Your Grid Sizes this year ?

[Nicol@]

BARC Westfields had 16 cars at Croft this weekend, they have a grand total of 4 cars in the new class A.

Hopefully there will be more cars for the central and southern circuits.

[jellison]

micron750 said:

The caterham Superlight is another championship which is struggling we only had 16 at combe which to be honest is very poor compared to the likes of the Road sport classes A+B both up in the high twentys.I feel caterhan should be focusing in getting this championship back on track rather than introducing a new one next year!

Agree - sounds nuts.

[peter-2006]

The idea of the new series is to bridge the gap between Roadsport A and Superlights.
Last year only one driver moved from Roadsport A to Superlights.

The main problem is that the majority of drivers see it as to big a jump in performance and there has been lots of talk about unreliability/increased cost which is putting some drivers off.

Currently racing in Roadsport A and having tested the new R300 I think it is the right move for Caterham as the interest is very high in the new car. Its really good to drive and can be upgraded to the Superlight C400 spec which I think most of the drivers will do after 1 to 2 years meaning increased grid sizes in C400s.

If you want to talk about a series that’s really failing try the Porsche Carrera cup!

[jellison]

peter-2006 said:

The idea of the new series is to bridge the gap between Roadsport A and Superlights.
Last year only one driver moved from Roadsport A to Superlights.

The main problem is that the majority of drivers see it as to big a jump in performance and there has been lots of talk about unreliability/increased cost which is putting some drivers off.

Currently racing in Roadsport A and having tested the new R300 I think it is the right move for Caterham as the interest is very high in the new car. Its really good to drive and can be upgraded to the Superlight C400 spec which I think most of the drivers will do after 1 to 2 years meaning increased grid sizes in C400s.

If you want to talk about a series that’s really failing try the Porsche Carrera cup!

When championships fail is when they pile in more and more classes.

Yep Porkers is fun to watch the front few cars but you cannot run a high profile championship on a BTCC Grid with mid to low teens - that is just lame - mind they are damned expensive - UK Motorsport is just too expensive compared to similar in Europe!

[sfaulds]

peter-2006 said:

The idea of the new series is to bridge the gap between Roadsport A and Superlights.
Last year only one driver moved from Roadsport A to Superlights.

The main problem is that the majority of drivers see it as to big a jump in performance and there has been lots of talk about unreliability/increased cost which is putting some drivers off.

Currently racing in Roadsport A and having tested the new R300 I think it is the right move for Caterham as the interest is very high in the new car. Its really good to drive and can be upgraded to the Superlight C400 spec which I think most of the drivers will do after 1 to 2 years meaning increased grid sizes in C400s.

Good to hear that from a driver Peter - it's certainly how I hope it pans out.

[SimonY]

jellison said:

peter-2006 said:

The idea of the new series is to bridge the gap between Roadsport A and Superlights.
Last year only one driver moved from Roadsport A to Superlights.

The main problem is that the majority of drivers see it as to big a jump in performance and there has been lots of talk about unreliability/increased cost which is putting some drivers off.

Currently racing in Roadsport A and having tested the new R300 I think it is the right move for Caterham as the interest is very high in the new car. Its really good to drive and can be upgraded to the Superlight C400 spec which I think most of the drivers will do after 1 to 2 years meaning increased grid sizes in C400s.

If you want to talk about a series that’s really failing try the Porsche Carrera cup!

When championships fail is when they pile in more and more classes.

Yep Porkers is fun to watch the front few cars but you cannot run a high profile championship on a BTCC Grid with mid to low teens - that is just lame - mind they are damned expensive - UK Motorsport is just too expensive compared to similar in Europe!

Just to explain the Caterham thing (this is genuine competing drivers not just registered), remember these are all single class championships.

