Not sure

[manty]

Hi guys

I have been living in oz for the last year driving a diesel landcruiser.

Prior to moving here i had a BMW Z3M coupe which i really liked, upgraded the suspension and brakes, and used to do 10 or so track days a year with her, and had quite a bit of tuition on track which was good fun.

I am moving back to the uk in July, and was looking to get another Coupe, but looking at some of the youtube vids and reading the forums, and having noticed these strange looking super fast beasts at previous track days I really think its time I looked at having the experience a Caterham can offer.

I dont want to buy new, but would like a road legal car that I could do some kind of racing in (have no experience but would like a go)

So my question is what model do i buy that will give me the most fun for my money, and what if any clubs are around that i could have a go at racing in as well as the academy experience

thanks very much

PS it will be a second car

[thequietone]

Go and buy an ex - academy car. With a few cheap upgrades you can go straight into either Roadsports or Graduates.

Good cars will start from around 13k.

If you dont want to compete but just want to drive on the track from time to time you'd do a lot worse than a Superlight or similar.

[Eric Mc]

What's your budget.

Caterhams can be had second hand from around £7,000.

[jackal]

manty said:

but looking at some of the youtube vids and reading the forums, and having noticed these strange looking super fast beasts at previous track days I really think its time I looked at having the experience a Caterham can offer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIfEUZFjzqc

[manty]

Thanks for the info 'thequietone' where do I find out more info on Roadsports and Graduates and can I use only the Academy Model for these ?





Eric Mc said:
What's your budget.

Caterhams can be had second hand from around £7,000.
Hi Eric

Budget is around £12k-£14k.

Is the Academy the way to go? or are there other beginner type race clubs around.

I am a true beginner when it comes to Caterham models and specs.

Reading peoples thoughts on Models, I think the 400 and 500 may be wasted on me, although I would like something that is ready to compete, that I can get some tuition on a few track days and then have a race or 2, and not have to spend too much upgrading

I will be based in the Dorking Surrey area, so Brands hatch is the nearest circuit

Jackal, love the Video :-)

[taffyracer]

The academy series is very good value but more than your budget, i nearly did it in 2002, within your budget and racing, you can get a decent Academy car for that money which you could use in Roadsport B's or it might be worth looking at the Graduates series which is also very good www.graduates.org.uk, personally I wouldn't race a road car as the road requires too many copmpromises to make it competitive on track IMO, but many do so.....

[jackal]

manty said:

I will be based in the Dorking Surrey area, so Brands hatch is the nearest circuit

or the Mickleham bends

[Murph7355]

jackal said:

...
or the Mickleham bends

Was down there yesterday.

Unsporting of the authorities to have speed cameras where they have them. But fun nonetheless.

[jackal]

Murph7355 said:

jackal said:

...
or the Mickleham bends

Was down there yesterday.

Unsporting of the authorities to have speed cameras where they have them. But fun nonetheless.

to be fair i think quite a few people have died there and back in the days long before the speed camera the bikers used to go nuts on a sunday

i personally remember one person at my school who died when it was 2 lanes along the effingham to dorking stretch

[Murph7355]

jackal said:

...
to be fair i think quite a few people have died there and back in the days long before the speed camera the bikers used to go nuts on a sunday

i personally remember one person at my school who died when it was 2 lanes along the effingham to dorking stretch

True enough.

Though personally I'm not convinced that the placement of the cameras or the speed dependent road signs is conducive to people not hurting themselves.

I do wonder if other initiatives might be better served here - signs noting the number of deaths perhaps? Or (god forbid) better road surfacing and some manner of fencing.

Anyway, to the OP - great part of the world to live if you own a 7. There used to be a club AO gathering at the Wooton Hatch. If it still happens, am sure you'll get lots of advice there too.