2011 Academy.....here I come !

[AE82GT]

Hi Guy's,
Well today was a bloody expensive jolly to Caterham HQ !
I'm booked in, paid up and really looking forward to the 2011 academy
season.

Is there an on line "home" the lucky few swap tech and battle advice on
or it it just on here?

One question, on the Caterham site it lists Carpet, Weather gear and a heater in the
standard equipment? did anyone else get this in there package?
(who the hell needs a heater FFs !)

[Z3MCJez]

Congratulations, first and foremost. Best money you'll ever spend.

The caterham racing website is at: http://forum.caterham.co.uk/ - There is an "introduction" thread in the Academy 2010 section - I think there are some who are going to meet up at Brands for this year's races on 20/21 August.

As to boxes to tick ... Think hard about whether you are going to drive the car on the road. My guess would be that 70% don't (maybe 90% by year 2) and as such the weather equipment will only be used to keep it dry and a tonneau would be better. If you are going to drive it on the road, are you going to drive it in the rain? Tonneau again perhaps?

Doors are good for protecting against wind. But again, only necessary on the road. I race with doors (one of perhaps 4/5 in Roadsport B, the Academy graduation series) but would race with half-doors in preference, if I had bought them from the outset.

If you're over about 5' 6", get the lowered floor. Also get the starter button (you don't want to be faffing with a key if you're facing oncoming traffic). I've had the ignition removed - have this done if you're not going to use the car on the road. Removable steering wheel is, IMO, worth having, but a matter of personal taste. Definitely get it if you're tall.

There are other things you'll want in due course. Racing mirrors (so you can actually see something backwards; oil catch tank etc.) but no point in worrying about those things yet!

Good luck,

Jez
RSB#8

PS Heater and carpet are not standard in an Academy car. You'll get a fire extinguisher and heater blanking plate instead. And entry to 7 events next year. And an ARDS test. And a trackday and a setup day.

Edited by Z3MCJez on Thursday 12th August 23:26

[TheDeadPrussian]

Hi Tom, I'm in as well.
Take a look at the Caterham Motorsport Forum (link in reply above) and you will see that some of the 2011 'Academics' have introduced themselves over there.

Some of us are planning to meet up at Brands on the 22nd. It would be good to see you if you can make it.

Now all that is left is the long wait for the car and the season to begin!

Regards,
Mark.

[AE82GT]

Thanks for the heads up !

I've spec'd :

• Tonneau
• Foam in-a-bag seat (my rib cage is physically too wide for the composite seat!)
• MOMO removable wheel
• Push button start
• Lowered floor

Jury's still out on the Black pack, I need to let them know.

Also is the flat set up worth doing? For the IVA test I'm guessing the Foam seat won't
pass? in which case I'm going to have to buy two normal leather seats

[TheDeadPrussian]

I went for the 'black pack' but purely for looks, no real function that I am aware of. I am also having my car painted, which many choose not to do.

I guess other than those items that are necessary based upon driver shape and size and car function (bag seat, lowered floors, removable steering wheel, push button start etc), the rest just comes down to personal preference.

Mark.

[Z3MCJez]

Black pack is looks only. I didn't spec it, but it does look better on a light car (mine's yellow). Paint weighs between 2kg and 5kg, depending on who you ask. As JamesS says, "6 pints of stella and a curry". Makes it easier to keep it clean too - the ally will never look new on a race car, but you pay your money and take your choice.

Also consider colour of wings. Caterham will only bring black wings to races, so if you lose one (knock it off), you'll get a black replacement. Maybe spec black from the outset. And only the standard colours are standard prices (even if ordered from the factory). Black, yellow, red, green, I think. Other colours are quite a lot more.

Re: seats, I've no idea for IVA, but if you get Caterham to do that for you, I'm sure they'd shove something in as a loan. For bag seats, you can get either expanding foam or resin/bead. Resin/bead is longer lasting, but more expensive. You can do your own foam seat cheaply if you have some patience (I made 3 for about £70).

Jez

[Rich S]

My thoughts , for what they are worth.. (ex Academy & RSB from way back)

Paint is a must unless you like polishing (pick a good colour , this is a race car)
Black Pack the same (I have owned both , and if you do drive it in poor conditions on the road, the black pack cleans us so much more easily + screen surround looks best in black with black powder coated roll cage )
Lowered floor (unless you are vertically challenged) I would always have one in a caged car and I am only an optimistic 5 foot 9 inches
tonneau + half doors unless you are going touring (Caterham will I am sure lend you some doors to get through SVA, better still , let them do that bit)
even in the rain I never raced with the roof on , but I did use the full doors (just to confuse matters)
Black wings for racing , with no indicators (see above re SVA)
passenger harness for scaring the Mrs
Tillets are easy , and best for road use , a single foam seat for pure racing
removable wheel (suede rim)
start button

and remember to just enjoy it , I am sure you will have a blast !

best of luck

Rich

[Atomic Gibbon]

Suede Rich?

IMO, leather on leather is great. Suede just makes your hands knack from having to compensate for the lack of glove - wheel grip!

[Rich S]

I always found that racing gloves on the leather wheel lacked a little friction

for all weather driving + touring etc , then the leather wheel can't be beat , but having had other race cars with a suede wheel , if you can live with the premature wear , and the fact that they look tatty fast , it would always be my preference

but to each his own !

[coyoteracer11]

Rich S said:

My thoughts , for what they are worth.. (ex Academy & RSB from way back)

Paint is a must unless you like polishing (pick a good colour , this is a race car)
Black Pack the same (I have owned both , and if you do drive it in poor conditions on the road, the black pack cleans us so much more easily + screen surround looks best in black with black powder coated roll cage )
Lowered floor (unless you are vertically challenged) I would always have one in a caged car and I am only an optimistic 5 foot 9 inches
tonneau + half doors unless you are going touring (Caterham will I am sure lend you some doors to get through SVA, better still , let them do that bit)
even in the rain I never raced with the roof on , but I did use the full doors (just to confuse matters)
Black wings for racing , with no indicators (see above re SVA)
passenger harness for scaring the Mrs
Tillets are easy , and best for road use , a single foam seat for pure racing
removable wheel (suede rim)
start button

and remember to just enjoy it , I am sure you will have a blast !

best of luck

Rich

absolutely right