Discussion
Having enjoyed trackdays for some time now, I'd really like to step up to some form of competitive motorsport.
I was wondering what fellow Caterham owners recommend.
As I like my car I'm not too keen on the idea of crashing it, so think the sprint or maybe hillclimb type format would suit me. But what other options are there for a Superlight R with a 2 litre K-series? No you read that right, there is a 2 litre K series, it's rare but it was developed by minister for the 'R500Evo'.
It's about as fast as a car can go without downforce so ideally I'd like to compete with other non-downforce cars.
I was wondering what fellow Caterham owners recommend.
As I like my car I'm not too keen on the idea of crashing it, so think the sprint or maybe hillclimb type format would suit me. But what other options are there for a Superlight R with a 2 litre K-series? No you read that right, there is a 2 litre K series, it's rare but it was developed by minister for the 'R500Evo'.
It's about as fast as a car can go without downforce so ideally I'd like to compete with other non-downforce cars.
I think definitely hillclimbes and sprints would be the best option. Any racing will ruin (cosmetically) a car even if you don't crash it, but at least with a sprint, you're never directly following anyone, so less risk of bad stone chips or contact. You will have to suspend some pride though otherwise you won't go that extra couple of tenths by using plenty of kerb and you do have to accept that it won't stay as pristine as it would if it just spent its life on the road.
However.....competing in a Seven is one of the best things you can do with the car. OK, so it will pick up a bit of cosmetic damage and there's the risk of a crash, but you'll learn so much, have a lot of fun and make a load of friends that its worth it. At the end of the day, it's just a car, and you can repair it easy enough, so go for it!
However.....competing in a Seven is one of the best things you can do with the car. OK, so it will pick up a bit of cosmetic damage and there's the risk of a crash, but you'll learn so much, have a lot of fun and make a load of friends that its worth it. At the end of the day, it's just a car, and you can repair it easy enough, so go for it!
Have you decided what sort of budget you have to work within?
Loads of series for racing, CSCC, SEMSEC, NWSS all will take caterham type cars and are classed for power etc. These will be significantly more expensive than hill climbs and sprints etc. but all will let you use your current mota.
Should note that racing is a completly different experience than hillclimbs or sprints. First job is to get your race licence, I think if you google "go motorsport" there is still an offical pack.
For me after racing everything else seems to fall way way short, last time i had a car on the road was an RSA - couldn't beleive just how quick it can be and how quickly you realise the road is not the place to be for you or others. If i was in your shoes i would sell the road car, by an RSA racecar - there are several very nice ones available now for around £10k and have a year in offical caterham series, Grads series or CSCC, at the end of the year car will still be worth similar money to sell if you don't like it.........which is unlikely!
Loads of series for racing, CSCC, SEMSEC, NWSS all will take caterham type cars and are classed for power etc. These will be significantly more expensive than hill climbs and sprints etc. but all will let you use your current mota.
Should note that racing is a completly different experience than hillclimbs or sprints. First job is to get your race licence, I think if you google "go motorsport" there is still an offical pack.
For me after racing everything else seems to fall way way short, last time i had a car on the road was an RSA - couldn't beleive just how quick it can be and how quickly you realise the road is not the place to be for you or others. If i was in your shoes i would sell the road car, by an RSA racecar - there are several very nice ones available now for around £10k and have a year in offical caterham series, Grads series or CSCC, at the end of the year car will still be worth similar money to sell if you don't like it.........which is unlikely!
thanks, I'm quite happy to travel for a good venue/event.
I'd love to do some proper racing but most racers care only for winning, not their cars and especially not anyone else's. Despite some notable spins I've managed to keep my car out of the armco since 1998 so if I damage my car I want it to be my fault, not that of some overexcited novice with his brain stuck in neutral. I've raced in Club 100 so I know how other racers delight in 'punting someone off'.
I was hoping there would be a series that isn't taken too seriously (honestly the people in kart racing really think they're in F1, no-one smiles and everyone is trying to cheat!) with like minded people who want to race but there is a good respect for other people's property and where races are conducted with the genuine intention of avoiding contact. I've long since given up my ambition to be the next Schumacher, I just want to have fun and compete fairly and squarely.
Does such a thing exist?
I'd love to do some proper racing but most racers care only for winning, not their cars and especially not anyone else's. Despite some notable spins I've managed to keep my car out of the armco since 1998 so if I damage my car I want it to be my fault, not that of some overexcited novice with his brain stuck in neutral. I've raced in Club 100 so I know how other racers delight in 'punting someone off'.
