RE: The Long Read: 40 reasons to race a Caterham
Discussion
PTF said:
Or do what i did, buy a used caterham race car, do your ARDS/licence and get yourself on track for a less money.
https://www.graduates.org.uk/forsale.asp
I miss it. Gave up 4 years ago after 10 years dipping in whenever i could afford it.
Or do what I did and buy an ex Graduate K-Series MegaGrad race car (from the link above) for less than £10k and race it in CSCCs Magnificent 7s series.https://www.graduates.org.uk/forsale.asp
I miss it. Gave up 4 years ago after 10 years dipping in whenever i could afford it.
The car is still legal for Graduates so I have options to race in several places but the one day, 40 min race format in CSCC is more family time friendly for me. It also gives the option of sharing the car with another driver as they are pit stop races. This means that costs can be shared and you can even lower your own costs by "earning" a "hire fee".
Other costs of racing a Caterham can be relatively cheap, too. I use Nankang AR1 tyres at about £90 a corner, and they will probably last me all season as tyre wear is low. Being light, they don't use much fuel, even towing the car is easy.
And, most importantly, driving a Caterham is fantastic fun. I have just had my first race in one and had only had 20 laps practice around a damp Mallory beforehand so I was very nervous but should not have worried. I loved it. They are proper racing cars, but they don't really bite the inexperienced and the sensation of "steering on the throttle" is brilliant.
I have raced single seaters (badly) in Monoposto, and fwd hatches & transaxle Porshes in CSCC but I know that I have never been quick and I am always racing on a very tight budget, and only a few times a year. I don't ever test and I just do it to enjoy taking part. I came last in my first CSCC Magnificent 7 race but absolutely loved it. The car was great fun, I had a good battle with another driver (until he retired, when I was ahead of him!) and can't wait to get back out in the car. So much fun.
I am sure the car will be worth what I paid for it for a while yet, they seem quite simple to work on, running costs are low, spares are easily available, and they are great fun. What's not to like? For anyone considering it but thinking they can't afford it, I would say look at buying an ex Graduate car and do what I do, and even share a car; it's fantastic.
I really wish I had bought a Caterham a few years ago. Good value and relatively low cost racing and Did I mention that they are great fun?
Edited by andy97 on Friday 4th May 07:15
Everyone thinks of the Academy if you want to start Caterham Racing because it’s as close as you’ll likely ever get to a ‘level playing field’- everyone is an absolute novice.
The reality of it of course is that you end up sitting in a valuable brand new car on a grid chock full of absolute novices, about half of which secretly expect to be excellent racing drivers and probably win.
As above, half your upfront cost by buying a used car and come and race it in the Caterham Graduates Racing Club.
(Classic Grads 2010-‘13, Sigmax 2017- the Sigmax is what we call a 270R with widetrack and LSD)
ETA: there is a small but growing 310R class in the Sigmax grid
The reality of it of course is that you end up sitting in a valuable brand new car on a grid chock full of absolute novices, about half of which secretly expect to be excellent racing drivers and probably win.
As above, half your upfront cost by buying a used car and come and race it in the Caterham Graduates Racing Club.
(Classic Grads 2010-‘13, Sigmax 2017- the Sigmax is what we call a 270R with widetrack and LSD)
ETA: there is a small but growing 310R class in the Sigmax grid
Edited by HustleRussell on Friday 4th May 08:00
Ex-SuperGrad here. 
I thought I was quickish on trackdays and realised there was only one way to find out. Bought an ex-academy car one weekend, went to Pembrey the next, kicked the tyres and went racing. 
I soon discovered I wasn't that slow but had a hell of a lot to learn. And no matter where you are on the grid, you'll always be racing.
I thought I was quickish on trackdays and realised there was only one way to find out. Bought an ex-academy car one weekend, went to Pembrey the next, kicked the tyres and went racing. I soon discovered I wasn't that slow but had a hell of a lot to learn. And no matter where you are on the grid, you'll always be racing.HustleRussell said:
Everyone thinks of the Academy if you want to start Caterham Racing because it’s as close as you’ll likely ever get to a ‘level playing field’- everyone is an absolute novice.
