Al N.

http://jalopnik.com/cars/cat-jubilee/caterham-works-up-ultralight-concept-for-50th-anniversary-265246.php

Gert- I see that your upper radiator tube seems to go into a piece of billet with various and sundry tubes coming out of it...are you running some sort of alternative radiator set up? I'm probably going to use the Caterham BDR silicone upper tube to minimize the number of joints. FWIW, I think Birkins with Zetecs have to use the Raceline water rail because there is no room at the back of the engine for the standard thermostat housing. Off to a client meeting. -Al

I won't have a good apples to apples "Before" pic, Steve...car went into the shop before I remembered that. My blog has some pix of the before action...here you go to save the click: This one shows the hose clamp that went recently (probably because of lack of slack of sufficient slack as the motor turns in its mounts, we think), as well as a smaller one below the clamp and the large tube that runs perpendicular below them both (it eventually turns 90 degrees toward the front of car). http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1606870116_Hosed.jpg This one, while a little too wide an angle, shows the mess of tubes that occupy the engine bay (and which somewhat inexplicably go right over the headers!). http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1652834179_McGyver2.jpg After it's installed, I'll definitely have pix. And of course, you'll see it in the metal soon. -A

Welcome. No need to call it a "clone" in these parts. Se7en or LSiS (or in your case, DIY Locost) does just fine. -Al

Anyone familiar with this stuff? I'm switiching to the Raceline Water Rail, and my mechanic suggested swtiching over to this high boiling point stuff and a lower pressure radiator cap. I did a little research and it seems as though there is some concern that the added viscosity may not work well with stock water pumps and radiators (something about flow)...though I couldn't find anything directly related to Zetecs. FWIW, to those considering the Raceline Water Rail...here's what my mechanic wrote to me earlier today:" The coolant rail looks and fits beautifully and will eliminate a lot of hose."

Slots in North Carolina? Here's a preview of the Ninco Rally set we'll have set up at the meet. Note that the actual layout is much larger than what I'm showing here, and like the Dragon has both increasing and decreasing radius turns. On the second photo, you can see the timing "bridge" as well as the scale of the cars (that's a quarter on the track). I'm bringing two Ninco Renault Rally cars as well as 2 Se7ens from another mfg. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1400239000_IMG_1537.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1725038238_IMG_1538.jpg

Note to self: Never let your wife read the forum over your shoulder! Last night, Laura saw that I mentioned continuing as president if no one else stepped up. And she nearly punched me in the head. So really, anyone else up for it? Note that the president is not be expected to organize the national meet him/herself, but should help coordinate it with whomever the local organizer is. Of course, should the president feel so inclined... Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Loren- I would love to know what the transit stages are like (besides entailing diff changes!) in terms of pace and driving style. I ask because recently on Jalopnik.com, there was a flap over the conduct of drivers at Gumball (where two non-participants were killed) and Bullrun (where a whole bunch of drivers got arrested for goodness knows how many moving violations). I brought up One Lap (mostly due to your involvement) as an example that lets people get their kicks out on track, and people replied that you have to drive pretty fast in the transit stages to keep up/make time checks. Would love to know your thoughts. -Al

Stan-For some reason, I had always assumed your car was black...in the hard sun of the California desert you can see the green. Pretty. And I love that both you guys have those grills with a more stylized "7".

If so, send me an email.

That photo of the cars down at the base of Fonana Dam is encouraging. According to the folks I spoke with, you can't block that road...but I guess they left enough room between the rows of cars.

A few more points to ponder... Looking for a few folks to be "route buddies" (don't call 'em "drive leaders" what ever you do!) for both Friday and Saturday...would be best if you were familiar with the area or coming in thursday to do recon for yourself. Also was able to secure a sponsor for the "farthest traveled" and "farthest driven" awards...the winners will receive a very special "driving shirt" from my friends at groupe1620.com. Finalizing a very special sponsorship of the welcome receptions, details TBD.