Academy - 2*28 = 56 drivers
RSB - 33
RSA - 43
Superlights - 18

Not even including Grads there are a hell of a lot of Caterham drivers at the lower levels who are not making the jump to Superlights, in fact I am the only one this year. In my view this is not only about budget, I would consider the Caterham grids to be quite affluent as UK motorsport goes.

The trouble is RSA (120bhp K-series, 5 spd) is a large gap to Superlight (220bhp Duratec, 6 spd sequential, LSD), and the perceived gap is even larger due to paddock rumour; lots of drivers who probably shouldn't stop at RSA level. Despite the fact that the R300 could cause an uncomfortable couple of years for the Superlight I think that in the long term having this intermediate championship will be the way to bridge the gap and get Superlights back on track.

And if you want to talk about chamionships that are failing try ASCAR/SCSA/?

Edited by SimonY on Monday 16th June 11:53

[custardtart]

Nicol@ said:

BARC Westfields had 16 cars at Croft this weekend, they have a grand total of 4 cars in the new class A.

Hopefully there will be more cars for the central and southern circuits.

I think these guys got a talking too last year and have stepped up their game this year with a great new web site and race reports/vids on various sites now available.

However, they don't get as much support from the Westfield factory as they should so all credit to them for dragging the numbers up.

[Nicol@]

custardtart said:

However, they don't get as much support from the Westfield factory as they should so all credit to them for dragging the numbers up.

The Westfield factory always has a few guys at the race days to make sure everyone is ok (so the factory sometimes gets it right).

[jellison]

SimonY said:

jellison said:

peter-2006 said:

The idea of the new series is to bridge the gap between Roadsport A and Superlights.
Last year only one driver moved from Roadsport A to Superlights.

The main problem is that the majority of drivers see it as to big a jump in performance and there has been lots of talk about unreliability/increased cost which is putting some drivers off.

Currently racing in Roadsport A and having tested the new R300 I think it is the right move for Caterham as the interest is very high in the new car. Its really good to drive and can be upgraded to the Superlight C400 spec which I think most of the drivers will do after 1 to 2 years meaning increased grid sizes in C400s.

If you want to talk about a series that’s really failing try the Porsche Carrera cup!

When championships fail is when they pile in more and more classes.

Yep Porkers is fun to watch the front few cars but you cannot run a high profile championship on a BTCC Grid with mid to low teens - that is just lame - mind they are damned expensive - UK Motorsport is just too expensive compared to similar in Europe!

Just to explain the Caterham thing (this is genuine competing drivers not just registered), remember these are all single class championships.

Academy - 2*28 = 56 drivers
RSB - 33
RSA - 43
Superlights - 18

Not even including Grads there are a hell of a lot of Caterham drivers at the lower levels who are not making the jump to Superlights, in fact I am the only one this year. In my view this is not only about budget, I would consider the Caterham grids to be quite affluent as UK motorsport goes.

The trouble is RSA (120bhp K-series, 5 spd) is a large gap to Superlight (220bhp Duratec, 6 spd sequential, LSD), and the perceived gap is even larger due to paddock rumour; lots of drivers who probably shouldn't stop at RSA level. Despite the fact that the R300 could cause an uncomfortable couple of years for the Superlight I think that in the long term having this intermediate championship will be the way to bridge the gap and get Superlights back on track.

And if you want to talk about chamionships that are failing try ASCAR/SCSA/?

Edited by SimonY on Monday 16th June 11:53

Can you convert one spec of car to the next higher one?

Or have to sell it and buy another - if so - THAT will be why not many graduate (if that is how you see it).

[peter-2006]

From academy to Roadsport A is the same car with minor upgrades.
R300 is a new car which will be able to be upgraded to C400 superlight spec.

[andy97]

Munter said:

So is it that series with older cars are in decline?

Definately not. The CSCC's "Swinging Sixties" series is regularly getting full grids with 6-9 reserves (& they will still usually get a race as guests on the "Future Classics" grid).

