Al N.

And then I'll get another POV that puts me back in the double axle/surge brake category! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

Thanks Keith...I could be swayed in the direction of single/no brakes. Just need more posts like yours!

Another question...single axle vs. double...I know the Se7en isn't heavy, but isn't the double inherently more stable? And what is everyone's opinion on brakes vs. no brakes? Since I think I'm splitting the cost with my father-in-law, I'm going to err on the side of safety...

Thanks all...the Alumas are nice as are the Featherlites that are sold near me. Trying to keep costs down though...those are both around $4K new. Should have bought Lance's trailer last year when I had the chance! Keep in mind my Honda Pilot only has a 4500 tow rating, so the aluminum makes a difference. Andrew7...would love to see a pix of your trailer.

Folks- FYI, I just sent out the updated 7-7-7 Database. Please check your email and get back to me with any corrections/questions/clarifications. If you are a paid registrant and did not receive anything from me today, shoot me an email too. I will be out for most of the day today. -Al

I know Michael D's trailer set up is floating around here somewhere, but does anyone have reccos on open trailer dimensions (length/width). It will be used only for the Se7en and a Polaris Ranger (4 wd golf cart thing), but not at the same time. Before I go kick some tires, I'm most interested in the suggested length...will 14 feet be enough/too much, etc.

As if Mazda's car wasn't quick enough before this round of upgrades. He'll make all us "narrow bodied" car owners pony up for the little Yamaha V-8 soon enough! FWIW, the only mods I'm doing before 7-7-7 are fixing little things (WTG sender still flakey, retrim Jill Judd hood so that Wolo light bar shows, replace a few snaps that haven't been holding so well. maybe spring for a tonneau.) The semi big ticket item that's on the books is a trailer!

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.

Tom- Will just be getting back from second Dragon Recon, but might come just to watch. If you see a Filipino guy with my car, it's proably me and you should introduce yourself. What time is event and exactl location? (I'm not too far from Route 611 at its more northern end...

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?