SK400

Vovchander - I like your 620R cone! BTW - don't change your color scheme. One of the prettiest out there in my opinion. !

Thanks Vovchander. Yes, that nose cone took almost 6 months to complete and consumed 6 yrs of my life in the process. It’s actually a R420 race nose cone, a mix of r500 and CSR top vent design with a 620r style oil cooler grille opening at the bottom. I changed the radiator to a r420 race model which is similar to that sold with newer caterhams, with an integrated oil cooler. Lots of fiddling, had to assemble new oil and coolant hoses etc. Better work because the whole assembly is 7.8 lbs heavier than my original setup. But I agree... I think it looks good And have been excited about it. (Ask Simon... he is getting tired of hearing about my nose cone).

i think I’m done upgrading .. at least for this summer. It’s been a hell of a project! Just started my new r500+ spec engine on Saturday and sounded great. Head, cams, supertech pistons, rods, forged crank, new everything, arp everywhere, beefy clutch, .. all balanced and blue printed etc. Probably the max fast road spec possible, after which we fall in the territory of craziness and hard to drive on the road reliably. Simon and I have the exact same engine spec and setup including tires, suspension setting, Tri-y custom exhaust, etc so will make it really fun. Let’s see how this baby performs on the track once all is set and done. Managed to go on a car diet and should be - 18 lbs even with a new SLR cage installed. Carbon everywhere (almost), new nose cone, race radiator, Westermann CSR cycle wings, Kevlar slick tires etc. all fun stuff. really looking forward to driving hard with the 300 hp Club Cars. Will probably lose a bit on the straights and perhaps coming out of some turns ... but I’m sure we won’t be left in the dust.

There is someone who lives very close to Scarsdale who has an SV. I ll let the person reply directly.

Friends, Mike, Tom What a great weekend and what a way to end our 2020 season! A massive thanks to Mike and Tom for organizing as usual, you guys are champs and outstanding hosts. It was terrific to see you all again, it had been way too long. Paige & Vlad, we can't wait to see your pictures .. but I'm sure that it will take a little while to go through your 2000+ pictures. We are waiting with anticipation! Mike, thank you so much for lending me your CSR for a trail. I was impress by both, overall engine and suspension / handling. It felt like a beast and had to work hard to muscle it through the bends. I'm attaching a link to a youtube video of Simon and I following and passing each other. Watch him passing me on the outside (!) in the octopus!! Now it's time to store the car away and start winter upgrades. Lot's to do.. finally decided to go for a full R500+ spec engine .. exact same as Simon, with SLR roll cage, upgraded nose cone and race radiator, and a few other goodies. onwards!

Comparing Croc to a Mr. Phileas Fogg is a big big stretch. As for the car, it is, I agree ~1870 technology with some Jules Verne fictional upgrades. Can't wait to see it fly!

Croc - that's sick and what a project!! This is F3 performance level category and then some... and with no aero . I agree with blue BDA.. why no full roll cage.. or is this coming soon? Cleary lots to talk about this coming weekend at the track. Look forward to seeing the gang.

Gang I wanted to upgraded my lap timing scientific capabilities from using my cell phone (yes it works) to something more official and bought an AIM Solo2 DL. Since my car is a relatively modern Caterham (2013) it has an ODii port and chose to buy the Solo2 DL with ECU reading and connection capability. I’ve flashed the device using the software provided and chose the “Caterham 420r” écu option but to no available. My Aim Solo2 does not seem to pick up engine readings and not even RPMs any advice on how to best co figure this device for ÉCU ODii reading? I have the stock Caterham ÉCU. thank you very much Seb

Hello TimeMachines, I live in South West Connecticut and would reach out to https://www.automotiverestorations.com/ Top notch vintage car restoration shop and garage in southern Connecticut. Super nice and my sense is that they could help. Hope this helps and please feel free to put your client in touch with the Connecticut Caterham crowd (there are a few of us) .. we would be happy to help.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and counsel. Honestly, I don’t know yet exactly “how much” it would cost to import the roll cage. Caterham has been reluctant to even quote me the transport cost .. but I’ve asked again, and hope to have a sense soon. One thing is for sure, it can’t be cheap. as for finding alternatives in the US, I think it is a great idea. Do you know if “swracecars” has already fitted a caterham? I can call and do a bit of research but would be great to find someone who may have already fitted a cat. I also want to optimize on weight as much as possible so engineering “finesse” and use of lighter weight material if possible would be great. I ll circle back to the group after a bit of research As for the color and texture .. now that’s probably what really keeps me up at night. Black? red? Or white? We can always add the fur afterwards. My very good and nice friends at the track will take care of this. That I’m sure of. They don’t miss a chance ...

