Magnificent Sevens vs Caterham Academy
Discussion
Good evening. I've been driving at track days for a few years now and am considering the next step into competitive racing. The Caterham Academy series is one possibility but as i have a Caterham R300 already i'm not so keen to buy another one in order to race. The Magnificent Sevens series organised by the Classic Sport Car Club is another possibility and i could use my existing car with a few mods but i don't know how suitable this would be for a novice racer. Does anyone have experience of the M7s and whether it would be madness to jump straight into that? Am i missing some other series or a better introduction to racing? Maybe one off races?
I'm not a Mag 7 racer but do race with CSCC in one of their other series.
My observations, for what its worth, is that its a good VFM series with good racing. There are some quick cars at the front but also plenty of novices. Racing standards are good & its well policed; you will probably enjoying good dicing throughout the field.
I really recommend the club but I have been known to be biased!
I can put you in touch with some Mag 7 guys if you wish!
My observations, for what its worth, is that its a good VFM series with good racing. There are some quick cars at the front but also plenty of novices. Racing standards are good & its well policed; you will probably enjoying good dicing throughout the field.
I really recommend the club but I have been known to be biased!
I can put you in touch with some Mag 7 guys if you wish!
The M7s is a great introduction to racing IMO. It's good VFM as the races are 40mins and as qualifying and the race take place on the same day depending on where you live you may avoid overnight accommodation costs for example.
There's a range of car types, skills and experience so there's normally someone to race with. In general the racing is rather 'gentlemanly' so you're less likely to have contact than with other types of Caterham racing.
The downsides: it's not a championship as such; and as there's a class system there's a huge disparity between the performance of the cars on track at any one time. With an R300 you'll be in the middle somewhere performance-wise so perhaps not too much of an issue for you. The class structure has been improved for this season as well - last year the guy who won every race in our class had 65bhp more - hard to compete with that!
Overall, I'd definitely recommend it.
There's a range of car types, skills and experience so there's normally someone to race with. In general the racing is rather 'gentlemanly' so you're less likely to have contact than with other types of Caterham racing.
The downsides: it's not a championship as such; and as there's a class system there's a huge disparity between the performance of the cars on track at any one time. With an R300 you'll be in the middle somewhere performance-wise so perhaps not too much of an issue for you. The class structure has been improved for this season as well - last year the guy who won every race in our class had 65bhp more - hard to compete with that!
Overall, I'd definitely recommend it.
You may also want to check out the BARC SE Intermarques - website at www.intermarques.co.uk - mixed range of cars competing but always includes Caterhams and Tigers which you will be very competitive with.
John
John
Why you might choose the Academy:
1) Everything is done for you and included. ARDS; medical; race fees; items to make the car MSA compliant (high intensity rear light; transponder; fuel take-off; fire extinguisher).
2) You're doing it with c. 60 others who are all doing it at the same time FOR THE FIRST TIME. These people will become your friends.
3) Racing is taken seriously (The Academy is novice drivers taking it seriously - the front runners will all test the Friday before a race, as will a good number of the middle and back-runners).
4) You won't spoil your road car and you'll be learning your racecraft in the most basic (and slowest) Caterham.
5) Everyone has identical equipment and you can't buy any performance-enhancing parts, apart from upgrading the driver.
Why you might choose Mag 7s:
1) You already have a car, and therefore don't need to buy another. However, you will need to buy a cage if you don't have one already (you may be able to race without one, but don't do it - you're life is surely worth the money for a cage - £150 will buy you one second hand) and quite a few other "upgrades" and "downgrades" - heater will have to come out, for instance.
2) I believe the racing is more gentlemanly (as is normal with big differences in car speed - contact and competitiveness arises when all cars are going the same speed and looking to use the same piece of track).
3) You will be racing in a class structure, so are likely to have fewer people running in class, and thus will develop some specific friendly rivalries.
4) There are more dates to choose from, if you don't intend to do them all.
5) It's all racing (The Academy is 3 sprints and 4 races).
6) You'll be able to start in 2011.
Whichever you choose you'll have a bundle of fun!
Jez, ex-Acadamist and now Supersporter
1) Everything is done for you and included. ARDS; medical; race fees; items to make the car MSA compliant (high intensity rear light; transponder; fuel take-off; fire extinguisher).
2) You're doing it with c. 60 others who are all doing it at the same time FOR THE FIRST TIME. These people will become your friends.
3) Racing is taken seriously (The Academy is novice drivers taking it seriously - the front runners will all test the Friday before a race, as will a good number of the middle and back-runners).
4) You won't spoil your road car and you'll be learning your racecraft in the most basic (and slowest) Caterham.
5) Everyone has identical equipment and you can't buy any performance-enhancing parts, apart from upgrading the driver.
Why you might choose Mag 7s:
1) You already have a car, and therefore don't need to buy another. However, you will need to buy a cage if you don't have one already (you may be able to race without one, but don't do it - you're life is surely worth the money for a cage - £150 will buy you one second hand) and quite a few other "upgrades" and "downgrades" - heater will have to come out, for instance.
2) I believe the racing is more gentlemanly (as is normal with big differences in car speed - contact and competitiveness arises when all cars are going the same speed and looking to use the same piece of track).
3) You will be racing in a class structure, so are likely to have fewer people running in class, and thus will develop some specific friendly rivalries.
4) There are more dates to choose from, if you don't intend to do them all.
5) It's all racing (The Academy is 3 sprints and 4 races).
6) You'll be able to start in 2011.
Whichever you choose you'll have a bundle of fun!
