CSCC Magnificent 7s Series - 2019
Discussion
Oulton Park was massively challenging for me, largely due to the changeable weather conditions - heavy showers and occasional warm, dry spells. Tyre choice was impossible.
Qualifying was a nightmare - It seemed to be drying so went out on my normal Nankang AR1 track day tyres, but it was the wrong choice as more heavy showers came in. I was on the same pace as a couple of guys initially and was comfortable but had a half spin at the first chicane so lost touch. As I tried to go quicker I had 2 brown trouser moments on the rise up from Knickerbrook and spin on successive laps. How I missed the barriers I do not know and am starting to think there may be a god after all. Chastened and spooked I came in to qualify 34th out of 35 and way off the two guys I had initially been keeping pace with. As an aside, Danny Winstanley took pole and was 8 seconds quicker than EVERYBODY else in the early parts of the session. Some people!!!
As we waited for the race the heavy showers and dry spells continued to complicate thinking. It did dry for the race and was glad I kept the AR1s on. Given my earlier experiences I was far too cautious in the opening laps and got left behind somewhat. Driving Miss Daisy. I gave myself a talking to at the pit stop and drove better in the second half, 6 secs a lap faster than in the first half! I finished 26th out of 29 and actually enjoyed driving the car in the last few laps, which I hadn’t earlier. As I beat myself up and considered giving up racing, again, I realised that this was only my second outing in the car since October last year and the first outing was a month ago on a completely different (dry track); I haven’t driven on track in the wet since....Oulton qualifying year ago. Oh well, I started to smile then.
ETA that I have just realised that I was 2.3 secs faster than last year in the dry so at least there has been some improvement,
Hopefully out at Anglesey for a double header in July. And doubt I can get on track before then either!!
Qualifying was a nightmare - It seemed to be drying so went out on my normal Nankang AR1 track day tyres, but it was the wrong choice as more heavy showers came in. I was on the same pace as a couple of guys initially and was comfortable but had a half spin at the first chicane so lost touch. As I tried to go quicker I had 2 brown trouser moments on the rise up from Knickerbrook and spin on successive laps. How I missed the barriers I do not know and am starting to think there may be a god after all. Chastened and spooked I came in to qualify 34th out of 35 and way off the two guys I had initially been keeping pace with. As an aside, Danny Winstanley took pole and was 8 seconds quicker than EVERYBODY else in the early parts of the session. Some people!!!
As we waited for the race the heavy showers and dry spells continued to complicate thinking. It did dry for the race and was glad I kept the AR1s on. Given my earlier experiences I was far too cautious in the opening laps and got left behind somewhat. Driving Miss Daisy. I gave myself a talking to at the pit stop and drove better in the second half, 6 secs a lap faster than in the first half! I finished 26th out of 29 and actually enjoyed driving the car in the last few laps, which I hadn’t earlier. As I beat myself up and considered giving up racing, again, I realised that this was only my second outing in the car since October last year and the first outing was a month ago on a completely different (dry track); I haven’t driven on track in the wet since....Oulton qualifying year ago. Oh well, I started to smile then.
ETA that I have just realised that I was 2.3 secs faster than last year in the dry so at least there has been some improvement,
Hopefully out at Anglesey for a double header in July. And doubt I can get on track before then either!!
Edited by andy97 on Wednesday 29th May 20:47
FST said:
Great report, Andy - thank you. It’s very refreshing to read a thoughtful and ego-free account of motorsport, especially on a forum where know-it-alls and driving gods abound....
Thanks, glad you enjoy it.The thing is, in any sport there are not many "gods" about, and the gulf between the professionals and the good amateurs is massive; and the gulf between the good amateurs and the rest of us is also massive. Doesn't mean that we cant enjoy ourselves taking part though. And for me, having spent many years as a spectator and avid reader of the weeklies etc I am delighted to be able to say that I have given it a go. I didn't want to get to 70 and say, "I wish I had tried that". Having said that, I know my level!
The point of my posts is to try to debunk some of the myths around club level motorsport and to try to show the frustrations and pleasure of the sport, whilst showing that it can be reasonably accessible, within reason, if you want it to be.
I wont pretend that motorsport is cheap, but it can be done more cost effectively than some would believe. To facilitate this, in the past I have often shared my race car with others who contribute (CSCC races are great for this); I have used second hand tyres in the past; I have raced cars as cheap as a £2K Fiat Uno and a £600 scruffy (but brilliant) Alfa 33; I have bought and sold the odd race car at decent prices to fund the next (better) purchase.
Outside of the actual sporting costs, My road cars have always been a few years old; I am old enough not to have a massive mortgage any more; I don't have kids and I have a wife that doesn't like going on foreign holidays so that all helps!!!!
