Al N.

I didn't get that far...I was too mesmerized by the shots of the cars on the home page! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif

Folks- Does anyone know of "known issues" with the Caterham tranny or the Sierra tranny in general? I'm not a hands-on sort of owner, and 2 other folks have addressed some concerns with the the lubricant level and/or fill/drain of this box. Does anyone have any insights? Fee freel to write to me via PM. I'm just about to turn 3000 miles and would like to have the gearbox checked out if there is in fact an issue(s). -Al

IIRC, it's painted metal. Mine is grey. Hopefully Mazda or Rob will chime in, because there's this vendor in the UK who can custom make one to size and probably even vary the size/shape/font of the "7" (which, it is my duty to report is a registered trademark of Caterham Cars Limited). Stan "Soareyes" has a very nice grille on his Birkin, which is a more stylized verison of the "7". Just my 2 cents.

I just found out about the factory's site upgrade by way of radiose7en.com (a nice global marque-inclusive blog that that you should check out if you haven't yet). Looking good, IMHO! >www.caterham.co.ukAl Navarro2007-01-09 11:51:12

Locost7018...my 9 year old daughter asked for a Lego Ferrari set for her recent birthday and her 6 year old sister can pronounce "Barrichello" properly. The real question is where did I go wrong!?!

Jim et al.- Other than the auto-x, there's no real competition going on (with the exception of a just for fun car show). However, you do raise a good point and we'll create an option for non-LSiS driving people just as soon as we get the registrants bringing LSiS vehicles squared away. BTW, thanks to everyone who has stepped up already and paid their registration fees...and also to those who have alerted Mazda and I to any issues with using the shopping cart. Finally (for now), I stand corrected...JPE stands for Johnathan Palmer Evolution (how could I have forgotten that!) and I mistakenly added an "s" to the last name of Bill and Marcy Power. -Al

The Deman USA guys are both 22, so you're not THE youngest Ken!

Well, I just checked in my garage/tractor shed and Orange is still in there. And I just realized that it was featured on Jalopnik! http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/a-handprint-on-the-drivers-side-idolators-jackin-pop-poll-226539.php I had only logged in from home on that post until earlier today when I stopped into the office...not only did Davey G. give me props, but even featured my car. Jon N. and Cody S. should be paying me for all the publicity I get Caterham in the USA! (Just kidding, of course!)

!!!Monthly Organizer Update!!! Folks- The PayPal shopping cart for 7-7-7 is up and running. The first 78 people who raised their hands for the event have been sent an email with a link to the page. If you are one of these people, please pay your registration fee(s) before January 31, 2007. Any remaining slots will be given to people higher up the list. Directions are provided in the email for people who do not wish to use the secure e-commerce shopping cart. If you know already that you will not be coming to this event, please let the organizers know via email (al@mintadv.com, mazda_ebrahimi@yahoo.com) so we can take your name off the registration page and offer your slot to another person. Thanks again for your interest and support. Feel free to email or post questions/comments. Best, Al Navarro

Now Mazda, your 75th feels more like my 99th...hence my suggestion for tiered groups above. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/blush5.gif

You may want to invest in a set of dedicated track tires to go with that mojo! FWIW, I will be content to run mid to back of the pack, with the car's engine, tires, and close ratios making up for my numerous deficiencies. And of course, enjoy watching the really fast guys duke it out.

A thought... Since everyone has a different level of tolerance for g-forces exerted while driving their seven on the street...it might make sense to let people self identify for the 7-7-7. That way, people can hook up with people who drive at a similar pace and won't feel like the odd person out. For example, I'm a total softy compared to Mazda. Perhaps we have sign up boards with A, B, and C groups...where Mazda is an "A" and I am more of a "B" or "C" if I've got a passenger! Just a thought. Would love to know what people think. Also...note that the organizers will not technically not be leading or organizing individual group drives, but will allow for attendees to find other attendees and drive pre-mapped routes, starting out at mutually convenient times.

