Al N.

inifiti g35X...my biz partners old car. he actually misses it vs. the TL-S.

Obviously no one wants to break someone else's car/get their car broken. So yes, it has to be all done with "not breaking your buddy's ride" in mind. Almost as a "cool down" run after a blat. Probably not first thing in the AM, when reflexes might still be waking up and tires are cold. :hurray:

I guess my point of the whole thread is "why don't we swap more often?" And Mazda reminds me that I am a terrible passenger so whoever gets to drive my car will be able to do so solo.

Steve-My business partner has the new TL-S and while it has plenty of power, i always felt it was in the wrong gear. It has the paddles for shifting in the "sport mode", but I found the response to be slow compared to my old A4 after I put the "tip chip" in to speed shifts. I like the BMWs, but don't love the rear wheel drive aspect and find their 4wd just a bit too rich for the Navarro household. Will probably get the A3 when the TT is up. Similarly dead steering but the DSG is very entertaining compared to auto-manuals. -Al

Folks- I caught up with Mazda last night on a few admin items (like finally getting around to letting him know the names of the people who signed up for 7-7-7 at the event!). And something occured to me (especially in light of the current steering feel thread)...why don't we do more sharing of our cars at meets/blats? It doesn't have to be 9/10ths stuff (or even 7/10ths), but just enough seat time to get a feel for how one Se7en is different than yours. After all, we all understand the general idiosyncracies of Se7ens...so the risk is minimal that another Se7en owner will push the accelerator instead of the brake, miss a shift, etc. The bike-engined cars are certainly the exception here, what with their high revs and sequentials. I know I'd let most of the guys I've met drive my car if I could drive theirs in return. I found out that my Hagerty policy allows other drivers as long as I give my consent. Just a thought/goal for future meet ups. -Al P.S. Steve T., you've got first dibs on Orange the next time out.

I think John raises good points...especially that it's a matter of personal preference. With most modern cars, you get overboosted power steering and not much feedback...and too much play when centered and not geared as well as I'd like (have to turn the wheel to much to get the desired amount of turn-in). This is all probably in an effort to keep cars more insulated/isolated and therefore feel "luxurious". FWIW, I find every other car I've driven besides my Caterham to have relatively dead steering feel. With the Cat, you twitch, it steers.

Photo of Blount County EMS Event... For those of you who joined the forum after 7-7-7, we donated $500 raised from the raffle of the Tamiya JPE model to this local EMS organization. They definitely need support...we saw a rider down on our non-parade and I heard that someone goes down (though generally fatally) every weekend.

WHAT? After his strong showing in the rain? Where is this posted?

IMHO, you haven't really bonded with your Se7en until you've driven it in the rain. Hard rain. For hours. Some of them at night.

I used to generalize about supercar owners too. Then you meet someone like James Glickenhaus (the owner of the Enzo-based P 4/5) and you realize that some of these super-rich guys are truly car-heads just like us. This guy drove his Lola T70 to the Lime Rock car show, no trailer, no support truck. Very nice and generous with his time. Click and scroll down to read about my meeting with James Glickenhaus

1500? I'm looking at 2000 plus for a few of the venues suggested so far. I'm going to get my money's worth from that stinkin' trailer...

John...the officers and/or past event organizers haven't really discussed it in detail. Speaking for myself, I think option 3 is looking pretty appealing. Not everyone can/wants to spare 2 weeks to do a full blown tour like PNW...although the pix from that event certainly piqued my interest. I think people had a good time at both 7-7-7 and PNW 2007, and the combo could work. Also, Gert had introduced the thought that maybe the trip to the meet and back was a tour in and of itself...that would be great, as the regional coordinators could work on the coming/going parts and the meet organizers could focus on the meet itself. I would limit the locations to 2 or 3 and the the duration to 4 or 5 days. The logistics for the support of upwards of 25 (50?!?) cars would get very trying for any more than that. Plus you've got to factor in travel to/from the site from home. For many of us this could be 2 to 3 days each way. What this means is that the 2 or 3 "base camp" sites have to be GREAT hubs for the non drivers. Worth schlepping to/from. Dennis Brunton shared a great thought with me after 7-7-7...in reference to the Stalker Ambush. He basically said "Al, you've got to make it fun for the significant others."

I'd say Keith and Skip are the folks to talk to regarding making Miata mills stronger and more durable...if EvilRomeo is the lucky new owner...our neck of the woods is getting a few more Se7ners in the next year or so...Tom, Lance, and I will do our best to hold the USA7s banner high....

I'm going to post an idea over on usa@se7ens.net (as opposed to this open forum) regarding windshields as it applies to NJ. Not unlike those bumpers and exhaust guards that fall off on your way home from passing an inspection....

No, the date and location have not been chosen, steady there... To clarify...the prevailing wisdom post 7-7-7 was to have a national level meet every 2 years, this would give people enough time to recover and accrue the vacation time/wherewithal to attend. And of course, time for the organizers (whoever they are) to plan and scout and plan... I'm pretty sure the site of the next national will be put to a vote here, and that people will have at least 1 year of advance notice. It is hoped that the next national will be held in a more central area, to allow more people for all areas of the country to attend. It is also hoped that significant regional meets will be held in 2008. 2008 - Large Regional Events 2009 - National Meet 2010 - Large Regional Events 2011 - National Meet And so on...

Frappr is a free site/service that allows you to put your location on a map with virtual "push pins". Mazda set one up for the forum members. It's great in that allows you to find other owners/enthusiasts in your area. The density of Sevens in the VA/MD as well the CA areas is impressive, and certainly contributes to the activity/cameraderie of that region. Obviously, some of the regions are more geographically spread out it's more difficult to get folks together. But try, friends, try!

I think Mazda lent his car to "The Stig". I like the first part of the vid...should be titled "multi car passes made simple"...also how the one biker didn't initially pull over, then when you stayed with him, pulled into the next overlook. And FWIW, gents, I can tell what the pace was from how blurry Mazda's video gets at times...that ain't due to digital compression :jester:

How are your new wheels and tires (besides very cool looking?)...and what have your recent mishaps (why you didn't drive your car to LRP) been? Also, where's the link to your results?

I know were measuring in Kph, so no worries...:jester:

Windows? We don't need no stinkin' windows....:jester:

How many people here have run DOT slicks on the road? You know, those ones with a few grooves on them to satisfy the letter of the law?

Thanks for the pix... Without naming names or mph, what was the pace like and how'd did Steve's guest like the sort of "spirited driving" I know can happen when more than one Se7en get together?

I'm glad the weather took a turn for the better for you guys....looks like I missed out on a fun time. I got my car inspected, finally...had forgotten a form when I went last time and just this Sat got around to going back...in the rain (before it cleared to blue sky), natch. Classic exchange I want to share (sorry for thread jack, Steve, get your pix up ASAP!!!) at the MVC....I'm waiting for them to process my papers and this guy comes in, British expat, from his accent. He asked "Is that your Caterham out there?" To which I say "Yes." And he mumbles, half under his breath, "Damn, I feel so soft right now." After getting my new collector decal, I go out to the cars and see him get into a brand new Carrera 4S. Damn right you're soft, softie...:jester:

I would also solicit input from your other WCM brethren. Even if they aren't in NJ, they can probably share stories and fixes, some of which have a funny habit of falling off the car once you drive home from a successful inspection.

The best part about that video, besides the Dodge Charger, Lincoln Mkz, and Ford Mustag... The fact that the 430s, 360s, and 355s look downright pedestrian in that company. I ran out of focus before the end...yawn. FWIW, my fave is the Diablo VT/6.0.