Academy questions
Discussion
Hi all
Apologies for elbowing in on this thread - but I am also considering which categegory of racing a Caterham in, and comments regarding at options for entering a 7 racing series in the UK next year would be appreciated.
I have karting/ track day experience and just obtained my national racing licence but have no car racing experience. Will having the licence mean I can’t race in the Graduate classes?
I had not heard of Roadsport, without wishing to fuel a fire can someone let me know what the differences are?
Ideally I am looking for a 7 that has an appealing (occasional) road spec – 150bhp ish reliable engine but eligible for a Caterham series. I would be driving to the races and as such and probably only do some of the races.
In an ideal world I don’t want to have 120bhp and be bored after a year and have to upgrade, having spent time and money getting the car fine tuned to my tastes. I’d rather get slaughtered on the track but still have fun in a season racing in a faster series but ‘grow into’ the car, as I hope to compete in the same class year on year and maybe do a few endurance races in Europe once I know what I'm doing.
The Mega Graduate seems to be what I am after. I appreciate I may struggle with no 7 experience (although I have track dayed at Brands, Oulton and Donington) may be a problem.
Do you think this would be too big a step for a novice racer?
Also,
After how many races/ miles would 150bhp K series need rebuild after rebuild in this state of tune?
Is the 6 speed box more fragile than the 5?
Apart from the above, I am an expert
Apologies for elbowing in on this thread - but I am also considering which categegory of racing a Caterham in, and comments regarding at options for entering a 7 racing series in the UK next year would be appreciated.
I have karting/ track day experience and just obtained my national racing licence but have no car racing experience. Will having the licence mean I can’t race in the Graduate classes?
I had not heard of Roadsport, without wishing to fuel a fire can someone let me know what the differences are?
Ideally I am looking for a 7 that has an appealing (occasional) road spec – 150bhp ish reliable engine but eligible for a Caterham series. I would be driving to the races and as such and probably only do some of the races.
In an ideal world I don’t want to have 120bhp and be bored after a year and have to upgrade, having spent time and money getting the car fine tuned to my tastes. I’d rather get slaughtered on the track but still have fun in a season racing in a faster series but ‘grow into’ the car, as I hope to compete in the same class year on year and maybe do a few endurance races in Europe once I know what I'm doing.
The Mega Graduate seems to be what I am after. I appreciate I may struggle with no 7 experience (although I have track dayed at Brands, Oulton and Donington) may be a problem.
Do you think this would be too big a step for a novice racer?
Also,
After how many races/ miles would 150bhp K series need rebuild after rebuild in this state of tune?
Is the 6 speed box more fragile than the 5?
Apart from the above, I am an expert
You would probably be best buying a used race car rather than building your own. Firstly a race car will trade more cheaply than a road car, secondly the race spec is VERY closely controlled and any non approved parts would have to be ditched (e.g six speed box). In terms of the best series either Roadsports (run by Caterham) or Graduates run by an independent club would be fine. Both offer very competitive series and I'm sure you'd be fine in either. Driving to the races would be brave. I run in Roadsport B and we had only one driver actually drive his Cat to the track (it was his first race) and he had to get Caterham to fix his front suspension after a tangle in the first race. I don't know how many Grads drive to events but I doubt its many.
I wouldn't worry too much about the power/spec at this stage, I think youi'll find that you'll get enough of a buzz out of any car qualified for a Roadsports or Grads event!
I wouldn't worry too much about the power/spec at this stage, I think youi'll find that you'll get enough of a buzz out of any car qualified for a Roadsports or Grads event!
I know several people (me included) who drove to the events in the academy. In Grads nearly all trailer, although occasionally someone will drive to circuit, usually if they have had a trailer issues. So its possible, but not common.
I would agree with the last comments, if you are racing with other equal cars, then actual speed isnt so important. so dont be put off by a 120bhp car, get someone (who races) to take you out in one, and see if you think it is slow!