If it has clams, that may be the car. Wonder if Jeremy F. or Lance knows this car...

I know you mean 100 kph! For people who haven't tried to keep up with this car on a blat (and that was with the old engine), 7-7-7 will be a very interesting weekend. Which actually brings up something I've been thinking about that I will elaborate on in the Tail of the Dragon thread...

Unless someone took my car out of the garage between last night and this afternoon, not me (and they would have had to push it out of the garage and all the way down the driveway because I can definitely hear it when it starts up). BUT, perhaps that is the Seven that launched my thousand ships over 10 years ago when I tried to keep up with one in my brother's 911 going to the New Hope Auto Show...did it have cycle fenders or clamshells?

Baron....a stereo?!? Does not the motor provide enough aural excitment? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif Shotgun, I'm up in Frenchtown if you want to check out my car (although I do like Brian's products too).

Yellow...love those trumpets man! Carbon? We're not terribly far away from each other, should meet up some time. Is your car track only? And can we call you something but Yellow?

Mutt- Our "rain" activity for the Saturday of the meet is the Biltmore...would love any advice on that area of NC. I'll be headed down over Easter to do some more recon. -Al

Rob- We're still sorting out the non-t-shirt mementos...got a good lead on panoramic photography from one registrant and lots of good feedback from others. Our January email should be going out by Mondayish...keep an eye on your in boxes. One note I'd like to make is for all the manufacturers/distributors who have signed up or who are interested to email me (al@mintadv.com). I have an idea that I'd like to bounce off you all and want to make sure I'm connecting with the right people instead of guessing from your names on the list. Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you in person in July. -Al

Jeff- Welcome! Mazda E. (slngsht) is the founder and admin of this site, and thanks to his efforts and those of countless others...word has spread to the various marque-specific communities. Mazda brought a few of us together in person last June on VA's Skyline Drive and that mixed-marque group (2 Roti and 3 Cats) had such a blast (or should that be blat?). Glad to see you've picked up on the inclusive nature of the forum...there is a national marque-inclusive club in the works too. Stay posted. -Al

I have many seven books, but not that one! Hope you complete build by 7-7-7 and make it to the meet at Tail of the Dragon. Or better yet...bring it with like 12 more hours of work to complete it and I bet we find some folks to lend a hand...could be a real fun way to get your car on the road and meet some other Se7eners! Welcome to the forum, btw.

Since I don't have a heater, I was thinking abotu converting my heater fan switch to the cooling fan override purpose Mike. I have a full face helmet (Schuberth motorcycle flip-up) and bought helmets for my kids and wife. I have been thinking about getting an "driver to instructor" intercom...but don't mind having to shout occassionally to be heard. I have a dual cigarette underdash. And of course, the Jill Judd half hood. I think the helmet makes the most difference on long (sometimes rainy) drives). -A

I've got USA7s.com — as if I needed to go to any others! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif Well, okay, so I'll visit >www.britishcarforum.com once in a while. And Magnus' West Side Posse site, otherwise known as the >California Caterham Club I used to go to Raging Bull back in the Internet bubble phase. It's not a forum, but probably my most frequent site is the carblog >Jalopnik And finally, >blatchat.comAl Navarro2007-01-04 15:30:01

Can we have a separate class at teh 7-7-7 Auto-X for Mazda and anyone running slicks? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrinjester.gif

I had a post all written, then it bounced me out! I listen to a lot of just about everything, except for Country and anything too hard/unmelodic (pretty much anything with screaming in it is out). Favorite album of all time would probably be the John Coltrane/Johnny Hartman, with the Coltrane/Monk Carnegie concert a close second, just barely nudging Kind of Blue to third spot. I listen to a lot of contemporary rock/alt./rap too — staying away from teen pop and dance stuff. The Raconteurs, Radiohead, and Broken Social Scene get mixed in with Kanye West and Jay-Z. I'm also no stranger to classical/orchestral music, and have a few versions of Copland's Appalachian Spring on both vinyl and CD.