Kitcat

Ditto what above posters say. And, isn't it only relevant in 1st and top gear? If you mostly auto-X, a tall 1st gear can be a real asset as you may never have to shift out of first. When I was running auto-x's here in Cincy, the courses were very tight and the dedicated auto-x'ers wld set their gearing up to stay in 1st (top speed 55-60 mph). If you drive a lot on the highway, (to and from track days?) then a tall top gear makes everything better (less noise, better mileage). At the track you wont need 1st except to launch wh/is irrelevant at a track day given the rolling starts, and you will never be in top gear except maybe a place like VIR with a mammoth straight, but probably not even there. Mike M.

Why not drive it first, see how it handles, then dial in/out rake if its not right? I have never measured my rake, but the car handles perfectly, balance is excellent, etc. I think I have abt 3 1/2" ground clearance below the oil sump.

I watched w/o sound and still laughed!

The Top Gear guys loved this car. So much so that they devoted an episode to it in which it challenged a (really slow) airplane to a long distance race. Just to even it up, the airplane guys also had to ride motor-scooters to the airport and then do a full and time-consuming pre-flight check. Meanwhile the car is motoring along. But since it was on public highways, it mostly went the speed limit. So what was the point you ask? Me too:)! I won't spoil the ending by telling you who won. If I have to suffer thru a long and pointless show, everyone does!

Thx Speedcraft, I had no idea it was possible to get a wheel tire combo under 20 lbs. I think my M3 combo wheel/tire is abt 55 lbs.

LOL! That's me. Even has my hairline. I just have to upgrade to the sunglasses. OK, the "People worship me, I am rich" part mite be slightly exaggerated. And, speaking of Trackday Gods, the video of the R8 at VIR is worth a look/listen. Its part of the You-tube options once "Mr sunglasses" is done explaining his greatness.

Karl: Perhaps weigh yourself holding a wheel/tire combo and then not? If tires are that much lighter than RA1's (wh/are considered heavy), I'd consider replacing my RA1's with them also, when they wear out. I Googled your tire but was unable to find a weight.

Thx Karl. I was interested in the combo. As I recall my 15" Prisoner wheels w/205/55 RA1's weigh abt 31-32lbs. The tires alone are 20 lbs, per Toyo's website. Given that it's unsprung weight, and rotating weight to boot, those are big pounds.

Thx Tom/Mike. I HAVE just purchased a new X-flow. However, it's the same spec as the existing (advertised 135 hp, real world, subtract 40 hp). Mine was smoking a bit, leaking a bit, etc., so I purchased a refurbished X-Flow from Craig Chima. It MITE have a few extra ponies over the existing engine as it was blueprinted, ported/polished by a Crossflow specialist who does racing engines. We'll see. IF I was going to upgrade, I'd have bought the 185 hp BDR engineCraig's putting in his Caterham rebuild (See for-sale section). I talked to him abt it ($10K vs $3K for what I bought). It was tempting (the ultimate sleeper se7en). But I don't have $10K and I love my little underpowered car. Can you drive flat out everywhere:)? Hopefully all the current ice/snow will be gone by April, when it's set to be installed. His shop is abt 4 hours from Cincy. As to competing w/your uber se7ens at the track, I am thinking abt zip tying my se7en grill onto my 414 hp M3 and passing it off as a se7en. Mike M.

Michael D. The 13", and 15" tires you compare look nearly identical on paper. Does one have a track or street advantage over the other? I am running 15x205/50 RA1's all around on my car. Have been very happy w/them both at the track and on the street, tho it takes some work to get them heated up. Michael M.

We snow-bound types use this down time to enhance our secret powers. For instance, did you notice how soon after his post gloating abt the great CA weather that MoPho's car sprang a serious oil leak???

Interesting: My stock 14x6 Miata R package wheels were 10.8 lbs.

Ditto what others say. Fastest se7en in US is a V8 Stalker. Used Caterhams are available at more reasonable prices than new-see this Forum's For-Sale section. A nice track ready BDR engined Cat is there, ditto 2 lovely Duratec SV's. The good thing abt the relatively steep price of used Cats is that you can sell them for not a lot less than what you bought them for. The depreciation hit is mostly at the first resale.

Very curious abt weight of wheel/tire combo, front/and larger rear-purely in the interest of science. Glad they found a good home. Your car on slicks shd be a track terror. I am working on some James Bond-worthy devices to add to my car to offset the advantages you, and others, have (Hmmm, I wonder where those tacks could have come from, etc?).

When Karl upgrades, someone else always benefits too:). Karl-any idea what they weigh? Approximately? Bathroom scale accuracy is fine. Mike M.

Wd 40?

480-thx to you and others for the positive thots! I agree that folks on this Forum seem to find it easier to follow the common rules of civility than at some other forums. Perhaps it's the subject car? Perhaps our more (cough, cough) advanced overall age?

Gawd, another "Uber" se7en at the NJ track day! I am bringing a rope and tying my Crossflow to one of your cars:).

$34K ($34,000.00), post 5.

What was the oil leak abt?

Guys: Is this primarily an issue w/high hp cars? Or is this one more safety issue for me to worry abt, even tho my engine wont break 100 hp after being warmed up on a cold morning w/5 weight oil? Are there wear items that I can check, or preventative maintenance measures that can be taken to prevent problems? Thx, Mike M

Ahhh the $16K tune up. Amazingly complex modern car meets perfectionist mechanic and $-no-object owner. And after just 13K miles! Wonder what the full service will cost:)!

Just listed on Lotustalk.com. $38K, Duratec w/205 hp at the wheels. Under "Cars for sale (Not Lotus)". Beautiful paint, etc. California car.

Two? I am all for adding lightness but I'd go w/4, one at each corner. I recall a video here of a "bonnet" blowing off at speed and nearly decapitating the driver!

Tom: The great thing about our underpowered cars is that we have an excuse for being slow. And, since you have 50% more more hp than me, I have the best excuse of all! Mike M.