Al N.

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:

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.

JBH...I notice that your center mirror is a bit of jerry-rig (IMHO)...looks like they took a normal windshield one and flipped the adhesive mount down. Check out the Spa stalk mount center mirror when you have a sec...Pegasus has them or Caterham. Note that you'll have to drill into your scuttle if you DON'T use the "interchangeable" deflector, which snaps to the two bosses on your scuttle right now....you then mount the mirror to the deflector.

JBH...if you are considering a new aero, check out the one made by "Richard in France". Richard in France's Carbon Bits It's in the "interchangeable style" which wraps down the sides more, and bolts in using the holes for the regular windshield stanchions. I'm pretty sure that RiF's was designed to give MORE protection than the standard Caterham issue one (regardless of material)...it comes up a bit higher or has a different curve. From a pistonheads thread: "it is much deeper than the Caterham one and deflects the air better according to users." Pistonheads aeroscreen thread And while you're at it, check out RiF's all carbon car...kind of a dark alter ego to Sugino's...

I sent you an email. I think I am the most recent NJ registrant. It wasn't that simple, alas.

What with our Atom party-crashers, and Dermot running a Fury, and all of us getting along like kumbaya style... Who does everyone think about trying to coordinate a multi-car type meet for light cars like Se7ens, Atoms, Furies, and maybe even Elises? Like a meeting of the various tribes. I mentioned this idea over on the GRM article thread. I would think it would have to be track-based...perhaps a TT format?

You know...I looked at my car from the side a few weeks ago and Yes, it does cant forward a bit. Though not as much as some of these others appear to in pix...could be the angle that emphasizes/de-emphasizes the lean. BTW, I'm swapping my current bar out for the Caged FIA thing, if anyone feels like buying it.

Mazda- Have you joined some sort of "bizarre crashes caught on tape" forum?

From the people I talked to, early July (like, around the 7th... ) is better than August...August is the truly peak season. I have to stop fantasizing about the 2009 meet, or else it will soon become an ALL ENCOMPASSING OBSESSION...not that I know anything about that sort of thing.:lol:

Bruce- I think Jim Gunther, Stalker owner, lives in CT. I will send you his contact info and perhaps he can tell you the best way to rig up some bumpers. Also, for anyone who is going to get inspected in NJ any time soon, I have the "exhaust cover" you'll need to shield the 4 into 1. -Al

Bob-THere was a Manta Mirage at the Lime Rock Sunday car show. That thing is CRAZY. Is yours running and terrorizing the streets? If so, I'd really want to check it out. And if not, I'd still really want to check it out.

Wait, I thought that only happened in Atoms...:jester: Good to have Maverick & Randy aboard, btw.

Another thing... The thing about a "national" meet, IMHO, is to get as many cars there as possible. More cars, more visibility, more tires to kick, more stories to hear (you know, I just heard the one about John Gault's fire incident!...recounted via Ken G. at Lime Rock), more scenery for the non-parade (Sevens in my windshield, in my mirrors, out the wazoo), etc. When the Automobile journalist interviewed me down in Robbinsville, he asked "How many cars did you need to commit to the event to make it worth it?" To which I honestly replied "Well, I really wouldn't have cared if just the guys from the Skyline meet came out. But then when got to 30 handraisers, and Michael D. started talking about getting 50 or more....I knew it would be bigger than that." I think 50 cars should be the target for any national meet. We had 61 at 7-7-7, and that was on the East Coast. Heck, we had 10 just at LRP. And I'm sure we'll get close to 25 if the Mid-Atlantic guys do a regional meet at VIR in 2008. So why not 50. Man I'd like to think we could pull 100 cars sometime in the future. Every single damn Seven in the country should go to the USA7s National Meet. --- [sFX: Al getting off soapbox and going back to his day job.]

PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF!!! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/752310397_8Steve.jpg Mrs. Rowe's MUST be among the MEET UP points for any East Coast meet! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.