laugh to use on the roads and track, a Sigma academy car is a brilliant choice.
I have had a few sevens and whilst the Sigma is one of the lowest powered, I thoroughly enjoy driving it on the track and road when you can really enjoy the performance without being in silly-territory. You can't just overtake anything on the road at all as you might with a 200+ BHP car but have to plan your "attack" but that's part of the fun.
I would sign up for the academy series if you can, have a great year's racing and introduction to sevens and then maybe look to buy another car after that year when you will have a better appreciation of the cars and also what you want from it. I wouldn't bother to upgrade the little Sigma engine unless it can be done cheaply and reliably.
HTH
T
I have had a few sevens and whilst the Sigma is one of the lowest powered, I thoroughly enjoy driving it on the track and road when you can really enjoy the performance without being in silly-territory. You can't just overtake anything on the road at all as you might with a 200+ BHP car but have to plan your "attack" but that's part of the fun.
I would sign up for the academy series if you can, have a great year's racing and introduction to sevens and then maybe look to buy another car after that year when you will have a better appreciation of the cars and also what you want from it. I wouldn't bother to upgrade the little Sigma engine unless it can be done cheaply and reliably.
HTH
T
Mmmmm. If you want a balls in mouth acceleration then the answer will be no.
On the other hand it is a great car with enough power to have some fun and teach you how to drive without scaring yourself silly. If you do the Academy you will predominantly use it on track and be driving against/with other identical cars which is where the fun is. After the Academy year you might chose to continue (as many do) into the next year's racing in Roadsport B and then Roadsport A or similar series which all use basically the same car.
Once you start competing you may very well change your perspective on road driving - I certainly have in my very short time!
On the other hand it is a great car with enough power to have some fun and teach you how to drive without scaring yourself silly. If you do the Academy you will predominantly use it on track and be driving against/with other identical cars which is where the fun is. After the Academy year you might chose to continue (as many do) into the next year's racing in Roadsport B and then Roadsport A or similar series which all use basically the same car.
Once you start competing you may very well change your perspective on road driving - I certainly have in my very short time!
Definitely do the academy, I have been racing caterhams for 3 years now, all in roadsport A though which is like the academy car but with race springs and dampers etc. Smaller tires, you get the picture. It's basically the similar level of power to the car you'll be driving. It's just got a duratec engine now whereas mine has a k series. Anyway I digress.
I have driven alot of quick cars over the years, including an F40 that I used to own. I've still got some quick kit in the form of a challenge stradale and 430 spider. Neither are as rewarding or as good to drive as my caterham. I've also got a r400 road car, I love both caterhams equally and whilst the power is nice in the 400 I've never felt the roadsport was anything other than brilliant. Try racing one in the wet and then let me know you still think it's underpowered. You're going to be off the track at some point!!!
Honestly, everyone talks alot of guff about grunt and power. Learn to drive really well in a caterham and you are set for life. You can take those skills and go for it, either with more racing or just by being a better driver in your cars for both road/track driving. It's the best thing I have ever done. It's not easy either, unless you've got a karting background (am guessing not) it will take time to get up to the front. The academy is good because all drivers are at the same level, if you went straight into the deep end with a supersport or roadsport A car I think you'd struggle. Maybe not, but likely to be honest. You could do roadpsort B if you fancied it straight away, you'd be racing against guys with a year or two experience mostly.
If you can't get into the academy for next year, do RSB now and get cracking. Invest in a good on board camera (think they are mandatory now anyway) and get lots of tuition. Then head for the podium....
Good luck
I have driven alot of quick cars over the years, including an F40 that I used to own. I've still got some quick kit in the form of a challenge stradale and 430 spider. Neither are as rewarding or as good to drive as my caterham. I've also got a r400 road car, I love both caterhams equally and whilst the power is nice in the 400 I've never felt the roadsport was anything other than brilliant. Try racing one in the wet and then let me know you still think it's underpowered. You're going to be off the track at some point!!!
Honestly, everyone talks alot of guff about grunt and power. Learn to drive really well in a caterham and you are set for life. You can take those skills and go for it, either with more racing or just by being a better driver in your cars for both road/track driving. It's the best thing I have ever done. It's not easy either, unless you've got a karting background (am guessing not) it will take time to get up to the front. The academy is good because all drivers are at the same level, if you went straight into the deep end with a supersport or roadsport A car I think you'd struggle. Maybe not, but likely to be honest. You could do roadpsort B if you fancied it straight away, you'd be racing against guys with a year or two experience mostly.
