Al N.

Mazda...I think there's an SCCA school on Sat, then on Sunday an Auto X. Laura is shooting her first wedding of the season that day, so it sounds like a good day out with my kids...though that means I will not be bringing the Seven.

Keep in mind that the journalists will want to spend some time taking photos of your car...so budget that into your schedules for the weekend. I'm going to send out an email in the next few days that will include some tips on how to hit every one of the mapped routes over the weekend without feeling pressed for time. Between my two visits, I was able to drive them all and have some thoughts about each one.

Okay, I will be at the McDonalds in Clinton NJ (exit 17 on US 78 West, if you're coming from NY/East) at 10:15 on Sat. I'll hang around until 10:30 and then shoot up 513 through Long Valley to Chester. Then head North on 206 to visit the Trailer Outlet in Flanders. Should take no more than 1 hour to get there. Poke around for an hour or so, then head home. If anyone is up for driving my favorite loop of Hunterdon County, I'll do part of it on my way home. You know what my car looks like. Write for my cel if you don't have it already. Al Navarro2007-04-19 19:37:18

Dennis O. was one of the first people I approached (via his publisher) regarding speaking. He politely declined. Since I think most of our time at 7-7-7 will be spent driving and socializing, I'm not so much interested in a Keynote type speaker as much as a few folks to host info sessions/participate in roundtable discussions. Actually, a funny one might be BECs vs. Car Engines...with Jeff and Mazda squaring off!

Was cleaning out my email box today, and found the email below...look at the date — things that you want to happen, happen eventually, I guess! FWIW, I think I remember more clearly the exact point the conversation that kicked off idea the 7-7-7 meet occured...I'm pretty sure we were talking about how Tail of the Dragon might compare to Skyline Drive, at a scenic overlook - Steve T. definitely brought up the 50th anniversary. Who else was part of that convo...Scott L., Mazda, Ed E., Bart?? Then we picked it up at the bar after our run in with the local constabulary. While I'm in a nostalgic mood, I want to single out Michael D...who was the very first person to write to me directly back in July 03 when I sent a message to the USA list-serv with the headline "Impatient newbie asks for help..." It'll be good to meet you in person finally, Mr. D! ------ Forwarded Message From: Al Navarro Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 12:40:50 -0400 To: Conversation: Tail of the Dragon? Subject: Tail of the Dragon? Has anyone here done this fabled route in a Seven? Is is worth going down there? Is overly dangerous? ------ End of Forwarded Message Al Navarro2007-04-19 15:03:27

Or perhaps I'm fishing around for a speaker or two? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

Help me here. I know there are a ton of different types of cars out there, but is there one person who is considered the ultimate guru of all things Se7en here in the US? If not, I would love to know people's thoughts on who might be the guru of each particular marque. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

The other night, Mazda (slngsht), Jerry E. (powderbrake) and I had a good conference call. The three of us serve as the acting Treasurer, Secretary, and President of the USA7s club and along with several other forum members, helped sponsor the formation of the club as a non-profit organization to promote the LSiS hobby and host events such as 777 and the PNW2007 Tour. Mazda raised a good point on the call, stating something to the effect of "I just hope that the club and forum maintain momentum after these two big events." To which I replied something like "It will as long as people start planning and committing to smaller ad hoc events in their area. And these folks have to post pix and reports from the various and sundry meetings and blats." It's a self-perpetuating cycle, IMHO. For example, Skip C.'s recent post of his "first start of his Miata motored SV"...surely he had seen Jeff U.'s (R1) similar first start of his BEC beast. And I'm sure there are people who are in build or thinking about a build right now who are taking inspiration from both of those guys and their efforts and sharing. And so on... So, as the weather starts to warm in the Northern part of the country, I ask you all to check out your regional events threads. Maybe even throw a few dates and routes out. And then do it. Blat and chat. Kick tires. Meet people you've only known as an name and avatar And share the pix and stories with the rest of us here. The Carlisle show seems like the perfect excuse for anyone in the NY/NJ/PA/MD/VA (heck, why not OH too) area to rendezvous...so we can all see Dino and Paul's SR27 in the flesh. Hope to see you soon.

