Kitcat

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)?

Steve: Everything I have read (and experienced) says that RA1's get better with time, unlike other tires. My anicdote, previously posted, is: I had the same set for years on my track Miata. Then, like you, I upgraded and left them in my basement. Five years later I had fresh new Kumos installed and one was bad. Since I had a track day coming up, I put the 8-10 y/o RA1s on the front and new Kumos on the back. Result: massive oversteer (the RA1s had more grip). So I swapped them to the back: massive push. I dont think you will lose performance by going new, but I wldnt toss the old RA1s. And if you have enough wheels, try the comparo I just mentioned and report results? Anyhow, as mentioned, the less tread the better the on-track result.

I carry a thick towel!

Steve-your existing tires are just broken in:)! How much naturally shaved tread do they have left? I'd start there and maybe go down to 'slick' level. Tread is the enemy of speed. It's only function is to maintain traction in the rain (How much rain driving do you really do now that you have your trailer?). If your existing tire is slick, keep the unshaved tires for the rain as even shaved, I dont think they will be as grippy as the 'seasoned' RA1's on the car. Dealers don't like to shave used tires as the embeded rock kills their blades, so hopefully these are brand new RA1's (my all-time fav tire, BTW).

Prepare to be shocked at how much better your car becomes. And at how much gravel gets tossed in on you....(definitely worth the trade off).

Well, it's 20 lbs lighter, but that's a lotta $ for 20 lbs. I havent heard of any particular Crossflow head reliabilty issues. Valve guides and other internals wear out. I put 17K on my X-flow before selling it and it had 32K total miles and the head was fine, with never a drop of mystery oil. Also ran on Mobile 1 full synthetic 95% of the time, as did prior owner, in spite of popular wisdom that the low-tech motor needed pure mineral oil.

And more CF!

Not sure what the "lightbulb" is, but you were abt 15 mph faster at the apex of the huge banked bowl leading to the front straight (Turn 10?), than last year. Also your top speed was abt 20 mph faster than mine at the end of the straight. In fact you entered the straight going as fast as I went at the end of the straight. So you really launched from the apex at the bottom of the bowl all the way to end of the straight Those little thngs start to add up:)> Why left foot brake, I thought your shifts were clutchless?

I think I dipped into upper 1:15's on my best laps there in the past, so you have definetly gotten more competitive Karl! Care to share your speed "secrets"? I know you added some power, but you are obviously picking up speed everywhere, not just on the straights.

Karl-what is a ballpark cost for an event? Did you have this coverage when you had your incident at L Rock and, if so, was is covered without a hassle?

It seems odd that with better aero and an extra 100 hp the X-Bow is slower on the straights? Look forward to the R485 posting, 1st I have heard of it. Does 485 reference its weight in kilos?

Nice! The Caterhams seem to have a hp advantage and the X-bow a braking advantage w/cornering abt the same? What spec engine in the X-bow and approx power of your 2.3 Cosworth?

Ivey Engines in Portland, OR is an established, reputable X-flow rebuilder/upgrader.

My State Farm claim experiernces have been exemplary: On my first claim they gave me $1K more for my flood-damaged 1 year old Accord than I paid for it, the 2nd, they gave me $3K more for the value of the Honda van my son totalled. And no increases in premiums. Maybe claims service varies state to state also?

What a beaut! The 50's produced some timeless car shapes, including this OSCA, Mini, XK 120, Elite, Porsche 356, all Ferrari's, 'Vettes, T-Bird, etc. I view the modern but bland, generic, derivative shapes emerging from major manufacures now (Exhibit #1 & 2- the Scion FR-S (Fresh?), and Suburu BRZ (Breeze?)) as abject stying failures. They started with a blank sheet of paper and produced this??? Give us more OSCA's!