Al N.

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.

Skip-It's computer animation. I was a Senna freak, and also got chills (and thrills) watching it. I love how they put in all famous GP corners in.

Found it via blat chat...

I was very interested in one of these when I was looking into buying. But the prospect of importing a Canadian car — especially one with a bike engine, was just too much for me. Would be great if Super7Cars had a US distrib to help with sorting out that kind of stuff. Not unlike what Deman USA seems to be doing with Deman. I think Super7Cars uses the SV body for reasons of space and I prefer (and can comfortably fit in) the narrow-body cars (alas, the James Whiting Fireblade wasn't sold directly here). I can't wait to see some of the BECs that have committed for the Dragon meet in July.

I'm pretty sure that's one of the cars made by the Canadian outfit that does only bike engined Caterhams. David Saville Peck?Al Navarro2007-02-07 21:02:46

Thanks for the heads up, Skip. I have 3 thoughts: A) This is why it's good to have the Auto-X as part of the weekend...save your need for speed for that, B) Even at 30 MPH, the Dragon will be a hoot for a Se7ener, C) One of the reasons I'm going down in April is to drive some other less well known roads in the area. The Dragon is fun, a relentless turn factory that I think is one of the highlights of the area...but it's not the only road. I love the Cherohala too.

Organizers Update (not the monthly one...that's coming soon) Thanks again to everyone who has taken the step of paying the reg fees. According to our most recent counts, we have over 50 people paid and ready to meet in July 2007. I did want to reach out and say that anyone who may have signed up on the initial registration page (the one where your name, state, and car type are listed)...please be sure to send an email to Mazda and/or I if you have not received an email with a link to the secure online shopping cart. We will be taking that initial registration page down soon...and eventually be replacing it with some info for people who aren't owners yet but who might want to stop by to check out what Se7ens are all about. I hope to get the formal February annoucement email out by this Friday...there's not too much to update as January was pretty much dedicated to sorting out registrations. Thanks to everyone who wrote with questions, comments, or issues. -Al

There are definitely some slots still available as not everyone who raised their hand on the initial registration page has gone to the next step of paying a reg fee...thanks again to everyone that has! No worries if you can't make it, but it would be great to have another BEC represented...not to mention another Orange Se7en!

Jeff-I think we might be able to find room for you to put your trailer over at Tapoco, so you could keep the car there too...and only take it out for the auto-x. The "car show" will be super informal, and is more of a chance for everyone to check out everyone else's car and chat.-Al

Jeff-Very Nice. Car looks very sano. Love the roll cage. Are you coming to Tail of the Dragon? Would love to see that in person...and there is a veritable posse of Se7ens coming from VA.-Al

The Atom (as available in the USA) isn't so cheap, you know...and then there's the problem of registration/inspection/titling in some states. I know there is no way I'd be able to get one through NJ...based on what I had to do for the Se7en (mine is registered as a new car).

Felin-I've never met you, and I already like you! I hear a Stalker vs. Ultralites friendly rivalry shaping up for the Auto-X, with one very powerful Rotus and a few potent Caterhams, Birkins, Locosts, and Demans just to keep things interesting.-Al

hey, Al, did u mount the wolo lights? how did it look with the Jill Judd hood? We may have covered this in emails or PMs, but...my guys chose not to drill into the bar, and used foam tape and zip ties on the tabs. As for the Jill Judd and the Wolo, on a good day you can see it, on a bad day it's a dim glow beneath the hood. However, this is just a matter of having someone retrim the hood with a higher center cutout. Jill and Nick did not have the luxury of having my car to work on in person, so it's no surprise.

Two points: When the East Coast Skyline group met up last June, the "sticking close" method allowed all of us to get pulled over by the park constabulary, who pulled a U-turn to chase us down (fortunately we were just starting out) and directed us into the nearest scenic overlook. Only 2 of us got tickets, though. The rest got a stern lecture and "strike 2" written warning. I've been on the New York Thruway up between Albany and Canada...the part they call the Northway...and seen Camaros, Mustangs, etc. travel in pods of 4 or 5 police to hunt down speeders. And to be going faster than most traffic up there you need to be upwards of 90 or 100.Al Navarro2007-02-01 13:12:25

This is my semi-regular reminder/suggestion to any new folks (and there are quite a few), to please take a few minutes to write a little about yourself here. As you can see by reading the thread, we don't bite.

Right now, we're thinking of a trip to the Biltmore Estate as a "Continuous Rain Contingency Event" for Saturday (or you could just sit in the quonset trying to set best time on the dragonesque Scalextric course I'm planning on having set up or watch Grand Prix or something)...having driven hundreds of miles in the pouring rain with just a half-hood and half doors, I can say that it makes for a memorable experience. I didn't feel all that unsafe driving at 45 in the right lane with my hazards on. And a caravan of Sevens would be quite a scene. On another note, I wanted to ask people what they think would be a good time to try a full "parade" drive of the Dragon? Friday night before dinner? Saturday AM before/after our group photo? Saturday before our main barbeque?Al Navarro2007-01-31 13:21:44

I don't know about that card, Skip. Why not send an email to Ron and Nancy Johnson? --- X-post from USA@Se7ens net: a reply to Dino Trakas... Dino et al- When I contacted Fontana early on, I didn't take the extra step of "blocking" rooms since we didn't really know how many people would be coming. The last thing I wanted was to block rooms and then have to tell them a month in advance that "Oh, we didn't need them." The woman I spoke with there is Toni Crisp. We agreed that they will keep track of how many Se7eners stay there this year, so we can negotiate a group rate for future events. I will be sure to stop by when I visit in April. BTW, I think Fontana also has larger "cabin" rooms if people want to split something...note that there are apparently 4 family reunions scheduled for that weekend at Fontana. Regarding Trailers, we will have room for trailers in the back lot at Tapcoco. I would plan on dropping that off as soon as you arrive. I hope this helps. Thanks again everyone for you patience, interest, and help. -Al

Mike-someday the east and west will meet in the middle...Indy perhaps? Or maybe Kansas? If possible, I'm going to try and get out to the LOG in Denver this year. I think the UK Club gig in Sept (though I note the Caterham factory sponsored event is also in the Summer!) is probably out for me.-Al