Difference between roadsports B and supergrads is about a set of tyres (CR500s for Bs and Yoko 0048s for Supergrads). Tyres perform about the same, its just a series preference.
Difference between roadsports and megagrad, must be a bit more now, not sure I'm qualified to comment on them all, but you can still swap between the 2 with a little bit of spannering.
I would agree with the last comments, if you are racing with other equal cars, then actual speed isnt so important. so dont be put off by a 120bhp car, get someone (who races) to take you out in one, and see if you think it is slow!
Difference between roadsports B and supergrads is about a set of tyres (CR500s for Bs and Yoko 0048s for Supergrads). Tyres perform about the same, its just a series preference.
Difference between roadsports and megagrad, must be a bit more now, not sure I'm qualified to comment on them all, but you can still swap between the 2 with a little bit of spannering.
The grads foreign race this year is at Spa, the roadsports one..... well..... isn't.
In all seriousness there are plusses and minusses in each series, I think roadsports has a bit less traveling grads cost a bit less on tyres. They're equivalent to a few hunderd quid either way
One thing worth considering is that after a year in RS you are just aout obligied to upgrade to RS inters but many people have been running standard/super grad for years. The upgrade to megas is a bit more expensive than RS inters though
In all seriousness there are plusses and minusses in each series, I think roadsports has a bit less traveling grads cost a bit less on tyres. They're equivalent to a few hunderd quid either way
One thing worth considering is that after a year in RS you are just aout obligied to upgrade to RS inters but many people have been running standard/super grad for years. The upgrade to megas is a bit more expensive than RS inters though
Sorry gents, bear with me. Thank you for your comments.
Roadsport: what categories are there within this? Will I be able to race with racing licence? Can I compete in a 150bhp car?
Super Graduates: am I right in thinking the engine is the same for all but aero and trick suspension can be tweaked?
Without boring everyone with dumb questions, is there a link I should be referring to in order to become educated in the differences?
Oh and to clarify, the reason I'd like a bit more poke is that I will be using the beast on the road too, and have driven 7s with a bit more power that 120bhp, ideally with some torque too. I am sure they are all the daddy on track (I have been wasted by Caterhams on too many track days to think otherwise...)
In all seriousness there are plusses and minusses in each series, I think roadsports has a bit less traveling grads cost a bit less on tyres. They're equivalent to a few hunderd quid either way
One thing worth considering is that after a year in RS you are just aout obligied to upgrade to RS inters but many people have been running standard/super grad for years. The upgrade to megas is a bit more expensive than RS inters though
Roadsport: what categories are there within this? Will I be able to race with racing licence? Can I compete in a 150bhp car?
Super Graduates: am I right in thinking the engine is the same for all but aero and trick suspension can be tweaked?
Without boring everyone with dumb questions, is there a link I should be referring to in order to become educated in the differences?
Oh and to clarify, the reason I'd like a bit more poke is that I will be using the beast on the road too, and have driven 7s with a bit more power that 120bhp, ideally with some torque too. I am sure they are all the daddy on track (I have been wasted by Caterhams on too many track days to think otherwise...)
In all seriousness there are plusses and minusses in each series, I think roadsports has a bit less traveling grads cost a bit less on tyres. They're equivalent to a few hunderd quid either way
One thing worth considering is that after a year in RS you are just aout obligied to upgrade to RS inters but many people have been running standard/super grad for years. The upgrade to megas is a bit more expensive than RS inters though
*Official Caterham series*
> Academy (120bhp K-series, hard tyres)
> Roadsport B (+ stickier Avon CR500 tyres)
> Roadsport Inter (+ widetrack suspension, - screen and lights)
[ > Roadsports new series 2008? (+ engine & maybe gearbox upgrade) ]
> Superlights, Eurocup & CSR
*Graduates series*
> Classic Grads (100bhp Ford & Vauxhall, ex pre-2001 Academy)
> Supergrads (120bhp K-series, Academy + stickier Yoko tyres)
> Megagrads (+ '150'bhp engine upgrade, + widetrack suspension, + gearbox upgrade)
Roadsport B can be considered equivalent to Supergrads, Roadsport Inter to Megagrads. The 'Inter' name has been dropped from Roadsports but it does help avoid confusion.
