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I've used Kumho V710's, Hoosier and Avon bias ply slicks, CR500s, ACB10's, and now am using Hoosier A6's for track days. The A6's have a very progressive feel at the limit, warm up quickly, and don't get greasy easily on light cars like ours. It may be my driving style, but I like the feel of the radial tires better than the bias ply. Could be car setup as well. The newer radial ply slicks are very progressive compared to the older ones, and the "DOT" A6's have a very sticky compound. I didn't have any big problems with any of these tires, but I tend to like the A6's for track days. Just so !!! expensive! Fortunately, they don't heat cycle out very fast on my car. Justin

The SCCA Miata drivers out here trade paint and bump draft like it's a requirement. How does it feel to be out in a field like that in a Caterham? Justin

Thanks for all the advice. Since my dates are April 28-May 1, I may try to make the NASA event on April 28 only, and then maybe one or two days with COM at Summit Point on April 29 or 30. I e-mailed Entropy Racing to see what they could do for me. Their E-spec Caterham looks very similar to my last car, so that would give me a familiar platform. Thanks! Justin

Michael, If you or anyone here is going to the NASA event at Summit Point on the 28th, I might come out that way. Still looking into the track event there the 29th and 30th. Justin

I have two meetings spaced four days apart in Bethesda, and then Boston, and am considering just staying out there and finding a track event to enjoy. The period is April 28 - May 1. VIR and Limerock don't have anything going on those dates. Summit Point has a group called "COM Sports Car Club" hosting an event. Has anyone run with them? http://www.comscc.org/ I will need to find a car too, hopefully a track car. My car is outside of the size limits to check as baggage. :auto: I would be happy, though, to drive a Prius around a track! I'll have to see if there are any folks with COM who would rent me their car for a day or two. I have never been to any of the tracks on the East Coast, so would appreciate any suggestions. I'll start doing my homework on events and such. Just thought I'd ask for any suggestions from those who know the area. Thanks! Justin

I love the color Joe! That is really nice! Can't wait to see it. Justin

Very cool! Sounds like an amazing car. I am excited to see them trying a supercharged version. Just for the record, though, the R500 is not stressed as heavily as the article suggests. Mine has many track days without any engine problems (other than some electrical gremlins). In fact, the higher torque at lower revs for a boosted non-forged engine could be a riskier bet than the lower torque, high revving R500. I think it is a great idea to add the supercharger, but I'm not sure they can claim a reliability advantage just yet. R500's have a great reliability record so far, and time will tell with the R600. Justin

I'm a displaced Coloradoan living in Cali. (so is my R500!). I'd try and make it out to Colorado for this. I'd also like to try out the High Plains Raceway. My car is set up more for the track than the road, but I would probably join in on the tour as well. If not, I still want to try and bring the car out there some time, if just for a few track days. Justin

Just resurrecting an old thread to say thanks for the advice. In replacing my rear brake pads, I was cranking as hard as I could with the piston compression tool to no avail, thinking I had stuck pistons. I thought that the piston winding tool was referring to the compression tool. When I read these posts in more detail and looked at the pictures of the device, I realized that I had to rotate the piston. I was able to do this easily with needle nose pliers. Thanks again for the above posts! Justin

I have the Nitron "pro" 1-way adjustables from Westermann. I'm pretty pleased with them on the track. They are much stiffer than the stock Bilsteins. I would prefer the Bilsteins if it were mostly a street car, as the ride is noticeably less comfortable, but the Nitrons aren't brutal. Switching from the stock Bilsteins to the MOG Nitrons, I noticed less roll/dive and the ability to take bumps at speed without upsetting the car too much. If you don't plan on running slicks or at least R-compounds, the stock Bilsteins really aren't a bad setup for the track. Justin

I installed the Caterham rollcage myself two years ago on my R500. There are bosses welded to the frame, and the best way to find them is to remove the panels on the inside of the car, and drill the skin from inside out. You could probably come close by taking some measurements off of other cars, and if/when you install it you are welcome to pm me for any help. Sorry for the picture quality. I can take some better ones and measurements later if you need them. Justin

Sorry to Hijack the thread, but... Does the 2.3 L duratec fit in the SIII chassis? I thought it was too tall. Justin

