R1 Seven

What size are the new ones?

Very nice! Can't wait to see this one in July.

They are Hankook DOT R compounds with the C30 (hard) compound...they were only $75 each on close out... Sizes are 205/60-13 rear and 185/60-13 front. Stickier and wider tires are in the long range plans. I set it up "slow" at first to get a feel for her.

If nobody else says they want to do it, I would be willing to do a Locost write up.

At this point, not actual wheel to wheel racing. What I do are mostly just track days and some time trials on road courses. I do in car instruction for various clubs in my area so that lets me get to the track quite a bit these days. If at some point I decide to take the car wheel to wheel racing, the best fit for a road race class would be SCCA SPU (Super Production Under) The under is for displacement under 2 liters I think (don't quote me on that number). It is kind of a catch all small bore class. I would have to add a couple more door bars to the cage, get a proper racing fuel cell, and add a fire system. Not a huge leap...I built the car with that in mind. Honestly though I have a blast doing the track days, get more seat time, and spend much less money than a racing budget would require. Most guys build or buy them to go have fun on the backroads on weekends...I did the same thing, but having fun at the track was what I had in mind for weekend fun.

Alright...I will try and do better. Actually things should be picking up here pretty soon. I will have plenty of track weekends to talk about starting this weekend at VIR full course. The car is not really an autocross car. It is primarily a track machine, and good mirrors are pretty important there. Always need to know what is going on around you. I will be doing a good bit of autocross with the car this year just to learn more about the car and to monkey with different setup stuff. The tires on it are more suited for the track since they are skinny and a road race compound. Once the car gets sorted some more and I get more comfortable with it's traits, expect a move over to slicks with a little more grip for the turns. And Mazda...good luck with that whole catching up bit. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/reddevil.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif

I will have my setup for sure. But, as you know, I can only provide autocross footage. An event video is a great idea.

Try wraping some foam around the mic itself if you can. I have always put some 1" thick foam over the mic on my camcorder to keep the wind noise out. I just got a bullet cam setup for my B-day and have not had a chance to try it on the car yet. It has two mics (one for each channel) I am going to put foam around them and put one behind each seat to keep them out of the wind as much as possible. Hopefully I will be able to capture some good track video next weekend.

Thanks to a local autocrosser, some footage of my seven has made it onto YouTube. There are a couple clips with about 2/3 of a run on them. The first 1/3 was blocked from his view. It is kind of cool seeing and hearing the car from a different perspective. Ignore all tht mumbo jumbo in the opening credits... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/icon_bs.gif

Cool setup. Bet he wishes that thing was reading in MPH... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/yesnod.gif

Aw, shucks...I'm all embarassed now. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/blush5.gif Thanks, mang. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

None of the above! I must have married well. My wife takes an active interest in my car hobby. It makes here happy to have me at home and in the garage working. She also says that it makes her happy to see me happy. I feel the same way about the things she is interested in. We are good that way. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif

I'll get some longer runs at the track... No windshield or reverse planned for the car. It is not destined to be a street car. Although, that would be fun! Glad you liked the video.

SOMEBODY has to do it! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/nopity.gif

Sweet! Feel free to move this post if you like. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif

Nice job! I think you guys will do very well with the Westfields. Miata + Westfield = match made in heaven. Looking forward to more reports.

A video section would be a good idea. Seems like a lot of good ones get posted, and you can count on me for a regular influx of content. It was late, and I was tired when I posted last night. Here are a few more details from the weekend. This was the first time I have driven the car other than making one lap around the block in my neighborhood. There were a ton of new experiences for me on Saturday. The first session of the test and tune was kind of awkward, while dusting off the autocross cobwebs (I don't autocross much anymore) and learning the traits of the new car. After a few runs, I was on sensory overload and had to do some serious data processing to pull it all together. By the afternoon runs the car and I were starting to get on the same page and by the end of the day I had a reasonable comfort level with it and felt like I understood it's handling traits fairly well. The car really hooks up and goes on the power. I guess the Limited Slip really helps there along with good weight transfer to the rear. On the other hand, the car has a general tendance to understeer especially from the middle of the corner off. What helps it go fast straight is likely to be what is making it understeer. It could also use some more negative camber. Despite this, it was probably a good starting point and I was pleased overall with the handling "out of the box". I had a chance to put it on the scales on Saturday as well. 1138 lbs with 4 gallons of gas in her. I was figuring on 1100...so close enough. With me in the car it has a 40/60 weight distribution f/r...also the number that I predicted. Of course, with me in it the weight goes up to about 1310... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gif I am seriously looking forward to developing this car...it should only get better from here.

That's about right... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif I don't think I could be happier about how this weekend went. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

That lot is VERY rough. It has not had any new pavement for years and has had big trucks and trailers parked on it causing lots of heaves and what not. It made the job of taming the beast that the more challenging. The car just goes when you hit the gas. When it did find a smooth piece of pavement the acceleration was smooth as silk.

...how about our own stuff. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif The car got driven in anger for the first time this weekend. It did...better than I expected for the first time out. Basically, it is a rocket and an absolute thrill to drive. I can only imagine how quick it will be with some slicks under it. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/shocked.gif I did a test and tune event on Saturday and an autocross today. FTD on both days. Anyway, on to the videos... Saturday highlights: http://www.project-seven.goof.com/videos/BRRTNT307.wmv Sunday highlights: http://project-seven.goof.com/videos/Verona307.wmv

It's an important part to have...if it is down the car won't keep running when I put it in gear. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif

For folks that don't get the gauges with thier bike engines...those can be found on ebay from time to time as well. I picked up an R1 cluster for less than half of what a new one would cost. If you get enough of the wiring, it is just plug and play. HTH

Seriously, it does look nice! Can't wait to see it in July. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/coolgleamA.gif

Well, I am all the way in now... My wife made us reservations at Fontana Village today, and I sent my registration fees by PayPal tonight. Make that one more entry from VA and one more Locost to the total. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/iagree.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/ack2.gif