Although I announced that someone from Hemmings was commited to our event via email to all the registrants, I have something to add to that announcement... ANOTHER journalist has just committed to coming to 7-7-7...this time from Automobile Magazine! He may be lurking around the forum to get a feel for the different cars and characters in our community. I'll allow him to introduce himself when he cares to.

On Saturday? (Wait, I worked last Saturday too!). Let's shoot for the later time, 10:30...at the Mc Donald's in Clinton, NJ as a rendezvous. We can have a coffee, then trundle up 513 (a great rural road) to Chester and the trailer place. Then you can split by 1 from Chester and take Route 80 into NY...barring traffic, you should be in by 3 safely.

Folks- I have a small window of time on Sat AM to go for a blat. Either early...7-9 or 10:30-noonish. Optimally, I'd love to use the drive to visit The Trailer Outlet in Flanders (up 206, just south of 80). We could rendezvous in Clinton NJ and take 513 all the way up to Chester then 206 for a little). The Trailer Outlet is open from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Let me know if you're interested and if either time is better. -Al

I'm tentatively planning on going out for Saturday...there is a thread (albeit very short) in the Northeast section. Are you guys going as exhibitors or spectators - will you have a booth we should look for?

Awesome! I can't even get my dealer-built car to start on the first try! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif When I saw this post this AM, I thought "you know, this sort of thing is what makes this forum/group of people so great". We'll have to have a Speed Classics reunion shot in July, Skip.

Mazda- I for one, am going to miss the old wooden dash. And the old "battle scarred" panels. Both added to the "sleeper" nature of your car. Next thing, you'll shoot for winning the car show and not just the auto-x! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

Need a good "Book on Tape" for your drive to and from 7-7-7?? Try "Thirteen Moons", by Charles Fraizer. Laura (my wife) had received the print version of this novel by the author of "Cold Mountain" and brought it along for reading material. It's a historical novel, set in the Cherokee Nation of the 1800s. So far, Laura has recognized quite a few of the town and area names we visited on our recent trip to Tapoco — including Franklin and Wayah Bald (a mountain).

I had to work today (cutting my trip to NC short!) so to make up for it, I went for a blat. Happy to say that I think my cold start problem is really a COLD (near freezing and left dormant for weeks) start problem...I was able to get Orange started after only a few cranks and gentle application of the throttle. Perhaps inspired by my recent recon trip, I really put the hammer down on roads I know pretty well. Wow. I can't imagine what the sensations are like for you guys who are pushing the power envelope. I finally was able to duplicate that "hand of God" feeling that I last experienced when my Skip Barber instructor took me around in a Viper. Also, I had the good fortune of having some guy in an E500 try to keep up on a twisty stretch. He came up charging up hard behind me and then we came to a stop sign and he never really was able to keep contact after that.Al Navarro2007-04-14 15:56:23

!!!Live from New Jersey!!! Damn, that's one hell of a long drive to pull in a single day! Got home about 30 minutes ago after leaving Tapoco around 9 AM. A few stops for meals and breaks, after all, the kids have to eat once in a while! (Mazda, without planning to, we stopped at that mall where you and I had Chinese food on the way home in Nov.) Just a few points for now...Foothills Parkway is a very nice scenic drive...more like Skyline Drive in Shenandoah or the Blue Ridge Parkway. Speed limit 45, and I only saw one motorcycle cop. Since I passed through today, I would advise everyone to stay as far away from Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area (Route 441) if you can...traffic was TERRIBLE, even on this weekday. We took the Foothills off the Dragon intending to intersect with 40 east of Knoxville. Ate up a lot of time in traffic and at lights getting through Seviervile (reminded me a lot Myrtle Beach, with same mini-golf and go-karting attractions, and similar crowds/congestion). What else...the S2000 meet is this weekend and I saw a few tearing up the Dragon, mostly in control. They stay primarily at Fontana, but one guy was staying at Tapoco, because in his words "I prefer the peace and quiet here". Al Navarro2007-04-15 17:17:57

