Caterham Graduates Racing Club
A British club and one-make racing series for privateer drivers competing in Caterham Seven-type cars.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Caterham Graduates Racing Club is a British motor-racing club and one-make competition series for privateer drivers using Caterham Seven-type cars. It was created in 1998 by competitors who had taken part in the previous year's Caterham Scholarship, a novice-oriented route into Caterham racing that was later developed into the Caterham Academy. The original championship was called the Graduate 797 series, combining the Caterham Seven reference with the year in which its founding competitors began racing. During its first two seasons the series used several forms of grassroots competition, including sprints, hillclimbs and circuit races. From 2000 onward, the programme became exclusively circuit-based. Its central idea has remained consistent: provide close, regulated and comparatively affordable racing in cars whose specifications are tightly controlled, placing greater emphasis on driver ability than on expensive engineering development. The club's classes have evolved alongside Caterham's road and race-car powertrains. A second class, Super Graduates, was introduced in 2001 after the Caterham Academy moved to Rover-powered cars. In 2003, the higher-performance class became Mega Graduates, while a replacement Super Graduates class accommodated standard Academy cars using Rover K-series engines. The original Graduates class was renamed Classic Graduates in 2007. Ford Sigma-powered cars entered the structure in 2010 and became a separate championship class the following year. SigMax, allowing further engine and suspension development within Caterham Motorsport-style limits, was added in 2013. The class structure was consolidated several times. Super Graduates was merged into Mega Graduates in 2019, while new Sigma-based 135 and 150 categories were introduced. In 2020, Mega Graduates was combined with SigMax through technical rule changes permitting a limited-slip differential, although the main championship could not run normally because of COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom. Classic Graduates was discontinued in 2021, leaving Sigma 135, Sigma 150 and related specifications as the principal categories. The CGRC Trophy, a shorter three-meeting competition for drivers unable to contest a full season, was also introduced in 2021. In 2023, SigMax was merged into the Sigma 150 category. A typical season consists of seven race meetings at British and European circuits. Races generally last approximately 20 to 30 minutes, and classes may receive separate grids when entries permit. The club is known for close wheel-to-wheel competition and large fields, with more than 100 registered competitors reported in reference material. Participants include graduates of Caterham's introductory programmes as well as drivers entering organised motorsport for the first time. CGRC's affordability model is supported by strict technical regulations, controlled engine preparation, limited tyre usage and a preference for cars that remain close to road-legal specification. Cars may have their lights removed for competition, but some are still driven to and from events. The principal current categories use Ford Sigma engines producing approximately 135 or 152 horsepower, with permitted specifications corresponding broadly to Caterham Motorsport's 270R and 310R formats. The club also operates a Driving Standards Team to promote safe, fair racing and to investigate or penalise driving-standard issues. Racing is organised through the British Automobile Racing Club, while the club itself provides membership, championship administration, technical rules and competitor support.
History
The club began in 1998 when competitors from the 1997 Caterham Scholarship formed a championship for drivers using Caterham Seven-based cars. Its first title, Graduate 797, reflected both the Seven format and the year associated with the founding competitors. The initial concept followed the broad multi-discipline character of the Scholarship, with sprints, hillclimbs and circuit races. Circuit racing increasingly dominated, and the series became entirely circuit-based from 2000. The technical structure expanded as Caterham's own entry-level programmes changed. In 2001, the club added Super Graduates for uprated Rover K-series Academy cars. The more highly developed category was renamed Mega Graduates in 2003, while a replacement Super Graduates class retained a place for standard Academy-derived Rover cars. In 2007, the original Graduates category was renamed Classic Graduates. Ford Sigma engines altered the championship's direction during the 2010s. Sigma cars first appeared as a Super Graduates sub-class in 2010 and became their own championship class in 2011. A SigMax category was added in 2013 for cars using Sigma-based engines and permitted upgrades broadly aligned with Caterham Tracksport and Supersport specifications. These changes allowed older cars and newer Caterham-derived specifications to compete within a shared club structure while preserving the emphasis on controlled preparation. Further consolidation followed in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Super Graduates was discontinued and merged with Mega Graduates in 2019. Sigma-based 135 and 150 classes were added for variable-camshaft engines, with specifications corresponding broadly to Caterham's 270R and 310R race formats. In 2020, Mega Graduates was merged into SigMax through the allowance of a limited-slip differential. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the normal championship season in the United Kingdom, though limited individual events were held when regulations allowed. Classic Graduates ended as a championship category in 2021. The remaining principal classes became Sigma 135, Sigma 150 and related Sigma specifications, and the club added the CGRC Trophy for competitors who wanted a shorter programme. In 2023, SigMax was absorbed into Sigma 150. The modern club normally races across seven meetings each year at circuits in the United Kingdom and Europe. Races commonly last 20 to 30 minutes, with separate grids used where entry numbers make that practical. Competitors can enter as full championship members, Trophy members or guests. Full-season points use a descending scale, include a fastest-lap point and allow the three lowest scores to be dropped. Trophy drivers nominate three meetings for their shorter competition, while guest drivers can receive race trophies but do not score championship points. CGRC's sporting model is administered through the British Automobile Racing Club and supplemented by the club's own Driving Standards Team. The team is composed of experienced racers and former racers who advise competitors and can issue penalties where driving standards require intervention. Technical restrictions cover engine preparation, suspension, tyres and other performance-related areas. The use of controlled Toyo R888R tyres, seasonal tyre limits and regulated engine building helps contain costs. Cars remain fundamentally road-derived and, in some cases, can still be driven for ordinary road use outside competition. This combination of large grids, restricted modifications and comparatively modest consumable requirements has made CGRC one of the more accessible routes into organised Caterham racing.
