Which Caterham Series?

[Lemoncurd]

Good luck in your ARDS, and congratulations taking the step to go racing is one of the best things you can do!

I race a 135 too, so might end up on the same grid if I manage to come out and play next year (only managed the one weekend this year)!

[justleanitupabit]

RichieG1 said:

So by way of an update, I decided that Caterham Graduates was the right place to start, and was on the look out for a 150 or 135 class car.

Picked up a lovely 2019 135 (270R) car last month and am just waiting for a bead seat and a flat floor setup (when I can get hold of some Yokohamas) before getting out and getting a feel for it at Silverstone on the 11th Nov, and a couple of coaching days at Brands and Donington between then and Christmas. ARDS test booked for 8th Nov too and I must confess I'm quite excited to get out and start trying to get a feel for the new car, as well as quite daunted about that first race weekend in April....

Thanks for all the comments and advice.

Spotted that, who's car was it previously?
ARDS is a piece of cake - learn the flags - at least the more unusual ones but also the difference now between single yellow/double yellow/waved/static etc - on the driving front you'd have to be an actual learner driver to not be up to standard - basic lines, braking and awareness on track with the ARDs examiner will get you through easy.

When it comes to coaching try a couple and see who you gel with best. I use Darren B and find his style works for me.

TBH I'd wait until the calendars come out shortly to think about where you race - you have plenty of time for that - I assume the car you bought is from the Caterham ladder looking at the decals - therefore it probably came with Avons? You might find the one of the series calendar has a whole load of 'meh' on it and another might just be

For arguments sake - lets say (and these are my opinions of circuits) Series 'A' has something like Thruxton, Combe, Silverstone National, Pembrey, and Mallory on its calendar and 'B' has Oulton, Brands, Cadwell, Knockhill, Anglesey and Donny on it - you'd probably question if series 'A' is where you want to be........ Especially if you already have one set of tires for series 'B'.....

You might also want to consider mixing the two (or three) and guesting - if the venues are more to your taste.....

[RichieG1]

The car was Andrew Freeman's Academy steed, was upgraded to 270R and has only done 4 track days since, just needed a seat, brake bias, gearbox refresh and a setup.

Had to push my ARDS out due to work commitments but booked in again for 18th December, and on reserve lists for sooner. Should be a formality I hope.

Had a bead seat fitting on Wednesday and picking the car up next week for a shake down at Silverstone GP before a couple of coaching days with Darren B at Brands and Donington in Nov and Dec.

Good food for thought on the series choice thing. I like the look of Graduates from a driving standards perspective - I haven't got the budget to chassis the car or need a few long fronts - however having driven most of the good UK circuits a series that is going to Mallory, Combe, Pembrey etc. would really put me off, so I may well flit around...

[andy97]

If you want to mix and match, this is the CSCC calendar for 2022:

https://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/post/2022-c...

If you fancy Spa, you need to have a National A licence (or whatever it’s called now, basically upgraded after 6 race finishes and signatures) and to have raced with the CSCC at least twice before.
Any car in Graduates is eligible also for CSCC.

Edited by andy97 on Sunday 7th November 08:55

[CharlesElliott]

7 Race Series is at Jerez today - just shows what great options you have racing Caterhams across CGRC, Caterham Motorsport, 7 Series, 750MC, CSCC etc. etc.

[Matt W]

Caterham Graduates provisional 2022 calendar.

Silverstone International - 26th & 27th March
Cadwell Park - 23rd & 24th April
Knockhill - 4th & 5th June
Snetterton 300 - 9th & 10th July
Croft - 6th & 7th August
Anglesey - 3rd & 4th September
Oulton Park - 15th October

[justleanitupabit]

Matt W said:

Caterham Graduates provisional 2022 calendar.

Silverstone International - 26th & 27th March
Cadwell Park - 23rd & 24th April
Knockhill - 4th & 5th June
Snetterton 300 - 9th & 10th July
Croft - 6th & 7th August
Anglesey - 3rd & 4th September
Oulton Park - 15th October

Spotted that yesterday - its a cracking calendar - very tough calendar to beat that and pretty much my "B" from post above.

[cashmax]

A few decent cars come to market in the last few days.