Academy 2020

[griffchris]

Had an unexpected but welcome phone call yesterday to tell me my factory built Academy Car is now completed at the factory, awaiting road registration - I wasn't expecting it until the end of the year (I did sign on quite early circa Oct last year)!

Anyone else on here signed up, with news of completed cars or kits? Is there a facebook group yet (not a facebook fan, grrrrr)?

Chris

[hilts uk]

Hi

I have just signed up. There are 2 spots left I think. I was told they were going to build the carrs together in December. I haven't paid my second deposit yet - its due next week I think.

Look foward to meeting you!

Mike

[6appeal]

I'd love to do the Academy... sooooooooo tempted. (i'm thinking a 420R kit though at present)

[BertBert]

Nah go racing. Much more rewarding!

[6appeal]

God i'm extremely tempted... just had a look again.

[BertBert]

Seriously. Everyone gets all focused on mega powered caterhams. They have their place, but even the lower powered ones are a complete blast.
Met with some of the Academy guys when I was testing (not a caterham) at silverstone a couple of weeks ago and they were have a great time. Made me want to be a novice again!
If you have the chance to do it, jump at it.
Bert

[oop north]

Eeeeeeh, did the academy in 2000, in the last year of carburettors

[fossilfuelled]

AHHHHHHH that's so exciting! Fingers crossed you get it soon!
I'm doing the academy next year too...My car should be going into build in about 3 weeks. Can't wait to have it!
Know of anyone else who's doing it on PH?

[Trackdayguy]

Sounds a blast. Much more skill required to make a slow car go quick. Just love those academy cars.

[hilts uk]

My first time on track yesterday in an academy car and my first spin as I started to push. Great fun. I drove to the track minus roof - not something I want to do during the Winter!
No word on when I will get my car but I think January.

[Boggo]

I signed up last week also - doing a self build. I was told the car will start production in 3 weeks time also, and should be with me to finish the build just before xmas!

Really looking forward to getting everything and enjoying the build, and then getting on track ASAP!



How did you manage to get a drive in an Academy car then? Sounds like cheating to me!

[super7]

Boggo said:

I signed up last week also - doing a self build. I was told the car will start production in 3 weeks time also, and should be with me to finish the build just before xmas!

Really looking forward to getting everything and enjoying the build, and then getting on track ASAP!



How did you manage to get a drive in an Academy car then? Sounds like cheating to me!

Haha..... 20 years since I did the Acadamy. I can guarantee you someone will turn up at event 1 with 7k miles worth of Track day miles on the clock.... Level playing field????

[hilts uk]

Boggo said:

I signed up last week also - doing a self build. I was told the car will start production in 3 weeks time also, and should be with me to finish the build just before xmas!

Really looking forward to getting everything and enjoying the build, and then getting on track ASAP!



How did you manage to get a drive in an Academy car then? Sounds like cheating to me!

Caterham have a few for sale from last year and I'll trade it in when my car is ready in the New Year. Before this week I've never driven anything like it before and have only been on track 4 times in my life (and I'm 49!) and that's been in a road car, so I wanted to get out a few times to avoid looking stupid next year and have an idea what to expect.

Looks like there is a wide range of abilities, but the front runners normally have been serious karters or have had a lot of track day experience. I am 100% not in this camp so you don't have to worry about me cheating my way to the front! My first session in the car ended in a bad spin
Looks like we have a youtuber with us as well - Mr JWW.

[mcerbm]

I did the 2019 academy in white group. You will have a blast, no matter what level you are at you will enjoy it. Couldn't recommend it any more. Caterham do a fantastic job of organising it and taking you through each race weekend. Also no matter what level you are at you will improve your driving significantly over the year.

[hilts uk]

mcerbm said:

I did the 2019 academy in white group. You will have a blast, no matter what level you are at you will enjoy it. Couldn't recommend it any more. Caterham do a fantastic job of organising it and taking you through each race weekend. Also no matter what level you are at you will improve your driving significantly over the year.

Thanks, that's what I am hoping for! As long as I stay on the track and find someone my level to race I'll be happy. At 50 I think with no karting or any real track experience I think I might have missed the window to be a natural at this

[BertBert]

I started racing at the same age. And whilst there is always a fast young buck to contend with, I think I can still hold my own 10 years later - on the podium a coue of times at the recent oulton park gold cup.

Bert
And by contend with, I mean fail to keep up with

[Lemoncurd]

I have just finished my 2nd year on the Caterham ladder (Roadsport). I can still clearly remember the excitement of the Caterham parts turning up at my door (I self built) and the trepidation meeting everyone for the first time at the seminar in Gatwick.

You are going to have a great year, plenty of close racing throughout the field and a friendly paddock right the way through the championships! Unlike our year, I believe you only do a single spint too, so even more fun.