Caterham Academy
Discussion
I'm deciding whether to enter the 2013 Caterham academy, I have to make the decision pretty sharpish.
Considering the thing is £25k (including incidentals) it's a big decision for me. I want to check out the alternatives, can someone suggest anything? The Ginettas are out of my price range at £35k+ for the season.
I have seen older PH threads about this, but they're probably too out of date.
Considering the thing is £25k (including incidentals) it's a big decision for me. I want to check out the alternatives, can someone suggest anything? The Ginettas are out of my price range at £35k+ for the season.
I have seen older PH threads about this, but they're probably too out of date.
Check out Caterham Graduates
www.graduates.org.uk
It's an alternative club which has always offered grids for ex-Caterham academy cars from 1997 up to current spec. The cars are still strictly controlled for modifications and still have sealed engines.
Advantages:
The cars start at about £8k and if you go for a Sigma, Super or Megagrad the car will be quicker than a current Academy car.
Parts, consumables, racing etc are generally cheaper
The calendar is exclusively racing with no hillclimbs or sprints
All levels of driving experience welcome, you don't have to be a total novice
You will race against more experienced drivers
Disadvantages:
The oldest cars are 15 years old now and some of them aren't going to be like owning a new car
You will race against experienced drivers
Technical support isn't included or mandatory
Race wear, ARDS etc aren't part of the package
You don't get to build your own new car.
www.graduates.org.uk
It's an alternative club which has always offered grids for ex-Caterham academy cars from 1997 up to current spec. The cars are still strictly controlled for modifications and still have sealed engines.
Advantages:
The cars start at about £8k and if you go for a Sigma, Super or Megagrad the car will be quicker than a current Academy car.
Parts, consumables, racing etc are generally cheaper
The calendar is exclusively racing with no hillclimbs or sprints
All levels of driving experience welcome, you don't have to be a total novice
You will race against more experienced drivers
Disadvantages:
The oldest cars are 15 years old now and some of them aren't going to be like owning a new car
You will race against experienced drivers
Technical support isn't included or mandatory
Race wear, ARDS etc aren't part of the package
You don't get to build your own new car.
The performance difference between a Sigmagrad and an Academy car is down to little technical tweeks; off the top of my head:
Removal of the windscreen
List 1b Yokohama A048r tyres (185/60/13) instead of List 1a Avon CR322 (185/70/13)
optional fitting of a rear anti-roll bar
These little mods are worth about two seconds per lap on a short circuit (Based on Brands Indy lap records)
I've been racing in the Grads club since the start of 2010 and I'd have to think long and hard before going somewhere else!
Removal of the windscreen
List 1b Yokohama A048r tyres (185/60/13) instead of List 1a Avon CR322 (185/70/13)
optional fitting of a rear anti-roll bar
These little mods are worth about two seconds per lap on a short circuit (Based on Brands Indy lap records)
I've been racing in the Grads club since the start of 2010 and I'd have to think long and hard before going somewhere else!
Definitely recommend the Academy as a great starting place.
You can go racing for a lot cheaper than this but the Academy is a pretty friendly place to learn.
Everyone is a novice (OK some are better than others - but no one can hold a race licence before entering the series).
It's a good learning curve and you get to keep the car at the end of year to move on to Roadsports or the Grads.
It's not going to cost £25k though - budget £6-10k more, depending on how much time you want to spend testing etc.
I'm coaching a guy at the moment - and this looks to be as good as any previous year.
You can go racing for a lot cheaper than this but the Academy is a pretty friendly place to learn.
Everyone is a novice (OK some are better than others - but no one can hold a race licence before entering the series).
It's a good learning curve and you get to keep the car at the end of year to move on to Roadsports or the Grads.
It's not going to cost £25k though - budget £6-10k more, depending on how much time you want to spend testing etc.
I'm coaching a guy at the moment - and this looks to be as good as any previous year.
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