Al N.

who built the cars, Dennis? Is that $24,999 each or for the lot? If it's for the lot...might be interesting for interested clubbers to pitch in and buy the street car to run/rent.

Yellow car is Jack & Ruth Ann Norton of West End, NC...according to my notes. Hope Drew chimes in on what it was like to drive the Dragon in his car....

I've seen that car in person at Lime Rock. IIRC, owner's name is Paul? Nice car, but I'd swap the wheels for something more traditional ASAP. Again, the more I see these things for sale, the more I'm convinced Morgan made out very well with Orange.

I'll be there to send you all off, I think. Anyone coming back to the area is welcome to come by Alexandria Township Park to eat/vote in the Chili Cook-off...all proceeds support local school district and it's people's choice so the more ringers I have, the better. The event starts at 4:30, but I need to get into the approved Board of Health kitchen at noon...fortunately, it's in Milford, where the rendez point is. See you tomorrow! Yes, I'll bring stickers and such. --- FYI, I got Alan & Kathy's info from Bill T. in F-town and sent them the deets and a link to this thread.

Guys, I think I have to work at the chili cook-off/school fundraiser, which you are welcome to stop in at (post-drive, I'd think)...Bruce, it's at the Alexandria Township park at the junction of 519 and 631, just up the hill from Milford. I'll email my cell to Bruce or someone else on the list... FWIW, I'm competing, and every vote counts! [THERE IS A CHANCE I WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO THE RENDEZVOUS BEFORE MY CHILI-COOK-OFF STARTS]

Hey, who won the best Caterham, best replica, and best Seven at LOG? And also, did the Nettleship's pretty Elite win in class?

Pretty sure you're talking about Drew R....

Yeah, I don't think we'll increase dues by much. The biggest issue with that is that what about the majority of folks who don't make it to the national meet? A portion of their annual dues would be going to support the folks who attended. The dues go towards hosting the forum and regalia/swag, as well as the door prizes we've given at all of the major USA7s events so far this year (a publisher's edition of Dennis Ortenburger's "Lotus Seven & Independents"). In some ways, we got lucky that we were able to partner with Lotus Ltd. for this year. For future nationals, we may be on our own for trackdays and auto-xes (two topics that we need to revisit...because it seem like people want to do them, but perhaps not enough to host either on our own).

Thanks all. Bart, can you post some pix of "Pepper" (as I know your car is called...) Looking pix for clamshelled cars especially...

Over the course of the weekend, I realized that there aren't too many black Se7ens out there... A) Is there a reason for this? B) If you know of any, could you post a link to a photo here? Thanks in advance... [CRAP, I POSTED IN WRONG SECTION...MAZDA CAN YOU MOVE THIS TO GENERAL?]

Also big thanks to Tom G. and his cousin John, who let me tag around with them for the days I was there! Lots of laughs, and a reminder why political discussions shouldn't be a part of the club (online or off!)... ;-P Have a safe trip back, fellas!

Tom G would know about both, I'm sure. He was scheduled for both. I think the trackday was more of a HPDE thing, but I could be wrong. On Saturday, there was a Series 4 lapping well in one of the run groups...and someone said there was a Birkin there too, though I didn't see it.

My older daughter fell ill (nothing too critical) over the weekend, so I flew back from LOG29/USA7s meet yesterday morning, earlier than planned. I wanted to express my overwhelming thanks to outgoing USA7s president John Viviani for his hospitality to me and all the other USA7s Club members throughout the weekend. The "backstage" tour he gave us on Friday — including a drive around the stunning Barber circuit complete with his track commentary — was truly special. I know John put a lot of work into getting that kind of access for the USA7ers who came to LOG, so I'm glad that he was able to get behind the wheel of the Barber collection's polished ali XI on Saturday for a few laps of fun. Thanks again, John!

I also have tons of motorcycle pix from the museum, but thought I would focus on cars...

The folks who attended the official USA7s meeting today (there were probably at least a dozen more Se7eners here this weekend who did not make the meeting). From left: Standing-Ken J., Jeff D., Jim D., Rob M. (7/7/7 alum), Mrs. T, Taber (Mr. T), Christine N., Scott N. (Founding member, and 7/7/7 alum), Janet R., Drew R., Mrs. K, Paul K. (PK Surveyor...his and hers Caterham family). Kneeling-John V., Al N., Tom G. Since John literally has the keys to the place, we had our meeting in a relatively empty (and relatively cool!) warehouse. We thought it was ironic to pose in front of the largest vehicle we could find as a contrast to the cars we all love.

Assorted shots from the LOG concours...

Another great day here in Birmingham. We had an official club meeting, where, among other business, the farthest traveled award was given to Drew and Janet R. -- over 1100 miles from Minnesota. They received a publisher's edition copy of Lotus Sevens & Independents. Some pix attached.

John Ch. that first one in the last series is for you.....;-P Final pic of this series is the 2010 Evora, which I'm pretty sure made its North American debut tonight.

