bball7754

Not sure that hit would have flipped a car with a normal front track width. Steve

Jose - I'd also like to purchase the print. Steve

Agree with Mike (Kitcat) regarding the comfort of the seats. Believe that at one time there were actual frame members that the seat rails attached to, and that at some point in the '90s they removed the frame members and went to the current approach (bolted sheet aluminum floor with U runners beneath the seat rails). Steve

I know Mike, and live not too far from him. It's still for sale. I've sent him an email about these posts on the forum. Steve

Mike/Croc - After I posted I thought, hmm.... maybe it was from Sunday. Mike/Kitcat - I think I may need both some driving lessons and a bigger pair to begin to keep up with you. Although I'd be happy to have a BDA. Steve

Mike - Thanks for putting this together, it looks great. A little over a minute into the first video, there is a blue Seven with a big "151" on the back. Don't remember ever seeing that car, or the Ariel Atom that passed Tom around the 6 minute mark. Kitcat looked like he could have been driving with one arm and talking on the phone while he waited to get to a passing zone where he could pass me. Steve

Missouri instituted a similar "replica" law in Jan. 2005, which is when I purchased my Caterham. I spent hours poring over the regulations, and calling down to the main DMV office in the state capital to ask questions. I decided that going to a local DMV would be a mistake, as the main office barely knew about the new law. So, I drove 2 hours to the state capital (Jefferson City) and main DMV office to register my Seven. The law had a similar "replica" component, so I brought one of my books on the history of the Seven/Caterham. Believe I decided to use 1968, but I'm not sure any longer. When I got to the DMV office, there was only 1 person working, and she seemed like the stereotype of a DMV worker. Unhappy, unsmiling, unpleasant, which made me uneasy. Just before it was my turn (it was clear the person ahead of me was finishing up), a second worker came back from her break. And she was, in a word, fantastic. When I said I wanted to register the Caterham under the new Custom Vehicle law, she didn't blink. Just started asking me for the required documentation, which she seemed to know off the top her head. She examined all my paper work, then said she needed to go in the back, although she didn't say why. I started to fear the worst, then looked down to the end of the counter and noticed a calendar on the wall. The theme appeared to be cars, and the car for that month was a Lotus Elise. I decided that was a good sign. Which it was. She returned from the back with a set of plates in her hand! She said they were stored in another building, which is why it took so long. She handed me the plates, and number on them was "CV0001" - as in Custom Vehicle 0001. I'm pretty sure I was the first person to register a car under the new law in the state. Long winded story, but you might want to consider going to the main DMV office for the state for the registration. And hope you find the story encouraging. Steve

Through the Lincoln Tunnel: Playing the national anthem:

There are obviously a few variables (air temp, speed), but my Crossflow is "normally" between 80 and 90. If it's cool out and/or I'm traveling at 45+ mph, it usually stays closer to 80. At a recent track day, air temp was in the low 90's (fahrenheit), and towards the end of a session the engine would be up to 100C.

The Seven needs to get over to the UK ASAP. http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=220641

I had a Valeo that gave up, and it was replaced with a Bosch (I think). I can check the number on the new one tonight. Didn't realize the Kent was in the Festiva. I know it was in the original Fiesta. I've searched for parts using a '78 Fiesta with the 1.6 engine as the parameters.

I was at the same trackday, and can confirm that Mike's Caterham is fast. Seeing him close 8-10 car lengths on a Vette in the final turn before the main straight was fun to watch. Steve

So you have an MSD distributor? Which model? The MSD site seems extremely American V-8 oriented.

I'm more at 1000-12000 rpm with my Aldon electronic distributor. Did you convert to full electronic ignition?

I have the thicker aluminum (I think) plates with replaceable O rings on both sides. Have considered changing to the Misabs. What reading did you have at idle? Think I'm usually around 7 kg/h. Steve

My guess is that it's for this, taken from the COA site: AUSTIN, Texas (August 1, 2012)— Circuit of The Americas™, in cooperation with the Circuit Events Host Committee™, has announced the participation of American F1™ Caterham F1 Team Test Driver Alexander Rossi in Shift Into Style, a celebration of fashion and motorsports that will kick off Austin Fashion Week on Friday, Aug. 10. The Circuit and Host Committee have partnered with the organizers of Austin Fashion Week to create a dynamic event to start the official countdown to the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX™ set for Nov. 16-18 at the purpose-built Grand Prix facility in Austin. Steve

The only Texas Caterham I'm aware of is Phil Anderson's. Believe he lives about an hour or so outside of Austin. Phil has arranged a few 7 gatherings in Texas, but not sure how often he visits the forum. Met Phil briefly at LOG in Indianapolis. He has a BDR in his Caterham. Steve

Dave - Believe your Pertronix was installed incorrectly. I recently replaced the sensor unit in my Lucas distributor (also for a Crossflow), and my wires were routed the same as Bruce's for his MG distributor. It really doesn't make much sense to have the wires up top - just asking for trouble with the rotor spinning around. Steve

Here is thread on BlatChat about injecting a Crossflow: http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=216318&pn=1&ps=15 I know Dave (he occassionally is in St. Louis for work), and if you're interested could ask him for more details on what he's planning on using. Dave actually dragged a spare distributor across the pond that I used in my Crossflow for about 4 months. Good guy. Steve

Not a member, but a dedicated Blatchat reader, so saw your post over there. Agree, great picture. Might finally inspire me to join the UK club. Interesting article about the Alaska Highway in the NYT on Tuesday: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/24/science/with-warming-peril-underlies-road-to-alaska.html?pagewanted=all Steve

"....Caterham USA and he said the only way he can get the gasket is with a new fuel sensor...." "I had the same issue and ordered two from Caterham UK." http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_product=96 I find myself often going directly to Caterham UK for parts these days, because of the above. Steve

Here is a thread from the Garage Journal forum on another garage at the same complex. http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46593 Steve

Interesting. I felt much more comfortable on Lightning. Never really felt all that quick on Thunderbolt - not that I was setting records on Lightning. I was purposely conservative braking at the end of the main straights, and really in braking overall. Partially to subscribe to the "slow in, fast out" philosophy, partially because I'm not that familiar with the tracks, and partially because I'm not that brave. Just glad I was able to uphold the honor of the Crossflow. And I think my full windscreen compared to Tom's Brooklands compensates for his slicks. Steve

So if they both are ready, which one do you bring? Hopefully, a decision you'll have to wrestle with.

A few of the posts on Blatchat describe Macdonald as a "petrolhead". I guess it's better to promote an accountant than the head of marketing (see Dany Bahar).