Jez, ex-Acadamist and now Supersporter
Fully agree with Jez. I started as a novice in Mag 7s last year and would highly recommend it, very friendly, great value, good calendar and a Spa visit.
If you fancied getting a taster this year, I think I know of a newly prep'd R300 that could be available for arrive and drive with a support package. Drop me an email if interested.
If you fancied getting a taster this year, I think I know of a newly prep'd R300 that could be available for arrive and drive with a support package. Drop me an email if interested.
Am definitely edging towards the Mag 7s i think. I just need to find out what it would cost to make my car comply with the regs - would rather use my own car as much as possible. Have sent off a couple of emails to Caterham and an independent to find out. Again, thanks everyone for all your help.
JFKW, the regs on the CSCC web site are all there is to it! Along with the Blue Book, of coure. CSCC believe in keeping things as simple as possible & encouragng as many people out to race as possible. We are a friendly & well organised club (I would say that) but 900 members across all our series can't be wrong!
I have asked the M7s co-ordiantor to look in here & try to add in his two penny's worth. If i can be of any further help please PM me.
I have asked the M7s co-ordiantor to look in here & try to add in his two penny's worth. If i can be of any further help please PM me.
consider www.semsec.org.uk for a few races too, friendly bunch, gentlemanly racing...
this is not an exhaustive list, check with the MSA blue book or an existing caterham race team:
your car will need:
FIA approved roll bar or roll cage - the latter is much better
FIA approved harnesses, 4 point is common in road caterhams, but 6 point is strongly recommended for racing
Consider arm restraints, not sure if this is mandatory
MSA approved stickers indicating tow point, battery master switch, fire extinguisher, novice cross
fire extinguisher - plumbed in is best but I think hand held is still legal.
battery properly secured with earth (I think) marked with yellow tape
large, secure oil catch tank
battery master cut-off switch
tow point front & rear - check large enough
firmly anchored seat with either integral headrest or headrest mounted on roll cage
if road car based, then metal sealing tape round the joins in the boot base to provide a fireshield for the petrol tank.
Working brake lights for most series + High intensity rear rain light ( generally mount these on the roll cage as rear wings are a bit too vulnerable)
you will need MSA approved overalls & helmet. Also gloves + race boots and flame resistant undies are recommended.
There may be a few more things but I've forgotten, being senile. Other will no doubt remember.
this is not an exhaustive list, check with the MSA blue book or an existing caterham race team:
your car will need:
FIA approved roll bar or roll cage - the latter is much better
FIA approved harnesses, 4 point is common in road caterhams, but 6 point is strongly recommended for racing
Consider arm restraints, not sure if this is mandatory
MSA approved stickers indicating tow point, battery master switch, fire extinguisher, novice cross
fire extinguisher - plumbed in is best but I think hand held is still legal.
battery properly secured with earth (I think) marked with yellow tape
large, secure oil catch tank
battery master cut-off switch
tow point front & rear - check large enough
firmly anchored seat with either integral headrest or headrest mounted on roll cage
if road car based, then metal sealing tape round the joins in the boot base to provide a fireshield for the petrol tank.
Working brake lights for most series + High intensity rear rain light ( generally mount these on the roll cage as rear wings are a bit too vulnerable)
you will need MSA approved overalls & helmet. Also gloves + race boots and flame resistant undies are recommended.
There may be a few more things but I've forgotten, being senile. Other will no doubt remember.
Edited by fcat on Monday 24th January 14:28
Some great advice on here.
Just to add that the academy racers can take out an insurance package that makes any 'incidents' a little easier on the wallet.
From teaching a number of last years academy racers it looks like many friendships have been made as well.
I also teach several mag 7 racers and have nothing but praise for the way that the CSCC run the meetings - not had a bad word from any of my customers.
Just to add that the academy racers can take out an insurance package that makes any 'incidents' a little easier on the wallet.
From teaching a number of last years academy racers it looks like many friendships have been made as well.
I also teach several mag 7 racers and have nothing but praise for the way that the CSCC run the meetings - not had a bad word from any of my customers.
Hi All,
Read with interest all of your comments. I have spent many years racing 7's in and out of the Caterham championships, indeed running a team in the roadsports championship in the late 90's.
Looking at the options for me it would come down to value for money, and I think that the CSCC do certainly do give good value at great circuits around the UK.
There are some of the quick 7 competitors racing in Mag 7's. All the competitors are friendly and helpful as are all the CSSC offoicals. The CSCC in a club for racing enthusiasts run by racing enthsiasts, who do a brillant job providing cheap motor sport in a friendly helpful atmsphere.
Read with interest all of your comments. I have spent many years racing 7's in and out of the Caterham championships, indeed running a team in the roadsports championship in the late 90's.
Looking at the options for me it would come down to value for money, and I think that the CSCC do certainly do give good value at great circuits around the UK.
There are some of the quick 7 competitors racing in Mag 7's. All the competitors are friendly and helpful as are all the CSSC offoicals. The CSCC in a club for racing enthusiasts run by racing enthsiasts, who do a brillant job providing cheap motor sport in a friendly helpful atmsphere.
So we want to talk track time. The total track time the CSCC makes available to it's competitors over a weekend is two hours ten minutes. The series races can be shared and two 15 minute spirnt races, with a 15 mintue quali for those who have entered a series race for less than £100 each. As I have already said I go for value for money.
The CSCC Mag 7's as mentioned has the sports vs saloon races which are a bit different to just bombing about with other 7's. There generaly big well run weekends with plenty of excellent racing and loads of track time.
The R300 would fit in nicely, as it would do in most club race series and be pretty competitive.
The R300 would fit in nicely, as it would do in most club race series and be pretty competitive.
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