Kitcat

Access is right. We had access to everything. I think if I had asked, they wld have let me wrench down a bolt in the car's garage The parts trailer/car hauler-see attached photo- is spotless. We hung out in the drivers' paddock-they had a hospitality motorhome for us big shots, right next to our driver's personal motorhome. We were told it turns into a small town once they clear us out, drivers and their families grilling out, their kids riding bikes, playing ball etc. If there is a NASCAR wife who is not pretty, I didnt see her. Anyhow: 1st pix is me on right w/beard and anther fan in between me & Richard Childress. Then Junior's jet, parked just behind ours. Note his initials in the ID # Then the car hauler/parts trailer. Then the pit garages wh/are very small-the parts trailer is opposite them, out of this shot.

Race, there is a race too:)? We saw Saturday's slug fest. Left today once it was clear it wldnt happen. The thing abt these corporate big shots is they tend to have inflexible schedules. Our ride around the track for a few laps in a fairly stock Camry was eye opening. The track is really narrow. Then bump the speed up another 50-70 (we were doing 135), added 3 cars wide and a car in front and a car behind, all inches away. That's mind boggling to me.

There's more: Had my picture taken w/Richard Childress at breakfast. Insider's tip, ya mite watch the 33 car w/Elliot Sadler. Ah, what does Childress know? We also got a pep talk from Joe Gibbs, who was a riot. Tried to take Lisa France Kennedy's photo, who was at our breakfast. She ran like a scared rabbit. Shook Romney's hand. He made a brief speech to those gathered at the driver's meeting. Called NASCAR the "quintessential" American sport. (That's right Bubba, quintessential, you can look it up). He's truly got the common touch:). The driver's meeting is huge. Turns out its kind of a relic from the past, mostly used to give VIP's (and their hangers-ons:)) a more intense NASCAR experience, not to have any meaningful discussion. But, to remind the drivers who is in charge, anyone even a minute late goes to the end of the grid. I am going to estimate that the room wh/cld hold 200 had 600 people in it. But it was way cool to see the drivers and some of the more famous owners (Roger Penske was early and prominent). The track and its environs is mammoth. There are two drivers with magic: Junior and Danica (who is the size of a 5th grader). Others are interesting and very popular, etc. But it stops and ends w/them as far as being mesmerizing-based on the crowd's reaction. Hey, and Florida's drought finally ended. Great timing too:).

The Nationwide race was wild. Wrecks seem to be programmed into the way they run. And, why does anyone want to be a race car driver; they do everything but race. Our drivers have constant meetings w/sponsors, potential sponsors, friends of sponsors,etc., sign endless autographs, make commercials, make public service commercials, and all of this just today, it never ends. Yes, I will try to post some shots when I get back to Cincy. We had total unrestricted access to everything so maybe some will be decent. Our "luxury box"was on the start/finish, wh/was cool. We also got a tour of the France family's private museum. So private no one knows it exists (no photos allowed there).

I always knew my next door neighbor was kind of a big shot in a very large US corp. So, when she said last year she cld score some good seats, did I want to join her and husband, I said sure. So here's the deal: Today we flew to Daytona in the company jet. No messy metal detectors, security checks etc. The plane is fabulous. Tuckered out? Seats make a bed, so you can lie flat and sleep. Ever wonder what pilots do? Fine sit w/them, they are thrilled to give you details of how the whole thing works, safety, radar, weather, other planes, speed, cross winds, you name it. Accommodations: our suite probly has more sq feet than my house. Goodie bags are filled w/wine, Grey Goose, etc. Oh, and there is racing. Wld you like a private meeting w/the drivers of the corp's sponsored cars? Sure so off we go and chat w/them. They stay in their motor homes 60' from their cars, along w/famiiles. Nite before the race, is a quiet cook out by their RV. How about the team owner? He'd honored to me you. Ever wonder what its like on the banking at high speed? No problemo, our drivers will take you for a spin (tomorrow). What goes on in the pits? Well this handy dandy pass and this fellow over here will give you pit access during the race. Yeah, but isnt traffic to the track bad? Not when you have a 9 cop car escort. What does the head honcho says to the drivers at the drivers meeting? Why not see for yourself as you will be one of the few persons other than drivers, crew chiefs and owners there. (Hey Carl, I'd dial a little out of that track bar-not!). I must be dreamin!

