Caterham Academy 2011: Book Your Place Now
Next year's Academy is filling fast, so be quick...
Riggers in almost-on-track shock
If you've been following the progress of the PH entry in the 2010 PistonHeads.com Caterham Academy, you'll know that putting 20-plus drivers equally as short on experience as they are long on enthusiasm is a recipe for some seriously fun racing.
The Academy remains an enduringly popular entrance into motorsport, with more than 40 of the 56 places for 2011 already gone.
Of course the class of 2011 won't have quite as good a time as this year's racers, because we won't be the title sponsors of next year's series and, well, a Caterham bereft of PH smilies somehow just isn't quite as good...
Identical cars encourage close racing
"We believe there's no better way to take your first steps into motorsport and our view appears to be backed up by the continuing demand for our grid slots," says Caterham motorsport manager, Simon Lambert. "At the end of July we've only got a few places left to sell, so anyone else who wants to join the fun is going to have to act fast."
A word of warning, however - I can tell you from personal experience that motorsport is possibly more addictive than heroin (I'm talking from personal experience of the Caterham Academy - not personal experience of heroin). And addictions never prove to be cheap.
Then there's track days and test days to throw in. In other series these might be used to improve the car, but although that sort of tweakery is effectively prohibited in the Academy. But turn up to circuits without having learned them on a test day or a track day and you might find yourself a little further towards the back of the grid than you had hoped...
But the Caterham Academy is as thoroughly enjoyable as it is unavoidably addictive. And, unlike heroin, Caterham racing is legal. There might be no such thing as cheap motorsport, but I seriously doubt you could find a race series that represents better value...
We've only had 2 'real' races so far this season, as the first half of the season was comprised of sprint events (which were a great introduction into the sport), but those 2 races have been 2 of the most exciting 15 minutes I've ever experienced (on or off a track). The mix of speed, nervousness, fear, anticipation and camaraderie has been brilliant, and something any petrol head should experience in my opinion. I didn't ever think that racing could be quite as exciting as it has so far been - and we only have 125hp in these mobile bricks.
Something I must also comment on are the the people that I've met since starting this Caterham adventure. Everyone has been so friendly and enthusiastic, and because we all share the same passion for cars, motorsport and beer, I can't think of a better way to have spent so many of my weekends this year (my wife may disagree with that comment
)I mulled over doing this for about 5 years for different reasons (and there's no doubt that it is quite expensive), but if I knew how much fun I was going to have back then, I would never have hesitated for a moment. If you're thinking about it, and don't know whether to do it or not - JUST DO IT! I can guarantee you won't regret it. (And no I don't work for Caterham, I'd just like to see others having as much fun as I'm having!)
Kurt
So any generous folk out there fancy sponsoring an unknown, untested potential racer. I'll let you tattoo your company name on my forehead, turn up at public events and gain you zero publicity, and clean the company's toilets if it means I can race!
An offer that can't be refused, surely!
I've found it a great roller-coaster of emotions but loved every second of being involved from ordering, through collection of the kit, building it, getting to know fellow drivers (and in many cases their families) to actually being in the events.
Riggers - perhaps it's worth putting an article togther showing some of the costs. The headline figure from Caterham represents pretty 'good value' but it doesn't tell the whole story: a seat (or two), a trailer, fuel, oil, paint, hotels, tools, track-days, test-days, instruction and racewear etc aren't included in the price.
Cheers!
Joel
Also (blatant plug) there are many ways to race the car afterwards with little or no modifications. The Grads now has a Sigma class. If you like a club atmosphere and camaraderie I can't recommend them highly enough
I did however start in the Academy in 2005, I made a lot of very good friends that I've kept, and I can say with absolute sincerity that whatever you want to achieve from it, it is life changing.
It has to be said it isn't the cheapest way to introduce yourself into motorsport, but personally I think it is one of the best.
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