Al N.

Thanks Brent...I owe you a phone call. My dad came over for dinner last night and it got late... What's Dennis' wife's name? I assume that was who was riding shotgun for him....

Folks- I'm trying to help one of the pubs id some cars and have 2 questions: A) Who drives an Ali and Yellow Cat with Clams that has the following number on the front chin: DB11VJ (I think it's a plate number...probably Mike R. or Frank F. B) Who has a black and yellow Stalker with 772 TTU on the sides? Answers needed ASAP. -Al

Thanks to everyone who sent in a check for a hat/hats: Skip C. Robert U. Harold O. I am finally getting around to shipping those out this week. Sorry for the delay. -Al

I think you'd find the narrow-bodied cars (regular Cats and Birkins) to be even worse than the Ultralite! I have size 8 feet, so it's no worry for me. Though not having a place to rest my left foot when crusing does get a bit tedious...I alternate between resting it closer to the seat on the mat (almost crossing it under my right calf/knee) and wedging it under the clutch pedal.

Mike, here's a link to my blog post on the longest one-day drive I've ever done in the car. Al's "Deep Thoughts" on a long drive For all the folks who use headphones/earbuds...I don't know if I could roll that way and feel safe. I do drive with a helmet on the highway, which of course interferes with my hearing a bit, but I like being able to have that extra sense at 100% when I'm in the Seven. In my mental calculus, it somehow makes up for being in such a vulnerable car.

I'll check with a block of wood sometime in the next few days (the Navarro women are visiting Laura's relatives...giving me a little free to time to dedicate to car and club - like updating the database and sending hats out to people who sent checks! - stuff)...to Mike's point about the exhaust, that was one of the sticking points that failed Orange the first time I tried to get it inspected in NJ. I wanted side exit anyhoo, so that just cemented the deal.

John-So far, the tire mfgs I've encountered all post a range of rim widths per tire size and then highlight what they consider the "optimum" width to be. Based on what every one has said so far, I think I'm going to try 7" up front and 8" in the rear...this covers a tires by several mfgs in the 13" category.

Are you the father or the son part of this father son build?

That's not the dipstick, that's the pull start!:jester: Yes, that is Mr. Jones' ride. That is the wonderful Evelyn Jones pictured with car. She was scheduled to drive the white Civic during the NASA weekend.

I think that's a song by the J Geils band, no?

Are posted in the Mid-Atlantic Event section: Jump to Mid-Atlantic Event Section (VIR Pix)

More Pix http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1760810527_VIR Selects - 11.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1349200187_VIR Selects - 12.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/841441969_VIR Selects - 13.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/615193766_VIR Selects - 14.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/133969425_VIR Selects - 15.jpg In between the timed lapping for the GRM/Hankook UTC Challenge, this Porsche and Ferrari revived a decades old rivalry. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/221532741_VIR Selects - 16.jpg The Ferrari's lovely engine on display. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/994918590_VIR Selects - 17.jpg The Ferrari arrived via this trailer/tow vehicle combo, the combination of which I think costs more than my house. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1869258631_VIR Selects - 18.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/188401471_VIR Selects - 19.jpg The TT's "low oil" light came on...first time ever. Was about a quart low. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/470327474_VIR Selects - 20.jpg

I finally got the pix from my buddy who came down with me. Boy, is VIR ever far from NJ. You have to drive to all the way to NC to get to the track... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/250327680_VIR Selects - 01.jpg Which, as its name suggests, is in Virginia. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1904066862_VIR Selects - 02.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/504719717_VIR Selects - 03.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/2128028236_VIR Selects - 04.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1051195710_VIR Selects - 05.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1131668093_VIR Selects - 06.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/997918857_VIR Selects - 07.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1075819970_VIR Selects - 08.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/193350131_VIR Selects - 09.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1952731281_VIR Selects - 10.jpg

I've had the car out twice in three days now (small and large meets notwithstanding, that's got to be some sort of record for me), and it's occurred to me that I sing a song in my head when I drive the car. We may have covered this before, but it's fresh in my mind again (drove to work this AM) so wanted to revive the topic — also, we have about 250 more members now than a year or so ago, etc. So, for better or worse, the song that plays in my head is "Your Love" by the Outfield. I think this 80s semi-classic has stuck with me because it was playing on one of my more memorable drives back in the day. "Josie`s on a vacation far away Come around and talk it over So many things that I wanna say You know I like my girls a little bit older I just wanna use your love tonight I don`t wanna lose your love tonight..." So what song plays in your head when you drive your Se7en?