The reality of it of course is that you end up sitting in a valuable brand new car on a grid chock full of absolute novices, about half of which secretly expect to be excellent racing drivers and probably win.
I have to admit, being sat in a brand new car for your first ever race, terrifies me just a little bit. Knowing it will never be new again, even if you don't prang it.The reality of it of course is that you end up sitting in a valuable brand new car on a grid chock full of absolute novices, about half of which secretly expect to be excellent racing drivers and probably win.
Coming from some who's never owned anything with a new format number plate yet, and at 21yo spent 4k on a 16yo and for the last ten years has enjoyed it muchly.
Daniel
I raced Caterhams in the early 90s and the grids were packed back then but in totally different class structures. I loved it but I was on too tight a budget to make a good go of it. Even then there were too many people with limited experience trying to make a name for themselves and crashes were rife. I preferred racing in the 750MC roadsports which was a little more laid back and friendly.
It’s great to see so many 2005 Academy guys on here!
You just can’t beat the fun, camaraderie and excitement of Caterham racing - I did it for 10 years - Academy, Roadsport B, Graduates and would do it all again if I didn’t spend my time sailing now!
The Academy series is such a brilliant way to get people into racing and you get to keep the car at the end of the season - I built mine and scary as it was when I first took it out on the track it felt like an incredible accomplishment. If anyone is thinking of doing it, book now for 2019 and build your car!
You just can’t beat the fun, camaraderie and excitement of Caterham racing - I did it for 10 years - Academy, Roadsport B, Graduates and would do it all again if I didn’t spend my time sailing now!
The Academy series is such a brilliant way to get people into racing and you get to keep the car at the end of the season - I built mine and scary as it was when I first took it out on the track it felt like an incredible accomplishment. If anyone is thinking of doing it, book now for 2019 and build your car!
RacerMike said:
I raced all the way from Academy (in 2010) right up to a couple of races in an R300 (now 420R), somehow winning a champsionship in Supersports (now 310R) in 2014. Made a lot of friends, a couple of enemies (on the track at least 
), spent a lot of money, and ended up getting to race in British GT as a result! Still, to this day, the best racing I've had is in Caterhams. I have a lot of friends who hate them (partly because they're a bit backwards to drive fast, and the slipstreaming is so prevalent) but it's no coincidence that a lot of decent drivers who've won in Caterhams have ended up doing rather well elsewhere.
Jon Barnes (2008 British GT champion) started in Caterhams, and a lot of the Am's in this seasons British GT series too. Flick Haigh (winner of the first round this year), Mark Farmer (winner at Donington last year), Graham Johnson (raced me in 2014 in Supersports, and started in British GT at the same time, then winning the 2016 GT4 championship) and Stuart Leonard (Blaincpain European GT Sprint Champion for WRT Audi last year) all cut their teeth in the series.
Yes, like all motorsport it rarely makes any financial sense, but as close one make championships go, you'll struggle to find something as cost effective. Maybe I was lucky, but in 6 years I never once wrote off a chassis and the worst I did was bend a front wishbone. Front and rear arches are consumables, but at £60 (Fr) and £100 (Rr) each, they're not exactly going to bankrupt anyone. My original engine lasted for about 6 years (I think the guy that bought it replaced it after 2 seasons of his own racing because it was getting a bit tired) and with care, the old Sierra 5 speeds used to last about a season (but they were about £500 to replace), but the new Mazda box is probably a lot more robust.
So many good races over the years, but my highlight was this race at Zandvoort. Phenomenal track, on the back foot because of DNFing the first race of the weekend and starting last, and 30 or so overtakes in 15mins. Ace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUPhagQYPk
I was also lucky enough to get invited to race in Colombia too! They have their own Caterham series out there in 420Rs on the one circuit in the country. Allegedly it was Pablo Escobar's favourite.....
