2025 Driving school recommendations

[Greg Davall]

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

I’m an ex-bike racer on the east coast and it looks like I’ve found my Caterham. I’d like an instructor to help with 4-wheel track days in the 7 in 2025. Any suggestions prior to just “signing up” for track days? Unlikely that I’ll go all the way to SCCA solo but I’m a strong believer in learning as much as I can from others…..

Thanks in advance!

Greg

[Croc]

 

One of the best Caterham race drivers on the East Coast is Todd.  Calling @d15b7 to give his perspectives.

[d15b7]

On 10/19/2024 at 11:09 AM, Croc said:

 

One of the best Caterham race drivers on the East Coast is Todd.  Calling @d15b7 to give his perspectives.

thanks Croc!  I appreciate the kind words!  Yes, I have been racing my Super Seven (with the Ford crossflow 1600 in it;  old school haha!) for many many years (first race I believe in it was 1999 at Summit Point).   I have been doing pro coaching work for 15+ years now (various cars but many of the PCA guys from Riesentoter group have used me in the past to up their game and move on to Club racing etc).  I do the 'old school' type coaching;  by that I mean that I prefer to ride right seat with all my clients, so that I can feel the car movements, and watch their hands and feet and eyes while we go around the track.  And then work on the low hanging fruit first (the biggest deficiencies which cause the biggest dent in laptimes, and as we fix things, gradually move on to the smaller issues).  That being said, Super Sevens are way different than your average sports car (say, a late model Corvette, or 911, or BMW M product, or even a Miata or a Civic Type R), so many coaches/instructors might not get or understand the nuances of an ULTRA lightweight lower power no power steering no power brake, zero ABS or traction control extremely back-to-basics race car (cause that is what a Super Seven is;  it's a racecar deep down in it's DNA, even if you are driving it on the street).  I would be thrilled to help you out, Greg -- please feel free to call me or DM me or reach out to me in any way you like;  even if you don't hire me, I'm a car guy and LOVE to talk cars haha!  I've probably got more track hours behind the wheel of a Super Seven than most other drivers/racers and I get it around pretty well.  The tracks I have the most time on are on the East Coast but I have run out west and down south a time or two, too.   Watkins Glen is probably my favorite track of all time, with Summit Point and VIR close seconds and thirds.  I drive frequently at NJMP, and do Limerock and Mid Ohio too, plus CMP and Road Atlanta and even Sebring once.  so ya, I like tracks!    my Super Seven is not quite as 'full race' as some of the other driver's cars (mainly cause I am a cheapskate and prefer a 'very hot street' motor which will live 8-10 yrs between rebuilds to a 'full race very high compression' race motor which needs refresh every year or two.  check out this video from last month up at Watkins Glen at the VRG Vintage races.  some of the fastest guys in Mid Bore were running in this heat, and I gave them everything I had and every trick in the book I knew.  Sometimes the race is better and more fun when you DON'T win (I don't say that often but this was a great race weekend!  Sunday's race was more of the same, if you want to see it click the link and you'll get an idea what these cars can do when piloted properly (Chris Diminco is driving the lead car with a full house full race 1500 Cosworth.  the other guy Tom Upshur has a Lotus Twin Cam in his.  mine is a x-flow 1600 bored out to 1660 with a factory cast crank and moderate compression.  I shift at 6500 typically;  I occasionally will go to 7000 if it is a 'war emergency', but cracking the crankshaft becomes an issue so I try to behave.  haha!):

 

 

Todd Reid

ReidSpeed, Inc.

410-441-oh-two-oh-one cell

[Frankie]

Very nice video and really smooth hands!

[jimmylukeii]

On 10/20/2024 at 3:35 PM, d15b7 said:

thanks Croc!  I appreciate the kind words!  Yes, I have been racing my Super Seven (with the Ford crossflow 1600 in it;  old school haha!) for many many years (first race I believe in it was 1999 at Summit Point).   I have been doing pro coaching work for 15+ years now (various cars but many of the PCA guys from Riesentoter group have used me in the past to up their game and move on to Club racing etc).  I do the 'old school' type coaching;  by that I mean that I prefer to ride right seat with all my clients, so that I can feel the car movements, and watch their hands and feet and eyes while we go around the track.  And then work on the low hanging fruit first (the biggest deficiencies which cause the biggest dent in laptimes, and as we fix things, gradually move on to the smaller issues).  That being said, Super Sevens are way different than your average sports car (say, a late model Corvette, or 911, or BMW M product, or even a Miata or a Civic Type R), so many coaches/instructors might not get or understand the nuances of an ULTRA lightweight lower power no power steering no power brake, zero ABS or traction control extremely back-to-basics race car (cause that is what a Super Seven is;  it's a racecar deep down in it's DNA, even if you are driving it on the street).  I would be thrilled to help you out, Greg -- please feel free to call me or DM me or reach out to me in any way you like;  even if you don't hire me, I'm a car guy and LOVE to talk cars haha!  I've probably got more track hours behind the wheel of a Super Seven than most other drivers/racers and I get it around pretty well.  The tracks I have the most time on are on the East Coast but I have run out west and down south a time or two, too.   Watkins Glen is probably my favorite track of all time, with Summit Point and VIR close seconds and thirds.  I drive frequently at NJMP, and do Limerock and Mid Ohio too, plus CMP and Road Atlanta and even Sebring once.  so ya, I like tracks!    my Super Seven is not quite as 'full race' as some of the other driver's cars (mainly cause I am a cheapskate and prefer a 'very hot street' motor which will live 8-10 yrs between rebuilds to a 'full race very high compression' race motor which needs refresh every year or two.  check out this video from last month up at Watkins Glen at the VRG Vintage races.  some of the fastest guys in Mid Bore were running in this heat, and I gave them everything I had and every trick in the book I knew.  Sometimes the race is better and more fun when you DON'T win (I don't say that often but this was a great race weekend!  Sunday's race was more of the same, if you want to see it click the link and you'll get an idea what these cars can do when piloted properly (Chris Diminco is driving the lead car with a full house full race 1500 Cosworth.  the other guy Tom Upshur has a Lotus Twin Cam in his.  mine is a x-flow 1600 bored out to 1660 with a factory cast crank and moderate compression.  I shift at 6500 typically;  I occasionally will go to 7000 if it is a 'war emergency', but cracking the crankshaft becomes an issue so I try to behave.  haha!):

 

 

Todd Reid

ReidSpeed, Inc.

410-441-oh-two-oh-one cell

Todd, do you happen to have any videos at Road Atlanta?  That is my "home track," and I'd love to see how you get around.

[d15b7]

On 10/22/2024 at 1:39 PM, Frankie said:

Very nice video and really smooth hands!

Thank you Frankie!  It’s a crucial skill that I preach (and teach!), especially with such a quick rack and small wheel such as a Seven is equipped with 👍

[d15b7]

11 hours ago, jimmylukeii said:

Todd, do you happen to have any videos at Road Atlanta?  That is my "home track," and I'd love to see how you get around.

good morning Jimmy!   Unfortunately, I don’t have any incar vid of RA;  I’ve been there twice (it’s an amazing track!!!) but both times was not in my Seven, and thus no video 😞

[Frankie]

I've driven a few cars on different tracks such as Spec Miata, Formula Continental, and some lumbering Mustangs.  The touch  on all three of those cars are pretty predictable after a couple of laps.  When I got into my Caterham it was a whole new learning  curve. I  almost  took out a few guard rails  on the way home on 215.  At first I thought it was a bump steer, but then I realized it is as you say the small wheel and the rack.   Without giving you too big of a head It was a pleasure to see those smooth hands.