Cayman Interseries

Does anyone have any experience running in this series? http://www.caymaninterseries.org/ I have been thinking of buying one of the cars and running in it next year. I understand the cost of the car and what it will cost me per race weekend but does anyone have any other points I should consider? Is there a similar series that would be better?

Matt

 

It's pretty good, although the car counts don't seem that great.

There is the ITC series, too. http://www.trophycupracing.com/#4

The Cayman Interseries was awesome when it started, but there were organizational difficulties with Napleton's oversight of the series that caused a split.

That said, they seem to have recovered some critical mass. Plus, Jack Baldwin is a great resource.

I watch the Cayman Interseries because my business is with primarily the historic crowd and the Cayman Interseries runs with HSR and other Historic groups, whereas the ITC run with NASA and other more contemporary groups.

The Cayman Interseries events do go to some great tracks!

 

Thanks Peter! I had heard that the ITC series allows more modifications so not all the cars are equal. I am just beginning so it was suggested to me to start in a series where your competitors cars are evenly matched. I know this is good theory and over time drivers/teams find ways to gain an advantage but I want to start on as even of a playing field as I can.

I am working with John Lewis on all of this, he is leading me towards CI.

Matt

 

From afar but I would go CI, just something a little birdie relayed to me from Indiana a while back...

 

Ferrari Challenge is "Rich Guy Racing"
Then
Cayman InterSeries is just "less Rich Guys go Racing".

 

The BEST advice is right there. CI for the WIN.

 

Thanks for posting about this, looks interesting.

 

I just went through many of the same considerations that you have when choosing my first race series out of Skip Barber. Before you dive in make sure that the competition is at the level you are looking for, I would also see if there was any way to test the waters before you purchase your own car. Would also strongly suggest coaching to get you competitive sooner.

 

Agreed, I am going to test a CI car for the day in a couple of weeks. I have been working with a coach a little at DE's as well as a couple of schools. I am going to hire him to be at all of my events moving forward.

Matt

 

OTOH, maybe the less rich guys drive better.

 

This is true based on my observations of two FC races this weekend.

 

I own an Interseries car- bought it this spring. I have not signed up for an Interseries race yet, but am running it in PCA club racing. I will also use it in DEs. The cars are well set up and are a blast to drive. Full race car, easy to service, and several venues to race.

 

This series (CI) has shown some pretty good interest, however you may want to consider looking into the World Challenge or ITC as well.

It will really depend on how much competition you are looking for and what your end goals are.

The Cayman S is a very nice car to drive on the track, and there are some interesting things that will be making this car even more fun developing in the future. Rules in the CI series are a bit stringent thereby making it somewhat difficult to fine tune these cars and really bring out the best of what they offer, but this may be changing soon.

Jack Baldwin did very well in World Challenge last year and looks to be even more competitive next year in his Cayman. It would be great if more people would take advantage of the competitive nature of the car and show this car off.

The company that I an associated with, which is Porsche aligned, (not really Ferrari so much sorry) has been working on several things to make the Cayman S a real weapon on the track. Jack has done a quite a bit of tweaking and tuning on his Hot Wheels car, as well with Goldcrest Motorsports, so they might be a good source of information for you as well.

Good luck with your research and let me know if I can help at all.

Erik Johnson

 

Might I suggest club racing if you are just starting out? Pick a spec series (and there are many) and rent a ride to start with. You will get more track time per weekend than most pro racing and may have a bit less agressive field.

I know it has no glamour or spectators, but if you are trying to get seat time and hone race craft, go SCCA and/or NASA to start, I don't think you will regret it.

I have sampled some junior and support pro races and you know what? I can get my ass kicked at a SCCA National club race just as well. The big races will have some pros at them and some future pros as well.

If you rent your ride, all you are out is some time and less money than a pro race weekend

 

I race in HSR and the Caymans run in the Group 9 races with us. They are very fast and appear to be great fun to drive. I think it is a great spec series

 

Here is my new car. Drove it for the first time at VIR the past couple of days. Sorry for the bad quality of the pictures they were taken with my iPhone.

Matt
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very nice!

I checked out a couple of the cars Isringhausen has (which seemed somewhat on sale, although the sales guy I talked to was one of the drivers and didn't seem to want to see them go )

very nicely prepped cars, and a lot of performance for the money..both buy-in and running cost wise.

keep us updated on how it goes for you!

 

Wow! Very nice, please keep us updated on your progress.

 

Great car! I have one. Fast and easy to drive. Not as fast as your RS though. Come to Mid Ohio for the PCA club race next August if you can. Here is my livery:
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Matt do you have the 2013 schedule? I would like to run a race or two with them, if it is possible to participate in a limited number of events.

 

Great looking car! No, they expect to release it in December.

Matt

 

Got my car a couple months ago. First race is Sebring next month.

Matt
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Congratulations! That Cayman Spec Race Car looks like a load of fun. Let us know how it runs and best of luck at Sebring.

Ciao,

SRR