Very exciting footage! It looks you - and the ‘black’ guy at the end - had 3litre engines ), spent a lot of money, and ended up getting to race in British GT as a result! Still, to this day, the best racing I've had is in Caterhams. I have a lot of friends who hate them (partly because they're a bit backwards to drive fast, and the slipstreaming is so prevalent) but it's no coincidence that a lot of decent drivers who've won in Caterhams have ended up doing rather well elsewhere. Jon Barnes (2008 British GT champion) started in Caterhams, and a lot of the Am's in this seasons British GT series too. Flick Haigh (winner of the first round this year), Mark Farmer (winner at Donington last year), Graham Johnson (raced me in 2014 in Supersports, and started in British GT at the same time, then winning the 2016 GT4 championship) and Stuart Leonard (Blaincpain European GT Sprint Champion for WRT Audi last year) all cut their teeth in the series.
Yes, like all motorsport it rarely makes any financial sense, but as close one make championships go, you'll struggle to find something as cost effective. Maybe I was lucky, but in 6 years I never once wrote off a chassis and the worst I did was bend a front wishbone. Front and rear arches are consumables, but at £60 (Fr) and £100 (Rr) each, they're not exactly going to bankrupt anyone. My original engine lasted for about 6 years (I think the guy that bought it replaced it after 2 seasons of his own racing because it was getting a bit tired) and with care, the old Sierra 5 speeds used to last about a season (but they were about £500 to replace), but the new Mazda box is probably a lot more robust.
So many good races over the years, but my highlight was this race at Zandvoort. Phenomenal track, on the back foot because of DNFing the first race of the weekend and starting last, and 30 or so overtakes in 15mins. Ace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUPhagQYPk
I was also lucky enough to get invited to race in Colombia too! They have their own Caterham series out there in 420Rs on the one circuit in the country. Allegedly it was Pablo Escobar's favourite.....
RacerMike said:
I raced all the way from Academy (in 2010) right up to a couple of races in an R300 (now 420R), somehow winning a champsionship in Supersports (now 310R) in 2014. Made a lot of friends, a couple of enemies (on the track at least ), spent a lot of money, and ended up getting to race in British GT as a result! Still, to this day, the best racing I've had is in Caterhams. I have a lot of friends who hate them (partly because they're a bit backwards to drive fast, and the slipstreaming is so prevalent) but it's no coincidence that a lot of decent drivers who've won in Caterhams have ended up doing rather well elsewhere.
Jon Barnes (2008 British GT champion) started in Caterhams, and a lot of the Am's in this seasons British GT series too. Flick Haigh (winner of the first round this year), Mark Farmer (winner at Donington last year), Graham Johnson (raced me in 2014 in Supersports, and started in British GT at the same time, then winning the 2016 GT4 championship) and Stuart Leonard (Blaincpain European GT Sprint Champion for WRT Audi last year) all cut their teeth in the series.
Yes, like all motorsport it rarely makes any financial sense, but as close one make championships go, you'll struggle to find something as cost effective. Maybe I was lucky, but in 6 years I never once wrote off a chassis and the worst I did was bend a front wishbone. Front and rear arches are consumables, but at £60 (Fr) and £100 (Rr) each, they're not exactly going to bankrupt anyone. My original engine lasted for about 6 years (I think the guy that bought it replaced it after 2 seasons of his own racing because it was getting a bit tired) and with care, the old Sierra 5 speeds used to last about a season (but they were about £500 to replace), but the new Mazda box is probably a lot more robust.
So many good races over the years, but my highlight was this race at Zandvoort. Phenomenal track, on the back foot because of DNFing the first race of the weekend and starting last, and 30 or so overtakes in 15mins. Ace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUPhagQYPk
I was also lucky enough to get invited to race in Colombia too! They have their own Caterham series out there in 420Rs on the one circuit in the country. Allegedly it was Pablo Escobar's favourite.....
Video is fantastic!!!), spent a lot of money, and ended up getting to race in British GT as a result! Still, to this day, the best racing I've had is in Caterhams. I have a lot of friends who hate them (partly because they're a bit backwards to drive fast, and the slipstreaming is so prevalent) but it's no coincidence that a lot of decent drivers who've won in Caterhams have ended up doing rather well elsewhere. Jon Barnes (2008 British GT champion) started in Caterhams, and a lot of the Am's in this seasons British GT series too. Flick Haigh (winner of the first round this year), Mark Farmer (winner at Donington last year), Graham Johnson (raced me in 2014 in Supersports, and started in British GT at the same time, then winning the 2016 GT4 championship) and Stuart Leonard (Blaincpain European GT Sprint Champion for WRT Audi last year) all cut their teeth in the series.