Greetings everyone, I'm considering buying and importing a SLR roll cage from Caterham in Q1 2020 (yes, adding a few lbs to the car for safety sake. Can't be prudent enough driving with the bunch at NJMP). Shipment to the US for the cage is quite expensive given its size ..so i was wondering if it would make sense to consolidate a few orders among a few of us and organize a consolidated shipment from Caterham to the US (East Coast preferably). Let me know if some of you are interested in the idea and would like to participate. Unsure if the math will really work and if this could be way too complicated to pull off.. but worth asking. Thanks!

I wish i could join.. but traveling around the world right now. Best time for me at thunderbolt is 1:29:20.. and that's taking #1, #4 and approach to #7 too slow. Without a windscreen, you should easily be in the 1:28's .. Let us know how it goes! and yes.. lose the wiper blades please.

Oh my.. it has been a while since I've logged on... and I will take the 5th. Great "pimp my ride" in red pic, ... but the best part was the act of fitting those "accessories" on the handbrake and shifter levers. Every Cat owner should try this at least once.

BRING-IT-ON Crocs! Put on those tires, drop the passengers, wax the car. We are ready for you.

Hey guys! Sorry, i'm late to the party adding to this thread. Have been busy returning home in CT, then Canada, and now on my way to Montana. All for good reasons but have been on the road none stop. Let me first thank Mike and Tom very very much for all of their work and efforts in pulling this event together. You guys rock!!! Massive thanks for all that you do for the group, keeping the spirit of the sevens alive and going. Hands down awesome. I had a blast. I think that of all the Seven events, this was probably my favorite one. Unsure why, perhaps because of the two tracks, perhaps because of the fast driving we all did, the camaraderie, my new red "pimped ride" , my new haircut after trying a few gears in Tom's orange beast (this thing is SICK..) .. or simply because of the humor and friendship that prevailed the entire weekend. LET'S KEEP THIS GOING! 10th anniversary.. HERE WE COME! . we will need T- Shirts and caps made. A few random thoughts: To Jay - you are a hero. Driving a Cat from Hartford and back deserves super hero physical endurance award. I'm really sorry about the brake and the weekend, but you took it like a real Seven owner. To Vlad & Paige - terrific meeting you both. Love the color scheme of your car! you and i could share the same red toolbox and air pump. it would match. (sorry, not sharing underwear) To Blake & Paula - agree on the award, fast and consistent on the track. Paula, we share the same heritage. You are the best Caterham neighbors in CT. To John & Connor - great meeting you both. D***, you are both fast!! and caught me by surprised on the track. Awesome lapping with you guys. To Simon & Carry - you guys are awesome. Simon, you are lightning fast and look up to you. But i have to say that Carry stole the glory as the "best and craziest passenger" ever... To Mike (kitkat) - you continue to impress me. To Dan & Michelle - awesome seeing you guys. Particularly enjoyed my Nigel Mansel moment.. Thanks for the glory To Tom - now i know why you circle around the pits with your orange beast waiting for the green flag. Getting this SICK thing started and rolling is already a accomplishment.. To Jeff - love your new blue ride! beautiful car Looking ahead, i am indeed concerned that our new friends JohnB and Connor will find a way to gained another 10 to 15 mph at the end of the straight .. which will be our certain doom. We can't let this happen or we need to step up . .. more to come on this over the next few months.. We will call this project "THE REVENGE OF THE REDs" And i would be remiss not admitting that i'm still shaking from my Orange gear shift experience. Yes "Vroom Vroom" dreams, Tom. Perhaps Orange is the new red?

I fired her. She was not meeting expectations. .. Now looking at a Spanish or Italian Nanny’s. Heard they are better (tougher, know what they want, what works and does not work etc. Eg they have more experience) . I guess i’ll Let you know!