For all the racing I have done, I would suggest that racing a Caterham in one of the lower powered classes within CSCC Magnificent 7s is about the most cost effective racing I have experienced and I wish I had bought a Caterham 15 years ago. You really don't need the latest 300+ rocketship with a sequential gearbox to have a battle, to go (comparatively) quickly and to have fun and I have convinced myself that I could sell the car for about the same as, or maybe even slightly more than I paid for it!! Man maths!!. Tyres last a whole season; fuel consumption is low; maintenance is fairly straightforward etc etc.
Yes, it would be great to be more competitive but I describe myself as a 14 handicap golfer and a 24 handicap racing driver. Unfortunately, we don't have handicap races in motorsport! There will always be people of different abilities in every sport - practice and coaching will always help improve performance and, just like in my golf, If I practiced more, had lessons and played 3 times a week I really do reckon I could get down to a handicap of 10, 9 possibly. But that would be my limit. No amount of practice will put me on a par with Tiger woods or Rory McClroy etc.
In my racing, I know that if I could have coaching at the relevant circuit before every race I would improve by several seconds a lap probably, but I just don't have the time or money for that. So, I have to be happy with what I do, and although I do get frustrated and despondent (I do with golf too!), I also have some great highs. I am addicted to it, even though I am at the back!
There are lots and lots of Caterhams around, and lots racing, but in reality the racing ones are only a small % of those out there. I would really encourage people to give racing a go. It is utterly addictive and fantastic, and no one will really know how good a driving god they are (or are not) until they compete against others! Even those who do lots of track days will not know how good a driver they are until the clock and their results tell them on the same day, against the same type of opposition.
Caterhams are for racing, come and join me!
Now, if I could just drive a whole 40 minute race at the consistent pace of my last 5/6 laps of Oulton last Monday I would probably move up a couple of places.........!
I didn’t race at the recent Spa meeting so next up is a double header at Anglesey this coming weekend. Saturday’s race is 30 mins on the International Circuit and Sunday is 30 mins on the Coastal. Really looking forward to it; it’s my favourite circuit.
36 cars entered, a very impressive grid.
I also have a track evening at Donington tomorrow with an instructor to see if he can help me find some speed!
36 cars entered, a very impressive grid.
I also have a track evening at Donington tomorrow with an instructor to see if he can help me find some speed!
andy97 said:
I didn’t race at the recent Spa meeting so next up is a double header at Anglesey this coming weekend. Saturday’s race is 30 mins on the International Circuit and Sunday is 30 mins on the Coastal. Really looking forward to it; it’s my favourite circuit.
36 cars entered, a very impressive grid.
I also have a track evening at Donington tomorrow with an instructor to see if he can help me find some speed!
What an awesome weekend at Anglesey! I have raced there before so I knew that the circuit was fantastic but everything went well, even the cafe food was excellent! Well worth the travelling time.36 cars entered, a very impressive grid.
I also have a track evening at Donington tomorrow with an instructor to see if he can help me find some speed!
Following an evening’s instruction at Donington on Tuesday where I think I improved markedly, I was looking forward to this weekend.
Qualifying on the International Circuit on Saturday was a bit of a nightmare as drizzly conditions and Avon ZZRs are not an ideal combination so 35th on the grid. Fortunately it dried for the race and after a very poor opening 2-3 laps, I gradually caught a few people up and managed to pass them! My lap times were slightly quicker than a couple of people who I have been much slower than in races up to now and I beat them on the road inc a very satisfying overtake on the last corner before the chequered flag! A few people DNF but I was happy to finish 26th.
In race 2 (on the Coastal circuit on the Sunday) we started in the finishing positions from the first race, so 26th, with some of the quick car DNFs from the first race at the back of the grid, and they soon got past. I had a better start and opening couple of laps though, helped by the fact that we had a 15 min warm up prior to the race. I managed to hang on to coat tales of a few people until we had a "Code 60" period and I did my pit stop. As the Code 60 was coming to an end I got caught napping and lost a few places and speed but got into a rhythm again and chased a couple of people down for a battle and eventual overtakes to finish 21st. Again, I was slightly quicker and beat the couple of people that I have been trying to catch for a while.
Now, I fully accept that finishing 21st may not sound too impressive to many people, but most people on the grid are not really in the same race as me. The more important statistic is that I finished 7th/15 in class on Sunday and had decent lap,times compared to others. Not bad when I am used to finishing 35 th (ish) overall and last or last but one in class!
51 cars qualified, inc reserves. 46 cars raced (not 44 as I said above) and 41 finished. The top 3 at the finish were just 0.221 secs apart after 40 mins!
Unfortunately I had a day to forget with intermittent electrical issues which meant the car was never running cleanly and I retired after about 12-15 mins of the race. A great shame after the car performed well at Anglesey.
Other than that it was a good day, and we had great support races too, including GT Cup, Sports 2000, Monoposto and Production BMW!!!!
Unfortunately I had a day to forget with intermittent electrical issues which meant the car was never running cleanly and I retired after about 12-15 mins of the race. A great shame after the car performed well at Anglesey.
