Al N.

BeaveRun is Bart Lami's home track and I would advise reaching out to him via USA@se7ens.net to see if he'll be there and/or the vintage itself.

Rob- Over the weekend I was thinking the same thing...blow by blow even, "this time last year, I was having dinner with Steve T and catching fireworks in Charlottesville" "this time last year, we were rolling into Mrs. Rowe's..." "this time last year, my trailer shot a rock into Scott Lentz's windshield" Thanks again to everyone for coming together for a weekend of fun. Hope to see you all in 2009! -Al

Skip-We'll post the track info when things become more concrete. They are both within driving distance of Branson...not close, but doable.

I think everyone knows what a bad passenger I can be with you at the wheel...even in my lowly TTl!! In a related story, at my first and only auto-x so far, Tom got me a ride with some guy in a Solstice who was apparently one of the faster drivers. He gave me a bunch of pre-run instructions and some warning — after it was over I think he expected me to be either peeing myself or impressed. I was more like "Dude, I drive a Se7en. That was my daily commute." :jester:

Mazda...I think 5 cars on track with 15 sec start intervals (on this particular track)... If we get enough folks, 2 run groups (1 novice, 1 experienced) could be fun. --- Disclaimer: If I'm lucky enough to have another Se7en by next summer, it will probably be as nice as Orange and therefore probably not one I'd feel comfortable putting on the track. Trailer queens unite!!!

Mike- Based on rough cost estimates from one venue, I think our cost would be under $225 each with just 20 people signed up, and it falls off dramatically from there the more people are involved. I could see more than 10 easily, but will watch this poll closely. -Al

Folks- As part of the 2009 National Meet planned for the Branson, MO area next July, we are trying to coordinate a trackday. The officers/organizers would like to do this in the middle of the meet duration (Day 2 of 4)...allowing non-trackers to be spectators if they wish and trackers to have time to repair cars if necessary for the trip home. We are looking into two possible venues, but wanted to check in to gauge interest. Feel free to ask questions in this thread and we'll do our best to answer them. The probable format for the day is HPDE in the AM and Time Trial in the PM. The cost will probably depend on how many participants there are...hence this poll. Please chime in on what you think a reasonable fee is for this activity. -Al

Shouldn't this be called "Blat out of Hell?"

Loren, I sent you an email the other day to your organic address...-Al

Damn JBH, look at those guns on you! BTW, you going to powdercoat that exhaust guard? --- On another note, one thing I love about this forum is the willingness of people to help one another — I mean, Bart giving out his home number!

Box, I can always count on you to class things up!:nonod: :jester:

Did you not like "The Steve Taylor Fortnightly"? :jester: I like "Lowdown" a lot.

Bump. Hey forum members...a reminder to get your name ideas into John V. ASAP. Articles, too — particularly regional goings on/plans for the coming quarter. If we don't get some good names entered, I will inundate John with newsletter name options like: • Al Navarro Misses Orange - a quarterly update • The Steve Taylor Fortnightly • WTF is Ebrahimi Doing to his car now? • Bugger All: Colin Chapman was Wrong! • Blats, Boots, and Bonnets (actually, that's not that terrible) ...I've got a million of them, and will be here all the week. Thank you in advance, Al Navarro P.S. Maybe post 'em here for public review/derision.

Jeff...of course certain cars have advantages/disadvantages in all the categories you list. The real issue I have is with Terry's putting one marque up on a pedestal while slagging off on others. This club was founded to give people who weren't interested in hierarchical discussions or attitudes a home. A place to feel welcome. There are several online outlets for people who share Terry's Caterham uber alles POV (I can think of 2 in particular), and frankly I hope this place doesn't become one of them. Additionally bothersome is Terry's rekindling (and admittedly, my taking the bait) of a thread that I thought had come to some level of detente. Would he tell Dennis Brunton to his face that a Stalker "is absolutely dreadful"? Probably not. So what's the point of doing it here? The fact that he's a vendor doesn't help.

Terry, Terry, Terry... A reminder that is a marque-inclusive forum. As a matter of fact, the USA7s Club does think all Se7ens are equal. All owners and enthusiasts are welcome here. We try not to make comparative statements...everyone has their preferences and reasons why they buy what they do. Whether you like it or not, comparative statements can be alienating — something I can confidently say USA7s is against. So please, stop with the "Caterham is the best" rhetoric. As a former Caterham owner and longtime GMT-Master custodian myself, I'm embarrassed for you. Finally, to distill it down to just $ is a bit presumptuous of you. I know plenty of guys who have other marque cars who could definitely afford a Cat, but just didn't go that route.

No seriously, can one of the wealthier guys from the forum just buy Sugino's car so we can make sure it stays in good hands? And make sure to buy the custom made transporter if it's still for sale. Maybe John V.'s boss could buy it.....

All it will take is $95k to get over my sellers remorse?....hmmm...:crazy:

He's a professional car photographer, I'd hope his pix are good!!!! Now, who's on the case for that 2009 Cars of USA7s calendar....

Mazda- I stay sane by working hard so the company I started remains solvent, networking to see how much Series 2 fenders will cost me, reviewing 2009 meet prospecti and...and gritting my teeth every time I see the car in a pic or vid...:jester: -Al

Morgan- I think it took me a year to put 1,000 miles on the car! Glad to see that Orange is getting its exercise....sad that it's not me giving it the workout. :ack: I trust you were able to keep in touch with the Atom in all gears and corners...Se7ens represent! Best, A sad Al Navarro...

Chet, is that your car's current paint scheme? Your Avatar pic shows a white car. I love matte black/primer Se7ens, although I'm a bit tired of the trend in "normal cars"...the first back one I recall seeing was Chris F.'s from Texas. They look soo mean. I don't think I could personally pull it off, unless it were in some crazy motored one. You know, with the guts to back up the paint job. -Al

Terry- Although I am a former Caterham owner, I don't know if I'd say the "other" marques are "worthless" on the second-hand market. In fact, I'm sure a second hand Stalker retains much more of its "cost to build" value than a Caterham. I think any of the "still in production" cars hold their value about the same once the initial depreciation hit kicks in. I do agree with you about the Loti, though. -Al

I would ask John Donohoe...it's safe to say that he's the dean of original Lotus Sevens here in the USA... Go over to simplesevens.org to get John's contact info.

Looks like a Dax/Mohr Rush, which truth be told, are my favorite of the modern Se7ens...they just look wider and meaner somehow.

Cat looks to be in nice shape...odd color combo though...