!!!Live from Tapoco Lodge!!! Had a really great day today. Went down to Franklin via Wayah Road and back via 28. I will definitely be doing that drive on Saturday 7/7 after our group pic. Franklin's not as charming as Sylva or Waynesville, but very serviceable...and the roads make it worthwhile. Also stopped by Ron & Nancy Johnson's to drop off a very belated thank you gift for the dinner they hosted for Mazda and I back in November. Stopped by Fontana Village too, very nice and more modernized than Tapoco...larger too. If we were trying to throw an event the size of LOG, perhaps it would be a better choice, but I like the intimacy of Tapoco for our meet. Hope you all agree come July! I think everyone who is reserved at Fontana will be very happy with their choice of housing - just remember that it's about 25 minutes away from Tapoco, so leave time before our rendezvous. What else...had a good meeting with Marsha Cody of Tapoco to finalize a few minor details. Our event is the same weekend as a water release on the Cheoah River...so it will be crowded at the resort on Saturday and Sunday during the day - thankfully when we'll be out driving. Tomorrow, I'll hit the Foothills Parkway on the way back to NJ.

!!!Live from Tapoco Lodge!!! First of all, although quite rustic (no TV or phone in room), Tapoco is very nice and charming. Since we visited it last Nov., the greenery has naturally filled out and it's quite pretty. Well, it rained like heck yesterday, so we took the opportunity to go to the Biltmore, which I think is still a good bet for a rainy day contingency plan during 7-7-7. The way there is still interesting enough and you're not on Route 40 until the very end. And the towns of Waynesville and Sylva on the way back are very charming and have good grub too. I will inquire about getting permission to shoot the cars at the Biltmore (again, this is just a rain contingency plan....however I would totally recommend as a Sunday trip for non Auto-Xers who do not feel like spectating). Adult admission with audio tour was about $54. Worth it though, IMHO. It takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to get there...tour takes about 2 hours. Route there or back can use Blue Ridge, although it was fogged over something fierce when I was on it, so I got off as soon as I could. Driving a few good alternate routes today...Route 28 to Franklin and Wayah road... Al Navarro2007-04-17 13:49:34

Steve- You're talking about CDOC...right? If so, yes, please inquire about getting a club discount and how to do that (what "secret password" do members have to say when ordering)? Logging on for a little while this AM here at Tapoco while the family gets ready.

For even more clarification: SA = Auto and SM = Motorcycle You can get a Bell M4 open face for under $300, but I find that the dust really gets me sneezing and my eyes itching...so I'm going to try and find a good inexpensive full face. Or take my chances with the loaners and a stocking. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/blush5.gif Oh, and I know that the Pyrotect helmets are brought in by the former Bell people, so I think they won't be terrible. A preferred helmet supplier would be a good resource for club members (and of course, we should try and negoiate a club discount of some kind)...I'll reach out to the two from whom I've bought: Extremesupply.com and Pyrotect/Bellhelmets.com. Both in California. Anyone have a good East coast source for helmets (one that you've bought from before)?Al Navarro2007-04-10 04:28:04

Box-For clarification, here's the reference from that thread, which mentions both types: Helmets: Required to wear a Snell 95 or later SM or SA certified helmet. ETR (Eastern Tennessee Region...the sponsoring chapter) will have loaners available. DOT certifications are not recognized.

My Schuberth Motorcycle helmet does not have a Snell sticker (that I can see), but Schuberth made Michael Schumacher's lid so hopefully that will be acceptable.

!!! MONTHLY ORGANIZERS UPDATE - APRIL!!! The first of what will be a few April update emails has been sent out to anyone who is a paid registrant of the event, as well people who signed up on the initial "hand-raising" registration page. Please check your email boxes for it! Note that a second brief email was sent out confirming the identity of the journalist from Hemmings who has committed to covering the event. After I return from Robbinsville, I will surely have more updates for this month!Al Navarro2007-04-09 10:12:29

I'm listing this for fellow New Jerseyian, Chas Bernstein. Here are the details: 1997 Caterham Super Se7en deDion with clamshell fenders 1700 Ford Cross flow engine 14k Miles Metallic Blue with red nose flash Jet-hot coated headers & exhaust 5 speed transmission Tonneau Cover, side screen & roof Oil cooler Motolita steering wheel 15” Prisoner wheels Built by Chris T at Sevens & Elans Chas is asking $24.5k. In his words, "the car has been a lot of fun and exceptionally reliable but I guess I’m just getting to be an old fart and I want my garage back!" Contact him at amber1203 at comcast dot net if you are interested.