Al N.

I think, starting from scratch, many folks would opt for the Duratec (over Zetec or Crossflow). Raceline UK makes a lot of the stuff to retrofit into our sorts of cars.

Six stinkin' votes? Please, I've had a bad day at work. Give me something to cheer me up!! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cryin.gif

Thanks for helping everyone. I'm closing this poll out now.Al Navarro2007-03-08 06:11:05

On longer drives/highway miles, I run the Caterham half doors (which are meant to be used with the aeroscreen, I think). It helps cut down on some buffeting and stone chips throwing. I have a Patagonia "Core Skin" soft shell jacket that I use for fall driving, layered with a rain shell if it gets too wet - even if the top (Jill Judd half hood) is up.

They're both GTs, right? --- I think Steve's on to the real story here. I have actually never been pursused by an enthusiastically driven regular automobile, should try it sometime with a friend in my TT while I'm driving the Cat. I think that once thing got twisty, the Se7en is bye-bye...moreso if you've got the bottle (and V8 power) of someone like Mazda. BTW, isn't that car a Westfield?

Mutt-I was going to get the Ninco Master set then add on a few things...but please send me a PM and we can exchange email addresses if you have a better idea. I have one Caterham Scalextric model in transit and have a line on another...I have another event that I could use the Ninco on a 4 x 8 board, so it works. But please write so I can share with your what I'm thinking for the Dragon meet.-Al

Now what would Nurburgring driver Sabine Schmitz say about that?!? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif

Mutt-do you run Scalextric/Ninco type slots or the hobby store banked corner jobs? Or perhaps HO scale? I love them all...and we're trying to coordinate a layout for the 7-7-7 meet for any down time people might have.

Lots of new forum members...anyone care to share your story?

Jack-Since Orange has been sitting on a battery tender since oh, about mid November, your vid was a nice reminder of what fun our little cars are. Thanks for the post.-Al ---- Speaking of which...I hope Dennis B. and all the Brunton folks appreciated the props I gave them in my comments following Gert's star turnon Jalopnik.com recently. It's all about marque-inclusiveness, baby. Al Navarro2007-02-16 13:08:01

Back in 2005, I had the large fuel cel shipped over from ATL, and it cost me£187.00 just for freight, plus about $80 in customs fees as noted by Tom above...that was POD by the UPS guy. So it ain't cheap.

Thanks to Jeff and the other folks who signed up recently. We are at 58 now...and most of the recent ones are Locost/scratchbuilts!

I've run the Addias driving shoes before, and also a pair of Pumas. I've got tiny little feet (7.5 - 8) and have driven the seven with workboots on. The only things that haven't worked were some running shoes...sole was just too wide. I have a pair of Garmont hiking shoes that are my general knock arounds, but I think I'm going to pop for a pair of Pilotis before 7-7-7...I like the Prototipos in black and orange (because I'm a dork and like color coding).

!!!PAID REGISTRANTS - YOUR HELP REQUESTED!!! Folks- It has come to my attention that some people may have used secondary email addresses when they paid the event registration fees online (and I can't say I blame you!). However, note that we updated our initial email list with those email addresses. And I know of at least one paid registrant who did not receive our latest update. If you would prefer that we use your main email address, please send an email to me ASAP (al@mintadv.com). Also, don't forget to check the spelling of your name in the list that was provided in the email we sent out on Monday, Feb 12th. Finally, some folks have written inquiring about contact info for other Se7eners in the same state. I will make email information available only to other paid registrants next Monday, Feb 19th. If you would like this information — OR IF YOU PREFER NOT TO SHARE YOUR EMAIL INFO WITH OTHER PAID REGISTRANTS, please let me know by EOD Friday Feb. 16th. Best, Al

