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During the Memorial Day weekend AROSC TT, Enduro and Race at Buttonwillow Raceway, our California Caterham Club (CCC) participants had an opportunity to speak with Woody Harris and Pierre DeMartines about our budding competition goals and how to structure a program. These two individuals were the key players in developing the northern California NASA (National Auto Sport Association) “Se7ens ChallengeTM†program, and are committed to help us bring our program up to speed!
Woody and Pierre are very aware of our CCC members’ enthusiasm, recognizing the fact that we typically bring over ten �Seven’-type cars to the Shelby Club (LASAAC) open track events. We not only have numbers, but also variety, with our CCC cars including a mix of Caterhams, Birkins, Westfields and the beautifully built Locost.
Personally, I’ve seen our LASAAC open track events gain steadily in popularity over the past few years and, despite any formalized program, our members’ driving skills improve incredibly! The feedback and help for one another within our networking group is phenomenal. What we don’t have today is an organization that: 1) Encourages us to participate in track events little more frequently; 2) Provides a framework enabling us to grow and continue improve our skills, and 3) Provides a format for timed competitive events and possibly wheel-to-wheel racing. This is where Woody and Pierre have volumes of experience to offer us. With their help, I believe we could quickly take our CCC activities to the next level in fun and satisfaction!
It’s a given, each one of us who owns and enjoys a Seven is driven by different motivations. They range from wanting to drive the coolest car on the Boulevard, to wanting a dual-purpose car for street/track activities, and finally to the commitment and preparation for full-bore wheel-to-wheel racing. Our members at Buttonwillow discussed each one of these desires, and generally agree most of us fall into the middle group. The potential is there, but the roll-cage, engine and suspension mods that are required for full-bore competition are steps that any one of us may or may not choose take in the future.
Knowing these things, Woody described the NASA program and how the Se7ens Challenge is structured. (Please visit the NASA website for further information) In essence, there are four NASA “High Performance Driving Experience†(HPDE) levels, with instruction and driving/passing privileges appropriate as a driver progresses from first time on track (HPDE-1) through the 4th level. An HPDE-4 driver is eligible to compete in Time Trials and also to move on to racing (with an instructor’s blessing) if so desired. HPDE-1 through 3 are non-competitive, to remove any “speed pressure†during those learning and development groups. Finally, NASA also requires something we’ve rarely seen before: mandatory debriefings after each track session. No secrets are kept during these instructor-moderated sessions, and the goal is making sure everyone’s head is screwed on right or adjusted appropriately!
Class structure for Sevens and other useful event information is available at Se7ens Challenge Rules. Any Seven ever built will fit into one of the following categories: Push Rod, Touring (stock Zetecs & Duratecs) Clubman’s (modified Zetecs & Duratecs), Open (highly tuned – racers), and Motorcycle powered (Blackbirds, Hyabusas, etc.). Cars may be moved up or down in class depending on their total level of preparation and performance potential.
In theory, it appears that the NASA Se7ens Challenge offers us a proven framework for developing our CCC member’s competitive interests. Furthermore, Woody and Pierre are willing to help our Southern California organization establish the “Challenge†in our region. Finally, we discussed the idea of developing our Northern and Southern California series where we would run separate events plus some crossovers (e.g., Buttonwillow or Laguna Seca), with a final points tally combined to determine a California Se7ens Challenge champion!
At this point, according to Woody, the ball is in our court. We as a club need to decide if our members are serious and ready to proceed with something like the Se7ens Challenge, or whether we need more time and would prefer nothing formalized at this point. Personally, I’ve competed in AROSC TT events for the past five years and am happy to continue with this as long as Seven participation/organization remains spotty. The AROSC events are reasonably priced and they’re a friendly group. On the other hand, the NASA approach appears to be much more structured and training intensive. Considering we will continue to attract new individuals to our very high performance niche, these are probably good things and I heartily support the development.
Considering you’ve read this far, you are probably interested in proceeding! At this point, we should probably gather specific information about your expectations and level of participation. Please post your answers (and any explanations!) to the following questions on this CCC forum. I will collect the data and post the results.
1. List your preference from 1- 5 (1 being your highest preference) for the types of events you would regularly participate in: Slalom/Autocross/SoloII, Open Track, Time Trials, Racing, Rallys;
2. How many events per year would you be willing to dedicate a full (maybe extended) weekend to:
3. For our Southern California region, list your preference from 1- 5 for the following tracks: Buttonwillow, California Speedway, Las Vegas, Streets of Willow, Willow Springs (big track);
4. Any other tracks? (e.g., Pahrump, Phoenix);
5. List your preference from 1- 5 for the following Northern California tracks you would be willing to travel to for an event?
Buttonwillow, Infineon (Sears Point), Laguna Seca, Thunderhill;
6. Would you be willing to pay a higher registration fee (~$50) for a “premium†track such as Laguna Seca? Please insert any comments;
7. Would you prefer an organized series with an established calendar, rules, classes and instruction such as the NASA HPDE/Se7ens Challenge, or would you prefer the freedom of picking and choosing events, much as we have done to present? Please add your comments:
Thank-you for your interest and support!
Woody and Pierre are very aware of our CCC members’ enthusiasm, recognizing the fact that we typically bring over ten �Seven’-type cars to the Shelby Club (LASAAC) open track events. We not only have numbers, but also variety, with our CCC cars including a mix of Caterhams, Birkins, Westfields and the beautifully built Locost.
Personally, I’ve seen our LASAAC open track events gain steadily in popularity over the past few years and, despite any formalized program, our members’ driving skills improve incredibly! The feedback and help for one another within our networking group is phenomenal. What we don’t have today is an organization that: 1) Encourages us to participate in track events little more frequently; 2) Provides a framework enabling us to grow and continue improve our skills, and 3) Provides a format for timed competitive events and possibly wheel-to-wheel racing. This is where Woody and Pierre have volumes of experience to offer us. With their help, I believe we could quickly take our CCC activities to the next level in fun and satisfaction!
It’s a given, each one of us who owns and enjoys a Seven is driven by different motivations. They range from wanting to drive the coolest car on the Boulevard, to wanting a dual-purpose car for street/track activities, and finally to the commitment and preparation for full-bore wheel-to-wheel racing. Our members at Buttonwillow discussed each one of these desires, and generally agree most of us fall into the middle group. The potential is there, but the roll-cage, engine and suspension mods that are required for full-bore competition are steps that any one of us may or may not choose take in the future.
Knowing these things, Woody described the NASA program and how the Se7ens Challenge is structured. (Please visit the NASA website for further information) In essence, there are four NASA “High Performance Driving Experience†(HPDE) levels, with instruction and driving/passing privileges appropriate as a driver progresses from first time on track (HPDE-1) through the 4th level. An HPDE-4 driver is eligible to compete in Time Trials and also to move on to racing (with an instructor’s blessing) if so desired. HPDE-1 through 3 are non-competitive, to remove any “speed pressure†during those learning and development groups. Finally, NASA also requires something we’ve rarely seen before: mandatory debriefings after each track session. No secrets are kept during these instructor-moderated sessions, and the goal is making sure everyone’s head is screwed on right or adjusted appropriately!
Class structure for Sevens and other useful event information is available at Se7ens Challenge Rules. Any Seven ever built will fit into one of the following categories: Push Rod, Touring (stock Zetecs & Duratecs) Clubman’s (modified Zetecs & Duratecs), Open (highly tuned – racers), and Motorcycle powered (Blackbirds, Hyabusas, etc.). Cars may be moved up or down in class depending on their total level of preparation and performance potential.
In theory, it appears that the NASA Se7ens Challenge offers us a proven framework for developing our CCC member’s competitive interests. Furthermore, Woody and Pierre are willing to help our Southern California organization establish the “Challenge†in our region. Finally, we discussed the idea of developing our Northern and Southern California series where we would run separate events plus some crossovers (e.g., Buttonwillow or Laguna Seca), with a final points tally combined to determine a California Se7ens Challenge champion!
At this point, according to Woody, the ball is in our court. We as a club need to decide if our members are serious and ready to proceed with something like the Se7ens Challenge, or whether we need more time and would prefer nothing formalized at this point. Personally, I’ve competed in AROSC TT events for the past five years and am happy to continue with this as long as Seven participation/organization remains spotty. The AROSC events are reasonably priced and they’re a friendly group. On the other hand, the NASA approach appears to be much more structured and training intensive. Considering we will continue to attract new individuals to our very high performance niche, these are probably good things and I heartily support the development.
Considering you’ve read this far, you are probably interested in proceeding! At this point, we should probably gather specific information about your expectations and level of participation. Please post your answers (and any explanations!) to the following questions on this CCC forum. I will collect the data and post the results.
1. List your preference from 1- 5 (1 being your highest preference) for the types of events you would regularly participate in: Slalom/Autocross/SoloII, Open Track, Time Trials, Racing, Rallys;
2. How many events per year would you be willing to dedicate a full (maybe extended) weekend to:
3. For our Southern California region, list your preference from 1- 5 for the following tracks: Buttonwillow, California Speedway, Las Vegas, Streets of Willow, Willow Springs (big track);
4. Any other tracks? (e.g., Pahrump, Phoenix);
5. List your preference from 1- 5 for the following Northern California tracks you would be willing to travel to for an event?
Buttonwillow, Infineon (Sears Point), Laguna Seca, Thunderhill;
6. Would you be willing to pay a higher registration fee (~$50) for a “premium†track such as Laguna Seca? Please insert any comments;
7. Would you prefer an organized series with an established calendar, rules, classes and instruction such as the NASA HPDE/Se7ens Challenge, or would you prefer the freedom of picking and choosing events, much as we have done to present? Please add your comments:
Thank-you for your interest and support!
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