simon_fletcher

After a couple of sprints on predominantly right hand bend circuits the passenger side tyres on my car are looking a bit the worse for wear and need replacing. Trouble is they're Bridgsetone RE720s and they don't make 'em any more ☹️ Yoko A539s seem to be the List 1a tyre of choice now - does anyone have any opinions? Also, 'cos I'm not rolling in cash at the moment I really only want to replace the two tyres that have had it rather than all four. Any thoughts on whether having RE720s on one side and A539s on the other will affect the handling? Cheers! Simon

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btt

Brodie, Left you a message to say that I got your phone message and then my phone packed up and I hadn't written your number down. Could you give me a call about the track day place on 020 7777 5374 or email me at simon.fletcher@jpmchase.com? Thanks! Simon

Due to being a bit slow off the mark my co-driver fort he Llandow sprint got in to the track day the preceding day but I didn't. ☹️ If anyone did get in but can't make it I'd be very interested in taking it off your hands...for a reasonable fee or donation to NTL, of course! Cheers, Simon

A big thanks to everyone who helped get my car running on Saturday, especially Colin Heseltine (helping a competitor, a true gentleman) and the other gentleman who's name I unfortunately did not get. Hopefully all will be fully sorted with the car in time for MIRA and maybe with the drivers too! Simon

Does anyone know what the standard Caterham pads actually are (mines a 2000 Academy car)? When I asked Caterham they basically said they send out whatever they have lying round the factory on the day they pack the kits...Mintex, Ferodo, whatever. Interested in what people have actually ended up using... Simon

Really? I've been running with a cat...now I know why everyone lese goes faster than me! Simon

Many thanks! Expect one extra (non-member, yet!) driver on the day. Simon

I know we can have passengers at a tenner per person, but what's the position regarding 2nd drivers? I have a friend who would love to come and have a go for a few laps in one of the sessions...I'm trying to convert him to the Caterham way! Simon

Chaps, thanks! My email is simon.fletcher@fletcherassociates.co.uk. Will ensure head is screwed on to make sure I don't lose that too! Simon

I would have said that I'd like a bhp limit on Class 2 to give me a bit more of a chance (something just below what NNs got preferably!), then I remember the time Mr Potter got in a standard (albeit well set up) Academy car and figure that driving ability makes more of a difference than an extra 50bhp ☹️ . I'd definitely like to see a hill climb or two in the events next year though. The final corner at Harewood really sorts out the men from the boys ! Simon 😳

OK, I've been dippy. I've lost the paperwork about the Brands Hatch trackday on the 23rd September. Does anyone have any contact details for the organisers? Many thanks! Simon

I did the Academy in 2001. As everynoe else has said already, it was great fun and an excellent introduction to motorsport. I'm not sure I'd recommend it now though as the price seems to have got a bit silly. As a £10.5k car it was good value, as something closer to £15 now there are other options worth considering. People have already mentioned buying secondhand and this is a good option, There's no shortage of people here and on the Graduates web site who would be more than happy to help you through the first few events till you know what's what. In fact, the folk on the Graduates web site probably gives you more of an idea about what you need to be doing than the support from Caterham for the Academy! Other options (wait for the flames!) are Radicals, Formula Ford, Mini's, etc. All have their pros and cons, though none have a community of enthusiasts like a Caterham! One big consideration is how tightly specified the various classes are specified. You want to make sure that you don't end up in a class where you can spend your way to success...it's nice to know you are winning (o being beaten) because of your skill rather than the size of your wallet! Simon

If Southampton is in the south of Hampshire and Winchester is north Southampton then Winchester must be North Hampshire...or is my logic as good as my geography ? OK, so gearbox builder's in south Hampshire (and Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, etc.) would be of interest too! Simon

Mark, Thanks, I'll give them a call on Tuesday. Simon

I appear to have a small problem with my gearbox (3rd geared went AWOL whilst racing last weekend ☹️ ). Can anyone recommend a good gearbox rebuilder within a reasonable distance of North Hampshire (Winchester to be precise)? Thanks, Simon

Make sure whenit's tested you run it at the right revs and the tester holds the probe at the right distance. I nearly had a problem at an airfield day last year when the chap stuck the probe in the end of the exhaust. That half a metre makes quite a difference...

Cheers chaps, 18psi it is (much less work letting pressure out that putting more pressure in!). Simon

Mine are 175/55 R13s does that make a difference? Just tried them out at 22psi and my god they stick to the road...really looking forward to trying them on the track! I'll try 18psi on the track...over the course of a 30 minute race I expect they'll get pretty warm and the pressure will go up quite a bit... Cheers, Simon

Grumble, grumble, why is there never any veggie food (and chips don't count!) (well someone had to ask...)

Thanks...now to see if I can find anywhere to sell me one! Simon

So it could be either the rim or the tyre that's not properly round?

I'm just fitting the cockpit brace and seem to have misplaced on of the bolts over the winter. Its the one which attaches the brace to the side panel on the passenger side of the car. Does anyone know what size bolt this should be? Thanks, Simon

Just taken delivery of four lovely new wheels with CR500's ready to go racing. Two questions though: a) what pressure should I be running them at for road and race use? b) the new rims have as much as 95g of lead stuck on to balance them. For brand new rims this seems excessive. Is it normal and is it likely to have any effect on hanfling? Cheers, Simo