Caterham Graduates Racing Club

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Caterham Graduates Racing Club is a British motor-racing club for privateer racing drivers in Caterham Seven type cars.

History[edit]

The Caterham Graduates Championship was started in 1998 by competitors from the 1997 Caterham Scholarship (subsequently Caterham Academy). For the first year it was called the Graduate 797 series (the first "7" for Caterham Seven, and "97" from the year that most drivers started competing). In its first two years, it was a multi-discipline series, with the rounds being made up of sprints (single car on track, against the clock), hillclimbs, and circuit races, similar to the Caterham Scholarship format. The emphasis moved more and more towards circuit races, and from 2000-on the series has been entirely circuit races.[1]

In 2001, following the Caterham Academy's change to Rover-engined cars, the championship launched a second class named Super Graduates, based upon an uprated K-Series Academy car.

In 2003, the Super Graduates class was further upgraded and renamed the Mega Graduates. A replacement Super Graduates class was created to accommodate standard ex-Academy cars with Rover K-series engines.

In 2007, the "Graduates" class was rebranded "Classic Graduates".

In 2010, Ford Sigma-engined cars were introduced as a sub-class of Super Graduates. From 2011 onwards, the Sigma cars have been a separate, 4th championship class.

In 2013, a 5th championship class was introduced for variants of the Ford Sigma-engined cars - SigMax. This allows suspension and engine upgrades in line with the Caterham Tracksport and Supersport series.

In 2019, the Super Graduates class was discontinued and merged into the Mega Graduate class. New classes were introduced for variable camshaft Sigma engines, 135 and 150 classes corresponding to 270R and 310R in the Caterham Motorsport series.

In 2020, the Mega Graduate class was merged into the SigMax class by allowing for the fitting of an LSD.

In 2021, Classic Graduates were discontinued leaving 135, 150 and SigMax classes.

In 2023, the Sigmax class was merged into the Sigma 150 category.

The series is one of the largest in the UK, if not the largest, with well over 100 registered competitors. The competitors come from a variety of backgrounds - a number have "graduated" from the novice Caterham Scholarship and Academy series, whilst many others have made it their first foray into motorsport.

Racing[edit]

The Caterham Graduates race series takes place over 7 race meetings each year at UK and European motor racing circuits. The races are usually run over 20–30 minutes and the leading car across the line after the time has expired is the winner. Wherever possible, each class has its own grids, but for the European round, the grid is usually shared by the two CGRC classes. The events are typified by close wheel to wheel racing, often having several lead changes on the same lap.

Championship points are awarded thus: 30 for a win, 28 for 2nd place, 27 for 3rd place, right down to 2 points for finishing 28th or lower. And even a driver who fails to finish will still earn one point. A point is also awarded for the fastest lap in each race. At the end of the season, drivers drop their lowest three scores, to allow for missing a race or two, or a "DNF" (did not finish). For the purpose of calculating championship points, only championship members are relevant i.e. Trophy and Guest members are ignored.

As well as the full championship, the club also runs the Trophy for drivers who are unable to commit to a full season of racing. At the start of the season, Trophy members pick which 3 of the 7 CGRC race meetings are to be counted as their Trophy rounds. Scoring is as per championship scoring, but both Championship and Trophy members are taken into consideration when calculating scoring i.e. only Guest members are ignored.

CGRC also welcomes guest members with eligible cars. Guest members do not pay a membership fee but do pay a slightly higher race entry fee. Guest members are eligible for race trophies but cannot score points towards the Championship or Trophy.

In addition to the standard Motorsport UK rules, the club operates a Driving Standards Team (DST), made up of respected club racers and ex-racers, which ensures that the close racing is fair and safe for all. The DST exists to educate and advise drivers in all matters relating to driving standards, as well as issuing penalties where necessary.

The club's racing is organised through the BARC.

Car Specifications[edit]

The cars in the series are genuinely road-going, albeit with the deletion of lights, and indeed some are driven to and (hopefully) from races. Many are used by drivers mid-week for transport to work and for shopping, needing no more than the covering up of competition numbers to make them road-legal. No changes from the standard specification are allowed, putting the emphasis firmly on driving ability rather than car development and set-up. Along with low consumable costs, this keeps the costs of running a car very much under control, making it one of the most cost-effective ways to go racing. The large grid sizes are a testament to this low-cost formula. All cars must run on Toyo R888R tyres in 185/60R13 size and in GG compound. Championship drivers are limited to 3 sets of tyres per year and Trophy drivers may use up to 2 sets. Tyre usage is monitored via a barcoding system.

Current classes are:

135[edit]

Uses the Ford Sigma engine with TiVCT variable valve timing, as used in the Caterham Academy from 2014 onwards. The specification mirrors the 270R specification in Caterham Motorsport. Upgrades from Academy spec (all of which are optional) include a rear anti-roll bar, wide-track front suspension, removal of headlights and windscreen and a mild engine retune. Power is 135 hp.

150[edit]

Upgraded from the 135 class, the 150 class mirrors the 310R specification in Caterham Motorsport. Upgrades from the 135 class include a limited slip differential and a further engine tune with different camshafts and remapped ignition. Power is 152 hp. Also included in the 150 class are the older fixed cam Supersport/Sigmax specification cars.