I can't see the visuals because I'm logging in from dial up. But I appreciate the trip report - keep 'em coming from all coasts...especially if two or more cars get together. Alas, Orange is in getting the water rail put in and the SoftBits hood retrimmed so you can actually see the Wolo when the top is on. So no blatting for me until end of next week. Thanks again Stan!

Literally LOL. Mazda and I saw this other LS1 powered something or other at Carlisle. He may have to upgrade to jet power to stay ahead of the curve!

Welcome Wile7! Are you the same Wile7 from Blat Chat? Glad you found us and appreciate our marque-inclusive environment. I sent you a PM by the way.

Yeah...saw one in the flesh at Carlisle too.

An update/request, but mostly a way to wind down after a long week (Jon C. and Mazda may know what I'm talking about) :boxing: In the last week or so, we've had a few people drop out of the event with about the same number signing up. I somehow think we'll hit our projected ceiling by the time it all rolls around in just a few short weeks. Here are the things which are on my mind right now...and really, they're not that major: A) Although we've had a few people drop out of the Auto-X, many of the remaining people still have not gone to the SCCA chapter site to pre-reg: http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=6988&psrnd=.7556811563444495584530643303185690072 If you still intend on participating, please take the time to pre-reg. Also, if you are not participating, please come out to watch the rest of us go through hundreds of dollars worth of tires and gas! FYI, Maryville is on the way out of town for the folks from the North. Note that with the numbers we have, we'll be able to get in lots of runs and perhaps still end early enough to have a blat back down in the Robbinsville area. Still looking for someone to coordinate a dinner meet up (in town or perhaps at Fontana?). B) Not everyone has supplied T-shirt sizing. If you are a paid registrant, you get a t-shirt (final design TBD, my art director is at the Nurburgring...no, seriously), and if you ordered any extra memorabilia packs, those include one too. So, regardless of whether you specified a size in the past — take the time in the next week or so to drop me an email with the subject line "Dragon Tshirt Size" and your desired sizes in the body of the email. If I don't hear from everyone, we will print some additional XL ones, and take orders at the meet for exact sizing for anyone who wants something smaller — though this means you won't be sporting the USA7s at the Dragon flair that weekend. THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT OF THE EVENT. AND TO THE SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN OF THE US. Enjoy the long weekend.

I like the left to right radius on the front fenders...that Dax I saw has similar lines.

Busa, with that sort of headline, I was expecting porn-porn, not car porn!

If you are in build with any kit or scratch built, especially if it's your first time, stop surfing the forum this second and run out to your local Borders to buy the latest issue of Grassroots Motorsports. Our very own Keith Tanner, one of the deans of the Locost school, has an article in there with pointers to keep your project going and your sanity (not to mention relationships with your significant other) intact.

Rolla7...thanks very much for your considered input on both heads and a possible consolidated site. I think the CCC and USA7s may have different missions and serve a slightly different audience base, so it may be wise to let them remain independent. I do value appreciate your input over here and look forward to posts/pix from the PNW 2007 tour. I'm bummed that I just ordered a trailer...that's money that could have been spent on a new Ford Racing head!

Thanks Atwell. Jeff U (R1) had beaten you to the punch. See the Video section.

Jeff-I'd be up for the secretary post. I'm actually having fun setting up/fine tuning a database to make it easy to find folks by marque, engine, etc. I would prefer to vacate the president slot, mostly to appease my wife on the "Al has too many extracurriculars" front. But also to allow someone else to have fun with it. I highly recommend anyone with A) more free time that I have, B) a love for scanning the forums/blogs to keep our cars top of mind.-Al

Keep it up 'Busa and you'll be nominated for Secretary along with R1!:jester:

I'll ask the obvious...can Stefan and that car come to 7-7-7? I'll ask the second most obvious...does Stefan or his dad want to run for Club President or Secretary?