Mazda-can you make this thread sticky for the next week or so? I'll upload more of the pix this week for download...

I'm officially committed...bought my tix today. Will be staying with friends in Lenox MA. See you all there.

Not yet, I don't think. It was hoped that the varous regions would sort themselves out and a coordinator/coordinators would come forward...the good news is that it's worked out that way for a few regions already. Anyone? Anyone?

Folks- As previously mentioned, Dick Brink of Texas Motor Works donated a bunch of Hettel parking brake locks to the USA7s Club. We have about 20 of the locks left (a number were given away as part of "prize packages" at the 7-7-7 meet). Rob M. (who bought one from the club down at 7-7-7) has a great description of the locks here: Hettel Parking Brake Lock Info Dick said the retail price would normally be $70, but all reasonable offers are welcome. Feel free to make an offer via PM, and remember that thanks to Dick's generosity, 100% of your purchase goes to support the club and this forum.

I got the car out for the first time in too long last night...a little reward after hosting 10 7-somethings at Ava's bday party from 2 to 5 and prepping the house for the party most of the day on Sat. Great weather and fun drive. Went out for about an hour on Route 32 in PA ("River Road") down to New Hope then came home via 29 and my local "back of my hand" road, Route 519. Was going to crossover at Dilly's, but saw a Cobra two cars ahead and decided to see if he'd want to play on the way to New Hope. No such luck. We ended up side by side at the light in New Hope, but I was turning left toward NJ. The pedestrians certainly enjoyed the shot of the two cars... I'm generally not a complainer about heat coming off the engine/tranny tunnel, but it was pretty bad by the time I got home. Also, since I was driving solo, I took the opportunity to test the limit of the brakes on a straight deserted stretch. I pretty much stood on them with no lockup...the phone that was sitting in my passenger seat fairly flew into the footwell. Looking forward to the Auto-X next weekend. Please pray for good weather for Orange's debut.

Here is the final Hi-Rez layout with cars only. The version with people as well as the raw (No photoshopping at all) files will be up early next week. Thanks again to Darryl Cannon of Killboy.com for making the shot available to our group. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/634098071_New-Watermark.jpg Note...I have a higher rez PDF that I'm having trouble uploading so please advise if quality is sufficient.

FINAL CARS ONLY, HI-REZ PDF LINKED HERE: Version with people and raw files (no photoshopping) to come early next week.

I'm currently up to my eyeballs in work and my many side projects...so Don, feel free to pen a blurb, poach pix from the pix thread (or use your own) and submit to Steve T. for review. He's a founding club member, a Brit, and a two-time owning Se7ener...seems as likely a candidate for vetting any public articles as Mazda, John, or I. Thanks for keeping the momentum going. I wait eagerly for the print articles to start showing up.

Coupe...how did you find us?

I really don't like the Atom. Mostly because it gets so much press as a Se7en alternative. But try and price one out built, with all the fun options. It ain't cheap. And then, try and get it registered in some state like NJ that requires a full windshield. Uh, I don't think so. Oh, and IIRC, no Atoms successfullly posted hot laps at the GRM/UTCC. I overheard someone saying something about the winged car being mildly uncontrollable at speed.

Al logging in from a bookstore in NYC...Ava's 7th birthday and some biz meetings mixed in. JBH & Tom G...I covet your mags, just a little too rich for my blood. I'm probably going to get the Rials that Fluke sells when I get 13-inchers. Note that the US Superlight Rs are this weird amalgam of UK spec models....we get the full carbon pack of the r500, but not the Stack e-dash. As for hp/ton, I think most of our cars came with about 200 horse, which puts us in the r400 range. Also, JBH has the r500 "smoke" aeroscreen...this is different from the one that came on my car...which is the newer "interchangeable" deflector that uses a few of the mounting holes from the traditional full screen. --- Regarding the engine...looks a lot like mine...TMW (not the Jenveys) 50 mm TBs. The engine has a red cam cover, which could be cosmetic. Pretty sure the later ZX-3s had the squared off black cam cover as supplied stock. When I bought my car (from a dealer, untitled and unregistered), I needed the bill of sale for the motor...it shows what kind of car the motor came out of, to prove that it was not stolen. Also, if I recall, the head in the "supersport" head is decked .060". One more thing...I've noticed that some folks with TBs have the ITG upside down (Ed Hudson & Michael D.) and others have them right side up...JBH and myself...just another example of "even ones that are the exact same model aren't identical"