Al N.

Dean-We will push your car up the hill to and through the Dragon, if that's what it takes! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/hurray.gif

!!!Monthly Organizers Update - March!!! The Monthly Email was sent out earlier today. For Paid Registrants, it included a revised working (ie. it may change) Schedule of Events for July 6, 7, and 8 2007. Paid registrations continue to flow in, and we’re now at 65 drivers and 113 total attendees. With the exception of one Europa, all Se7ens so far — including a few original Lotus Series 2 cars added just this week! To date, 29 brave souls have signed up for the Auto-X scheduled for Sunday. [i DELETED THE DAM PHOTO ABOVE AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE TVA...WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FILL THAT LITTLE TEARDROP SHAPED LOT AND WILL USE THE GRASSY AREA ON THE SIDE OF THE ACCESS ROAD INSTEAD.] Al Navarro2007-03-08 09:27:12

Given Gert and Mazda's recent thread regarding insurance, I wanted to introduce the concept of joining/supporting the USA7s club and this site even if you aren't going to one of the larger events. When the weather starts to warm, I'm sure there wll be several smaller regional get togethers...and to be covered under the club's policy, the organizers and all event attendees should be USA7s Club Members. One person has already contacted me regarding this sort of membership, please chime in here if you are also interested. We'll get a link to a PayPal shopping cart for this type of membership (not tied to 7-7-7 or PNW Tour) in time. Here's a draft of the USA7s Club Benefit Statement: USA7s Club Benefits Statement USA7s, Inc. is a new marque-inclusive Club dedicated to the appreciation, ownership, and enjoyment of Lotus Seven-inspired Sportscars (LSiS). Members of this non-profit organization are entitled to participate in national, regional, and local events — which may include some or all of the following: group drives, tech sessions, shop visits, car shows, and autocross events. Members who organize and run USA7s Club events are eligible for umbrella liability coverage for non-autocross events under the Club’s insurance policy. Out of pocket costs for the events are to be shared by all participating members. Additionally, USA7s Club members are entitled to access to members-only areas of the USA7s forum, hosted at USA7s.com. This site is one of the primary sources of LSiS information on the Internet, and is the only national-level site that is truly marque-inclusive. Whether you own an original Lotus 7 or one of the many cars built in the spirit of Colin Chapman’s “four wheeled motorbike”, USA7s.com has something for everyone. If you are thinking about buying an LSiS, are looking for advice or support for a car you already own, or just want to connect with like-minded enthusiasts, USA7s.com is a great place to start. Finally, members of the USA7s Club will be eligible for any group discounts negotiated from vendors, as well as access to any Club publications (newsletter, registry, etc.) — whether online or printed. To join, select the last item on the >shopping cart.slngsht2007-03-11 08:58:54

No, but it cheered me immensely when I was having a down day. That should count for something!

Rob- Vote early and often, no? I think we have a winner...so I'll shut that down now.-Al

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070307_094620_fontana_dam_7.jpg This photo will be explained shortly.Al Navarro2007-03-07 09:46:50

I for one, like the looks of that car. It's better in the vid than in the static photos I've seen before. I don't hate the Donk, either. Truth be told, my favorite Se7en in terms of looks is the Dax Rush. I had a good laugh about the lap belt. My crotch strap only fits if I have the seat all the way back...so I just run with the "4 point" system. It's never as loose as it was on that driver, though.

Felin- The Auto-X is, of course, optional. And the roads were not all that congested when Mazda and I visited in Nov. Of course July will be different. Perhaps you'll want to join the 6 AM "Early Bird" drive on Saturday AM? -Al

Jon-I think they'll be present at this year's LOG, which is obviously much closer to them. It's a question of resources, naturally, and I don't fault them much. Although I think people have already reached out to the dealers they do business with, it's not a bad idea to check in with them again — to see if they are able to get any level of commitment. Even hearing a "No" is better than wondering if someone is coming. -A

As of today, I am aware of 3 vendors of new/used Se7ens who are coming to the Tail of the Dragon event in July: Deman USA, WCM, and Texas Motor Works. Since there are many Stalkers who have signed up, does anyone know if Dennis B. is planning on coming? How about the Westfield folks? And while I'm at it, I know that Cat USA can't come (I've asked them), but perhaps one of the Southen dealers (Chip Bond or Caterham South)? Since there are so many folks coming from Texas, perhaps Tom M. from Westfield and Jeff Sloan (BritAuto) may want to join the caravan coming East? FWIW, I am very interested in having a roundtable with representatives of some/all of the various makes as a session at the event.

