Al N.

They updated the ToTD.com home page and put me on...(I gave Nancy a ride on Sunday night before we all went out to Mexican) http://www.tailofthedragon.com/index.html

Jonnny-Tx for coming and for posting the pix...I love the misty shots from that one wet early AM drive. I'd actually love all the originals on CD when you have time. -Al

Jeff- I'm going to have very good news on that front soon...hold tight. (I may photo shop those non-seven cars and the edge of the tennis court out...no offense, of course...) -Al P.S. Mazda...you can delete your previous post, btw.

I think that's Steve coming back from the Auto-X...he was hot and tired and ready for a dip in the pool.

http://killboy.blogspot.com/ Steve T.'s got a solo shot, among many others....

If anyone who has an enclosed trailer wants another large sticker (like the ones we gave out on Saturday at the dinner), please post here...color too. I will order a new batch from Nancy Johnson and get it out to you (I have your mailing address from the member info form). If you want another small car sticker, I have extras of those too. Mostly white and yellow.

Anyone have vid of the group drive of the Dragon? That will be one for the ages. I told myself from the start of the event that I wouldn't worry about videos or photos...just another thing to do. So please, someone post some non-autox vid.

My only regret about the whole weekend was that I didn't get to spend enough time getting to talk to enough of the people and see enough of the cars...I look forward to attending an event and NOT being one of the organizers.

No, I'm not starting to plan for ToTD, the sequel already. But I did want to share some of the thoughts people were tossing around at the Dragon. Many people seemed excited about having another large meet up sometime in the future. The prevailing wisdom seems to be to focus on STRONG regional meets for 2008, and try to line up another multi-region/national meet for 2009. The Dragon was mentioned as a possible venue, as was Missouri (Ozarks/St. Louis). I don't know if we'll ever get the West Coasters out for either of those, though. Gert and company will have to let us know how far East they'd be willing to drive/tow. We had people pull over 1000 mile drives (one in a Se7en) to get to 7-7-7...but I think many people were within 600 miles.

FYI, I was elected Secretary for a 2 year term at the 7-7-7 meet.

I'm proud to announce that John Viviani was elected as President at the 7-7-7 meet.

Something that kept running through my head the whole time was this Harley Davidson ad from the early 1990s...it showed a photo of guy on a bike coming toward you from the POV of being on another bike...and the guy is giving you the "low five" wave. The headline said "Did you ever meet a perfect stranger and know he was a brother?" That is very much how I felt about the whole weekend. Even coming into town on Thursday night with the car on the trailer, I'd start seeing more Sevens as we got closer and just started honking and waving at every single one I saw. Thanks again for your support everyone. :thumbs:

I'VE CHANGED THE TITLE OF THIS THREAD TO SERVE AS AN OMNIBUS FOR EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE MEET...TO CENTRALIZE THINGS. IF YOU HAVE POSTED ELSEWHERE AND HAVE TIME TO CUT AND PASTE OR LINK HERE, PLEASE DO...WILL HELP PEOPLE FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES. TIA-AL (HOME AT LAST 11 PM TUES.) I actually want to take some time to write something more comprehensive and thoughtful about the event, but here are a few things that stand out for me the day after: • Awesome meeting some of the "big names" in the hobby...Dick, Folis, Dean, Dennis B., John M., the "One Lap Car", etc. • Putting faces and personalities to the names on the forum here. • The willingness of everyone to pitch in whenever and wherever needed (esp. Nettleships, Bondurants, Arya E, and Rob M.!!!) • The way people came to the aid of other Se7eners...I ran out of gas on the Dragon (coming back from the big group drive...gauge read 1/2!) and Norm Beaver whipped out his can and had me going in minutes. The funny thing was that I generally have a 2 gallon can in the passenger footwell, but Mazda had used that to help Dick Brink sort something out the night before... • The journalists seemed to really get involved and engaged, and seemed to have a good time to boot. • Erin V. driving on the Dragon run instead of her husband, the new Club Pres! • Marcy P. keeping me sane and fed/hydrated the whole weekend long • The JPE model built by Bill P....stunning and really taking the event up a few notches • The generosity of everyone — btw, we ended up with two full boxes of canned goods for that local food bank!! • Seeing the younger and older (and the middlers like Mazda and I) generation of Se7ens fans mixing it up. • Both of the early AM drives...Friday with Jonny L. and the Maryland posse (loved those F1 style u-turns at the overlook boys!) in the wet; and Sat in the dry with the Illinois and Ohio groups (see that Skyline-esqe shot Mazda posted). Who knew you could have so much fun at just 30 mph...:lol: Better than a cup of coffee to get you going, hunh? And btw, Paul W. (Stalker)...you can drive lead out for me any time... • The Saturday AM 9 AM drive...nothing but Sevens as far as the eye could see... • Spending time with the Skyline East boys: Steve T., Scott L., and Mazda...anytime, anyplace, my brothers • The sound of Jeff's R1 on the auto-x. • Builders roundtable...if you missed it, you missed a great session. • Graeme G's car & John G's "Best of meet" winning S2 -- both gorgeous...will make you think of a white Seven in a whole new way • Giving local Nancy Johnson a ride over the Dragon • Darryl "Killboy" Cannon mentioning that we were the first group he knows of that gave back to the community (the food drive and our raffle to benefit club/local EMS)

Steve T http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1304894875_IMG_3675.jpg Al & Preston L (from Automobile) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1303401246_IMG_3676.jpg Time http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/788720208_IMG_3677.jpg Al & David S (a Stalker owner from NM who had the Se7ens FTD) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/175656248_IMG_3679.jpg That's it for tonight....time to hit the sack.

Steve T, Graeme G, Cherik B, Jeff P, Nancy & Bruce W, Scott L http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1862787584_IMG_3656.jpg Patty & Phil A from TX http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1994795316_IMG_3657.jpg Dean & Claudia G. accepting "Oldest Seven" Award http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1438241132_IMG_3662.jpg Brian V. (Tony's son) accepting slot car prize http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/296027617_IMG_3664.jpg Cameron E (Mazda's son) picking raffle prize winner http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/125627537_IMG_3665.jpg Jennifer R (raffle winner) & Bill P packing up the Se7en for a ride back to Ohio in a Se7en http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/227491257_IMG_3666.jpg Best in Show finalists http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1612160786_IMG_3667.jpg Jack took home the runner up prize, donated by Deman USA http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1727415382_IMG_3669.jpg Congratulating each other http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1672606124_IMG_3670.jpg John G's pretty S2 won by one vote http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/111236572_IMG_3671.jpg The builder's roundtable http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/952574680_IMG_3672.jpg Al & Preston L (Automobile Mag) at Auto X...it was HOT there. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1337235155_IMG_3673.jpg Auto X Board http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1099050929_IMG_3674.jpg

Mo pix... Headlight sticker http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/638750403_IMG_3632.jpg Orange at the TVA parking lot (making sure people went the right way for group photo) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1576523040_IMG_3635.jpg The S1s http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1558444388_IMG_3638.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/291520963_IMG_3641.jpg Group Shot http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/594670190_IMG_3646.jpg Darryl "Killboy" Cannon & Brian K. from Automobile http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/382396964_IMG_3647.jpg Al and Dino (Deman USA) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1994263000_IMG_3648.jpg Ultralites http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1041892509_IMG_3649.jpg Cake http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1150392398_IMG_3651.jpg

The office http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/198957453_IMG_3609.jpg The Group Drive http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1354145856_IMG_3610.jpg The Group Drive http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1886321445_IMG_3619.jpg Post Drive http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/228972128_IMG_3621.jpg Fred K.'s S2 http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/215867903_IMG_3622.jpg Norm B. saving Al's bacon with a 50/50 mix of race fuel and gas... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/998915955_IMG_3623.jpg Food Bank donations (we ended up with 2 FULL boxes) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/714002694_IMG_3627.jpg It was a water release weekend on the Cheoah River http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1408616678_IMG_3629.jpg

More from Laura's camera... Pete B, Tony C & Wife, Walt H, Mazda http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/25544348_IMG_3577.jpg I think this sticker was on Chuck's car http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/621152533_IMG_3578.jpg Westy vs. Lotus http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1422565888_IMG_3579.jpg Westy http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/200957631_IMG_3580.jpg The lot at Tapoco http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1018787896_IMG_3595.jpg Jon C (Boxologist), Arya E. & Kevin B. with the Organic Racing car http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/607632320_IMG_3596.jpg Event decal http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/184411384_IMG_3597.jpg Mark Rivera gives Tom J a ride http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1974223197_IMG_3598.jpg Lot http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1393993057_IMG_3599.jpg Michael Ames in his Birkin http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/766915344_IMG_3600.jpg Scott L & a passenger http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1891673084_IMG_3601.jpg On the main group drive http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/391332971_IMG_3606.jpg On the main group drive http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1232671079_IMG_3608.jpg

Photo dump! "Tail of the Dragon" Ninco Slot car track designed by Sportcraft Cars http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1716663031_IMG_3554.jpg Prizes http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/97290074_IMG_3555.jpg The JPE built by Bill P. that was raffled off http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/738381540_IMG_3556.jpg Mazda & Ryan http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1315911073_IMG_3558.jpg Folis in his Birkin http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1080130004_IMG_3559.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1966080641_IMG_3560.jpg Phil A, DickB, and Patty A http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/18388872_IMG_3565.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1773250359_IMG_3566.jpg Chuck's WCM...Norm B, Sallie R, Karen S, Steve (Ken G's pal and co-driver in farthest driven in a Se7en (over 1100 miles one way) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/354708145_IMG_3567.jpg Al & Marcy working the registration table http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1278012265_IMG_3568.jpg The event decal http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1642359044_IMG_3569.jpg A trailer with 7-7-7 decals http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/169878324_IMG_3571.jpg Stalkers http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/29908907_IMG_3572.jpg Stalkers http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1405370997_IMG_3574.jpg Don F & Bill P (Don's car, I think) http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/928379668_IMG_3575.jpg Folis & Evelyn E. Bruce and Nancy W. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/174891527_IMG_3576.jpg

I got a call from Box this afternoon. He was still in Robbinsville...apparently he hit a rock on 28 and it knocked out his O2 sensor and some of the associated wiring. Luckily, it's all Ford products and he thinks he'll be back on the road tomorrow. BTW, he is the one driving the journalist from Hemmings to and from the event from the NYC area. Should make for a good story or two.

Al here. I'm at a friend's house near DC for the night. I'm uploading some pix from my wife's camera now, but it might take a while to edit/rez them down.

Chip, Loren, and everyone else out there... Al Navarro here. It's Sunday AM and for the first time this entire weekend, I am truly exhausted. The guys are getting ready to head out to the auto-x pretty soon, which I bailed on -- too many little odds and ends for me to wrap up here as co-organizer. Although I was behind the reg desk for most of my time here, I had a blast. From my POV, it seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves. The early-bird drives were a lot of fun, and the full group drive of the Dragon was truly a unique experience...nothing but Se7ens in front and in your mirrors. More when I have time. Thanks for your interest and support everyone!!!:hurray:

Nope, no heater. That would be against the "Superlight" theme...

Rolla7-I already tried that route. They just sort of laughed at me.-Al

The trailer helps keep the speed to under 70 (which is the speed limit on much of 81).