Yes, like all motorsport it rarely makes any financial sense, but as close one make championships go, you'll struggle to find something as cost effective. Maybe I was lucky, but in 6 years I never once wrote off a chassis and the worst I did was bend a front wishbone. Front and rear arches are consumables, but at £60 (Fr) and £100 (Rr) each, they're not exactly going to bankrupt anyone. My original engine lasted for about 6 years (I think the guy that bought it replaced it after 2 seasons of his own racing because it was getting a bit tired) and with care, the old Sierra 5 speeds used to last about a season (but they were about £500 to replace), but the new Mazda box is probably a lot more robust.
So many good races over the years, but my highlight was this race at Zandvoort. Phenomenal track, on the back foot because of DNFing the first race of the weekend and starting last, and 30 or so overtakes in 15mins. Ace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUPhagQYPk
I was also lucky enough to get invited to race in Colombia too! They have their own Caterham series out there in 420Rs on the one circuit in the country. Allegedly it was Pablo Escobar's favourite.....
I tracked my Caterham a fair bit with fellow owners, but never raced in a series.
Could be one for the future...
Just watched it, well driven! It’s that sort of racecraft that serves you well wherever you decide to go next!
ggdrew said:
Very exciting footage! It looks you - and the ‘black’ guy at the end - had 3litre engines
The joy of the slipstream in a Caterham, when I was racing Megagrads about 10 years ago I spun off at Thruxton ago and rejoined near the back 4 laps from the end... finished second! I think the lap record still stands even after a couple of car spec updates but was purely because of 4 laps of ridiculous slipstream!The Wookie said:
Just watched it, well driven! It’s that sort of racecraft that serves you well wherever you decide to go next!
Cheers! It indeed served me well in GT racing! Dealing with a pack of 40 GT4s at Brands GP last year in particular was drawing on a lot of Caterham experience. I think for me, the thing it really teaches you is to think beyond the immediate. When you approach a pack of cars, or are dicing for the lead with one, rather than thinking ‘how do I get past these/this car(s)’ I instead thing ‘when should I get past them’. The slipstream really drills into you the importance of know when and where to do your overtakes!ggdrew said:
Very exciting footage! It looks you - and the ‘black’ guy at the end - had 3litre engines
The joy of the slipstream in a Caterham, when I was racing Megagrads about 10 years ago I spun off at Thruxton ago and rejoined near the back 4 laps from the end... finished second! I think the lap record still stands even after a couple of car spec updates but was purely because of 4 laps of ridiculous slipstream!RacerMike said:
Cheers! It indeed served me well in GT racing! Dealing with a pack of 40 GT4s at Brands GP last year in particular was drawing on a lot of Caterham experience. I think for me, the thing it really teaches you is to think beyond the immediate. When you approach a pack of cars, or are dicing for the lead with one, rather than thinking ‘how do I get past these/this car(s)’ I instead thing ‘when should I get past them’. The slipstream really drills into you the importance of know when and where to do your overtakes!
Absolutely, the other thing I find helps me still is having to attack and defend at the same time, like you say planning the moves in the whole pack around you rather than just the car you’re looking to passSo are you racing in GT4 now or in Caterhams at the moment?
fblm said:
RacerMike said:
I raced all the way from Academy (in 2010) right up to a couple of races in an R300 (now 420R), somehow winning a champsionship in Supersports (now 310R) in 2014. Made a lot of friends, a couple of enemies (on the track at least ), spent a lot of money, and ended up getting to race in British GT as a result! Still, to this day, the best racing I've had is in Caterhams. I have a lot of friends who hate them (partly because they're a bit backwards to drive fast, and the slipstreaming is so prevalent) but it's no coincidence that a lot of decent drivers who've won in Caterhams have ended up doing rather well elsewhere.
Jon Barnes (2008 British GT champion) started in Caterhams, and a lot of the Am's in this seasons British GT series too. Flick Haigh (winner of the first round this year), Mark Farmer (winner at Donington last year), Graham Johnson (raced me in 2014 in Supersports, and started in British GT at the same time, then winning the 2016 GT4 championship) and Stuart Leonard (Blaincpain European GT Sprint Champion for WRT Audi last year) all cut their teeth in the series.