I was hoping there would be a series that isn't taken too seriously (honestly the people in kart racing really think they're in F1, no-one smiles and everyone is trying to cheat!) with like minded people who want to race but there is a good respect for other people's property and where races are conducted with the genuine intention of avoiding contact. I've long since given up my ambition to be the next Schumacher, I just want to have fun and compete fairly and squarely.
Does such a thing exist?
In my experience racing is on a sliding scale. The more profsional a series the higher the need to win to justify the cost, this is why contact becomes more frequent. In caterhams the most professional series are those run by CC themselves, certainly in R300, there current top level both the standard of drivers and cars is extremly high for club level motrosport. This doesn't mean however that some drivers find there bag of talent to hbe empty when they most need it. I would certainly recommend the CC route though, from RSB/Supersports?RSA......it certainly produces a very high calibre of club driver but will require a car change. On the other hand if you can go the whole hog nad do the Caterham Academy.....an brilliant way into motorsport, check out there new motorport website.
On the other hans the CSCC mag 7's is a great series, yes the cars aren't as lavished and the regs are are looser with a wider range of driver talent but i did their 40 min 2 driver race at the weekend and don't recall any contact from anyone.....when you consider the speed differential this is quite something. I would certainly recommend dipping your toe here aswell if you wanted to use your own car.
One thing to remeber though is it is what the car was meant for. You won't regret it.
Best of luck
If you prefer sprints/hillclimbs, the Lotus 7 Club Speed Championship might be of interest.
Around 18 events per season, at a variety of venues around the UK. Plenty of competetion,
and a very friendly/helpful bunch. Your car would fit the very competitive class 5 if you run on
List 1B radial tyres or class 6 (less cars this year) if you run slicks.
Around 18 events per season, at a variety of venues around the UK. Plenty of competetion,
and a very friendly/helpful bunch. Your car would fit the very competitive class 5 if you run on
List 1B radial tyres or class 6 (less cars this year) if you run slicks.
There are a few all-comers type of series like SEMSEC, Mag 7s, Castle Combe series, but what you'll find is cars with more bhp/trick bits tend to win. Hence the temptation is to chuck money at it in order to be competitive, and in my view that makes it chequebook racing unless you're content to pootle around at the back or race just one or two equivalent-ish cars. Usually the same ones.
I was kind of in the same boat in 2004 when I had a 2.0VX ex-Caterham Challenge car (175bhp) - it would have put me in the top class of things like 750MC Caterhams (which no longer exists) so competing against 250bhp monsters. So I decided to sell it and race a single-spec series where all the cars are the same.
James mentions the Academy, that's a good way of getting into it and everyone is a novice(ish) but I didn't want to do sprints and hillclimbs or spend the money on a brand new car so I went straight into the Grads club and haven't looked back. See www.graduates.org.uk or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grads_Club for more info
edited to remove duplication
I was kind of in the same boat in 2004 when I had a 2.0VX ex-Caterham Challenge car (175bhp) - it would have put me in the top class of things like 750MC Caterhams (which no longer exists) so competing against 250bhp monsters. So I decided to sell it and race a single-spec series where all the cars are the same.
James mentions the Academy, that's a good way of getting into it and everyone is a novice(ish) but I didn't want to do sprints and hillclimbs or spend the money on a brand new car so I went straight into the Grads club and haven't looked back. See www.graduates.org.uk or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grads_Club for more info
edited to remove duplication
Edited by coyoteracer11 on Monday 1st November 12:35
Ironically, your choice of car is going to mean you're in the top group of a series such as SEMSEC. In some ways, perhaps more fun to race something not as powerful? I had/have the same dilemma with my car and as such (along with lack of time) choose trackdays over racing, despite the efforts of so-called "friends" who try to get me to join them in their fun in SEMSEC.
Like you, I don't want to shunt the car and as such, sprints are going to be the sensible option for you. The L7Club sprint championship seems friendly, but competitive and they do have a class system.
Like you, I don't want to shunt the car and as such, sprints are going to be the sensible option for you. The L7Club sprint championship seems friendly, but competitive and they do have a class system.
Just noticed i didn't emntion the grads series.....oops :0
Grads is more akin to the CC series, all same cars in each class and competative standards.....same problem though that you will have to change car.