FROM TAIL OF THE DRAGON.COM: BULLETIN: We have received numerous emails concerning the recent posting on the Internet by a supposed Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper warning of dire consequences on the Dragon this coming year for speeders. We do not post rumors on this site so we contacted Captain Ray Fletcher of the Knoxville Division Tennessee Highway Patrol. He confirmed as we had believed that some of the details in the post are completely false, such as the immediate arrest and impoundment of vehicles for speeding over 50 mph on the Dragon. Captain Fletcher was not able to comment on whether or not the post was made by a Trooper, but some of the language, unusual statements and obvious errors as stated above make us believe the post was by someone other than who supposedly signed their name and position to it. Obviously a real Trooper would not jeopardize his job by signing such a post. Captain Fletcher stated that the laws will be enforced on the Dragon as they are on all Tennessee roadways. Tail of the Dragon advises riders to obey the laws and they will have no trouble with the Tennessee Highway Patrol or Blount County Sheriff Deputies. We will post relevant news as it occurs in the coming year. Watch for continuous updates.

Clarification on NJ inspections... I registered my 2004 Cat under the Collector Vehicle option...which does absolve me of the standard emissions and "safety" inspection that new and late model cars require. However, since I was also titling my car from scratch, it was subject to a "reconstructed vehicle" inspection — and failed the initial inspection for a few reasons: A) I had an aeroscreen that needed to be swapped for a windshield (as you note), B) I had to cover my 4 into 1 to satisfy some "exposed exhaust" prohibition, C) My exhaust hung too low when it was a rear exit...converted to side exit, D) Stock Steering wheel too small, replaced, E) Gas tank needed shielding from below...used honeycomb, F) needed to show proof of origin for Zetec and pass some rudimentary emissions (I think) due to recent vintage of motor. In hindsight, I should have tried to get it dealer-titled in AZ...would probably have made things easier.

In my haste...forgot to give special mention to Bill & Marcy Power for helping with the Auto-X planning!!! With Mazda and I living well to the North, we couldn't have done it without them. Thanks again, guys.

Box-I think you may be picking up on the "jalopnik house style" if one exists. Their posts are hardly ever written "straight" (like you might read in a traditional car mag), but this particular brand of humor/commentary has caught on well — it's one of the leading car blogs out there.-Al A belated word of thanks to Gert. After making introductions and the Malibu Blizzard of 07, I didn't hear much from you or Jonny. Glad you were able to hook up with him. Sorry about the car. Thanks again for helping spread the word about Se7ens!!

Bienvenue a USA7s.com! J'adore les JPEs — we're giving away an expertly built Tamiya model as a prize at our US/50th Anniversary meet this July. By the way, is it Jean or Jeane, masculin ou feminin?

We're famous! Especially Gert! Have not read the whole thing yet... http://jalopnik.com/cars/test-drives/i-am-the-gert-riding-shotgun-in-a-se7en-over-decker-canyon-234223.php

Guys, I'm just emerging from a weeked filled with a big charity auction event and finalizing the 7-7-7 Feb Organizers email. What great advice and feedback (and very marque inclusive, I might add) for spotcheck. I have nothing really to add besides that I considered a Cat, a WCM, a original (well, quite modded, actually) Lotus S2, and a Birkin in my search, and decided on the Caterham SLR because one popped up in my price range (miraculously) and I like the lines of the narrow cars. Having gotten to know few of the folks here better in real life as well as through web correspondence, I think there's no better "support group' for people considering getting into a Se7en of any type. This thread is proof. We'll get around to having a "New to Se7ens FAQ" some day....for now I'm concentrating on making the Tail meet memorable. Al Navarro2007-02-12 09:38:14

