Al N.

Wow! This post used to be titled "Now 300 hundred members!!!" Raise a glass to Mr. Ebrahimi for setting up this great online resource for fellow Se7eners. Well done, Mazda — and everyone who's joined the forum and shared their 2¢. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/cheers2.gif

Roger that Jon - on the quarter turns. These are the Caterham issue. I think the JJ's are flat (no "forearm bump out") and probably softer. If money were not an object, I'd spring for the Fluke ones to match my fenders, along with the carbon bonnet from EasiClad (richard in france)! If I could fit the table into the pilot along with my family our our stuff, it would be there.

Tom, I'll do that over the weekend and post Sunday or Monday. Note that I think the original door install was not perfect (don't worry, I still love you, Rex!) which lead to the leading edge snaps popping off spontaeously. The little quarter turn fasteners have been the charm though, and I'd recommend them if you haven't put the poppers in yet. That said, I would shoot for putting the poppers into the "corners" of the door first (maybe one extra in the middle of the curved trailing edge, then using those poppers to locate where you need to mount the studs on your car.-Al P.S. I can't believe no one has commented on the air hockey table backdrop!Al Navarro2007-02-23 12:08:42

And it's Orange to boot. Just one of the little things we're working on for 7-7-7. Although, perhaps we should just keep this one in the case as a prize...as I'm sure there will be more than a few scale-crashes. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070223_080824_lilcat.jpg

My half doors, Caterham issue. These are shown with a 36 inch T-square for size. They go from the scuttle to the boot cover, effectively squaring off the "door area" . I've included a few pix so you can see details of how they are curved to provide a touch more space for the cabin occupants. My mechanic changed the front pop-snaps to twist locks because the doors kept popping off (they are slightly loaded/flexed when snapped in) at the leading edge. EDIT: I forgot to note that the skinny piece points backwards. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070223_080258_door1.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070223_080315_door2.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070223_080331_door3.jpg http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/20070223_080344_door4.jpgAl Navarro2007-02-23 12:09:57

Dino- Although I lean toward Rob's sentiment, I kind of like your suggestion...enough to put it up in the poll, at least. Remember all, I reset the poll setting so that you can vote again. -Al

I'm officially twice as happy as I was yesterday. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif Rob, I think you have a point regarding the anniversary thing. But that might not be a negative...could be a great talking point: "No, it's not our 50th meeting...it was the 50th anniversary of the original Seven." That said, perhaps this works better? USA7s at the Dragon - Celebrating 50 years of Se7ens I'll leave this poll up for another week or so before setting the art folks on it.

X-Posting here to get more feedback on the poll I'm running over in the events section. I need to get started on designing memorabilia for the event and want to settle on a managable name. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=588 Please vote. It will cheer me up immensely.

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.