Nice! This could be the biggest turnout of all times!! Now the question is: to change tires or not for the weekend? I ask myself because Blake and i had a spring shake down at LRP on Monday and had a blast .. but tires took a serious beating. I have ZZR tires with A24 compound which I absolutely love, but as Croc had warned me, .. they wear faster than the eye can blink, even with our light cars. I also felt that I had to muscle through my brakes .. more than usual it felt, so perhaps due for a new set of pads.. after 4 yrs, it a probably time. In in any case, these are what I would call champagne problems. I’m sure I’ll survive . Look forward to seeing the bunch very soon

Croc aka Alan Touring. Kidding aside .. impressive!

Pickles looks like a terrific ride! congrats! I also live in CT..close to the Stamford area. Where are you approx? Also have you considered Montana for plates? simplifies the whole process.

I was supposed to join a few friends at NJMP last weekend for another fun day.. but the weather was uncooperative so we decided to postpone the event. Instead, I found out that EMRA was hosting an event at Limerock on Saturday. It was a very last minute decision but glad I went (a family friend of mine, long time member and instructor at the club had reached out). A good and fun club and we benefited from lots of track time and no track congestion. The weather held for the day so i was able to drive my car from home to the track and back. I had wanted to try Limerock with the new roller barrels .. and see if i would be black flagged because of sound. I prepped the car installing my catalytic converter and added back the R500 air filter carbon fiber cover to suppress sound as much as possible (which saps 6HP per earlier dyno test!). Long story short.., it worked. No black flag and no complaints from the club. In fact there were several other cars that were much louder than i was.. I even removed the carbon cover for sessions 3 and 4, with no issues. The car performed well and posted a 58:25 s but with still a bit more understeer than i'd like especially in turn 1 and still some sloppy driving. Something i'll play with and try to tune out next summer (both the understeer and the sloppy driving). Now that "sound" does not seem to be an issue after all, I think that with a new set of avon ZZR A24, the cat bypass installed, the chassis slightly retuned, and a lot better and consistent driving from me, this car can probably break into the 57 s range.. and why not in the upper 56s at Limerock. I think it is possible. These cars are quick! .. and yes, roller barrels are terrific.

Sweet! A west coast extravaganza would be fantastic. Also, agree on your note about Matt's car .. we thought that the car setup might have been too stiff in the rear. So this explains it all. I hope he had the chance to play and reset the suspension properly this summer. Matt if you read this, let us know. as an aside, I wonder if we might be able to organize a similar event on west coast with the help of this usa7 community. Some form of arrive and drive .., something to think about. And high speed dive bombers beware! :blush:

Terrific write-up Croc. Thanks for sharing with the group. This looks like a vacation made in heaven. yes, curious to hear more about how the 620R handled compared to your CSR. When Simon tried Matt's car at our NJMP event, i remember him mentioning how difficult it was to get rear end grip.. unsure if it was only because of the torque or because of suspension setup. Italy next year you say? Could be quite a bit of fun.. I'd love to learn more about logistics, cost etc Talk soon

Tom, Mike just a few words to thank you both very very much for an outstanding weekend. These events are getting better and better and attendance is remarkable. I'm on a road trip and left my camera at home last night so I won't be able to download any pictures and movies until next week, ....but I have the culprit cone flying caught on camera. I was the lucky one in this story, the cone missed me and my car by a few inches. I could have caught it in my face, would I had been closer to the apex... I'm glad you and your car did not get hurt more than you and it did. I could have been a lot worst. In any case, thanks again for the hospitality and the company. Can't beat this. Thanks!! seb

Mike, Tom Does the 48 hrs deadline apply to guests? My mother in law and friend would like to come and spend the day to watch the cars on the track and would like to get them tickets but waiting a bit just in case the weather does not fully cooperate. Should i simply go back in the system and add the guests to my Saturday registration? thanks much Also - I plan to leave southern Connecticut around 2 pm or so on Friday and make my way to the track. Anyone else in the area leaving about the same time? Would be fun to caravan. thanks! seb

Three weeks to go everyone.. three weeks! I can't wait. Now hoping for good weather. Unfortunately my family will be n Montreal already, an unable to join... but my Mother in Law who lives in Phily, and a bit of a car enthusiast, wants to come as a guest for a day. yes.. she is pretty cool.