You will be amazed though what CC or grads series does for your laptimes.....no matter how great a trackday warrior you are.
also, best upgrade before you do any of this is some tuition.....simonmason.com, great fella who will also give you impartial advice on series nad champs.
Best of luck
Grads is more akin to the CC series, all same cars in each class and competative standards.....same problem though that you will have to change car.
You will be amazed though what CC or grads series does for your laptimes.....no matter how great a trackday warrior you are.
also, best upgrade before you do any of this is some tuition.....simonmason.com, great fella who will also give you impartial advice on series nad champs.
Best of luck
Also check out the BARC SE Intermarques at www.intermarques.co.uk - we have a regular contingent of Caterhams (plus Tigers) racing with full range of engines.
I've been competing in the Lotus 7 CLub speed championship for 5 years now. I have a similar car to you (a Superlight now with 226bhp) which put me straight into class 5 which is sort of ultimate roadgoing. Like you I had done a number of track days and wanted to start competing. I still dream of doing some circuit racing but I don't want to sell my car as I have put a lot of time and money not to mention blood sweat and tears developing it to it's current state.
Sprints and hillclimbs are definitely a good way to get into competition without spending a fortune. A licence is about £40 (no medical required and no exam). Event costs are in the region of £90. You need an MSA approved helmet, a race suit and fire retardent gloves. For the L7C championship you will need to join the L7C (£44 or £41 if direct debit) and there is a small championship registration fee (£17.50 last year)
The camararderie and banter in the championship are great and everyone helps everyone else - if your car breaks you will have half a dozen people come and help fix it.
Take a look on Blatchat to find out more.
I rarely do trackdays now as by lunchtime I'm usually bored - it doesn't come close to the buzz of reaching the top of a hill having driven the car to it's limits.
Speed events aren't for everyone and on the face of it you get little track time but the buzz of competition is, in my opinion, unbeatble.
Sprints and hillclimbs are definitely a good way to get into competition without spending a fortune. A licence is about £40 (no medical required and no exam). Event costs are in the region of £90. You need an MSA approved helmet, a race suit and fire retardent gloves. For the L7C championship you will need to join the L7C (£44 or £41 if direct debit) and there is a small championship registration fee (£17.50 last year)
The camararderie and banter in the championship are great and everyone helps everyone else - if your car breaks you will have half a dozen people come and help fix it.
Take a look on Blatchat to find out more.
I rarely do trackdays now as by lunchtime I'm usually bored - it doesn't come close to the buzz of reaching the top of a hill having driven the car to it's limits.
Speed events aren't for everyone and on the face of it you get little track time but the buzz of competition is, in my opinion, unbeatble.
I'll second everything that Shaun has said above, although I've only done 1 1/2 seasons. Everyone is really helpful to newbies whatever class you're in and more importantly you're competing against similarly-powered 7s in your class.
Even if you're not up to competing with the others you always have your own times to beat. I have to say that it is pretty addictive
Even if you're not up to competing with the others you always have your own times to beat. I have to say that it is pretty addictive
Many thanks for all the helpful posts.
It's time Superlight R no.19 got out there and strutted it's stuff!
the stripe is dayglow yellow which is seemingly impossible to photograph. It is very easy to recognize in real life though!
The titanium 7 in the background is my brother's JPE, now also race spec. He's also looking to join in next year.
It's time Superlight R no.19 got out there and strutted it's stuff!
the stripe is dayglow yellow which is seemingly impossible to photograph. It is very easy to recognize in real life though!
The titanium 7 in the background is my brother's JPE, now also race spec. He's also looking to join in next year.
Edited by The Pits on Tuesday 2nd November 19:42
from personal experience, SEMSEC and CSCC Mag 7's are both pretty friendly series where the emphasis is only "gentlemanly" racing rather than "win at all costs barge 'em out the way". That said, contact will happen. I knopw what you mean about wanting to look after your pride and joy - I raced an SV R500 Evo a few years back and I felt every stone chip, every ding as if it ws me, not the car. Over the years I've grown to understand that you can't afford to be too precious about your car's cosmetics if you're going to race - it will seriously detract from your enjoyment of the racing and cost a fortune.
Oh and Rubystone's problem is he's worried he might not be fast enough!
C'mon Mark, you know you want to come racing...
Oh and Rubystone's problem is he's worried he might not be fast enough!
C'mon Mark, you know you want to come racing...Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff