Running costs of racing a Caterham
Discussion
Hi guys,
I’m currently racing a Clio and the reliability has literally broken me. 4 years with no real racing to show for it and I’m sick of it and looking for a change. Caterhams look like a good proposition, looking through things I’d probably be looking at a 310r. What I wanted to know is what are the running costs like in regards to the actual car.
How often are engines being rebuilt and at what sort of cost?
Gearbox? (My current hatred!!)
What are the weak points and things to look out for?
Tire usage and costs?
I don’t actually know a huge amount about these cars but everyone seems to rave about them. Is there any teams able to offer an arrive and drive at a race meeting or test day so I can see if their for me or not?
I’m just looking for something reliable and fun so that I can try to start enjoying my racing again instead of hating it like I have been with my Clio.
Many thanks
I’m currently racing a Clio and the reliability has literally broken me. 4 years with no real racing to show for it and I’m sick of it and looking for a change. Caterhams look like a good proposition, looking through things I’d probably be looking at a 310r. What I wanted to know is what are the running costs like in regards to the actual car.
How often are engines being rebuilt and at what sort of cost?
Gearbox? (My current hatred!!)
What are the weak points and things to look out for?
Tire usage and costs?
I don’t actually know a huge amount about these cars but everyone seems to rave about them. Is there any teams able to offer an arrive and drive at a race meeting or test day so I can see if their for me or not?
I’m just looking for something reliable and fun so that I can try to start enjoying my racing again instead of hating it like I have been with my Clio.
Many thanks
I can’t answer your question with hard numbers but mine is a 2002 K series with Tyoe 9 gearbox that was originally an Academy car. It was upgraded by previous owner to Graduates spec and I have upgraded further for CSCC Magnificent 7s.
So far, touch wood, it must rank amongst the cheapest cars to race that I have owned. I have had some electrical gremlins and had a new loom made up from an MG ZR one, I had a leaky fuel tank replaced and I had a crack in the inlet manifold that was cured by an upgrade to ITBs but otherwise very reliable.
Consumables are cheap - tyres, brake pads etc all benefit from it being a light car. Even race and towing fuel consumption is cheap.
I have raced tin tops and a 944 but wish I had bought a Caterham years ago. Great fun.
I recommend racing in CSCC Mag 7s where driving standards are very good and v good track time. Others will recommend Graduates. The pukka Caterham series can be very serious with lots of expense on testing, tyres and body repairs(!!!) but CSCC and Graduates racers understand that Toyo Wolff isn’t watching and mostly we are paying for our own racing so are sensible.
Go for it.
So far, touch wood, it must rank amongst the cheapest cars to race that I have owned. I have had some electrical gremlins and had a new loom made up from an MG ZR one, I had a leaky fuel tank replaced and I had a crack in the inlet manifold that was cured by an upgrade to ITBs but otherwise very reliable.
Consumables are cheap - tyres, brake pads etc all benefit from it being a light car. Even race and towing fuel consumption is cheap.
I have raced tin tops and a 944 but wish I had bought a Caterham years ago. Great fun.
I recommend racing in CSCC Mag 7s where driving standards are very good and v good track time. Others will recommend Graduates. The pukka Caterham series can be very serious with lots of expense on testing, tyres and body repairs(!!!) but CSCC and Graduates racers understand that Toyo Wolff isn’t watching and mostly we are paying for our own racing so are sensible.
Go for it.
A couple of people I know own and race the locusts with the Mazda engine fitted with the 750mc. They are supposed to be great fun and maybe an option to consider?
I believe TSR racing have a few rental ones and have a very good reputation around the paddock.
After a few years of racing a french car I can understand your pain of reliability, I used to take a spare gearbox to every round !!
I believe TSR racing have a few rental ones and have a very good reputation around the paddock.
After a few years of racing a french car I can understand your pain of reliability, I used to take a spare gearbox to every round !!
310r-
Engines do several seasons without discernible power loss. People aren’t generally getting them freshened up seasonally.
Gearbox- I’ve not run a Mazda myself, my Sigmax had a Ford gearbox but I imagine it’s similar. Precautionary refresh once a season. Failures in season not unheard of but the minority.
LSD doesn’t last forever but more than one season
Brake pads- top notch fronts are probably £160 but last a season. Rears are buttons.
Tyres probably north of £400 a set these days- 3 sets per season.
Engines do several seasons without discernible power loss. People aren’t generally getting them freshened up seasonally.
Gearbox- I’ve not run a Mazda myself, my Sigmax had a Ford gearbox but I imagine it’s similar. Precautionary refresh once a season. Failures in season not unheard of but the minority.
LSD doesn’t last forever but more than one season
Brake pads- top notch fronts are probably £160 but last a season. Rears are buttons.
Tyres probably north of £400 a set these days- 3 sets per season.
Edited by HustleRussell on Saturday 3rd July 22:55
I also race in the CSCC Mag 7’s.
Andy, I’ll come and introduce myself at Snett if you’re there.
Costs I’m aware of:
Avon ZZR’s £540 - will last 4 races plus test days I suspect.
Rear Pads - £88.30
Rear Wing - £125
Oil change - £99
Short Loom - £45
Front Disks - £331
Front Pads - £65
Wheel bearings - £71
Driveshaft - £160
Gearbox oil change - £20
Pads and discs last for ages on Caterhams. Could go for a whole season on discs and most race meets in a year on decent pads.
Caterhams, especially non sequential cars, cost buttons to run. They’re also, by some margin, more fun than a Clio or BMW in my experience.
The CSCC is very well run and a friendly group with good driving standards. Highly recommended.
Caterhams are ace
Andy, I’ll come and introduce myself at Snett if you’re there.
Costs I’m aware of:
Avon ZZR’s £540 - will last 4 races plus test days I suspect.
Rear Pads - £88.30
Rear Wing - £125
Oil change - £99
Short Loom - £45
Front Disks - £331
Front Pads - £65
Wheel bearings - £71
Driveshaft - £160
Gearbox oil change - £20
Pads and discs last for ages on Caterhams. Could go for a whole season on discs and most race meets in a year on decent pads.
Caterhams, especially non sequential cars, cost buttons to run. They’re also, by some margin, more fun than a Clio or BMW in my experience.
The CSCC is very well run and a friendly group with good driving standards. Highly recommended.
Caterhams are ace
PGNSagaris said:
I also race in the CSCC Mag 7’s.
Andy, I’ll come and introduce myself at Snett if you’re there.
Costs I’m aware of:
Avon ZZR’s £540 - will last 4 races plus test days I suspect.
Rear Pads - £88.30
Rear Wing - £125
Oil change - £99
Short Loom - £45
Front Disks - £331
Front Pads - £65
Wheel bearings - £71
Driveshaft - £160
Gearbox oil change - £20
Pads and discs last for ages on Caterhams. Could go for a whole season on discs and most race meets in a year on decent pads.
Caterhams, especially non sequential cars, cost buttons to run. They’re also, by some margin, more fun than a Clio or BMW in my experience.
The CSCC is very well run and a friendly group with good driving standards. Highly recommended.
Caterhams are ace
I have entered Snetterton so will be there, all being well.Andy, I’ll come and introduce myself at Snett if you’re there.
Costs I’m aware of:
Avon ZZR’s £540 - will last 4 races plus test days I suspect.
Rear Pads - £88.30
Rear Wing - £125
Oil change - £99
Short Loom - £45
Front Disks - £331
Front Pads - £65
Wheel bearings - £71
Driveshaft - £160
Gearbox oil change - £20
Pads and discs last for ages on Caterhams. Could go for a whole season on discs and most race meets in a year on decent pads.
Caterhams, especially non sequential cars, cost buttons to run. They’re also, by some margin, more fun than a Clio or BMW in my experience.
The CSCC is very well run and a friendly group with good driving standards. Highly recommended.
Caterhams are ace
Car 97, Class D, Orange and black K series car.
I will add the following comment to your list of costs, I race in Mag7s about 4-6 times a year and have done for about 3 years. I have not yet changed a wheel bearing or drive shaft or front disks or rear wing! Indeed, no damage what so ever (yet)! Definitely recommended.
Thanks for the replies guys, sounds like some very cheap running costs in the scheme of things! This leads me onto how do I find out more and is there anyone offering arrive and drive so I can dip my toe in the water so to speak? I’ve raced for years but never driven a caterham type car, just gearbox karts and my Clio and I’m struggling to find anyone who offers this due to the high demand for racing spaces. Even just a test would be good.
Basically the aim of this year it to try a few different championships/ cars and see what I like with the view to buying a car and doing a full championship/series next year and just generally get some seat time.
I saw caterham we’re racing at silverstone this weekend which would have been ideal to go and watch, have a look round and chat to people but unfortunately covid restrictions meant that wouldn’t be possible
Basically the aim of this year it to try a few different championships/ cars and see what I like with the view to buying a car and doing a full championship/series next year and just generally get some seat time.
I saw caterham we’re racing at silverstone this weekend which would have been ideal to go and watch, have a look round and chat to people but unfortunately covid restrictions meant that wouldn’t be possible
Re arrive and drive, speak to Phill at tfl Racing. They look after my Caterhams as well as around 18 more plus Radicals. Huge knowledge and very open and honest.
Brilliant people.
https://www.tflracing.co.uk/
Brilliant people.
https://www.tflracing.co.uk/
Not sure where you are based but this outfit may be able to help:
https://boss-racing.co.uk/
And in the NW, try DW Motorsport.
https://boss-racing.co.uk/
And in the NW, try DW Motorsport.
You have to look at what is causing the problem with your 1*2. If it’s the way you are preparing the car then why would the caterham be any more reliable. You may of course have bought a wrong’un in the Clio, but it might also be how you are going about preparing it.
What is wrong with the gearbox? Do you use that long metal gear-lever stalk, if so that causes more problems than it solves
What is wrong with the gearbox? Do you use that long metal gear-lever stalk, if so that causes more problems than it solves
Just my opinion - Caterham / 7s type cars are pretty much the best £/lap time I could find when I was looking at getting into circuit racing.
I had 5 seasons with the Caterham Graduates and, as a rough estimate, it was about £10k/season all in - including consumables, travel (stayed in a camper) and minor damage repairs (i was on emergency support rather than full or track-side). Grads attracted me because of the club itself (super friendly) and the focus on driving standards (they have their own driving standards team), as well as the broad range of abilities - i.e. you'll have a race with someone irrespective of if your super fast or just starting out.
In terms of arrive and drive - recommend CTS Motorsport or PT Sportscars - both do arrive and drive for the Grads.
Have fun :-)
I had 5 seasons with the Caterham Graduates and, as a rough estimate, it was about £10k/season all in - including consumables, travel (stayed in a camper) and minor damage repairs (i was on emergency support rather than full or track-side). Grads attracted me because of the club itself (super friendly) and the focus on driving standards (they have their own driving standards team), as well as the broad range of abilities - i.e. you'll have a race with someone irrespective of if your super fast or just starting out.
In terms of arrive and drive - recommend CTS Motorsport or PT Sportscars - both do arrive and drive for the Grads.
Have fun :-)
I know that PT Motorsport have a 150 (310r) car that can be rented for a meeting, they will also look after you and guide you through the first meet. They could do either Caterham official series or Grads (which I would recommend)
To reinforce costs, my 135 car (270r) is in it's 5th season, did academy, roadport, 270r and this is my second season of grads 135 - Engine has had oil changes only and 3 sets of plugs. Gear box rebuilt twice at a cost of circa £400 each time with me removing & refitting.
We are half way through the year, I'm leading the championship and I am still on the same set of tyres I started the season with, snapped the diff carrier at Oulton Park (kerbs) which cost £100 and 2 sets of rear pads at £16 a go. The front Pagids will last for the rest of the season for sure. No other car costs so far. I will use a second set of tyres and change the oil before the next meeting.
If I wanted to sell (which I don't) I could sell my car tomorrow for £19-20K, I paid £24k in 2017 which included my first season race entries and support from the factory.
To reinforce costs, my 135 car (270r) is in it's 5th season, did academy, roadport, 270r and this is my second season of grads 135 - Engine has had oil changes only and 3 sets of plugs. Gear box rebuilt twice at a cost of circa £400 each time with me removing & refitting.
We are half way through the year, I'm leading the championship and I am still on the same set of tyres I started the season with, snapped the diff carrier at Oulton Park (kerbs) which cost £100 and 2 sets of rear pads at £16 a go. The front Pagids will last for the rest of the season for sure. No other car costs so far. I will use a second set of tyres and change the oil before the next meeting.
If I wanted to sell (which I don't) I could sell my car tomorrow for £19-20K, I paid £24k in 2017 which included my first season race entries and support from the factory.
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