Kitcat

Once I started wearing a balaclava, all of my issues with my glasses were solved. Before that, putting the helmet on would knock the glasses off, or way down, and re-positioning was challenging, and occasionally damaging to the (expensive) fragile glasses frame. Initially, I switched to glasses with a heavy plastic frame for racing only. I now have a set of 5-8 balaclavas that I take to each event. They protect the glasses so the helmet slips right on. Some times a very minor adjustment is needed once the helmet is on. When I am done, I pull the glasses straight out then remove the helmet. I take so many as I also use them to absorb head sweat. It really helps in the summer and protects the helmet from getting soaked. Maybe just an issue for those of us more follically challenged types?

I used to park my '97 Caterham in the cart return corral to avoid dings on Kroger runs:).

AstroBob. I'd add Rocky Mountain Caterham to the mix of top Caterham dealers in the U.S.A. Per their website they have sold 8 new Caterhams thus far in 2020 with more on the way. Given that something like 19 Caterhams, total, were sold in the U.S in '19 (per the ongoing R&T article abt their Caterham build), no dealer can make much of a volume claim. Rather, it seems that Caterham expertise, parts inventory, repair and upgrade services are what separates Beachman and RMC from the rest. I have had significant experience with both and their attention to detail and excellent customer service have allowed Caterham to a visible brand in the USA. And, I'd add Tom Carlin's Birkin USA into the top 3 se7en resources in the States.

Congratulations Ahavams! Great car at an amazing price, if it's half as good as it looks, you stole it! As Croc noted in his detailed write up, the weak link was the rear diff attachments on early versions. Fix it, if needed, and drive it like you stole it, which you did:)!

There was a supercharged 6 cyl Stalker in the advanced group at Putnam last weekend. It was faster than my Miata:). (Caterham is undergoing repairs).

The CSR 260 is a whole lotta Caterham for that price. Which makes me wonder, like Croc. Seller says it handles so well you "literally" dont have to brake for turns:)! Right, it must have some new advanced F1 technology. Or the seller is clueless....

It's all so simple....

Beautiful high spec Caterham Bruce! What transmission (5sp, 6sp?). And, does this price include the engine, ECU etc? After years of astronomically high prices for Caterham kits, without engine/drivetrain, I still have trouble grasping the new, lower prices. How much is added to the price if your company builds this?

A bit of toe out makes the turn-in happen faster. But it also makes the car twitchy to drive (less inclined to go straight), especially as the front tires get wider and stickier. Is rear toe adjustable on Stalkers? If so, what are folks running? I would assume that V8 power could influence that setting? While we are at it, what about rake front to back, and caster? I recently had my Miata aligned. Without me the front toe was -2.7 left, and -2.4 right. With me in the car it was -2.5 both sides. Just pointing out that having you, or your equivalent weight, in the car can influence the settings.

Until this year, Ohio required a front plate. I never had one on any of my cars, se7ens and otherwise, and never got a ticket. Maybe just lucky? If I had on-street parking only (rather than my garage) maybe things would have been different? There have been various posts on this issue over the years so maybe do a search here? As I recall, someone had a swivel mount so the plate swung under the car at speed and dropped down when parked.

The price of the above BAT Caterham is already $21K,with six days to go. This for the lowest spec Cat there is (1600 cc X-Flow, 4 sp, solid rear axle, no paint, etc.). I like the car a lot, but 10 years ago you couldn't give this spec Caterham away. The R&T article on their Caterham build says 19 were sold in the U.S.A in 2019, so maybe rarity is helping? And Covid seems to be sending folks into fun social-distancing activities (camping, boating-not to mention drinking:)).

I will also have to be a no-show this year(:. Our vacation to the mountains of N Carolina was planned for this new date, and my car is still in pieces. The upside is someone else will have a shot at one of the coveted post event awards, which I have cleaned up on over the years!

That was a fun ride-along. I don't know the track so can't comment on your lines. But I think you need a wing:)! So many fast cars in your group with huge wings. Always a sign of great manliness. I saw you had a top speed of 127 mph, which is pretty fast for one of these little mobile barn doors. Never heard a Caterham described as a tire shredder, what tire were you running? I like your track set up (cage, shifter light, Aim Solo, great video with car/track metrics).

I suspect one of the U.S. Caterham vendors will have one, have you tried (Beachman Racing, Rocky Mountain Sportscar, Sevens and Elans).

For an antique, it more than holds its own. I didn't see you giving any point byes, but you got plenty, from new, more technically advanced, Porsches and 'Vettes, to name a few. Great engine sound too!