Drew-Nice ride. I covet your carbon mirrors. Did you get the exhaust powder coated black or is that just the lighting? I bunch of the other guys inquired about the halfdoors recently, so your pic is timely. Thanks again for posting the pix.-Al

Rob-I think your real essay topic will be when you get your restored Rotus out on the open road!-Al

I was so charmed by Tony V's recent write up at se7ens.net regarding his desire to get another Se7en, I thought it might be a good idea to solicit short (1 page or less) essays/musing on anything related to Se7ens. Depending on how many submissions we receive, I could see having a dedicated booklet of essays handed out with the map/area guide program. Or just as filler for the primary program. Please post questions or thoughts here. And email me submission. I think anything is fair game...best drives, why you chose a seven, most hectic situations, favorite thing about them, etc. As we say at Mint, "Have fun with it" -A

Am I the only one who finds the 50th anniverary livery a bit unappealing? First Seven was polished, right?

Since I know not everyone checks the Events section as much as I do http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif ...I'm cross-posting here to let everyone know that I'm soliciting questions about the 7-7-7 event, which I'll try to answer in the March Organizer's update. Here's the link to the thread where I'm collecting questions: http://www.usa7s.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=609 Al Navarro2007-02-28 14:15:28

You know Mazda, that's the $20,000 question...I know that there was some issue with injector sizing on some of the Caterhams early in the Zetec program. I've always wondered if mine was one, but never followed through on pulling the injectors. It would be great if someone with a similar set up could chime in...let me know what kind of injectors I should have, before I go through the trouble of pulling one to see what size they are. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

It's always been somewhat reluctant. But it MUCH easier to get it running in the summer than now (temp in NJ in mid 30s)

Tom-That's why I pay someone else to do the drilling! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif Skip-If the top is off, I can get in with the doors on, with the tried and true "hold on to the rollbar and step over the door on to the seat" technique. If the top is on, I generally leave either the front or rear snap connected (the front quarter-turn is more robust, but the rear allows the door to "swing" more) and just push the door out of the way. It is simple enough to pop the snaps in while I'm in the car...although the rear one is an awkward reach (perhaps that's why I keep it snapped on most of the time).

Jon-I will make you a special shirt with that one! Do you prefer the first or second "Choice Voided"? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Mazda-You are correct sir. I generally have to sit in the car and keep the revs up around 3000 for a little while before it will hold its own idle down around 1000 RPM. Does your unsafe solution include shooting raw fuel into the trumpets? Chuck-I will try that little trick the next time. John-I've got the PecTel unit. Oh, one thing I forgot to mention is that very occasionally, I get a backfire when starting. Perhaps I am flooding the engine a tad after the first non-start?

Thanks for the additional votes/participation. I've cut a few of the laggards off, so please feel free to cast your votes for those left standing.

My car has always been a recalcitrant cold starter. Once it's up and running, it's easy to restart. But from cold (and this weekend it was plenty cold) it was near impossible. I have an external fuel pump that I hear whir when I turn the key 1/4 turn...leave it there until the whirring stops (I assume that's when system is pressurized), then turn the next 1/4 turn. Anyone else with a similar setup have similar issue? (I wouldn't call it a problem, just a nusiance.)Al Navarro2007-02-26 12:01:26

Funny, I was just looking through a Premiums catalog and thought a license plate bracket would be a good USA7s Club item. "My other car is a Se7en" and all that. Here's a short list of what I'm thinking so far (still have to price it all out): Tshirt Dash/Window Decal Pen/Pad set (for jotting down rendezvous times/places, people's names, etc.) Key chain (only if I can get a nice one) License Plate bracket Water Bottle Pin (Event specific) Lanyard & ID holder I'll start getting pricing on all of this to see where we end up. Oh, and I'm also looking into a baesbal cap, which will probably have to be a la carte given our memorabilia budget. Again, I have to price everything out - but I think enough people would spring for a hat if we had it for sale in July.Al Navarro2007-02-24 11:38:06

Apologies in advance for the sunflare in some of these pix. PHOTO ONE: Door off, 4 mounting points visible (3 poppers & 1 Quarter-Turn Fastener...note, rear popper is one of those "one way" deals that only pops off when you lift the snap a certain way. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070224_111647_Dooroff.jpg PHOTO TWO: Door on to show line of door. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070224_111733_Dooron.jpg PHOTO THREE: Detail of Quarter Turn Fastener, Door off http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070224_111912_QuarterDoorOff.jpg PHOTO FOUR: Detail of Quarter Turn Fastener, Door on http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070224_111954_QuarterDoorOn.jpg PHOTO FIVE: Close up of Quarter Turn Fastener http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070224_112026_QuarterTurn.jpg

Pete-I actually have a Superlight R. And that car to the right (from the camera's POV) is another Caterham Superlight R - belonging to Scott L. At the Skyine East meet last June, we discussed the different nose shape. Both are CF, although mine is painted. What else...Scott runs the SVT (one of the first, I think) whereas I have the "old" zetec. He also has the 13" wheels (185 front/205 rear IIRC) and the full-on carbon seats instead of my inchers and Kevlar/carpets buckets. But other than that, they're twins.-AAl Navarro2007-02-23 18:05:02