Al N.

So tom, you're saying that I could pay you $20k to co-drive your car next season? --- Mazda's a great driver , btw. I'm just a terrible passenger at speed and the dragon is pretty frightening at any speed over 15 mph. BTW, Gary, I got nauseous on the Dragon — as a DRIVER!

Gary-I've actually heard some people say two up is best...for more balanced handling. I guess if it's cornerweighted for one, solo may be best. I think the trickiest thing in some se7ens (the narrow bodied cars, esp.) is the pedal spacing. People need to see if they can work them all independent in the shoes they are wearing before anyone should let them drive it. Fellow se7eners are a different case, of course, as we know the basics and need only a particular cars foibles before taking the wheel with confidence. And speaking of being a bad passenger, I will let the new folks have a laugh at my expense by providing the link to this video of Mazda driving my old Audi TT on our recon trip to Tail of the Dragon many moons ago: Good times. Good times....:ack:

Laura drove the car once, when I was a passenger. She was a bit intimidated by the response of all the inputs (especially the throttle!). My only comment to her afterwards was that she let the revs fall too much while shifting/shifted too slowly. Other than her and mechanics, the only other person to drive it was John V. at Carlisle....but even then only a few thousand feet from the trailer to the club meeting area on the showfield. I actually wish I had let more people (especially other Se7eners) drive it when I had it. After all, it's just a car. I'll have to remedy that with the next one.

Regarding street pressure, all the cool kids seem to run between 18 and 22 on the street. Correct me if I'm wrong fellas...

DB6...welcome and congrats on the new ride! Some explanation: To give dues-paying club members (ie. the folks who keep this forum and the club behind it running) some benefits that were not available to non-paying forum users, the officers of the club (of which I am one) decided to restrict certain parts of the site. In an effort to streamline the member fulfillment process (I'm working on it, folks!), we had an "open enrollment period" from June 7 to Aug 7. The people who signed up for the club in that period will get the swag and privileges mentioned in this post: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=2553 Of course, you can become a member after the enrollment period, but your membership will still expire on July 7 (7/7/XX, get it?!?) of the following year. Also, we cannot guarantee that you will get a club sticker in a timely manner or at all after the enrollment period. As the club is run by volunteers who have day jobs, we were trying to limit the amount of time spent fulfilling memberships in any given year. This way, it's a mad dash for a few weeks in August (aka. right now) as opposed to dribs and drabs throughout the year. Apologies for the inconvenience... Best, Al Navarro USA7s Club Secretary Former custodian of 2004 Orange Superlight R now known as "Mr. Orange" :cheers:

I think this car is a dedicated auto-x car...don't know if it is streetable or could be made so....

Where are those "who needs high hp" guys when you need them? And also, wasn't there a guy wondering if he could get the Westy Miata to "suitable" levels of power? I think we have his answer right here. Way to go, Skip. Hope you are on the mend and can start enjoying the car for the remainder of great driving days this year....

Does it look like they copied Brian's design for the scuttle shape? Quite honestly, I wouldn't buy this car even if I had the money. It's a bit gaudy, IMO. I'd just go with a straight up r500 and do the RST or Hartley engine swap.

It seems like not so long ago that we were at 700 forum members and looking forward to the 777th one. And now, we're knocking on the doorstep of 800. Awesome for the forum and community at large. I'd love if some of the new folks could take a few minutes to introduce themselves over at the following thread, that would be great! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=168 And don't forget to keep July 2009 open for the next USA7s national meet in Branson, MO. We're finalizing the host hotel this week (sorry for the delay), and should be able to announce the exact dates soon. We are considering two different weeks at the moment: June 29-July 2 July 13-July 16 We're leaning toward the earlier date, so people can use the July 4th weekend to travel back home (there's something very fun about seeing fireworks in a hometown that isn't your own, btw). -A

I love Cameron's quip...something to the effect of "Are you sure about this? The car isn't even fully built." From the mouths of babes....

Chad, your car is bad-ass looking man. Good job! :cheers:

Bruce....very cool. You should see if Morgan (the guy who bought Orange) needs an assistant or apprentice...he does a lot of work for the car mags and companies, I think. --- And speaking of reviving this thread...let's try for a 2009 calendar, which means getting more pix to choose from and someone taking point on selection and production. I know that Steve T., John Donohoe, and Gabe Warfield (gwar) are graphic designers by trade, and I nominate them as our panel of distinguished experts in terms of photography selection. Let's set a submission deadline of October 31, 2008...that gives a month to select and a month to produce to have calendars ready for end of Dec. 2008. Remember, only submit photos you have access to high-rez neg/digital files of...and only submit photos where you are the owner of the car or can get a signed release form from the owner.... thanks in advance. -A

Based on Orange, which is now under the custody of Morgan S, US Superlights were an odd amalgam of UK "R" specs. As Tom notes, they had the Zetec, with approximately R400 power-to-weight ratios. They had the full carbon pack...all fenders, nose, and dash...pretty sure only the r500 had carbon at all four corners in the UK. My old car had carbon sills too. But alas, where the r500 had the stack digital dash...that was NOT standard on US Superlights. I know of at least one that had this upgrade...that black one that Britauto had a while back....5 speed tranny, though. The 6-speed is bonkers, btw. Unless you are heavy into touring...then you'll tire of the whine in 6th gear on the freeway. --- The Clubsport did not have carbon anywhere, IIRC.

I think Mazda has those....and maybe bob drye too... I'm personally biased toward rounds, tho...

I knew it could get expensive....why you could have Sugino's car for not much more, I think?!?!

I didn't know you had had a crash in 2005...what car? Street or road? Good to see you are even trying the karting again...I've thought about doing one of those Endurance Karting arrive and drive weekends. Maybe once my oldest is tall enough to do the family camp.

I recognize many of these cars! Mike and Jen R....how was your first trackday?

Randy- Welcome to the forum (I assume since the SLR is new to you that you might be new to here)...there are lots of Se7eners in the DC area. My old SLR was set up the same as JBH's, simple vent tube to the ground. If you are going to track the car, the catch cannister/vent filter setup that Bruce mentions is good. JBH and Randy...when I look at your engines, I think "they need a Raceline water rail"...it tidies up the left side of the engine. Cat-USA doesn't seem to believe in them, but many Birkins have them and they are popular on Zetec rigs in the UK...every mechanic that's seen my car has commented "that's a nice casting" and/or "that's smart the way they get rid of the rear plastic housing". Just my 2 cents. Cheers all! -Al

Seriously, I can't believe this car is still for sale. A steal for someone looking for a good project....

I dunno, I think if the car is as represented, mid $20Ks is fair.

The condition is very appealing, but I'm going way old school next.... And while it may be period correct, not in love with the bonnet antics (i know, bubble is there to clear intake...then fix the intake!)

A bit of a "garage find": http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=270264381889

All I'm sayin' is...I like the fact that some guys are pushing our hobby to the limits. Sometimes beyond reason. Heck, even Caterham can't resist. Exhibit A: the Levante... And while I'm sure Orange is serving you well in the canyons Morgan, don't discount any of the big motor boys until you see in person exactly how quick (and fun!) they can be.

To paraphrase something Mazda once wrote, "0-60 some other Se7ens might have a chance...60-160 is another story entirely." I invite you to drive behind a well-driven SuperStalker or perhaps even FrankenSe7en someday. Even at sub 60 mph they are impressive. --- Morgan, sounds like you need some wide DOT slicks ASAP.

Ouch, my 'nads retreated a few inches just reading that! Hope you're on the mend. Too bad you missed Branson 2008 due to surgery (JOKE!)