Al N.

Folks- Thanks to everyone who sent me their up to date contact info and hotel/guest updates. I have been very busy with new business at work (leaving in minutes for another pitch), but will finalize the 7-7-7 database between now and Sunday...look for an email early next week. Also, note that there will probably be 2 "Organizer Updates" in April...one brief one before I head down to Tail of the Dragon for a final recon, and one when I get back. A reminder that we still have about 12 open slots for 7-7-7 and that the final date to sign up is May 7th. There are a few folks (like Dennis B.) whom I'm fairly certain are coming, but who have not signed up yet. If you know anyone who fits into this category, please let them know about the May 7th deadline....it would be great to get 77.7 cars — a number that would rival the 2005 USA Tour. -Al P.S. We received a bunch of info regarding the 7-7-7 Auto-X recently. Hopefully Mazda will post that soon. Thanks again to Bill and Marcy Power, our Se7eners on the ground in nearby Knoxville (well, nearer than MD or NJ!).Al Navarro2007-03-28 08:53:07

Jon- I've got a great route mapped out already...and they've even repaired a section with very smooth pavement! After I get back from TotD...let's pick some likely Saturdates in April/May. Regarding the Cam Eye Sport...keep in mind that it's really for use with a Camcorder and bullet cam...the version you need depends on how the camcorder switches on and off. There's a list somewhere on the interweb with which version works with which camera. I just ordered the Cam Eye II, which is the version that is for use WITHOUT a bullet cam...just to toggle the camcorder. Hopefully, that will do the trick!Al Navarro2007-03-27 14:51:20

I know you'll do your best John! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif --- All kidding aside, I realize that we all have our biases - after all, each of us purchased the cars we thought were right for us at the time (though I know of at least one Se7ner who has TWO LSiS in his garage!) - but the overall spirit of the forum and club has been not to bash anyone else's car (bashing your own car is both expected and welcome!). I should add that the little blurbs should be primarily in the third person...use the "I" or "you" voice only in a short preface or coda. Pretend you're writing a Wikipedia entry, except more accurate.Al Navarro2007-03-27 14:45:17

The thingy you need to turn your camcorder on and off without having to touch the camera...for use with a camcorder/bullet cam set up. SEE HERE FOR DEETS: http://www.chasecam.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=16180&cat=0&page=1 V1.6 (override) controls recording in VCR mode only. Designed for use with for camcorders with toggle type powerswitches and recording in VCR mode. This version overrides the powers switch and forces the camcorder into VCR mode. --- I tried both the 1.4 and 1.6 versions and neither works with my old Sony. I actually need the older Cam Eye II... Retail $65...yours for $30. Used only to determine that it doesn't work...had already exchanged the 1.4 and didn't feel exchanging another one.

In the evolution of this site, one thing that I think would be beneficial is an FAQ section where people could find out more about each type of vehicle. It would be great if someone from each respective camp could pen something short and relatively unbiased (without disparaging comments about other car types, like "unlike the Badgerham's narrow cockpit, which was designed for only for small Englishmen, the Se7entastic 2000's fits an entire loveseat!") about each marque and post it in this thread for use by Mazda whenever the site upgrade is ready to go. Just to set some guidelines, the blurb should be betewen 250 and 500 words and be written with a newbie in mind. -A

I don't know for certain (but I will ask someone who would know)...but here's my guess. i know that guests and hosts on these shows are advised not to wear a white shirt as the drastic contrast can throw off the cameras...shows up as very "hot". So I bet it's a related thing. A friend works for ABC...I'll ask her.

Welcome! Great Vid. You DIY guys never fail to amaze me.

Ed...want to see variation? Check out the noses on the two Orange Superlights in the banner pic. Same vintage...one painted one unpainted...both CF...radically different shape.

The downside...having to come to work on a Sunday evening to wrap up an RFI document. The upside...taking the Seven (though it is COLD out there!)

Wasn't it Frank Lloyd Wright who said "It's not a work of art if it doesn't leak."???

Now you just have to rotate that tach a bit! Looking forward to seeing and hearing it in the metal. Keep in mind that everyone has their own definition of "perfect". http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

I'd like to know who's bringing a car with video camera rig to the Tail of the Dragon meet...I am. Would be great to get a bunch of footage and piece together a vid for attendees (I looked into getting it professionally done and the cost was a bit prohibitive). Here's my rig: Sony Mini-DV Camera No bullet cam Stereo mikes under dash i/o port racing bracket mounted on roll bar support

Tom- I'm going to try underscuttle, foam wrapped soon. Jeff's behind the seat location sounds good, too...though not the most weather-tight solution...I'd like to leave mine in permanently then attach/detach from the camera when I have it in the car.-Al

It's called the "afterblat". Cost me an arm and a leg! http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070325_165743_HairDont.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gifhttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/rofl.gif Please feel free to add your own afterblat hairdo pix!Al Navarro2007-03-25 16:57:55

At the suggestion of Bob S., I'm starting this thread to serve as a clearinghouse for any ideas on what would make a good centralized meet location — a place which is roughly equidistant from Se7eners on both coasts. So far, Kansas, South Dakota, and Colorado/Wyoming have come up in other threads or offline discussion. I'd throw Indy out there too, but it's a bit East Coast-biased. I won't have much energy for planning another meet until 7-7-7 is in the books, but please discuss amongst yourselves. Also, note that having some troops on the ground in the target location helps loads. The Dragon isn't that close to me...a day's drive...but we have some Se7eners in the area to make things easier.Al Navarro2007-03-25 17:07:18

Bob- I'll start a new "EAST MEETS WEST" thread over in the events section. The national LOG meet is out in Colorado this year, so hopefully some Se7eners will be there to help recon. Keith (of Flyin' Miata and one of the deans of the Locost school...hope he won't mind me saying that) is out there as is Caterham USA and RMSCI. I'm confident that one day, we'll have a truly nationwide meet (although 7-7-7 is drawing folks from as far away as Minnesota so far). -Al

You know Jon (Boxologist)...I think that some good roundtable discussions among the clubmembers might be more valuable than any guest speaker we could possibly have. So pencil that in for late Friday and Saturday night after dinner. Perhaps we break into regional groups and have some informal "chapter" meetings/brainstormings?

