Kitcat

Croc(Mike J.): Obviously I was taking the shortcut when you caught my red Birkin sneaking off track. Just one of my many speed secrets. Tho the advantage was somewhat offset by the field being full of rocks(:. Didn't notice any extra diff noise. And, didn't you have the mic mounted in the boot, right over the diff? Se7ens track event? Great concept but I doubt we'll ever get 10 cars on track. But why not partner w/guys we ran w/last summer and have our own run group, or mostly own group? Mike M.

Thx guys. As you know Karl, I put a hole in the side of one of mine Saturday, while also bending the wheel. First time I ever hit a pile of rocks when sliding off a racetrack. You'd think they wld remove them? Much nicer to just get grass stains on the tire, as I did in a subsequent slide off elsewhere. Of course, even nicer to stay on the track....

Are Avon CR 500's only available in England? Or, is there a USA dealer?

Fun it was. As so accurately reported by Croc, I got very familiar w/my new Birkin's limits by exceeding them 4 times. Turns out you have to be more judicious w/gas pedal when you have 214 hp at rear wheels than 95 hp, who knew? I hadn't been off the track in 3 years in my X-flow so I relearned humility. But when it was on the track, man, it was fast/fun. It gave away very little to the high end Caterhams there. Ron & Doug have R500's and Croc and Karl have even more car, so to be able to run w/them was great. They had a bit more top end, but my car's handling was equal to theirs. Food was free and amazing:award winning crab cakes for lunch, prime rib for dinner, omlettes made to your spec for breakfast. Pretty fabulous. Made the 12 hour haul each way that much more bearable.

OK, after a day an New Jersey Motorsports park racetrack I can say the Birkin is pretty sweet. The handling (stopping/turning) is excellent, as is the power, and it is competitive with the Caterhams in attendance (Yellow SS/Croc/Karl/Ron). I did slide off, hit a rock, bend a wheel/puncture a tire, but that was my brain fade, not the car.I had 2 Toyos as back up and mounted them on the rear. And I can say, after they warm up, they are equal to the Avon CR 500's up front. Top speed is abt 123 mph (106 in my X-Flow here). Croc and I are posting equally fast times tho achieved in opposite ways-where he is fast, I am slow, and visa versa. Only car issue is both rear rubber axle boots failed and dumped their grease all over the wheels. Car is still running, so didn't have to call it a day.

If it helps w/a price point, I just sold somewhat similar Caterham for $21.5K. Slightly bigger engine but abt 2x the miles. I am guessing $16-18K for yours. Don't be in a hurry, it takes time. In all honesty, I think you overpaid a bit, tho know there wasn't much available at the time you bought. Good luck w/the sale, the buyer will receive a better car than you did:)!

It has Avon CR 500's. 15x195. The wheel tire combo is 8 lbs lighter than my stock Birkin wheels w/Toyo RA1's 15x205 (per corner).

Hoo-boy, this from Mr. Cosworth tuned Duratec. And you have silver paint, wh/everyone knows is faster than red. I shudda kept my X-flow, then I had an excuse for being slow:).

One of the nicest Lowcosts I have seen. Looks to have ample power as well:).

Rikker: See my post on first impressions of the car, elsewhere on the Forum. Overall: ya get a lot more car, on paper, for the $ w/a Birkin. But, but, but,.... the Caterham is better thot out, niggling issues are resolved better, it's roomier, more comfortable. I have to wonder if the folks who built the Birkin have ever driven it? They surely never sat in the seats, wh/are bonefide torture devices. The seat belts are mounted all wrong. I had many electrical issues to unravel also. The Caterham fits like a glove, the Birkin still feels like a borrowed car. It is definitely heavier as well. Well see how it does on the track this weekend. I know it goes extremely fast in a straight line, but will it stop, turn, etc., and will it survive the rigors or the track? I will know soon. Stat tuned. Mike M.

Here are a few photos, hopefully. The prior owner had the engine bay cleaned up considerably. Am taking it to the track this weekend and we'll see how it holds up. Sure makes a lotta power compared to my now-sold X-Flow Caterham.

Patent applied:)?

I will give him your info so he can contact you. He's a gearhead, having totally restored his Elan S2, including rebuilding the engine, so a Caterham is a good fit for him (and he even knows how to pronounce Caterham correctly:)).

Deal finally consummated today. Buyer sold his restored ElanS2 and TR6 to buy it. Lives in Canada but is from England. He grew up near Caterham, helped a friend build one in early 70's, has rented them on return trips to England. In other words, a big fan. Great to see it going to a great home with someone who will enjoy it as much as I have.

James A: You took the words (worries?) right out of my mouth. I can see little Caterham getting sucked into this whole F1 drama, and bottomless money pit, and disappearing.

timax: Your "tumblr" videos and photos are wonderful. They do an excellent job of conveying what's special about owning/driving se7ens. So much better than what we point-and-shoot guys obtain w/our cameras. The legendary GoPro bad sound quality was missing on your video. Did you do something to enhance the sound quality? Mike M.

Driver was talented/fearless. He says he's done 5000 laps there, that would help! No one else was as remotely fast. He turned a 8'07" even w/being blocked/slowed/held up by other drivers, wrecks, etc. Top speed seemed to be 125-26 mph. Not bad for a 175 hp Caterham. Video showed on track elevation changes more clearly than I have seen before.

Tom: I will just say you are still on my rolodex:). Mike M.

That Caterham has many differences, esp in cockpit, as compared to my '97. The X-flow doesn't look like my X-flow. And it has a lotus mfg plate, not Caterham. What do the experts think?

The engine definitely has some pop. And, if nothing else, the video conveys the visceral experience of driving a se7en. Any lurkers out there wondering what it mite be like to take a se7en for a spin will get a good feel from this video (complete with failing parts:)).

Terry: I typically run 18 lbs rear, 16 front, cold. What do you recommend?

I have the 195/45 15's on my 220 hp Birkin and they are very nice, with progressive, predictable, balanced, controllable, breakaway. Very light weight. I didn't find them effective in the rain tho, felt like I was on slicks. Also, in 1st and 2nd gear, as I hit the power band, they break loose and the car steps out. It is not an issue at higher speeds, tho I can "steer" w/the accelerator.

Hey, what's a little snow:)?

Quite a car! Horsepower? Wheel/tire size?

I thot I was the King already:)! And with that much hp, I'd never survive my 1st track day. Also mite be a little hard on the tranny etc., etc. I'd settle for what Croc and Karl have at the rear wheels (250 hp???).