None of the series allow many mods. roll bars and brake pads are about the only performance related thing that can be changed
> Academy (120bhp K-series, hard tyres)
> Roadsport B (+ stickier Avon CR500 tyres)
> Roadsport Inter (+ widetrack suspension, - screen and lights)
[ > Roadsports new series 2008? (+ engine & maybe gearbox upgrade) ]
> Superlights, Eurocup & CSR
*Graduates series*
> Classic Grads (100bhp Ford & Vauxhall, ex pre-2001 Academy)
> Supergrads (120bhp K-series, Academy + stickier Yoko tyres)
> Megagrads (+ '150'bhp engine upgrade, + widetrack suspension, + gearbox upgrade)
Roadsport B can be considered equivalent to Supergrads, Roadsport Inter to Megagrads. The 'Inter' name has been dropped from Roadsports but it does help avoid confusion.
None of the series allow many mods. roll bars and brake pads are about the only performance related thing that can be changed
Edited by SimonY on Friday 20th April 20:39
Megas don't race as road legal so you would need to refit lights and number plate (about 15 mins to do)
There is not much tweaking allowed-once set up most people will at most fiddle with roll bars) There's a guy running in Supers this year who was a karter-seems to be enjoying things
MikeW
MegaGrad
There is not much tweaking allowed-once set up most people will at most fiddle with roll bars) There's a guy running in Supers this year who was a karter-seems to be enjoying things
MikeW
MegaGrad
Racing members and social members get priority, but megas isn't as over-subscribed as supers so you should be fine...Yeah with 58 registered for Megas and 59 registered for Supers. It'll be easier to get into Megas 
I really wouldnt worry about the 150bhp on the road. Once you start driving hard on the circuit, driving the car on the road doesnt do it any more, you simply cant drive it anything close to what it is capable of. As a result the need to blow away sales reps in supersaloons disappears.
I really wouldnt worry about the 150bhp on the road. Once you start driving hard on the circuit, driving the car on the road doesnt do it any more, you simply cant drive it anything close to what it is capable of. As a result the need to blow away sales reps in supersaloons disappears.
ultramarine91 said:
Sorry gents, bear with me. Thank you for your comments.
Roadsport: what categories are there within this? Will I be able to race with racing licence? Can I compete in a 150bhp car?
Super Graduates: am I right in thinking the engine is the same for all but aero and trick suspension can be tweaked?
Roadsport: what categories are there within this? Will I be able to race with racing licence? Can I compete in a 150bhp car?
Super Graduates: am I right in thinking the engine is the same for all but aero and trick suspension can be tweaked?
Make sure you get a car that complies with the regs, ideally one that did your target series the year before as the regs are very tight and only allow very specific modifications to the car (this goes for Graduates and Roadsports) so if you just pick up a 150bhp caterham , it could cost you quite a lot to get into racing spec.
I planned to use my race car on the road and it is still taxed and road legal but with things like race pads and suspension setup, it's not that much fun TBH
All fair comments.
Regardless of the category, my plan is to buy a car that's just finished a season, rather than buy something lovely and shiny only to be devastated that it gets damaged and or doesn't comply with scruineering and needs £1200 more spending on it.
I currently drive a Porsche 968CS, obviiously won't be using this as a tow vehicle; what's the lightest car you chaps use to tow a seven?
Regardless of the category, my plan is to buy a car that's just finished a season, rather than buy something lovely and shiny only to be devastated that it gets damaged and or doesn't comply with scruineering and needs £1200 more spending on it.
I currently drive a Porsche 968CS, obviiously won't be using this as a tow vehicle; what's the lightest car you chaps use to tow a seven?