Looks like a seven body topped with a Model A cab. Agree the workmanship is impeccable. And a diesel 7? Got to be a first, so major points for thinking outside the box on this and other aspects of the build.

I guess it's all subjective, at 5'9", 160 lbs I found my S3 Birkin very tight, with the steering wheel too close to my chest. I replaced the largish stock seats with a carbon fiber shell seat from Caterham and that made the fit tolerable. The long cockpit Caterham I was coming from felt much roomier.

I just stumbled across the New Jersey Health "Self-Quarantine for Travelers FAQ" advisory regarding COVID19. It was issued in June and updated August 18,2020. It lists 35 states from which visitors to NJ are expected to voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days. It is only a recommendation so not enforceable, so just tossing it out there in the FWIW category. If followed, folks from a majority of states would not be able to participate in our se7ens gathering. Absent from the list of banned states, however, are PA and NY, so at least Tom and Croc can come:). Ditto Ohio (me), Colorado, Connecticut and Massachusetts. So maybe no one who typically comes is affected?

Vlad: if you have back-up wheel/tires bring them. But I don't think the wear bars are a big deal as long as it stays dry. Tire tread is only there to deal with wet conditions.The less tread, the faster you will be, that's why folks shave their new tires for track use. Or buy "slicks" with no tread. Of course, if they are heat cycled out, they won't be much fun in any event. I once ran thu a set of tires at the NJMP event and was kindly lent a spare set from Karl, whose Caterham YellowSS is the current custodian of. I also once failed to notice a corded tire on my old Miata and the tube finally burst thru the tire carcass, but never exploded. Instead, it blew up so large it filled the entire wheel well and could no longer spin. I kid you not. SanderGA: As far as being a novice, just keep a sharp eye on your mirrors for cars on your bumper. Some cars/drivers are much faster than others. No one will care how slow you are, unless you hold them up and won't let them by. Having run in every category over the years, I can say the single defining characteristic of the "advanced" group drivers is constant situational awareness, including being alert to giving point-byes. Croc or Tom will know, but I don't see a problem with you running without an instructor/windshield and with the stock roll-over bar. You will need a full face helmet. NJMP, as has been noted, is totally anal abt expired belts and 5-6 pt belts, not 3 point ones. After that, its up to you. HANS is not needed. Typically, we se7en drivers run with arm/wrist restraints. They are not required but are cheap insurance for keeping them out of harm's way.(EDIT:wrist/arm restraints ARE required, as Croc notes below, sorry!).

Fascinating Croc. Your approach to learning new tracks makes tons of sense (my approach is to do 2 slow/feeler laps then balls-out after that and see what happens-I know you are shocked:))! I think the sim racer approach is also a way to break thru the "plateau" we sometimes hit at tracks where we simply can not improve our best time, so are stuck in the not-bad, not-great level. One of my promises to myself a while back when I was at VIR was if I pushed it too hard at the uphill "S's" and went off, I'd sell my car (then an Evo XIII). So of course, I went off at around 115 mph, scared myself to death, and sold the car when I got home and avoided tracks for 2 years.

So, which ran faster, the BMW or the monster Caterham? I like the BMW's chances, esp at VIR, based on its aero advantage over the Caterham's barn door approach. What was you speed thru the climbing "S's"? Yes, VIR is a great track, maybe my all time favorite.

Put it on BAT: you will get your $28K and likely much more. I agree with Croc, what a great car at a great price. After the BRG color, this orange color is my fav for a Caterham.

Great work Croc! All it took was a keen eye, tons of time, and even more money:). It looks like it was worth it as you have a true piece of history. As to the test day on track, in all honesty, I will be more interested in your Caterham experience, tho will be keenly following any BMW updates as well. What track configuration will you be running? I think you may discover your Caterham's top speed there. I will be interested in how fast you go thru the "Up hill" S's, AKA, the "Climbing "S's". One of several places the track separates the men from the boys. Have fun!

Right BrightonUK, but what your formula has overlooked is the cubic $ you would have spent on the Cat 620 keeping it happy! I am old enough (sadly) to say my track car experience has been very expensive, no matter what car I have. At one point I had a new '94 Miata and at the end of the experience I realized I could have had a new Porsche 911 for what I spent on it. Who cares, I loved every minute of researching, purchasing, and installing the various "improvements" to my car. An experience I have duplicated with every car since:). As long as you are not taking food off the table, ignoring your 401K or your kids' college fund, who cares? Enjoy it while you can, tomorrow may be too late.

What's esp nice about this well constructed Lowcost is that it's the only one I have seen that mimics the Lotus 7's sloping side entrance sections. Like the Caterhams and Birkins do. Someone will buy this and flip it on BAT for 2x the $.