I can't really speak to the difference between the two since I've never driven a CSR. I'm just going on what I've heard! It sounds like the R500 is a little less comfortable and compliant, and the more advanced suspension on the CSR could potentially make it faster. The Superlight never stops thrilling me, though, and it turns some remarkable lap times. I don't think the ride is harsh. Just very connected to the road, a progressive feel towards the limit, and very forgiving. It is so easy to control slides that it takes all the self-control I have to keep from drifting every corner. And my face hurts from smiling so hard. Justin

I went through the same decision process as Croc in 2009, and agree with his assessment of the R500 vs CSR. I chose the R500 myself, but for your purposes would think the CSR might be better. I made my decision based on the weight of the car, the reported difference in the feel of the cars on track (I've never driven a CSR), and the intended use, which is more track than street driving. I'm sure the CSR is just as capable on track, just a different approach. In fact, there are much heavier, higher horsepower cars on here that could probably beat either! I am very happy with the R500, and after about 25 track days I still return to the paddock with a huge grin every time! If I were to buy a seven for street use and occasional track use, I wouldn't worry too much about weight, and would get all the creature comforts. By the time I added a roll cage,safety and fire systems, my car was up to 1175 lbs wet. I think you could outfit a CSR pretty nicely and still be under 1300 lbs. My first superlight had leather seats, and although they may have weighed a few extra pounds, they would be nice for longer trips. As far as the superlight chassis being able to take kerbs/rumble strips, I did have to spend some time getting the suspension dialed in to be able to ride up on the kerbs, but it now eats them without too much complaint! Whichever way you go, you will love your car. Before the R500 I was often comparing my cars to others, and thinking about getting something different. I haven't had that thought in three years, and don't foresee wanting anything else! They will ultimately not be the fastest thing on the track because of their aerodynamics, but I think the light weight and balance of these cars make them more fun to drive than anything I have been in. And I have always loved the way they look! The extra horsepower of the R500 is nice, but if I had it to do over again I might opt for the R400. My previous superlight had much less power and was still a blast to drive. The R300 and R400 seem to be a very nice price point - probably the best bang for your buck. Justin

My highest speed in the R500, with a Caterham 6 speed, is 138 mph using GPS at the end of the straight on a NASCAR oval at Fontana. It was not at redline yet, but didn't seem to be acceralating much any more. I keep my foot flat through the bank. The GT-R's hit about 160 to 175 at that point in the track. My car was dynoed at ~215 at the rear wheels, fwiw..... but all dynos are different. Justin

A friend suggested putting racing tires in plastic bags as well, to lengthen their usefulness if they are going to be stored for a while. Something about tires out-gassing some component of their petroleum-based composition. Sort of like keeping them from drying out, I suppose. Justin

That is one of the greatest looking cars I've ever seen, and light too! I want one so bad it hurts. Too bad Caterham didn't take on that design as kit car! Imagine what it would be like with a modern drivetrain. Justin

The HANS dealer who sold me the device checked the fitment with me in the car. He said that the rear harness mounting points ideally should be closer together than the standard mounting points we have in the Caterham, but would be OK. I haven't changed mine. I have three inch belts. The dealer did say that improperly fitted, the HANS could potentially be worse than not having one at all. Justin

I recently started using a HANS. When I first tried it on I thought it might bother me some, but I hardly notice it while driving. I have the Sport Series II, which has a lower top, making it fit more easily with my seat. The thing that has become a pain is the amount of time it takes me to get situated in the car! Between suit, shoes, helmet, HANS, arm restraints, harness, and gloves, it's not a quick process! Well worth it for the safety, of course. Justin

Michael, Resent the pm. Thanks! Justin

I'd love to have the Kodiak wheels. pm'd you. Justin

Thanks, Speedcraft! That is what I suspected would be the case. I have ruled out the oil sender as the problem. It looks like I have a short somewhere in the wiring harness. Thanks again!

I am troubleshooting a sensor problem on my Stack dash. Is there anyone here with a Stack dash setup and digital oil pressure sender that could do the following: What does the oil pressure read when you turn on the ignition, but don't start the car? Mine is reading -99, which from the Stack manual means either a bad sensor or a wiring problem. Thanks to anyone who could check this out on their car! Justin

Thanks Morgan!

My first Caterham. Morgan took some great shots of my current car, but I won't post those without his permission?