Kitcat

The biggest downside to driving to events is potential for mechanical failure. But most such failures are minor and Dave has the skill to troubleshoot/fix stuff so I'd say go for it. Towing does solve potential problems but it comes with its own set of issues (gas mileage, storage costs, licensing/upkeep, etc). I have done it both ways and my fondest memories are of heading to the track in my se7en, with a small tool kit, jack, small cooler, duffle bag, etc.

I'd seroiusly consider coming back for a Fall track day. I thot the LTW group had a nice vibe. I was less impressed w/TrackDaze, who we ran w/on Lightening Sat/Sun. I'd be happy to try them again. But, unless they do something to police the folks who REFUSE to give point bys (or who do, but then hold the line and accelerate to the curve, forcing the overtaking car off the track), TrackDaze's attendance will suffer. Point bys are just a matter of situational awareness. Within our little band of buddies, snafus were easily and casually resolved. But we had no control over the general population out there. I did send TrackDaze an e-mail outlining my concerns. Hopefully they will take them to heart. Yes, I left late moring after 2 heats for the 650 mile tow home. My 2nd session was cancelled after 2 laps when a car puked liquiid from turn 4-11, causing orther cars to spin off (Fortunately I got red-flagged at turn 3). Anyhow, I was happy to have missed the slick stuff and am ready to come back for more on-track fun.

Also, a special se7ens merit badge to MichaelD for loaning his se7en to BBall after his rebuilt Crossflow died after a few laps. Hauling 2000 miles round trip for 5 laps was tough. Michael's generosity helped make it a bit more tolerable.

Ditto Boxologist's comment. And many tow vehicles are 4x4 and great in the winter. Birkin claims its new, larger model is on its way to USA, perhaps a call to Dick Brink is in order? Based on personal experience, I wld not have them build it tho. It is a huge engineering exercise to switch from Zetec to Duratec wiring, ECU, exhaust on opposite side). Not impossible but a PITA. My Duratec Birkin was built that way. It was cooler, quieter. And very fast. Happy hunting.

More photos. Karl's Caterham flag flew high and announced the whereabts of our little band of buddies. Tho, I found I cld just as easlily locate the group by followiong the sound of non-stop laughter to its source.

Yes, I thot we se7en owners had it bad, then I saw the kart folks, jeez, we are amateaurs. Some of the kart guys could give Porsche Cup drivers a run for their $ when it comes to paddock set-up/gear.

A+ experience. Special thx to Karl for donating a set of wheels/tires when mine corded, to Tom for his usual hospitality w/drinks food, humor under the se7en tent.Ron for the coffee this a.m, Croc for mik-ing all of our GoPros and being enabler in chief, along w/Tom and to David D, Stewart, Steve, Jeff and Michael D, for all the great conversation, humor and wonderful, drool worthy se7ens. Can't wait til nxt year.

My favorite parts are your shifts-what a system! Not only fast, but you always get the right gear. And it looks to me like you are abt 20 mph faster thru the bowl, than last year.

OK, mystery solved: There are two simultaneous track days at T-Bolt June 24 (I never saw that before). And naturally, I signed up for the wrong one. Am trying to sign up for this one now but so far, no luck. We shall see. I will do one, or the other or, maybe, both? I may not be the only one to have made this mistake so it mite get interesting that morning.

I have heard abt "plowing the field", but now we have "picking the flowers!:)".

When I ck who is resgistered, using the above link, Croc is there, along w/20-25 Elises and Exiges, but not me. When I go staight to MotorsportsReg and ck, I am listed, not Croc, and no Lotuses, all BMW's, Mustangs, etc. Are there 2 different run groups consisting of (mostly) Lotuses vs non-Lotuses?

I bought a professionally built Caterham designed for endurance racing. It has an oil cooler mounted behind the radiator, in the space before the engine. Roughly 6"x1"x2". Also have a remote oil filter. I will try to attach a photo or 2.

Sounds like a plan to me. Tech ends at 8:30. I will be there 6;30-8:30 , depending on traffic. I leave Fredrick, MD @ 3:30-ish after a grandson visit.I asked my son if my GS , who is 14 months , cld say Caterham yet and he said yes, tho it sounded a lot like dee-dee. Close enuf! What a prodigy:)!

Locked and loaded, car, SUV, trailer, all is set. Discovered huge alighnment issue w/ driver side rear: my basically new tire is corded on inside, so I will be running on rain tires, shd be interesting.

Croc, yes, I drilled a hole in the plastic case (you'd think that mite have occured to GoPro to do?) and used it last year at NJMP and got great sound, now nuttin. Still playing with it, we shall see, hoping it's the mic.

I will let Tom handle the reply here:).

I think the Porsche badge is a $10K bump on the diesel-it is very nice! I bought a VW demo with 5000 miles and saved $5k. I have added abt 50K miles thus far in 2 years. Not a single problem (on a car that Cons Rpts says is the "worst of the worst" as to reliability).

Croc: My external mic is not working, I will troubleshoot it tonite but it wld be nice to have a back up. Self tech: I did my nut and bolt ck yesterday, will finish today. Never knew the car had so many. Most, but not all, were tight. Unsurprisingly, the impossible to reach ones were loose. I decided to skip my trusty mechanic when the purchaser of my Birkin advised me of the many loose bolts on the car, incl in rear suspension (wh/could be hand tightened) and engine mounts. So, I have adopted the "Best to pack your own parachute" philosophy, at least for something this basic.

Croc: VW Toureg comes in midnight blue. Same car as Audi S7, minus the $5K Audi badge. Get the TDI and tow up to 7700 lbs and get 35mpg highway, 22 mpg city. I have the base model but you can go upscale if you need a bit of luxury to offset your spartan track car. Even the base model is pretty lux. Very comfortable seats, great visibility, quiet, comfortable ride, excellent handling-I'd love to do a few hot laps in it on Lightning. I guarantee it wldnt be the slowest car out there in the intermediate group, excluding the se7ens, of course.

Suspect the Sadev is a bit more $, than a T9 tho?

My e-mail from Track Daze says the tech of cars on Friday is 7:00-8:30 p.m., which gives folks like me who are making a long trek a better chance of making it. Congrats on the 4 offs Croc: it ties my record for NJMP, but I needed a whole weekend to do what you did in a single session!

At the momemt, the weatherman is cooperating: 10% chance of rain Sat, Sun, Mon, June 22-24.

How do you know what the oil temp was? My se7ens have all had oil pressure guages, and water temp guages, but never a oil temp guage. My X-Flow had a small oil cooler mounted in front of the radiator.

Fellow attendees: YellowSS and I are bringing a few bottles of our favorite reds for the 2nd annual "Impromptu Wine Tasting". Feel free to bring your own favorite bottle(s) and we'll see who wins the coveted "Not bad" first prize (With this group,the competition isnt limited to the track:)).

My Brink built '09 Duratec also suffered an engine failure at the track. Dick said, oops, ya need to modify the Raceline wet sump with a trap door or you get oil starvation on cornering. Worth ckg into if you plan any track work. With so much huge, flat power, I cant imagine needing more? You are running abt 100 hp than mine made and I thot mine was scary fast. Mine weighed just over 1100lbs which contributed to it's speedyness. Car is beautiful, esp like the carbon fiber dash and the color combo!