- 2023
SigMax merged into Sigma 150
[1]The club consolidated SigMax into the Sigma 150 category.
- 2021
Classic Graduates discontinued and Trophy added
[1]Classic Graduates ended, and the club introduced the three-round CGRC Trophy for part-season competitors.
- 2019
Class structure reorganised
[1]Super Graduates was merged into Mega Graduates, while Sigma 135 and Sigma 150 categories were introduced.
- 2013
SigMax class launched
[1]A fifth category was created for Sigma-powered cars with additional upgrades within Caterham Motorsport-style limits.
- 2010
Sigma cars added
[1]Ford Sigma-engined cars entered the club as a Super Graduates sub-class.
- 2007
Graduates renamed Classic Graduates
[1]The original Graduates class adopted the Classic Graduates name.
- 2003
Mega Graduates created
[1]The higher-performance Super Graduates specification was upgraded and renamed Mega Graduates, with a replacement Super Graduates class for standard Academy-based cars.
- 2001
Super Graduates introduced
[1]The club added a class for uprated Rover-engined cars derived from Caterham Academy machinery.
- 2000
Circuit-only format adopted
[1]After two seasons combining sprints, hillclimbs and circuit races, the championship moved to an exclusively circuit-racing format.
- 1998
Championship founded
[1]Competitors from the 1997 Caterham Scholarship established the Caterham Graduates Championship, initially called the Graduate 797 series.
Products and positioning
An affordable, tightly regulated grassroots Caterham racing platform focused on close competition, low running costs and driver skill rather than extensive car development.
Racing class · 2019
Sigma 135
The Sigma 135 class is based on Caterham cars using the Ford Sigma engine with variable valve timing. Its specification broadly mirrors the Caterham Motorsport 270R format and produces approximately 135 horsepower. Eligible cars include Academy, Roadsport and modified Roadsport examples that can be upgraded to the class specification. Permitted equipment may include items such as wider-track suspension, quicker steering, brake-bias adjustment and competition dampers, although the regulations limit development to preserve parity and affordability.
Racing class · 2019
Sigma 150
Sigma 150 is the club's higher-output Sigma category and broadly corresponds to Caterham Motorsport's 310R specification. Cars use an upgraded engine tune, different camshafts, revised ignition mapping, a lightened flywheel and a limited-slip differential, with output described in reference material as approximately 152 horsepower. The class also accommodates older fixed-cam Supersport and SigMax specification cars following the club's later consolidation of categories.
Motorsport championship · 1998
CGRC Championship
The main CGRC championship normally runs over seven race meetings in the United Kingdom and Europe. Races generally last between 20 and 30 minutes. Drivers score points according to finishing position, receive an additional point for the fastest lap and may drop their three lowest scores at season end. Separate class grids are used where entry levels allow, while European meetings may combine classes.
Part-season motorsport competition · 2021
CGRC Trophy
The CGRC Trophy is a shorter competition for drivers unable to contest a full championship season. Entrants select three of the seven scheduled meetings as their scoring rounds. The Trophy uses the club's normal points system and is distinct from guest participation, which permits race participation but does not award championship points.
Brand decisions
2023
Consolidate SigMax into Sigma 150StrategyBackground
The club continued to reduce overlap among its Sigma-based technical categories.
Action taken
SigMax was merged into the Sigma 150 category.
Aftermath
Sigma 150 became the principal home for the relevant higher-specification Sigma cars.
2021
Introduce a shorter Trophy formatStrategyBackground
Some drivers could not commit to all seven meetings in the main championship.
Action taken
The club launched the CGRC Trophy, allowing competitors to nominate three scoring meetings.
Aftermath
The club retained a lower-commitment route for part-season participation while discontinuing Classic Graduates.
2020
Merge Mega Graduates into SigMaxGeneration changeBackground
The club continued simplifying its technical categories as Sigma-based cars became central to the series.
Action taken
Mega Graduates was merged into SigMax by permitting the fitting of a limited-slip differential.
Aftermath
The planned championship season was then interrupted by COVID-19 restrictions in the United Kingdom.
2019
Reorganise the championship classesStrategyBackground
The club's Rover and Sigma-based categories had developed into several overlapping classes.
Action taken
Super Graduates was merged into Mega Graduates, and Sigma 135 and Sigma 150 classes were introduced for variable-camshaft Sigma cars.
Aftermath
The structure became more closely aligned with contemporary Caterham Motorsport specifications.
2000
Move to circuit-only racingStrategyBackground
The first two seasons used sprints, hillclimbs and circuit races in a format influenced by the Caterham Scholarship.
Action taken
The club made circuit racing the sole discipline from 2000 onward.
Aftermath
The championship developed into a conventional one-make circuit-racing series.
Recent events
- 2023
SigMax merged into Sigma 150[1]
Product generation
The SigMax category was consolidated into the Sigma 150 class as part of the club's continuing class simplification.
- 2021
CGRC Trophy introduced[1]
Product launch
The club introduced a three-meeting mini-championship for drivers unable to commit to the full seven-meeting season.
- 2020
CGRC racing disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions[1]
Other
The scheduled championships did not take place normally during the UK's COVID-19 restrictions, although isolated events were possible when restrictions eased.
- 2011
Ford Sigma cars become a separate championship class[1]
Product generation
Sigma-powered Caterhams, introduced as a sub-class in 2010, became a standalone fourth championship category.
- 2001
Super Graduates class introduced[1]
Product generation
A second class was added for uprated Rover-engined Academy-based cars after the Academy changed powertrains.
- 1998
Caterham Graduates Championship is established[1]
Other
Competitors from the 1997 Caterham Scholarship created a new championship, initially known as the Graduate 797 series.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/caterham-graduates-racing-club · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled