Al N.

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

Is that ether based starting fluid bad for the Mass Airflow Sensor? And should I spray it into the trumpets or just on the foam filter (if this is the stupidest question ever, feel free to beat me)? I was going to try it this past weekend, but the weather prevented me from even getting the car out of the garage...I had to make about 6 passes with my snow plow to get the frozen sleet cleared from our driveway...then I did my neighbors' drives out of courtesy (it was pretty much near unshovelable in our neck of the woods...like shoveling sand).

I think Laura is happy that the car is my only vice these days. Though I think she'd be happier if I hadn't put so much money into it, post purchase (getting it up to snuff for registration/inspection, the fuel cel, etc.). She doesn't ride in the car that much...but we had a GREAT drive up to the Delaware Water Gap this past May on our anniversary. Over 100 miles in the Tilletts can put the hurt on your back, so she's quite the trooper. She has never driven it herself, despite having taken Skip Barber with me many years back. Laura actually encourages me to use the car more than I do (still under 3000 miles), and is constantly pointing out good gaps in the weather...I should listen to her more often. I know she likes that our daughters both enjoy riding with me, though it scares her a little to put them into such a small car. She had a good time meeting everyone at Skyline last year, and is looking forward to 7-7-7. However, the multiple recon runs (with and without her!) and late night database entry sessions I think she could do without. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gifAl Navarro2007-03-19 06:38:34

That's a nice homage. We should make more of these types of things. Perhaps after 7-7-7, I'll have some nice footage. to cut to. I was wondering about the vocalist...thought it may have been the Brit-band Massive Attack.

XPOST: Thanks to everyone with reservations at Tapoco Lodge who has called or emailed them to confirm your arrival and departure dates for the 7-7-7 event. If you haven't done so already, please do so as soon as you can. Marsha said that the best way to get in touch with them right now is by email: info at tapocolodge dot com. The hotel is officially closed for the season, but you can leave a voice mail - however, email is a better option. Finally, I will ask that if there is anyone who made reservations at Tapoco Lodge but now does not intend to come to the July meet, please contact Tapoco and cancel your reservations soon. I know there is a waiting list of people who have back up rooms at other local hotels but who would prefer to stay at the primary host hotel. BTW, did I mention that the slot track is on its way?

Thanks to everyone with reservations at Tapoco Lodge who has called or emailed them to confirm your arrival and departure dates for the 7-7-7 event. If you haven't done so already, please do so as soon as you can. Marsha said that the best way to get in touch with them right now is by email: info at tapocolodge dot com. The hotel is officially closed for the season, but you can leave a voice mail - however, email is a better option. Finally, I will ask that if there is anyone who made reservations at Tapoco Lodge but now does not intend to come to the July meet, please contact Tapoco and cancel your reservations soon. I know there is a waiting list of people who have back up rooms at other local hotels but who would prefer to stay at the primary host hotel. BTW, did I mention that the slot track is on its way?

I've checked into those Longacres...you're not kidding about pricey-ness. Maybe it would make a smart "Club purchase"...and something that could packed up and sent to members on request. How important is finding a truly "flat floor"...and how does one determine what is "flat".

I'm with Keith on weighing with full tank. Sure, i know we all have different tank sizes...but the whole "weigh with 4 gallons" thing...does that mean you to run the car dry or siphon, then add 4 gal? Keith...will FM lend 7-7-7 some scales? How about if I beg?

Cross-post: I got a message today from Marsha at Tapoco - she needs to know ASAP when people are checking in and checking out. If you reserved early in the process, you may have just specified the weekend of July 7th - and not your specific check in days/check out days. I think there is a rafting group who may want to get in to any available rooms on Sunday. Since the working schedule for "USA7s at the Dragon" has been circulated, hopefully you'll have a better idea of when you'd like to arrive and depart. I'm waiting for a reply from Marsha on whether or not she wants a consolidated list from me or is fine with you all calling to confirm your own reservations. To err on the safe side, you may as well send me your arrival departure dates (PM or al at mintadv.com) and I can start a list. Just so I don't miss anyone, I will cross post this in the event forum as well as on the se7ens.net list...Al Navarro2007-03-15 05:05:38

I got a message today from Marsha at Tapoco - she needs to know ASAP when people are checking in and checking out. If you reserved early in the process, you may have just specified the weekend of July 7th - and not your specific check in days/check out days. I think there is a rafting group who may want to get in to any available rooms on Sunday. Since the working schedule for "USA7s at the Dragon" has been circulated, hopefully you'll have a better idea of when you'd like to arrive and depart. I'm waiting for a reply from Marsha on whether or not she wants a consolidated list from me or is fine with you all calling to confirm your own reservations. To err on the safe side, you may as well send me your arrival departure dates (PM or al at mintadv.com) and I can start a list. Just so I don't miss anyone, I will cross post this in the event forum as well as on the se7ens.net list...Al Navarro2007-03-15 05:04:47

There's a pic of a black one (I think) at killboy.com this week. 7-7-7 gets some props. http://www.killboy.com/

A reminder to all paid registrants...don't forget to send me your contact info by this Friday, March 16th. I'm working on updating the database and want to make sure we have everyone entered correctly. Thanks to the many folks who've already shot me an email.

Anyone? Anyone? Would love to hear about new forum members...who are you, where are you, and what are you driving/building/repairing/restoring?

I think the topic may have been broached at lunch — or in the bar, after our run in with the local constabulary. While we pulled over, we were not allowed to congregate, remember? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif Brings back memories of a fun rendezvous and the start of something bigger than a few guys getting together for a blat! Thanks Mazda!Al Navarro2007-03-13 08:06:40

Jeff-the way your car spools up revs makes my Zetec mill seem positively anemic! Very cool, and another reason to have 2 classes at the 7-7-7 Auto-X, Novice and Not-so-Novice/Prepared. BTW, if it is not too much trouble for Mr. Site Administrator http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif , I'm putting in a formal request for a "Videos, Pix, & other media" section of the forum. One stop shopping for all your multimedia pleasure...

Skip - Thanks for the update and cross-marque info. Hopefully we'll be able to get one of these to make a showing at 7-7-7. I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed — as I feel the Westfield/FM combo will be a very appealing one to people who aren't yet dyed in the wool Se7eners.-Al

And this time, I went for some Brooklands. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070309_063931_Green_Cat.jpg (Note, it's a 30th Anniversary car - celebrating Caterham's assumption of Lotus Seven production.) These little guys are pretty rare these days...might make good prizes at 7-7-7 instead of actually putting them on the track. We'll get some Porsches and Ferraris for that!

I have one lead on a scales set up, but I wanted to reach out to the community and see if anyone had some Longacres they could bring (or send?) for the 7-7-7 Tail of the Dragon event. It would be pretty funny to have a weigh in. Chime in here or write to me or Mazda off board. Thanks in advance.