2013 SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP
Discussion
We are looking to compete in the 2013 Speed Championship. We have the necessary MSA Nat B non race; suits, helmets etc, previous sprinting experience, but no Caterham.
The choice of cars in the various classes seems widespread (confusing), and I wondered if anyone here could give basic advice on the optimum choices for classes 1 -5.
This is not a money no object approach (far from it), but it would be really helpful to know what to aim for and what compromises to accept.
Finally, is there an active forum for the series?
ps - can do some spannering if necessary.
If this has been covered before, no doubt I can be pointed in the right direction.
Thanks
The choice of cars in the various classes seems widespread (confusing), and I wondered if anyone here could give basic advice on the optimum choices for classes 1 -5.
This is not a money no object approach (far from it), but it would be really helpful to know what to aim for and what compromises to accept.
Finally, is there an active forum for the series?
ps - can do some spannering if necessary.
If this has been covered before, no doubt I can be pointed in the right direction.
Thanks
If your talking about the Lotus 7 Club speedchampionship, the forum is on BlatChat.
Next year will be my 4th year in the championship, a great set of guys to compete with.
What's your previous experience with Caterhams.
The class structure is built to be fair within each class.
Next year will be my 4th year in the championship, a great set of guys to compete with.
What's your previous experience with Caterhams.
The class structure is built to be fair within each class.
Edited by CaterBram Jnr on Sunday 9th December 07:42
Thanks for your reply. No experience with Caterhams but we have been using a 3.2 litre Alfa 147 GTA in the Alfa sprint series and AEMC Sprint Championship. Oddly, this is the only front wheel drive car I have ever owned.
Simon Rogers has also sent me a helpful e-mail today.
I just wanted to avoid the issue of buying a car that was not competitive in its class, so I am starting the research.
Simon Rogers has also sent me a helpful e-mail today.
I just wanted to avoid the issue of buying a car that was not competitive in its class, so I am starting the research.
The thing to remember with the classes is it's not a case of you must start in class 1 and work upwards as it's specification based,
Class 1,2,3 tend to be more standard specification cars with Class 4 upwards more developed.
Class 1&2 are on list 1A tyres while Class 3,4,5,6 are on list 1B
What's you initial thoughts as to where you would be looking to compete.
Class 1,2,3 tend to be more standard specification cars with Class 4 upwards more developed.
Class 1&2 are on list 1A tyres while Class 3,4,5,6 are on list 1B
What's you initial thoughts as to where you would be looking to compete.
I competed in Class 1 and had a brilliant time. I bought an academy car and it was ready to go sprinting straightaway and was very competitive. The only change I made was to move away from the standard academy rock hard CR322 (van) tyres on 13" wheels to Stunner Scudo tyres on 15" rims. Stunners aren't allowed any more but as it was, half the class were on 13" A539's and there was very little difference in the end between the front runners.
Class 1 allows for a 1600 K series or Sigma powered car upto 125bhp with a standard 5 speed box and unmodified ECU running on list 1A tyres. Unlike the other classes, there is very little to be done to the car except fit an LSD so costs are effectively very limited which does make for very enjoyable and interesting competition
Class 1 allows for a 1600 K series or Sigma powered car upto 125bhp with a standard 5 speed box and unmodified ECU running on list 1A tyres. Unlike the other classes, there is very little to be done to the car except fit an LSD so costs are effectively very limited which does make for very enjoyable and interesting competition
Class 1 - described perfectly above.
Class 2/3 - these are the same spec but split by list 1A vs list 1B tyres. Competitive cars here are going to be a 1.6K series modified as allowed in the regs or a 1.8K series both with 6 speed box. No-one knows how the Sigmas perform but a 140 or 150bhp Sigma with 6 speed box ought to be competitive. Most people have an LSD fitted.
Class 4 - most of the leading cars are 1.8 K-series tuned to the class limit (190bhp). They tend to be modified Superlight R cars. Most run LSD and adjustable dampers. A modified R300 Duratec ought to be good too.
Class 5 - been a mixed bag recently but there are a couple of R500 (K series), some modified 1900 K series cars between 230 and 250bhp and this year's winner in a 2.3 Duratec (about 250bhp and 210lbft). An R500 Duratec ought to be competitive and I'm fitting a 2.0L Duratec to my car over the winter. Most run LSD and multi way adjustable dampers.
Class 6 - Hayabusa is the only choice at the moment but maybe a close to 300bhp Duratec with sequential box could be competitive, especially on the bigger circuits.
Class 7 - as class 6 but on slicks.
Whichever class you choose, it's a great series and you'll have some good competition. Don't worry about having the perfect car - driver skill and experience counts for much more. There is a Lotus Twincam doing very well in 4 and a couple of Crossflows doing alright in 3. If you haven't driven a high power Caterham before then classes 1-3 would probably be a better bet than jumping in at the deep end.
See you next year.
Class 2/3 - these are the same spec but split by list 1A vs list 1B tyres. Competitive cars here are going to be a 1.6K series modified as allowed in the regs or a 1.8K series both with 6 speed box. No-one knows how the Sigmas perform but a 140 or 150bhp Sigma with 6 speed box ought to be competitive. Most people have an LSD fitted.
Class 4 - most of the leading cars are 1.8 K-series tuned to the class limit (190bhp). They tend to be modified Superlight R cars. Most run LSD and adjustable dampers. A modified R300 Duratec ought to be good too.
Class 5 - been a mixed bag recently but there are a couple of R500 (K series), some modified 1900 K series cars between 230 and 250bhp and this year's winner in a 2.3 Duratec (about 250bhp and 210lbft). An R500 Duratec ought to be competitive and I'm fitting a 2.0L Duratec to my car over the winter. Most run LSD and multi way adjustable dampers.
Class 6 - Hayabusa is the only choice at the moment but maybe a close to 300bhp Duratec with sequential box could be competitive, especially on the bigger circuits.
Class 7 - as class 6 but on slicks.
Whichever class you choose, it's a great series and you'll have some good competition. Don't worry about having the perfect car - driver skill and experience counts for much more. There is a Lotus Twincam doing very well in 4 and a couple of Crossflows doing alright in 3. If you haven't driven a high power Caterham before then classes 1-3 would probably be a better bet than jumping in at the deep end.
See you next year.
If it's a standard Caterham Fireblade (i.e. engine not modified) then Class 4 as long as you are on List 1A or 1B radial tyres. You also need an operational reverse gear (reversing box or electric reverse OK).
Edited to say:
Actually - just re-read the regs and any bike engine up to 1049cc is allowed in class 4. I originally understood the rule was introduced to allow standard Caterham Fireblades, as produced by James Whiting, to compete. The engines were about 130bhp. The regs as written though do not specify that so I guess any BEC under 1049cc would be allowed. Best to confirm with Simon Rogers.
Edited to say:
Actually - just re-read the regs and any bike engine up to 1049cc is allowed in class 4. I originally understood the rule was introduced to allow standard Caterham Fireblades, as produced by James Whiting, to compete. The engines were about 130bhp. The regs as written though do not specify that so I guess any BEC under 1049cc would be allowed. Best to confirm with Simon Rogers.
Edited by Shaun_E on Wednesday 12th December 13:29
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