Kitcat

Looks like fun. Interesting track. What was your top speed? Doesnt look like it has any really long straight stretch? So, perfect for our cars.

Not a kit-car problem. More of a I-forgot-to-tighten-the-lug-nuts problem. A problem I have, sadly, expereinced but thankfully, due to the noise of whe wobbling wheel, I stopped, checked, and tightened.

All signed up, anyone else joining Croc and me?

It hurts to see that cd in writing:). Drive train loss is optimistic. Hard to get a handle on since hp estimates are always so optimistic. I think 15-20%+ are more typical in these cars. 3000 rpms at 70 doesnt seem too bad. With all the wind noise, vibration, flapping, you likely wont notice. And for most motors that is near their sweet spot, so not overstressing the engine. My X-flow powered Cat turned around 3500 rpms in 5th @70 mph and I pilled up a lot of miles at that speed with no adverse effect on engine/driver.

Lurkers, this is a deal!

FWIW-I have owened a 5 sp Cat and 6 sp, and driven a member's Ultralight w/Honda gear shift. I liked the Honda best (short, precise shifts), the 5 sp Cat next, similar just not quite as slick, and 6 sp least (very hard to tell what gear you are in or to find the next, exp after all that "muscle memory" associated w/5 sp tells you you are in the wrong gear). As I am learning it, tho, it is growing on me. It is nice to have 2 more usable gears than the 5 sp , in wh/both 1st and 5th are irrelvant at most tracks. But all these trannys are excellent. Skip Cannon (see scannon post above) has a 300 hp Miata turbo in his Caterham. Its cheap, relaible and tons of parts are available. That wld be on my short list of engine options.The Miata 5sp seems to be robust and they make a 6 sp as well. I owned a Miata 5 sp and wld rank its transmission equal to or better than the 5 sp T9 transmission. I suspect Skip had a build diary that shows how he put his car together.

Will fill out the form and e-mail in when I sign up today. Yes Croc, it wld be ideal to be out there running together.

Thx, mine have the holes, never realized they were wear holes. Whether they will still be there after 2 days on Lightnng is anyone's guess. I will have a set of semi-treaded rain tires I can use in a pinch if needed.

Thx Mike, I took your advice and sent them an e-mail. Since their website shows cars like the Ariel Atom, it seems likely that they are flexible on this stuff but I dont want to sign up w/o knowing. Wld also be nice if we cld do pre-tech ourselves.

I am edging ever closer to doing this track day as an add-on to the 2 day Lightening only event over the weekend. I have downloaded the LTW pre-event inspection sheet. It requires certification of at least 3/32" tread in tires. But, I run slicks. Also, mine is a full tilt race car, so I do not have working lights or turn signals, nor do I have wipers, or even a windshield (I have a wind deflector and wear a full face mask). Do these disqualify me from participation?

The se7ens just jump out of the corners. Only saw 3 cars, so a pretty small race? Beautiful track. What was the camera car? An X-bow?

Croc: Does the 2" taller roll-over bar come with a top that still works? Or does getting the taller bar eliminate the top? And, can you achieve the same "lowering" result by going with Tilet seats and a non-lowered floor? I know you chose the more comfortable standard CSR seats, but did that have the effect of positioning you higher? Turbowood: Are you building the car yourself, or is Cat USA or someone else doing it? What will the paint color and scheme be? When are you hoping to be on the road?

Yes, looks aren't its strong suit. It wld make long distance travel nicer tho. Haven't we seen similar set ups on the Japenese se7ens?

I think the issue is whether your shocks are gas filled, like Bilsteins, wh/dont care if they are upside down, or oil based hydraulics, like Koni, wh/do care a lot.

The EP record at storied Watkins Glen? Wow! Do you have hopes for the Runoffs, or does that course favor the aerodynamic Miata? And, as noted by Klasik, you must be on tiny SCCA wheels, slicks, pontoon fendered, etc, right? Finally, Miatas have long been a staple of EP racing and own numerous SCCA national championships. They also run in other clases incl FP, Spec Miata, etc.

When I was at Nelsons Ledges 2 weeks ago there were 3 fast cars, a Z06, a track only BMW and my Caterham. The only person who drove there was the ZO6. I drove my first Caterham to tracks everywhere. Some round trips exceeded 1000 miles. But, if you break down, yr stuck. And finding parts and fixxing one of these on the road can be a challenge. I owned and drove an '08 M3 on the track and prefer my Cat. Both are fast, but the Cat just does it differntly. Much more noise, wind, driver involvement, telepathic reflexs, less top speed. Of the numerous se7en varients, nothing is as fast as the V8 Stalker. If you want to beat up 'Vettes and Vipers (and who doesnt:)), that wlld be the shortest path to track dominance.

I dread reading threads on this site with the word "woes." Partly, because I have had my share of se7en woes. Partly, because you cant just drop it off at the dealer and pick it up the next day. Partly, because it seems to be a synonym for major $.The upside seems to be that every ''woes" adventure is an educational experience that tests a person's resourcefullness. And, when done you are wiser (tho poorer). I thot T9s were supposed to be pretty bullet proof? But many seem to be having issues. Anyhow, sorry to hear of this glitch Steve. The timing completey sucks since our NJMP event is looming. What abt just adding fluid as needed, and fixing after the event?

BBall is trailering 1000 miles 1 way. So, if you come, you eek him out earn the coveted "Drove the farthest" award:). And there is a track day there Monday as well on the other track, so you can have 3 track days to show for your effort. Agree about the rain issue tho, that wld be a bummer. Spring rains tend to dry up at end of May and hurricanes dont start to August, but....

Those huge, heavy, air-bashing, front tires are all that prevents Tom's se7en from lift-off:)!

Ancient? As the "senior" member of the NJMP se7ens gathering I must object. If I could remember where I put my car keys, I'd drive over and put this right!

Nova: My problem is I have limited time and $ and signed up for both Lightning weekend days before your group was able to book the T-Bolt track for Monday. I wld have done Sunday-Monday if your group was available then. There is an outside chance that I will sign up at last minute for T-Bolt but that depends how crazy work is, whether my car is still running/tires have rubber etc., (and it's not raining-or if it rained Sat-Sun and Monday will be dry). Anyhow, I like that you have stepped up and rented the track and are welcoming se7ens, it's just the timing problem.

Call Chris at Sevens and Elans, he probably built your se7en.

Driven with authority! What is very impressive to me is how hard he was pushing it without knowing for sure what the car's limits were. It was very 'exciting' to see him enter the straight the 1st time-I thot he was going to run out of road. And, I have done 3 track days w/my new track Cat and its new-to-me Caterham 6 speed and I still get the wrong gear occassionally, and try to shift cautiously. He just goes for it and never a problem! I think he was grouped w/the GT3 as it sounds like he was competitive (upholding the car's giant killer rep). It was fun watching his lines: just like mine-but better:). I think Croc and JBH both got into 1:29's or 1:28's on that track last year, and Croc was running pretty tame rubber (Avon R500's), not slicks.

Biggest single improvement can be in tires, esp if yours are old or heat cycled out. I like Toyo RA1s shaved, but just one of many options/opinions.

No transmission issues, seat issues, creative ''repair" issues? Or were those resolved prior to the event (@2:30a.m)?