!!!MONTHLY ORGANIZERS UPDATE - FEB!!! Note that the February Monthly Organizer's Update email was just sent out. There are 2 versions of the email: one sent to the 54 PAID REGISTRANTS, and one sent to everyone who had signed up on the initial "I'm interested in going" registration page. The PAID REGISTRANTS version included a list of the paid registrants names, home states, and car types. If you fall in to either of these categories but did not receive an email from me today (be sure to check all of your email accounts, including the one you may have used for PayPal), please send me an email: al@mintadv.com. A copy of the email without the list of paid registrants (for privacy) follows below. Note that there are still about 25 available slots for LSiS owners. We are working out the details of how future owners and enthusiasts can be involved with the event and should post that within the next month. One final note: Based on paid registrations and other correspondence, I'm very confident that we will be able to meet our goal of having examples of original Series 1, 2, 3 and 4 Lotus vehicles at the event. Special thanks to all the Lotus owners who have committed to our mixed-marque meet! ----- Dear 7-7-7 Registrant- First, my apologies for the delay in getting this February organizers’ update out to you. January was quite a busy month for Mazda and I in terms of our “day jobs”,not to mention the first month of “official” registration for the event — when you all finally got the opportunity to turn intent into some level of commitment to the event by paying registration fees. Thanks to all of you who took the step of paying the reg. fees. And thanks for all your patience with the PayPal set up and follow up in the few cases it was required. Here are a few at a glance facts about the registrants so far: • As of this past Friday, Feb 9th, 54 people have paid their registration fees. And I know of at least a few people who are either stationed overseas or who are still sorting their plans out to come. We have roughly 25 open slots. • Counted by marque, there are 11 Birkins, 10 Brunton Stalkers, 22 Caterhams, 1 Deman, 2 Locosts, 3 Loti, 2 Roti, and 4 WCM Ultralites. If you add those numbers up, you will get 55 LSiS vehicles — one attendee is bringing both a Birkin and Brunton Stalker. (Based on all the cool Locosts I’ve seen and heard on the forum, I’d love to see more representation from the Locost crowd.) • 26 cars are signed up for the Auto-X (more about this below the registrants list): 7 Birkins, 2 Brunton Stalkers, 12 Caterhams, 1 Deman, 2 Roti, and 2 WCM Ultralites. • Geographically, Virginia tops the count with 8 cars. Texas has 7 cars committed and Ohio & Illinois are sending 5 each. People are coming from as far away as Colorado, Minnesota, and Wisconsin — truly remarkable. • So far 3, dealers/manufacturers/distributors have signed up, and I know that at least 2 or 3 more were intending to. I think it’s a great opportunity to show off your latest and greatest to the Se7en community in the US (and thanks to the web, the world). I would love to have some representation from all the available marques, and am especially interested in perhaps having a roundtable where you can all present the latest developments. Some updates and other things to think about: Auto-X We finally got final confirmation this week about the AUTOCROSS, which will be held on SUNDAY, JULY 8th at William Blount High School in Maryville, TN. Here’s an overhead view: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=219+County+Farm+Rd+37801&ie=UTF8&z=18&ll=35.741453,-84.032171&spn=0.003205,0.006748&t=k&om=1 The actual event will be from Noon to 4:30 PM, with setup starting at 10 AM and takedown lasting until about 5:30 PM. If I recall correctly, because of the local roads’ circuitousness, the drive from Tapoco will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I will try to post pix of the lot on USA7s.com ea

TM-what's the titling/reg like for the megabusa? I guess it does depend on the state, right? Does anyone know of a bike-engined car in NJ? I know that the Galeks (fisher fury usa) would be interested to know the answer too. I sense the need for a "distributors/mfg" roundtable at the 777 meet. Perhaps for Saturday before the bbq? After? I will ask some of these questions in my Feb update, which will go out on Monday at the latest. (was waiting to hear on something that I've heard back on!)-Al

Based on my multi-hour pilgrimages to Skyline East, a Zetec with the overdriveless Caterham 6 speed tranny is no sonic picnic when endured for an extended periods, either. Glad I have the helmet to cut down on sound and buffeting.

B10Bt-there's a whole BEC thread somewhere here. Some very big proponents of BECs in the forum. Note that I referred to the James Whiting Fireblade, which was as close as you could get to a Caterham sanctioned BEC in the UK...the Blackbird too. I don't think they offer(ed) either one officially over here. I didn't have an issue with a BEC per se, it just added a layer of complexity to the buying process had I chosen to go the route of Super7Cars.