Affordability and Technical Support[edit]

Affordability is a key ingredient to Caterham Graduates racing. Strict regulations allow only limited modifications and work on the sealed engines is limited to nominated engine builders.

Other ways the club promotes affordability include limiting the amount of tyres the drivers can use through the season, providing race-day catering as part of the drivers' entry fees, and encouraging drivers either to stay on-site at the circuits or in budget hotels locally. Wherever possible, a low-priced "free practice" session is available before qualifying, so drivers can familiarise themselves with the circuit without having to book a full day of testing before the meeting.

Race Numbers[edit]

Drivers may choose their race number, with first refusal for each number being given to the driver who used it in the previous season.

Special numbers which are not available for drivers to choose are number 1 and number 7. Number 1 is given to one of the previous season's champions (decided by a ballot into which each class's champion is entered). Number 7 is given to the winner of the previous season's Martin Kay Trophy, which is awarded by the club's board of directors to the driver who typifies the spirit of the club with their pure joy of racing.

Champions[edit]

Year Class Champion Runner-up Third
2017 SigMax Graduates EnglandOliver Gibson EnglandJamie Ellwood EnglandJames Russell
Mega Graduates Republic of IrelandDeclan Dolan EnglandGlenn Burtenshaw EnglandRoger Ford
Super Graduates EnglandToby Briant EnglandAndy Molsom
Sigma Graduates EnglandJon Harmer EnglandBen Winrow
Classic Graduates EnglandGraeme Smith EnglandRobin Webb EnglandPeter Tattersall
2016 SigMax Graduates WalesDylan Stanley EnglandLee Bristow EnglandScott Lawrence
Mega Graduates EnglandOliver Gibson EnglandLuke Cooper EnglandGlenn Burtenshaw
Super Graduates EnglandEd Benson EnglandToby Briant EnglandAndy Molsom
Sigma Graduates EnglandDavid Webber EnglandJamie Winrow EnglandJason Gale
Classic Graduates EnglandSteve McMaster EnglandGraeme Smith EnglandRobin Webb
2015 SigMax Graduates EnglandNeil Shinner WalesDylan Stanley EnglandMick Whitehead
Mega Graduates EnglandOliver Gibson EnglandGlenn Burtenshaw EnglandAndy Skinner
Super Graduates EnglandToby Briant EnglandMartin Kay EnglandGareth Cordey
Sigma Graduates EnglandNigel Board EnglandJason Gale EnglandAndrew Outterside
Classic Graduates EnglandGraham Smith EnglandSteve McMaster EnglandTrevor Harber
2014 SigMax Graduates EnglandJeremy Webb EnglandMick Whitehead EnglandNeil Shinner
Mega Graduates EnglandAdrian Russell EnglandBrett Ray EnglandTom Overton
Super Graduates EnglandToby Briant EnglandMartin Kay EnglandJonathan Miller
Sigma Graduates EnglandTristan Judge EnglandScott Lawrence EnglandZoltan Csabai
Classic Graduates EnglandGraham Smith EnglandStu Thompson EnglandGraeme Smith
2013 SigMax Graduates EnglandJeremy Webb EnglandIan Anderson EnglandMick Whitehead
Mega Graduates EnglandJamie Ellwood EnglandAdrian Russell EnglandDave Hewitt
Super Graduates WalesDylan Stanley EnglandToby Briant EnglandGareth Cordey
Sigma Graduates EnglandAmanda Black WalesSteve Humphreys WalesYolande Humphreys
Classic Graduates EnglandGraham Smith EnglandAndrew Outterside EnglandStu Thompson
2012 Mega Graduates EnglandMyles Packman EnglandNick Haryett EnglandNick Frost
Super Graduates WalesDylan Stanley EnglandNeil Shinner EnglandToby Briant
Sigma Graduates EnglandIan Anderson EnglandIan Dyble EnglandBill Scott
Classic Graduates EnglandDave Pearson EnglandJustin Cox EnglandGraeme Smith
2011 Mega Graduates EnglandMyles Packman EnglandMick Whitehead EnglandPaul Manyweathers
Super Graduates EnglandReece Somerfield WalesDylan Stanley EnglandNeil Shinner
Sigma Graduates EnglandIan Anderson EnglandIan Dyble EnglandJohn Gil
Classic Graduates EnglandJohn Parker EnglandRowan Williams EnglandGraeme Smith
2010 Mega Graduates EnglandPaul Turley EnglandMyles Packman EnglandDavid Shaw
Super Graduates EnglandJames Sibbet EnglandJamie Waring EnglandDaniel Malkin
Sigma Graduates EnglandReece Somerfield EnglandJohn Gil EnglandIan Dyble
Classic Graduates EnglandGraeme Smith EnglandCharles Fitzhugh EnglandJohn Parker
2009 Mega Graduates EnglandJamie Ellwood EnglandJames Barlow EnglandAdrian Russell
Super Graduates EnglandTrevor Newman EnglandDavid Pearce EnglandMick Whitehead
Classic Graduates EnglandFlick Haigh EnglandGraeme Smith EnglandAdam Bettinson
2008 Mega Graduates EnglandJamie Ellwood EnglandAndrew Ennis ScotlandGeorge Longmuir
Super Graduates EnglandTrevor Newman EnglandEdward Benson EnglandJames Sibbet
Classic Graduates EnglandGraeme Smith EnglandAdam Bettinson EnglandCharles Fitzhugh
2007 Mega Graduates EnglandJamie Ellwood EnglandOliver Jackson EnglandMike Welburn
Super Graduates EnglandAndrew Vickers EnglandAndrew Ennis EnglandJames Sibbet
Classic Graduates EnglandGraeme Smith EnglandTrevor Newman WalesJonathan Vamplew
2006 Mega Graduates ScotlandGuy Halley EnglandMartin Amison GibraltarPaul Hudson
Super Graduates EnglandCharlie Hunt EnglandTrevor Newman EnglandAndrew Ennis
Graduates EnglandGraeme Smith EnglandAndrew Smith EnglandAndy Coombs
2005 Mega Graduates EnglandMatthew Burrows EnglandMartin Amison ScotlandGeorge Longmuir
Super Graduates EnglandJamie Ellwood ScotlandRory Young EnglandPaul Manyweathers
Graduates EnglandMartin Oxborough EnglandGraeme Smith EnglandRob Draper
2004 Mega Graduates EnglandJamie Ellwood EnglandChris Batten ScotlandGuy Halley
Super Graduates EnglandMalcolm Barnett EnglandNick Haryett EnglandMatthew Gillbanks
Graduates EnglandAndy Adshead EnglandToby Briant EnglandGarry Kennedy
2003 Super Graduates A (Mega Graduates) EnglandSimon Lambert EnglandJamie Ellwood EnglandSteve Knox
Super Graduates B (Super Graduates) EnglandAndy Baylie EnglandRussell Veitch EnglandAlan Williamson
Graduates EnglandCharlie Hunt EnglandEdward Chinn South AfricaJames Campbell
2002 Super Graduates EnglandSimon Lambert EnglandJon Barnes GreeceMac Apostolides
Graduates EnglandRachel Green EnglandSteve Knox ScotlandGeorge Longmuir
2001 Super Graduates EnglandNelson Rowe EnglandRupert Whyte EnglandSteve Ruston
Graduates EnglandJamie Ellwood EnglandPaul Manyweathers EnglandTimothy Evans
2000 Graduates EnglandDavid Williams EnglandRupert Whyte EnglandSteve Ruston
1999 Graduates EnglandDavid Williams EnglandChristian Marryat EnglandRoger Wilkin
1998 Graduates EnglandDavid Williams EnglandNick Haryett EnglandNick Frost