[andy97]

jellison said:

The 1 Circuit chamionships, just wind me up - (personally I Think they are STUPID) you spend al that cash oon entry fee's and car prep and go to one track - JUST COS it is just down the road -Stupid (no appologies from me for being outspoken).

Yeah, you are absolutely right - it makes much more sense to travel for up to 3-4 hours in each direction to different circuits, maybe have to have an over night stay & an extra day testing for 1 15-20 min practice session and a 15-20 min race!

Each to their own. Personally I think that regional or single circuit championships are the way ahead for the vast majority of club racers, with an end of season "festival" for cars conforming to similar regs.

[jellison]

OK;) - You don't know what you are missing.

[custardtart]

Nicol@ said:

custardtart said:

However, they don't get as much support from the Westfield factory as they should so all credit to them for dragging the numbers up.

The Westfield factory always has a few guys at the race days to make sure everyone is ok (so the factory sometimes gets it right).

Would be nice to see those orange trucks that used to go to the RGB series and even a couple of factory run cars with guest drivers maybe?

I think what the drivers have done is great but a couple of factory bods on race day equals could do better IMO. Take a look at the westfield web site, it hardly gets a mention.

[Nicol@]

custardtart said:

Would be nice to see those orange trucks that used to go to the RGB series and even a couple of factory run cars with guest drivers maybe?

One of the class A cars always has a guest driver (this week it was a British GT driver). I don't know why the factory car was never used for this.

(please don't think I love Westfield, all I can say is that name and shame is not allowed here)

[sylva41]

Nicol@ said:

custardtart said:

Would be nice to see those orange trucks that used to go to the RGB series and even a couple of factory run cars with guest drivers maybe?

One of the class A cars always has a guest driver (this week it was a British GT driver). I don't know why the factory car was never used for this.

(please don't think I love Westfield, all I can say is that name and shame is not allowed here)

The factory car (Green one seen at the winter shows) is availble for hire at very reasonable rates....that's not been well advertised, but ask the factory (Simon Westwood) if you want a go!

[Redlake27]

I think the Westfield series has a lot of potential. It dwindled a couple of years ago because the cost of blueprinted engines made it far more expensive than the technically similar Ginetta series. However, Ginettas have become very expensive recently, and the introduction of the Aerorace looks like a very sensibly pitched alternative to Ginettas or even some Caterham series.

[andy97]

jellison said:

OK;) - You don't know what you are missing.

I travel already - Brands, Snetteton, Oulton, Anglesey & Cadwell are all on the calendar this year - I just wish I didn't have to spend so much time & money by travelling.

I would very happily consider a series that just stuck to Donington, Mallory & Silverstone. And what i would save in a season on travelling & accom costs would probably get me an extra race. I live one mile from Donington & yet my series can't get a race there & I missed Mallory due to work.

[sam919]

jellison said:

The 1 Circuit chamionships, just wind me up - (personally I Think they are STUPID) you spend al that cash oon entry fee's and car prep and go to one track - JUST COS it is just down the road -Stupid (no appologies from me for being outspoken).

I love Croft and Cadwell is good (I have won there), but too far for a Sprint race........... in these times of Stupid fuel prices.

What about the competitors north of the border, Knockhill/ SMRC races for Sports and Saloons are 85% raced at Knockhill with one race at Croft. remember some of the competitors come from north of the central Scottish belt, Knockhill also being the second closest track for competitors from Newcastle area. Its fine if you live in the Midlands when you have plenty of circuits to choose from but not if you live further afield. Sometimes a 1 circuit championship cant be avoided.
You are correct about fuel prices, quite inconvenient if you have to travel 500-800 mile round trip to get to the circuit in the first place!

[jellison]

Chap in my championship does all the rounds (most UK tracks bar croft, and thruxton) and commute for each from Lockerbie;) - Race a Griff200 Beast.

Mind No way I would do that!!

Croft and Knockhill would make a good championship if round alternated through the season, if up North or Suothern Scotland.