CSCC Magnificant 7s - 2018

CSCC Magnificant 7s - 2018

Author
Discussion

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Thursday 18th January 2018
quotequote all
I signed up for the 2018 Magnificent 7s race series at the autosport show. I'm intending g to race my relatively recently acquired K Series ex Mega Graduate car in Class B (125-140Bhp).

This will be my first foray into Caterham racing, although I have raced FWD tin tops and RWD Porsche 924/944 before with CSCC and others.

Mine will be one of the lower power cars in the races. Anyone else coming out to join me? It would be good to have a few people to play with in the lower power classes (Classes A upto 125 bhp, B upto 140 and C upto 156 bhp) at the blunt end of the grid.

CaterhamBalders

18 posts

74 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
If your car is an ex mega graduate why don't you get yourself on the Caterham Graduates grid too? They still have a healthy size grid and you'd be racing with identical cars.

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
You’ve probably got 135bhp at least? Should be pretty handy.

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
CaterhamBalders said:
If your car is an ex mega graduate why don't you get yourself on the Caterham Graduates grid too? They still have a healthy size grid and you'd be racing with identical cars.
I have thought about it, but can't do 2 day meetings, which I think the Graduates are? Not family friendly, and therefore would rather do the 40 min race meetings of the cscc. Can also maybe share the car to offset some of the cost.

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
You’ve probably got 135bhp at least? Should be pretty handy.
Hmm, pity the driver isn't!

Nevertheless, looking forward to my first experience of a Caterham on track.

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Friday 19th January 2018
quotequote all
andy97 said:
CaterhamBalders said:
If your car is an ex mega graduate why don't you get yourself on the Caterham Graduates grid too? They still have a healthy size grid and you'd be racing with identical cars.
I have thought about it, but can't do 2 day meetings, which I think the Graduates are? Not family friendly, and therefore would rather do the 40 min race meetings of the cscc. Can also maybe share the car to offset some of the cost.
Call me biased...

The grads did a membership survey at the end of the '17 season and the feedback suggested among other things that the two day format was a turn-off for some (but not all). In '17 there was one single-day double header in the calendar at Oulton. This season there are two. Have a look? Perfect opportunity to dip a toe. I'm sure if you e-mail Chairman Roger Ford you can race as a guest without paying anywhere near the full club membership fee. Then maybe you can decide whether you could stand two days of it hehe

I would strongly disagree that the Grads is not family friendly, although I realise that you were probably specifically talking about the weekend format. Certainly there are plenty of families participating. Making a weekend of it means you have more time to mill about and socialise, and watch some of the other racing on the bill. OK you have an extra night camping or in the hotel but the Sundays are great- If your race is early you can pack up and leave in the early afternoon with no mad rush to get home before sensible bedtime. If your race is later, lie in leisurely fry up!

I don't dislike the one day format as such but if you're going to sign on, scrutineer, qualify and race in one day it's probably going to be 5pm or later by the time you're all done. Coming home from Oulton is over five hours for me. Once the adrenaline has worn off you're going to be dropping off.

I'm single but those with partners seem to find it easier to plicate them by spending two nights over it, be it a slightly posh hotel nearby or the wholesome camping approach, you'll fall in with people who want you to come to dinner with them on Saturday night... plenty to talk about with qualifying and race 1 done and race 2 to come.

Fams on tour!

Sorry if all the Grads club evangelicalism seems to be following you around but there's a reason people are enthusiastic about it.

Edited by HustleRussell on Friday 19th January 21:05

CaterhamBalders

18 posts

74 months

Saturday 20th January 2018
quotequote all
i'm doing an open trackday with them at Silverstone on 25th Feb to dip my toe in and see what it's all about, meet a few people etc. May be worth thinking about as anyone can join them. They also have Ben Clucas instructing who I'm told is one of the best for Caterhams.

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Saturday 20th January 2018
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
Call me biased...

The grads did a membership survey at the end of the '17 season and the feedback suggested among other things that the two day format was a turn-off for some (but not all). In '17 there was one single-day double header in the calendar at Oulton. This season there are two. Have a look? Perfect opportunity to dip a toe. I'm sure if you e-mail Chairman Roger Ford you can race as a guest without paying anywhere near the full club membership fee. Then maybe you can decide whether you could stand two days of it hehe

I would strongly disagree that the Grads is not family friendly, although I realise that you were probably specifically talking about the weekend format. Certainly there are plenty of families participating. Making a weekend of it means you have more time to mill about and socialise, and watch some of the other racing on the bill. OK you have an extra night camping or in the hotel but the Sundays are great- If your race is early you can pack up and leave in the early afternoon with no mad rush to get home before sensible bedtime. If your race is later, lie in leisurely fry up!

I don't dislike the one day format as such but if you're going to sign on, scrutineer, qualify and race in one day it's probably going to be 5pm or later by the time you're all done. Coming home from Oulton is over five hours for me. Once the adrenaline has worn off you're going to be dropping off.

I'm single but those with partners seem to find it easier to plicate them by spending two nights over it, be it a slightly posh hotel nearby or the wholesome camping approach, you'll fall in with people who want you to come to dinner with them on Saturday night... plenty to talk about with qualifying and race 1 done and race 2 to come.

Fams on tour!

Sorry if all the Grads club evangelicalism seems to be following you around but there's a reason people are enthusiastic about it.

Edited by HustleRussell on Friday 19th January 21:05
The family friendly comment was specifically a response to the largely 2 day format - it's a barrier to entry for me. I have no doubt the people are great, but Mrs 97 has done enough standing around at race meetings over the years to know that she isnt going to come away for full race weekends any more; plus I often work away in the week so being away all weekend isn't likely, and we have dogs to consider, too!