Yes, like all motorsport it rarely makes any financial sense, but as close one make championships go, you'll struggle to find something as cost effective. Maybe I was lucky, but in 6 years I never once wrote off a chassis and the worst I did was bend a front wishbone. Front and rear arches are consumables, but at £60 (Fr) and £100 (Rr) each, they're not exactly going to bankrupt anyone. My original engine lasted for about 6 years (I think the guy that bought it replaced it after 2 seasons of his own racing because it was getting a bit tired) and with care, the old Sierra 5 speeds used to last about a season (but they were about £500 to replace), but the new Mazda box is probably a lot more robust.
So many good races over the years, but my highlight was this race at Zandvoort. Phenomenal track, on the back foot because of DNFing the first race of the weekend and starting last, and 30 or so overtakes in 15mins. Ace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUPhagQYPk
I was also lucky enough to get invited to race in Colombia too! They have their own Caterham series out there in 420Rs on the one circuit in the country. Allegedly it was Pablo Escobar's favourite.....
Great drive), spent a lot of money, and ended up getting to race in British GT as a result! Still, to this day, the best racing I've had is in Caterhams. I have a lot of friends who hate them (partly because they're a bit backwards to drive fast, and the slipstreaming is so prevalent) but it's no coincidence that a lot of decent drivers who've won in Caterhams have ended up doing rather well elsewhere. Jon Barnes (2008 British GT champion) started in Caterhams, and a lot of the Am's in this seasons British GT series too. Flick Haigh (winner of the first round this year), Mark Farmer (winner at Donington last year), Graham Johnson (raced me in 2014 in Supersports, and started in British GT at the same time, then winning the 2016 GT4 championship) and Stuart Leonard (Blaincpain European GT Sprint Champion for WRT Audi last year) all cut their teeth in the series.
Yes, like all motorsport it rarely makes any financial sense, but as close one make championships go, you'll struggle to find something as cost effective. Maybe I was lucky, but in 6 years I never once wrote off a chassis and the worst I did was bend a front wishbone. Front and rear arches are consumables, but at £60 (Fr) and £100 (Rr) each, they're not exactly going to bankrupt anyone. My original engine lasted for about 6 years (I think the guy that bought it replaced it after 2 seasons of his own racing because it was getting a bit tired) and with care, the old Sierra 5 speeds used to last about a season (but they were about £500 to replace), but the new Mazda box is probably a lot more robust.
So many good races over the years, but my highlight was this race at Zandvoort. Phenomenal track, on the back foot because of DNFing the first race of the weekend and starting last, and 30 or so overtakes in 15mins. Ace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUPhagQYPk
I was also lucky enough to get invited to race in Colombia too! They have their own Caterham series out there in 420Rs on the one circuit in the country. Allegedly it was Pablo Escobar's favourite.....
The Wookie said:
So are you racing in GT4 now or in Caterhams at the moment?
GT4 when budgets allow! Hopefully might get in a car again at some point this year. Did British GT4 in 2015 with Team Parker for half the year and then 3 of the remaining 4 rounds with Academy Motorsport after our sponsorship fell through. Then did one round of Euro GT4 at Brands last year with Academy, and working with the team again this year. As you will know, finding the people/sponsors is hard work. I was super lucky to get a dream deal with British which was basically fully paid for by one sponsor, but external reasons meant it fell through after 3 races
Still, doing the usual thing of keeping in the loop and doing what I can around my normal job. Probably will join the most prestigious race of the year at Spa this year though.....the C1 24 Edited by RacerMike on Monday 7th May 21:25
EddieSteadyGo said:
+1 from me as well. Particularly liked the tussle with the grey/orange car for 5th place. He was happy to get his elbows out to stop you getting past, but you got him in the end.
It was a weird feeling that race. I’ve never been so relaxed on the starting grid, and just sort of had the attitude that I’d go for it and see how far I could get up the grid. I genuinely didn’t expect to get to the front and I remember wondering what on earth I was going to do when I got into 1st and had 15mins still to go!It was one of those weekends though where the car was perfect, the track really suited me, and psychologically I had the upper hand for some reason!
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