Notable Past Champions[edit]

  • 2001 Super Graduate champion Nelson Rowe, who went on to win Caterham Roadsports A in 2002 and won the 2007 UK Historic Formula Ford Championship[permanent dead link].
  • 2002 Super Graduate runner-up Jon Barnes, winner of the 2004 Caterham Eurocup series, the 2005 Caterham Masters championship, the 2006 Formula Palmer Audi championship and the 2008 British GT Championship.
  • 2002 Graduates Champion Rachel Green[2] - the first woman to win a one-make Caterham championship, and twice winner of the Lord Wakefield trophy.[3] The award is given for "outstanding achievement by a woman in motorsport worldwide."
  • 2006 Mega Graduate champion Guy Halley, who competed in the SEAT Cupra Championship, a support championship to the British Touring Car Championship.
  • 2007 Mega Graduate runner-up Ollie Jackson, who won the 2010 Pro-Am category of the Porsche Carrera Cup, drove the Lotus Evora GT4 in the 2011 British GT Championship, the Triple Eight Vauxhall Vectra in the 2011 British Touring Car Championship and the Century Motorsport Ginetta GT55 in the 2015 Ginetta GT4 Supercup.
  • Multiple Classic, Super and Mega Graduate champion Jamie Ellwood, now a race-winner in the Caterham Superlight R300 championship. Jamie has won a total of 6 Caterham Championships, and the only person to have won all of the Graduates Club classes in which he competed. He is quoted by Caterham Cars as "the most successful Caterham racer ever".
  • 2009 Classic Graduate Champion Flick Haigh, who won the championship in an exciting final round decider at a very wet Spa Francorchamps. Flick is the second female champion in the club's history, following Rachel Green's triumph in 2002. After racing in the Caterham R300 championship, she is now driving an Optimum Motorsport Ginetta GT55 in the 2015 Ginetta GT4 Supercup.

Sponsors[edit]

About a dozen or so companies have their branding across each of the 100-plus racecars, and on the club's website www.cgrc.uk.[4]

Relatively few of the drivers have individual sponsors, although this is permitted.

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nick Frost, Chairman, Caterham Graduates Racing Club
  2. ^ http://www.bwrdc.co.uk/events/nailcotehall2008.htm British Women Racing Drivers Club
  3. ^ http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/hertsandessexobserver-sport/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=250873 [dead link]
  4. ^ - www.cgrc.uk - official website of the Caterham Graduates Racing Club
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