If you can't get into the academy for next year, do RSB now and get cracking. Invest in a good on board camera (think they are mandatory now anyway) and get lots of tuition. Then head for the podium....
Good luck
Can't really say much more than the others. An Academy car is great fun though, and competing in it is far, far more fun than driving something faster on the road. I've loved cars for years, but since I started racing karts about 7 years ago, I just haven't really be bothered about a fast road car. To be honest, my biggest question when looking at a new road car now is...how big is the boot and how much can it tow! Start racing, and give it 6 months.....you'll be asking the same questions :P
There are loads of people on here that have gone through the academy
If you just want to race it is cheaper to go straight into Roadsports or Graduates (you can get a race ready classic Grad for about £7,500)
But for what it is, ie all beginners, budget single class series, you can't beat the academy
If you just want to race it is cheaper to go straight into Roadsports or Graduates (you can get a race ready classic Grad for about £7,500)
But for what it is, ie all beginners, budget single class series, you can't beat the academy
pistolp said:
Definitely do the academy, I have been racing caterhams for 3 years now, all in roadsport A though which is like the academy car but with race springs and dampers etc. Smaller tires, you get the picture. It's basically the similar level of power to the car you'll be driving. It's just got a duratec engine now whereas mine has a k series. Anyway I digress.
I have driven alot of quick cars over the years, including an F40 that I used to own. I've still got some quick kit in the form of a challenge stradale and 430 spider. Neither are as rewarding or as good to drive as my caterham. I've also got a r400 road car, I love both caterhams equally and whilst the power is nice in the 400 I've never felt the roadsport was anything other than brilliant. Try racing one in the wet and then let me know you still think it's underpowered. You're going to be off the track at some point!!!
Honestly, everyone talks alot of guff about grunt and power. Learn to drive really well in a caterham and you are set for life. You can take those skills and go for it, either with more racing or just by being a better driver in your cars for both road/track driving. It's the best thing I have ever done. It's not easy either, unless you've got a karting background (am guessing not) it will take time to get up to the front. The academy is good because all drivers are at the same level, if you went straight into the deep end with a supersport or roadsport A car I think you'd struggle. Maybe not, but likely to be honest. You could do roadpsort B if you fancied it straight away, you'd be racing against guys with a year or two experience mostly.
If you can't get into the academy for next year, do RSB now and get cracking. Invest in a good on board camera (think they are mandatory now anyway) and get lots of tuition. Then head for the podium....
Good luck
Agreed.I have driven alot of quick cars over the years, including an F40 that I used to own. I've still got some quick kit in the form of a challenge stradale and 430 spider. Neither are as rewarding or as good to drive as my caterham. I've also got a r400 road car, I love both caterhams equally and whilst the power is nice in the 400 I've never felt the roadsport was anything other than brilliant. Try racing one in the wet and then let me know you still think it's underpowered. You're going to be off the track at some point!!!
Honestly, everyone talks alot of guff about grunt and power. Learn to drive really well in a caterham and you are set for life. You can take those skills and go for it, either with more racing or just by being a better driver in your cars for both road/track driving. It's the best thing I have ever done. It's not easy either, unless you've got a karting background (am guessing not) it will take time to get up to the front. The academy is good because all drivers are at the same level, if you went straight into the deep end with a supersport or roadsport A car I think you'd struggle. Maybe not, but likely to be honest. You could do roadpsort B if you fancied it straight away, you'd be racing against guys with a year or two experience mostly.
If you can't get into the academy for next year, do RSB now and get cracking. Invest in a good on board camera (think they are mandatory now anyway) and get lots of tuition. Then head for the podium....
Good luck
The Academy is brilliant, and you wont get bored driving the car. As said, you can do it cheaper with Grads, but it's still good value for what you get and a level playing field is a great way to start.
I did the Academy (with Incorrigible in fact) in 2005, took the car into Graduates for 2 years afterwards, then changed into R400 Superlights in 2008. I've left Caterham racing now, but despite being very priviledged with what I'm driving at the moment I still pine for the closeness, raw fun and great comeraderie and atmosphere of Caterham club racing.
You make lots of friends, have lots of fun and if you've never done anything like it before it genuinely is life changing. You wont regret it.
...Just make sure the mrs doesn't get to see the invoices for the Helmet, Race suit, trailer, etc etc. that are on top of the cost of the car
I did the Academy (with Incorrigible in fact) in 2005, took the car into Graduates for 2 years afterwards, then changed into R400 Superlights in 2008. I've left Caterham racing now, but despite being very priviledged with what I'm driving at the moment I still pine for the closeness, raw fun and great comeraderie and atmosphere of Caterham club racing.