Other than that it was a good day, and we had great support races too, including GT Cup, Sports 2000, Monoposto and Production BMW!!!!
Hey Andy,
Do you know any guys in the sevens that run a 2 car tag team ? Do you know if the cars need to be from the same class?
It would likely be a better route for me, but I imagine the organisers would want both from same class... my car is a k series, and chances are if I could find a willing victim to accompany me... it would be a BEC.
Do you know any guys in the sevens that run a 2 car tag team ? Do you know if the cars need to be from the same class?
It would likely be a better route for me, but I imagine the organisers would want both from same class... my car is a k series, and chances are if I could find a willing victim to accompany me... it would be a BEC.
Hi Mark,
As far as I know two car teams are, as you say, usually from the same class, but the CSCC are very flexible and may be able to find a way of accommodating yours and a BEC. Maybe not able to assign a class position naturally but still let you race as a team.
The CSCC team are back in the offices now, but asking for email enquiries rather than 'phone calls due to catching up on backlog while they were furloughed.
The best first point of contact would be Peter French who is the Mag 7's Driver Representative. His contact details are on the Mag 7's page of the CSCC site.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Steve
As far as I know two car teams are, as you say, usually from the same class, but the CSCC are very flexible and may be able to find a way of accommodating yours and a BEC. Maybe not able to assign a class position naturally but still let you race as a team.
The CSCC team are back in the offices now, but asking for email enquiries rather than 'phone calls due to catching up on backlog while they were furloughed.
The best first point of contact would be Peter French who is the Mag 7's Driver Representative. His contact details are on the Mag 7's page of the CSCC site.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Steve
thanks a lot Steve.
yes - I had pinged peter on the Mag Sevens FB post last night, and he came back to me this morning..... obviously preference is same class, but if the cars naturally sit in different classes - they woudl put the team in the higher power class - fair enough.... at least that way we could potentially run.
could be a great way to get a run around some nice circuits.... i wouldn't really fancy doing 40 min races in my car anyway... would rather do shorter stints
looking at the calendar Donington could be a good potential.
yes - I had pinged peter on the Mag Sevens FB post last night, and he came back to me this morning..... obviously preference is same class, but if the cars naturally sit in different classes - they woudl put the team in the higher power class - fair enough.... at least that way we could potentially run.
could be a great way to get a run around some nice circuits.... i wouldn't really fancy doing 40 min races in my car anyway... would rather do shorter stints
looking at the calendar Donington could be a good potential.
gixermark said:
Hey Andy,
Do you know any guys in the sevens that run a 2 car tag team ? Do you know if the cars need to be from the same class?
It would likely be a better route for me, but I imagine the organisers would want both from same class... my car is a k series, and chances are if I could find a willing victim to accompany me... it would be a BEC.
Hi Mark, only just caught up with this, sorry, but I think you have the answers already!Do you know any guys in the sevens that run a 2 car tag team ? Do you know if the cars need to be from the same class?
It would likely be a better route for me, but I imagine the organisers would want both from same class... my car is a k series, and chances are if I could find a willing victim to accompany me... it would be a BEC.
I think you should try a 40 min race - with the 1 minute pit stop (might be two minutes now for CV19 reason) there is a handy rest towards the middle !! If I can do it (and my car can do it) anyone can!!
Remember there is also a second Mag 7s on each race day, too. Sometimes 40 mins but sometimes 30.
no worries Andy..
i'd rather just to 20 mins max to be honest... i just feel it would add too much stress to my tuned k series, let alone heat soak into an old 26Z Quaife seq box.... plus would possibly make it more fun with someone else sharing.... it would just be for fun - especially given the other car would be lower powered so no chance of being competitive in class.
as you say for the 2nd race available too - would be enough track time for some fun..
i'd rather just to 20 mins max to be honest... i just feel it would add too much stress to my tuned k series, let alone heat soak into an old 26Z Quaife seq box.... plus would possibly make it more fun with someone else sharing.... it would just be for fun - especially given the other car would be lower powered so no chance of being competitive in class.
as you say for the 2nd race available too - would be enough track time for some fun..
Thruxton on Saturday. Full grid and 8 in my class, which is a lot lower than the norm last season.
Never driven around Thruxton before. Fastest circuit in the country and thunderstorms forecast. Not raced since October last year either. What could possibly go wrong?
I do have just one 25 min test session tomorrow afternoon to try to learn the track. I have watched a few in car videos and tried my hand in a professional car simulator set up but just felt nauseous!
Looking forward to it...er......I think...!
Never driven around Thruxton before. Fastest circuit in the country and thunderstorms forecast. Not raced since October last year either. What could possibly go wrong?
I do have just one 25 min test session tomorrow afternoon to try to learn the track. I have watched a few in car videos and tried my hand in a professional car simulator set up but just felt nauseous!
Looking forward to it...er......I think...!
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