Great day...about 30 people showed up for the USA7s exclusive "backstage" tour of the Barber Motorsports Museum. Thanks so much to John Viviani and the Barber staff for accommodating us. He even took us out on a drive of the track (in a van, as promised, and not at race pace, thank goodness). Great to meet and recruit some new folks. Some pix before I go down to watch a film on Colin Chapman.

Here's what's been on my mind for the club going forward: – Its seems to me like the local regional meets are really the "life blood" of the club. So I think we should do a better job of helping regional coordinators (whether official or unofficial) put together their events...and more often. – I still think it's good to try to have a national-level meet every few years, but I think expectations can be toned down for that...very hard to get people to drive thousands of miles if the meet isn't central and even then, at least a week's commitment. Not to mention the work it requires from the organizers. – I would like to work more closely with the manufacturers to help the club be a real conduit for getting newbies into cars...pro-builts, kits, or even home builts. The site/forum is turning into a first-tier hub/clearinghouse for people who are interested in LSiS vehicles, and we should help people connect with the car/maker that is right for them. – On that last point, I would like to develop the site/forum to be an even better resource for newbies. With some content pages about the history of the Seven and profiles of the various current manufacturers. Since I'm a writer by trade, I can take a stab at penning these and then handle it "wiki-style" so that people can edit/add. – Additionally, I think this will finally be the year to get a searchable club database set up so that members can find members, and newbies can find members, etc. All controlled somehow, so people's privacy is respected. – And finally, I want to reiterate that this club was founded to be an inclusive club. So that no matter what marque you have, you are welcome here. And everyone needs to contribute to that feeling of welcome. Meeting some of the 7-7-7 crowd here, and even spending time with guys like Ed H....who was only at 7-7-7 for a day, but who has run How the West was Driven in 2005 and joined some of the trips organized by Gert and company...just a reminder that in addition to the little cars, it's the people that make the club great. That's about it for now. Headed over the see John at the museum soon.

Just got done having dinner with Ed H. and Tom G. & Tom's cousin who trailered down with him. We saw the Peter Egan talk, which was great...Chris Beebe, driver and mechanic extraordinaire was also there...apparently he's great friends with Peter Egan Before the talk/Q&A, Ed and I were in line at the bar and this white-haired gentleman seems like he's cutting in front of us...after realizing there was a line he joined a group behind us — it's none other than Peter Egan himself, and I bought him a drink (a coke). We ran into Drew R. and his wife Janet and also Taber T. and his wife. Then at the Egan/Beebe talk, across the room, I see Christine Nettleship and Scott, who sit with me. The Nettleships are here with a pretty red Elite. Good stuff so far. Can someone post John's LOG plan to the usa@se7ens.net list? I think there may be some folks who aren't aware of John's gracious offer to host us for a private tour of Barber tomorrow, starting at 1:30 pm. ---- Forgot to mention that when asked by Lotus luminary Ross Robbins what got them into Lotus cars in the first place, both Egan and Beebe mentioned the Seven...in fact, Peter Egan said (following up on Chris' commentary): "Like Chris, I fell under the spell of the Seven." Amen to that.

Well, I'm taking a last little break before going down to the Peter Egan talk, the first major event of LOG 29. When I was walking into the adjoining mall, I hear someone say "Al?" And golly if it isn't Ed Hudson, who had brought his QED Vauxhall powered Caterham down to 7-7-7 a few years ago. Ed drove an SUV down this time while the Seven gets some work done. Then, on the elevators to registration...Tom G. waves me down. We chat for a bit, then Ed and I go down into the parking area to see what cars are there. A blue Stalker, a nice green Series 2 from NY, something small under a cover, and an ali and green Cat with Illinois plates. Then back up at registration, I see a familiar face: Jeff P. from the Chicago area (he was on the second morning blat down at 7-7-7). And Jim D. and his son Jeff, who were also at Tail of the Dragon, in Jeff's Elise. Jim is the owner of the Blue Stalker, which turned 240-ish at the wheels in the afternoon dyno session. I just realized that my version of iPhoto doesn't take raw files, so I'll have to switch formats and post later.

Online for the first time today...the buzz of various cars pulling up to the hotel has me constantly getting up to look out the window...just saw a Cortina pull out...tons of Elises, of course....also saw Dean G in the when I first arrived. Yellow Birkin too, loaded up with luggage and carbon front fenders (or at least black ones...tough to tell from up here). I guess I'll run into folks at Registration...

I'm flying out tomorrow AM, should be at Wynfrey by noon. I've got terrible allergies right now, which I hope don't slow me down too much this weekend.

I may or may not have a community day chili-cook off to work this day (which you are all welcome to, of course!). Mike, I sent that map file to the pwc address I had...I also realized later on Sat that I owe you a few more stickers and a membership card! Oy. Also someone should post to usa@se7ens.net...I'm sure you'll shake loose a few more people from the area...like Karl D in his Twin-Cam S2 (all I can say is that on a certain straight stretch of a certain road, Orange was hard pressed to keep up with Karl' blue and ali car)...