It doesn't matter what the calendar says, it must be the first day of Spring today since it's the first day I've had Orange on the road since December. So I finally got the car started and went out for a blat of about an hour, just to make sure everything still worked — including the driver. Funny how those Tilletts don't soften up the more time you sit in them! The short drive was enough to remind me of all the simple joys of our simple cars. The way you can smell everything, including what the neighbors are making for lunch. The way driving through a puddle makes you cringe, waiting for the splash. The way the turn signals keep beeping if you forget to re-center the switch. The way motorcyclists give you the thumbs up, like you're one of them. The way dads turn their heads when they hear you coming and point out your quickly receding blur to their young son or daughter as you go on your way. The way the guy at the gas station lets you fill it up yourself, even though the state law says otherwise. They way he smiles when you confirm that yes, the fender is carbon fiber. The way the wipers don't return to the "down" position automatically. The way your hair looks afterwards if you don't wear a hat. The way your left eye tears up from the wind if you go fast enough without putting goggles on. The way winding first gear out makes you feel more like Jim Clark than any modern supercar possibly can. The way going flat out in second blurs your vision and makes you think "Is there a faster car on the road?" or more importantly..."Why would anyone even need a faster car than this?" The way driving along your favorite local twisty bit gives you flashbacks to that great drive with other Se7eners back in June of last year. How you had just enough bottle to barely stay in touch with Mazda or Scott when they took the lead out...and probably only because they were taking it easy on you. And finally, the way, when you trundle into your driveway at the end of it all, the way you smile to yourself when you think about the prospect of meeting up with over 60 other drivers who can read this post and know exactly what you are talking about. ---- Enjoy Spring everyone. Make sure to make time for all your mods, repairs, and restorations. I'll see you in July.Al Navarro2007-03-24 15:09:41

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif It was warmish and sunny today, so I decided to give it the old college try again. I did use the Pyroil starting spray and on my second attempt got the car to catch and stay running (with the aforementioned semi-delicate feathering of the throttle). At first it felt like the engine was firing on 3 cylinders, literally. But then a few "pop-pop-pops" out the side exit and the old Zetec that I know and love was back. So I went out for a about an hour-long blat and reconnected with everything we love about these little cars. Thankfully, there is no "but" to the story. John K - I am 100% mac-based, so doing my own ECU tuning isn't as easy as it is for some of your PC-based folks. However, I will try and borrow a laptop sometime this year to sit down and do exactly as you say. Thanks again everyone for your suggestions and patience with my ignorant "does Al even know a thing about these cars" questions!!!Al Navarro2007-03-24 11:04:17

Gert had brought up Sturgis as a possible venue. Obv not during bike week. He had also mentioned perhaps we do a bulk shipping deal...where we find one transporter from the East and one from the West to get the cars to the rendezvous...then either drive in in support cars or fly.

No, not mine! Saw this on the usa@se7ens.net list and thought I'd post it here. Car is in California. http://www.roadfly.com/lotus/classifieds/cars/detview.php?prevnextbuttons=allf&view=39576

Drew-This brings up a good issue for our honorable Site Administrator, Club Treasurer, and sickly fast Rotus owner...care to start another sub forum dedicated to "Spotted"? I can remember that when I came back from Hawaii last year, I had seen a Seven on Oahu, and was able to track it back to a California mechanic and one of his Hawaiian clients. What do you think Mazda?-A

Bob- that's a great idea and we'll add it to the list of things the club officers/board members have to discuss. As you can imagine, right now, the bulk of our energies are going towards organizing the two major 2007 events. Speaking of which, does anyone have good suggestions for a truly national, more centralized meet site for the future? Keep in mind that it would be best if it were an equal distance from both coasts. -AlAl Navarro2007-03-23 11:50:03

very cool tom and keith. thanks for posting it rob! One question, though....where are the options for "Aluminun - Dull, Scratched, and probably Pitted" and "Aluminum - Polished"? And of course, the ever popular "Carbon Fiber". http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif I keeeeed! There should be some way you can email people your creation. We could have a gallery. If I wassn't slammed with an RFI doc today, I'd waste about 2 hours playing with this.Al Navarro2007-03-23 08:01:30

Tom: the throttle feathering has generally been the case with my car. However, when it's been sitting cold, it's not so easy. Gert: I've had those little back fires on start up before. I think it may be due to fact that I apply a little throttle on start up (see above) and there's a bit too much fuel when the spark goes. John: Thanks for reminding me. I'm pretty sure I have the TPS set up. THANKS ALL! IF it's warm enough this weekend, I'll roll her out and try the ether spray (Pyroil brand). If it fails, I'll try the ether on myself. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gifAl Navarro2007-03-20 06:14:07