Al N.

Tonight I did something crazy. Crazier than trying to co-organize the Dragon meet. Crazier than a Cosworth head swap on a 200 HP Superlight R. Tonight I sat in the passenger seat of my car — while my wife drove it. Believe it or not, today is the first time in the 2 years and roughly 3000 miles we've had the car that she's driven it. She's never shown much interest, perhaps due to my rants about getting hit in the face with pebbles or blown hoses (Raceline water rails for everyone!) or how scary fast it is that I can't even bring myself to wide open throttle it. Keep in mind that Laura learned to drive a stick as a teen (probably before I did) and was the only person among myself, my brother, and his wife to successfully drift a full 360 on the wet skidpad when we all went to Skip Barber many years ago. Inspired by the sight of Erin V. at the wheel on the Dragon non-parade, Laura started talking about driving the car from the moment we left Robbinsville. And so, with our kids up at my folks for the week for summer camp, we made a date to go out on roads she was familiar with (she declined my offer down at Deal's Gap). We ran down to the local ice cream joint. And we both lived to tell. Since it was her first time, she didn't really wind it out much. I did notice that she shifted a bit too slowly, not used to how the revs fall off so quickly compared to the TT, so the first few miles were a little rough. But she got the hang of it and even seemed to enjoy herself. To her credit, the one time that she put it into first instead of third (), her speed and reaction time was such that she didn't over rev the motor.... I'm looking forward to more drives in the passenger seat. Perhaps we'll have enough significant others interested in driving to have an "estrogen run" (Erin V's words, not mine) at the next national meet.

Thanks for that tip Mr. G!

You guys and your problems with the pedal boxes...in my narrow bodied Cat I can drive with workboots on! Although...I did receive a pair of these for my birthday (belatedly, otherwise I would have matched Dino T.!): http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1763520963_Protos.jpg

I'm adding to this thread, mostly to bump it up...but also to see if anyone has tried the Cosworth/FocusSport Zetec head. For a Cossie massaged head, it doesn't seem like a bad deal. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

It's actually runngun.net: Run 'N Gun

This is a great addition...please spread the word to other Se7eners who may not be as web-centric. :hurray:

Mazda and I had a conference call on Monday night to reconcile the expenses and revenues from the 7-7-7 event and are happy to say that the Club broke just about even — and were able to make a donation of $500 to the local EMS (this is slightly higher than estimated). Thanks to everyone for your support. I have a few t-shirts and things I have to mail out still...in the next week or so.

A preview of the Group Photo.. Thanks to the generosity of Darryl "Killboy" Cannon (who also donated his time to come out to take the shot and ride in the bucket truck), the Club received a high-rez file of the group photo. We will be circulating that through more secure means soon — FREE TO ALL ATTENDEES AND CLUB MEMBERS! That's right, you can get it printed anyway you like. The photo will be available in 4 forms: A) Cars only B) Cars only with tasteful commemorative border (1957-2007, USA7s at the Dragon, etc.) C) Cars and people D) Cars and people with tasteful commemorative border Until I get that border designed (and some retouching done) here's what the shots look like: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/956632662_GROUPHIREZ.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/486980141_GROUPPEOPLEHIREZ.jpg

Sadly, we don't use the air hockey table much anymore...our downstairs neighbors complained. However, it does make a good platform for a slot car track! --- Regarding the mirror...Jim, I actually think it will look odd with Brooklands...since it's black and the brooklands are chrome. Please let me know if you still want it.

Anyone have experience with Chatterbox intercoms from i/o? Seems a bit simpler than those Autocoms... BTW, Ed, your car was a hit with many at the Dragon meet. Thanks for coming!

It's the FRP (non carbon)...what is listed as "composite" on the UK parts site. This will match the Kevlar/carpet seats...but if you have Spa carbon mirrors, alas you will probably want the carbon aeroscreen (that thing is $$$$$$ BTW). A few more notes on this screen...it's the "interchangeable" version (not the original JPE one), and affixes with two snaps on the scuttle and two bolts on the sides (I think they are used for the front windshield stanchion bolt too). My builder put the snaps on a little off center, so the snaps on the screen are off center...but easily drilled out and reattched so they work on your car. The three holes you can see in in the wide pic are for the center mirror. Additionally...I converted to full windscreen to comply with NJ laws, so this really has no purpose in my life other than a conversation piece. All semi-reasonable offers considered...the new pieces from the factory are surprisingly expensive.

Tom...there's one guy ahead of you (as you can see above)...keep in mind that it doesn't fit with the regular windshield (that I can see...)

95 it is... Look for the sweaty Filipino guy cheering himself hoarse when you run...and booing for all non-se7en cars.

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1260362133_Aerowide.jpg It's about 37" at its widest and is the "interchangeable" composite version http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/732212667_Aeroprofile.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/808710712_AeroWeave.jpg Mirror is stanchion mounted Spa mrror. Approx 8.5" wide and 5" tall http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1379278649_Mirror.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1079403331_MirrorSide.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/492834472_MirrorBack.jpg

Spotcheck...you'd have to see/hear/feel the Organic Racing WCM S2K in action in person to understand Loren's POV. With their supercharger installed on the S2000 motor, only the Super Stalkers, the blown Nissans (Deman & Bob D.'s), John Hartley's H-1 and a certain LS1 engined Se7en have comparable HP at the wheels. Your first (and only for most of us) Se7en doesn't have to be a monster to still spank virtually every other car on the road. You just won't drive lead at the next big group meet.:jester:

Skip- YOu konw whose lights I liked...Deman's. Maybe Seth, Dino, and Paul can help you out. BTW, that guy with the Turbo Miata mill at 7-7-7 was Hekki RK, I think...Locost AutoXer.

Cartier-Bresson spoke of a "decisive moment"...the instant of capturing an image in a camera and how that's different than painting. I encourage everyone to check out both killboy.com and zeefoto.com to find their favorite "decisive moment"...I happened to find mine at killboy.com (though there are some great ones at zee of other Se7eners). This was after running out of gas and Norm B. coming to the rescue, I bet Norm and Sallie are just around the curve behind me, but this shot looks like we have the Dragon all to ourselves: http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/530723840_Navarros.jpg

Crap...if we got enough brave souls...perhaps we could somehow rent a Cat or Westy. Don't laugh, I thought Michael D was crazy when he said "Let's shoot for for 50+ cars at ToTD" a year ago...

It's so funny, because I remember Mazda playing around with the map back in the day. It's very cool, and once we get more folks to populate will truly be useful. DON'T FORGET TO PUT YOUR CAR TYPE IN THE "NOTES" FIELD.

Some pricing... I checked the US/UK Caterham sites and will do 50%ish of whatever they posted (I think some of the US prices do not reflect current exchange rates, btw). Aeroscreen - $200 Mirror - $40 These two items were removed from the car before I had it registered/inspected...zero mileage in terms of wear and tear. I don't know if it works with the regular windshield. Gas Tank/Fuel Pump - $250 This is the standard "fuel injection" tank with integrated fuel pump. Rollbar The non-FIA one, not excessively slanted. - $100 I'll try to get pix tonight...the tank is at my mechs though.

Believe it or not, Laura claims to have had a great time over 7-7-7 and might actually be up for one car-centric vacation a year. Having the trailer certainly helps in that regard. The VIR thing might work out because she is thinking of visiting her Mom's side of the family that weekend...I have to work a client event all day on Sat. I should stop by and get the USA7s banner to "represent" at VIR.

It looks to be smack inthe middle of 81 and 95...95 is closer to my driveway, but the Beltway traffic could be a drag...it takes me a few hours to get to 81 in PA, but that avoids the DC congestion. FWIW, I'm trying to be at VIR to watch Jeff kick some arse. Planning on driving down partway on Thursday night...come in early on Friday, watch AM and PM sessions, then drive back Friday. Jeff-Any idea what the exact schedule is? When does the AM session start?

It looks like MapQuest is shooting me down 95...is that right? Or should I take 81? I'm bascially coming from the Philly area. Experts, please advise....

One thing that bothers me about the car (and I know less than zero about Locosts) is that it seems to have a Lotus VIN plaque. Although the guy is not trying to "pass it off" as a bonafide Lotus in his description, that seems odd to me...but (as Jeff U) points out below, there may be a good reason. As for driving it home, unless it's vetted by an experienced builder/owner (and even then!)...always a dicey proposition. If you can spare the time for stuff to go wrong, by all means do the road trip, but have a network of safety nets built in to your route.

Folks- Someone handed me a box containining 2 British Flags at the event, which we put up flanking the USA7s banner. In my inventory of Club stuff this weekend, I found them. If the person who brought them wants them back, please send me a PM or email. Likewise if you would like to donate them to the club, pleae advise. Thanks! -Al