I took it from the grids at Pembrey that the Megas were undersubscribed. ultramarine91 said:
All fair comments.
Regardless of the category, my plan is to buy a car that's just finished a season, rather than buy something lovely and shiny only to be devastated that it gets damaged and or doesn't comply with scruineering and needs £1200 more spending on it.
I currently drive a Porsche 968CS, obviiously won't be using this as a tow vehicle; what's the lightest car you chaps use to tow a seven?
Regardless of the category, my plan is to buy a car that's just finished a season, rather than buy something lovely and shiny only to be devastated that it gets damaged and or doesn't comply with scruineering and needs £1200 more spending on it.
I currently drive a Porsche 968CS, obviiously won't be using this as a tow vehicle; what's the lightest car you chaps use to tow a seven?
Some guys tow with Clio 182s and single axle trailers, personally I use a diesel Passat.
James - didn't you have an "incident" at Silverstone?
Cuzza
Mine was the nice & shiney one that rolled 1st race at Silverstone on Saturday, damaging 3 rims, 2 tyres, bending the chassis, front wishbones, filling the wrong side of the pistons with oil etc. etc.
Mine was also the nice & shiney one competing not 20 hours later moving from 33rd on grid to 8th.
You pays your money and takes your choice, my point is simple if not a little tongue in cheek, at the moment the RS & RSB's have higher standards of both cars & drivers than GRC, its not right or wrong just true.
jimmy,
i did the academy in 06 and am currently doing (badly) in roadsport b. estimates of 25k for first year are about right i guess. i drove to all the events in the 7 but have got myself a trailer this year and to be honest it's much better. you can cut down the cost by camping and buying cheap gear but you always get what you pay for in life.
assuming you'll be continuing after the first year then everything gets much cheaper in theory as you have all the kit. upgrades from academy spec to grads/rsb are cheap but you'll be hooked and looking to do loads of testing/track days - it will become a money pit. racing is similar to crack in that respect.
if budget is a problem (and it is for all racers as you will spend just a bit more than you can afford) then the track day route may be a better bet. however, you will never forget your first race start, first corner, first podium (i'm still hoping!) and will always regret not having taken the plunge sooner.
wtr to academy vs straight in, for a pussy like me the academy was perfect - hand held all the way. there really is not shortage of friendly 'advice' in the paddock and taking the plunge into grads/rsb/other would be scary at first but you would not be the first and once the first meeting is done it would be plane sailing.
june 2nd/3rd is the seven 50th birthday meeting at donington where i think academy, rs and grads will all be racing. a perfect opportunity to see what it's like and talk to people doing all of the series.
my 2p. i'll shut up now.
si.
i did the academy in 06 and am currently doing (badly) in roadsport b. estimates of 25k for first year are about right i guess. i drove to all the events in the 7 but have got myself a trailer this year and to be honest it's much better. you can cut down the cost by camping and buying cheap gear but you always get what you pay for in life.
assuming you'll be continuing after the first year then everything gets much cheaper in theory as you have all the kit. upgrades from academy spec to grads/rsb are cheap but you'll be hooked and looking to do loads of testing/track days - it will become a money pit. racing is similar to crack in that respect.
if budget is a problem (and it is for all racers as you will spend just a bit more than you can afford) then the track day route may be a better bet. however, you will never forget your first race start, first corner, first podium (i'm still hoping!) and will always regret not having taken the plunge sooner.
wtr to academy vs straight in, for a pussy like me the academy was perfect - hand held all the way. there really is not shortage of friendly 'advice' in the paddock and taking the plunge into grads/rsb/other would be scary at first but you would not be the first and once the first meeting is done it would be plane sailing.
june 2nd/3rd is the seven 50th birthday meeting at donington where i think academy, rs and grads will all be racing. a perfect opportunity to see what it's like and talk to people doing all of the series.
my 2p. i'll shut up now.
si.
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