You make lots of friends, have lots of fun and if you've never done anything like it before it genuinely is life changing. You wont regret it.
...Just make sure the mrs doesn't get to see the invoices for the Helmet, Race suit, trailer, etc etc. that are on top of the cost of the car
Edited by The Wookie on Wednesday 19th May 09:12
Hello Tom,
I have been through exactly the same process of deliberation as you; and after all the contemplation, I signed up a couple of months ago.
My reasoning was very much like yours, but in the end I just felt that if I didn't take the plunge and commit to it, I may live to regret the missed opportunity.
You're a long time dead and all that...
As mentioned briefly above, the cost of the car is just the start however, there will be race equipment, a trailer (perhaps), tuition, accident damage, wear and tear etc… the budget needs a sizeable contingency - but if you have the means it is all relative.
I have been to a couple of race events (not Academy) and spoken to some who have been through the process and who are now taking part in Superlights, Roadsport B etc and the verdict was unanimous from everyone – go for it, you won’t regret it.
Hope this helps,
Mark.
I have been through exactly the same process of deliberation as you; and after all the contemplation, I signed up a couple of months ago.
My reasoning was very much like yours, but in the end I just felt that if I didn't take the plunge and commit to it, I may live to regret the missed opportunity.
You're a long time dead and all that...
As mentioned briefly above, the cost of the car is just the start however, there will be race equipment, a trailer (perhaps), tuition, accident damage, wear and tear etc… the budget needs a sizeable contingency - but if you have the means it is all relative.
I have been to a couple of race events (not Academy) and spoken to some who have been through the process and who are now taking part in Superlights, Roadsport B etc and the verdict was unanimous from everyone – go for it, you won’t regret it.
Hope this helps,
Mark.
TOM500 said:
not done the academy and bought something (still a Caterham) more powerfull and just done track days.
Racing is an entire different world to track days, if you can possibly do it then do.I went straight into the Grads because a mate was doing it (Incorrigible FWIW
) and don't regret it at all. Undoubtably the Academy gives you the full hand-holding experience but the Grads are an incredibly friendly bunch with plenty of support for Noobies.And you can get a car and trailer for about £11k, ahem
Bill said:
Racing is an entire different world to track days, if you can possibly do it then do.
I'll 2nd that. As everyone else on the grid will have the same 125bhp at the front it really does make for some exciting racing. I'm in my 3rd year now and it's still a huge buzz. And as far as track days go, don't worry about a mere 125hp, it's surprising what kind of metal the little 7 can keep up with.I've made some very good friends through the Academy and the following years and the social side of it is half the fun, and I'm sure the grads offers a similar fun factor too.
Go for it!
For what it is worth ..
Way back in the dim & distant past when I did the Academy ...
115bhp K series wasn't a smoky bit of kit BUT
point to point , there wasn't much between that and my then current "classic" shape Impreza turbo that became it's tow car.
Power to weight was probably very close to identical , and the Caterham was about 25% of the cost to insure !
As many have said before , for a hand held introduction to motorsport , and the first step on the Caterham ladder , the Academy is very hard to beat !
If you have the chance go for it , you won't loose much on the car in terms of depreciation (especially if you build it yourself)....barring accidents
they will play you in gently with some sprints & hill climbs
you will get a taste of racing as your car control develops
it is physically impossible to get through a set of those "fuel efficient" tyres in a season
the biggest negative I can come up with is that once tasted , almost everyone wants to carry on racing , and it can become an expensive habit !
as they say "everything else is just waiting"
Way back in the dim & distant past when I did the Academy ...
115bhp K series wasn't a smoky bit of kit BUT
point to point , there wasn't much between that and my then current "classic" shape Impreza turbo that became it's tow car.
Power to weight was probably very close to identical , and the Caterham was about 25% of the cost to insure !
As many have said before , for a hand held introduction to motorsport , and the first step on the Caterham ladder , the Academy is very hard to beat !
If you have the chance go for it , you won't loose much on the car in terms of depreciation (especially if you build it yourself)....barring accidents
they will play you in gently with some sprints & hill climbs
you will get a taste of racing as your car control develops
it is physically impossible to get through a set of those "fuel efficient" tyres in a season
the biggest negative I can come up with is that once tasted , almost everyone wants to carry on racing , and it can become an expensive habit !
as they say "everything else is just waiting"
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