Caterham Graduates Racing Club is a British motor-racing club for privateer racing drivers in Caterham Seven type cars.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 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.
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.
| Year | Class | Champion | Runner-up | Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | SigMax Graduates | Oliver Gibson | Jamie Ellwood | James Russell |
| Mega Graduates |  Declan Dolan | Glenn Burtenshaw | Roger Ford | |
| Super Graduates | Toby Briant | Andy Molsom | ||
| Sigma Graduates | Jon Harmer | Ben Winrow | ||
| Classic Graduates | Graeme Smith | Robin Webb | Peter Tattersall | |
| 2016 | SigMax Graduates | Dylan Stanley | Lee Bristow | Scott Lawrence |
| Mega Graduates | Oliver Gibson | Luke Cooper | Glenn Burtenshaw | |
| Super Graduates | Ed Benson | Toby Briant | Andy Molsom | |
| Sigma Graduates | David Webber | Jamie Winrow | Jason Gale | |
| Classic Graduates | Steve McMaster | Graeme Smith | Robin Webb | |
| 2015 | SigMax Graduates | Neil Shinner | Dylan Stanley | Mick Whitehead |
| Mega Graduates | Oliver Gibson | Glenn Burtenshaw | Andy Skinner | |
| Super Graduates | Toby Briant | Martin Kay | Gareth Cordey | |
| Sigma Graduates | Nigel Board | Jason Gale | Andrew Outterside | |
| Classic Graduates | Graham Smith | Steve McMaster | Trevor Harber | |
| 2014 | SigMax Graduates | Jeremy Webb | Mick Whitehead | Neil Shinner |
| Mega Graduates | Adrian Russell | Brett Ray | Tom Overton | |
| Super Graduates | Toby Briant | Martin Kay | Jonathan Miller | |
| Sigma Graduates | Tristan Judge | Scott Lawrence | Zoltan Csabai | |
| Classic Graduates | Graham Smith | Stu Thompson | Graeme Smith | |
| 2013 | SigMax Graduates | Jeremy Webb | Ian Anderson | Mick Whitehead |
| Mega Graduates | Jamie Ellwood | Adrian Russell | Dave Hewitt | |
| Super Graduates | Dylan Stanley | Toby Briant | Gareth Cordey | |
| Sigma Graduates | Amanda Black | Steve Humphreys | Yolande Humphreys | |
| Classic Graduates | Graham Smith | Andrew Outterside | Stu Thompson | |
| 2012 | Mega Graduates | Myles Packman | Nick Haryett | Nick Frost |
| Super Graduates | Dylan Stanley | Neil Shinner | Toby Briant | |
| Sigma Graduates | Ian Anderson | Ian Dyble | Bill Scott | |
| Classic Graduates | Dave Pearson | Justin Cox | Graeme Smith | |
| 2011 | Mega Graduates | Myles Packman | Mick Whitehead | Paul Manyweathers |
| Super Graduates | Reece Somerfield | Dylan Stanley | Neil Shinner | |
| Sigma Graduates | Ian Anderson | Ian Dyble | John Gil | |
| Classic Graduates | John Parker | Rowan Williams | Graeme Smith | |
| 2010 | Mega Graduates | Paul Turley | Myles Packman | David Shaw |
| Super Graduates | James Sibbet | Jamie Waring | Daniel Malkin | |
| Sigma Graduates | Reece Somerfield | John Gil | Ian Dyble | |
| Classic Graduates | Graeme Smith | Charles Fitzhugh | John Parker | |
| 2009 | Mega Graduates | Jamie Ellwood | James Barlow | Adrian Russell |
| Super Graduates | Trevor Newman | David Pearce | Mick Whitehead | |
| Classic Graduates | Flick Haigh | Graeme Smith | Adam Bettinson | |
| 2008 | Mega Graduates | Jamie Ellwood | Andrew Ennis | George Longmuir |
| Super Graduates | Trevor Newman | Edward Benson | James Sibbet | |
| Classic Graduates | Graeme Smith | Adam Bettinson | Charles Fitzhugh | |
| 2007 | Mega Graduates | Jamie Ellwood | Oliver Jackson | Mike Welburn |
| Super Graduates | Andrew Vickers | Andrew Ennis | James Sibbet | |
| Classic Graduates | Graeme Smith | Trevor Newman | Jonathan Vamplew | |
| 2006 | Mega Graduates | Guy Halley | Martin Amison |  Paul Hudson |
| Super Graduates | Charlie Hunt | Trevor Newman | Andrew Ennis | |
| Graduates | Graeme Smith | Andrew Smith | Andy Coombs | |
| 2005 | Mega Graduates | Matthew Burrows | Martin Amison | George Longmuir |
| Super Graduates | Jamie Ellwood | Rory Young | Paul Manyweathers | |
| Graduates | Martin Oxborough | Graeme Smith | Rob Draper | |
| 2004 | Mega Graduates | Jamie Ellwood | Chris Batten | Guy Halley |
| Super Graduates | Malcolm Barnett | Nick Haryett | Matthew Gillbanks | |
| Graduates | Andy Adshead | Toby Briant | Garry Kennedy | |
| 2003 | Super Graduates A (Mega Graduates) | Simon Lambert | Jamie Ellwood | Steve Knox |
| Super Graduates B (Super Graduates) | Andy Baylie | Russell Veitch | Alan Williamson | |
| Graduates | Charlie Hunt | Edward Chinn |  James Campbell | |
| 2002 | Super Graduates | Simon Lambert | Jon Barnes |  Mac Apostolides |
| Graduates | Rachel Green | Steve Knox | George Longmuir | |
| 2001 | Super Graduates | Nelson Rowe | Rupert Whyte | Steve Ruston |
| Graduates | Jamie Ellwood | Paul Manyweathers | Timothy Evans | |
| 2000 | Graduates | David Williams | Rupert Whyte | Steve Ruston |
| 1999 | Graduates | David Williams | Christian Marryat | Roger Wilkin |
| 1998 | Graduates | David Williams | Nick Haryett | Nick Frost |
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.