If 2 day meetings suit the majority then that is fair enough, but it's not possible for me, except maybe once a year. And that's probably taken up with the C1 24 hour race this year!

I have raced with CSCC for about 10 years in a number of their series; I was on the committee for 6 years and their Modern Classics coordinator for 2. I, too, am biased but I think it's a fantastic club with great paddock atmosphere, camaraderie and driving standards. The 30 min practice and 40 minute races on one day suit me, and sharing the car occasionally allows me to cut costs and I enjoy the sense of teamwork. 40 min races are an interesting and different challenge.

I am hoping that there are a few Class A, B and C (classes upto 156 bhp) cars to play with, though.

Anyone in the Grads Club that fancies a longer race or two would be extremely welcome and they won't have to change their cars one bit to be competitive in the appropriate class. Membership is only £39 and series registration is £99. Entry fees vary from about £350 to 390 depending on circuit. Can also enter a second 40 min race, the Open Series, on the same day with a £100 discount on the race entry.

Spa and Magny Cour both on this years calendar.


sfaulds

653 posts

277 months

Saturday 20th January 2018
quotequote all
I'm planning on doing Snett in a class C car, so you wont be last!

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Saturday 20th January 2018
quotequote all
sfaulds said:
I'm planning on doing Snett in a class C car, so you wont be last!
Stuart, I wouldn't be on it! And I know how much experience you have of running 7s so your set up should be good.

We need to encourage a few more lower power cars out.

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Monday 19th March 2018
quotequote all
Have just entered the first race of the season at Snetterton on saturday April 7.

sfaulds

653 posts

277 months

Saturday 24th March 2018
quotequote all
I got as far as filling out an entry form before deciding I really couldn't face another weekend at Snett (it's also a bit close to other commitments for that car). Hopefully I'll get to Silverstone.

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Wednesday 28th March 2018
quotequote all
32 cars entered for Snetterton on Sat 7 April, and 10 in Class B with me. Hmmm, busier than I thought.

Hope the guys in front are tolerant of this mobile chicane.

MR2_SC

316 posts

183 months

Thursday 29th March 2018
quotequote all
Good luck!

If you’re up against the newer supersport/sigmax spec caterhams, while they make similar power to the mega and are in the same class, they have a broader spread of torque, an LSD and light flywheel so manage to get out of the corners a bit quicker. The Mega has better gear ratios but still manages to lose around 1 second per lap vs the newer cars.
In the middle of the field it doesn’t really make much difference and there’s good racing to be had.

I suspect a Mega with the LSD and flywheel would make a very competitive and fun package in Mag7 class B.

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Thursday 29th March 2018
quotequote all
MR2_SC said:
Good luck!

If you’re up against the newer supersport/sigmax spec caterhams, while they make similar power to the mega and are in the same class, they have a broader spread of torque, an LSD and light flywheel so manage to get out of the corners a bit quicker. The Mega has better gear ratios but still manages to lose around 1 second per lap vs the newer cars.
In the middle of the field it doesn’t really make much difference and there’s good racing to be had.

I suspect a Mega with the LSD and flywheel would make a very competitive and fun package in Mag7 class B.
Thanks

Who said anything about the “middle of the field”, i fully expect to be at the back, treating it like a test session, but keeping an eye on my mirrors when i am being lapped.

And please dont try to persuade me to spend money on LSD and light flywheels etc!!!!!!

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Sunday 8th April 2018
quotequote all
Really enjoyed my first experience of Caterham racing yesterday at Snetterton.

Had a challenging morning with a split tyre (done whilst fitting) and a hairline crack in the ali fuel tank but once sorted the results were as predicted!

Qualified 38th (& last; 10 in my class) and finished 29th (& last!) but what the hell, it was great fun and it's a proper race car. Had a great battle with another car for much of the race but sadly he retired towards the end with a tech issue or else I would have beaten one person lol!
He was quicker than me on the straights (similar engine, K Series Supersport I think) but I was quicker through the corners.
I have a reasonable amount of club racing experience (but never been quick!) but have only a few laps of Caterham experience. Who knew that you could have this much fun coming last!

RichUK

1,332 posts

246 months

Sunday 8th April 2018
quotequote all
Well done Andy. I was there yesterday and it looked like you were having great fun. It was been over a year since I raced with CSCC and after experiencing the great paddock atmosphere again I’ll be out for some Modern Classics again this year.

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Sunday 8th April 2018
quotequote all
andy97 said:
it's a proper race car
That’s what I like about Megas, I did Sigmax last year which was fun in it’s own way but the mega with the K-series and straight cut box still feels like the racier car. Congrats for getting out there

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Sunday 8th April 2018
quotequote all
Thanks. I just hope that the series can maintain (or build on) the 10 car Class B, and add some Class A and Class C cars so that there is even better competition.

If enough lower powered cars come out to play, CSCC may even be persuaded to have another grid?

I even found the 40 minute format ok.

andy97

Original Poster:

4,691 posts

221 months

Sunday 8th April 2018
quotequote all
Can any of the Caterham experts out there tell me if there is a difference in engine spec between a K Series Supersport and a K Series Mega Grad engine? I assumed they were the the same.

The car i was battling with yesterday was faster down the straights but i was quicker through the corners and on rxit speed.

Not had the car on the dyno but all seems healthy enough. Just seems odd thst the other car was faster in a straight line!