Do a search for "advance" and amongst the threads will be a few on this.

You guys do know that ADC was abolished? And that its replacement (TANF) has a lifetime limit of 5 years, per family. Thx to Bill Clinton, who supported the change and signed it into law. So the lifetime of welfare benefits is no longer the deal.

Tom: My Red book is bigger than yours:)! (It's on!).

Slomove just solved the budget/debt crisis. Too bad it doesn't fit anyone's narrative. I think the compromise deal that Boehner and Obama cut last year came close, before being shot down by the right wing's "no-compromise" narrative. Had it not, I suspect it wld have been shot down by the left wing. So here we are, each side waiving their little red books and shouting at each other.

Both Sabbot and I went to the se7ens NJMP track day last year in our little X-flows. We brot knives to the proverbial gunfight:). I returned w/a Duratec and Sabbot's going the BDA route(I also cant wait for details).

This is a smokin hot deal. As a veteran Caterham and Birkin owner, I am occasionally asked, off-line, by potential buyers what I think abt various cars that pop up in our for sale section. I have to say, this car, at this price, with a trailer, is at the top of the list. Hank, I have never sat in or driven a Westfield. Up to what size driver is it comfortable for? Do the seats slide, are the pedals adjustable? I take it that it has reverse, or no? Mike M.

Long cockpit?

Jim: Chances are you new Silverado is faster than your old MGA, gets better mileage and corners as well:). Or, if not, it's not that far off. And it does all the other stuff you note new cars do so well, include never break down and if it does, the warranty is a bit longer than on the old MGA's. Sometimes we can get carried away with the good old days and to me, today is as good as it has ever been for us car guys. Mike M.

Google simple sevens for a site devoted to the early years/original cars.

Great car, great price, quick sale, everyone's happy.

Karl has an electric winch operated by a remote and he walks along side his Cat, remote in one hand, steering wheel in the other, and guides it to the precise trailer location.

Listed on Caterham USA's website: Track dog, w/upgraded 2.0 Zetec, 6 sp, 21 gallon fuel tank, full cage, 4 sets of wheels, $31K.

Hanks comment is a 10, the muffler mod (something I'd do IF I had the time, talent, tools) is more like a 1:). Why not go with a Suppertrapp wh/allows adjustments to sound via discs used?

Looks great, never saw it before. Even helps w/correct pronunciation by breaking into the proper 2 syllables: Cate Rham, not; Cate-ter-ham.

I remember a track day w/Lotus club in '10. I let my instructor, an owner of a trickled out track Elise, drive my Caterham. As he approached the 1st turn his narrative went something like this:"So at the 2nd cone you start to squeeze the brakes like this and just as the curbing begins you start to turn: OMG, OMG, what just happened, this thing just turns in instantly, I had no idea, I thought my Elise was responsive, etc.,etc". And this was a base '97 Caterham, Dedion, X-flow, with stock "street" suspension. So, even the most pedestrian, street-friendly Caterham is a track weapon of high order.

Karl: We are waiting for the "Umbrella Girls"!

Skip is on O-2 for breathing problems.

Karl: Best tow vehicle, best trailer, best toys-he's the man!

Onken: Did you fnd much difference in power/speed/lap times between the BDR Caterham and the R400? If so, was it much? I recently drove a BDR Caterham and it felt just as fast as my Duratec Birken 7.

At most track days there are 2 contests: one on the track between the cars and one in the paddock between the tow rigs for coolest set up. I went to one at Mid-Ohio last year and there were 2 guys w/18 wheelers to haul their car and all their toys, including color matched golf cart, motorized tool chest, living quarters, etc.