Al N.

x-post from usa@se7ens.net Folks- Al Navarro here. Been laying very low (but alas, not low flying!) for a few weeks due to work/family/volunteering commitments. I'm writing to ask you all for a favor. Many of you probably know about the blog I keep for my car. The link is below. http://gardenstatesevens.org/wordpress/ What I'm asking for is, if you have time and the energy, please make a comment on any post on the blog (even the most recent, un-car-related one is fine). And the comment should be legit, not just something like "Hey Al, I got a comment for you right here." I ask this all because I'm trying to make a viral marketing/social network point to a prospective client at my day job. So feel free to tell two friends and so on. Thanks in advance. Apologies to people who hate this sort of thing (but at least I'm not trying to masquerade, right?) -Al P.S. Note that you have to register...which protects me from spam and is really just verification of a legit email address (the blog software should send a password to the address you register). Please advise if there are any hiccups with registering/commenting. And thanks again for your assistance should you feel inclined to help a fellow Sevener out.

I'm bringing my DV camera to the TotD recon trip Mazda and I have scoped out for the first week of Nov...we'll have to try and do a GE flyover and perhaps sync those up. FWIW, that link does not work for Mac people (at least this mac person). And I do have GE installed.

Very nice to see that some folks are out enjoying their cars. I've been tied up with work, volunteering, and family stuff for weeks. The volunteering is over for a bit, but I've got to whip work into shape so that I can go off to TotD first week of Nov with a relatively clear conscious. Love these sat map pix! We should keep a running thread of them...and thanks for the deets Slomove, good to see the spirit of marque-inclusiveness runs across the country.

No, I have not gotten around to installing the camera mount in Orange. But I did see that someone over on Blat Chat (is it me or do those folks do a lot of wingeing?) had linked to this CSR 260 setting a new lap record for the Top Gear circuit (not driven by "the Stig", btw). http://www.circuitpro.co.uk/injectionTV/

While I appreciate the Elise for its role in saving Lotus' bacon, especially here in the US, I am a little down on this car (no offense to anyone who owns one - esp. Tony V!) To me, the Elise is one garage bay away from a Boxster. And while both are perfectly pleasant cars with very high performance, there's just something about them that puts them in a softer category than a Seven. They're just not "hairshirt" enough for me. And if I was going to go the Porsche route would much rather have a 1973 911S than a Boxster. FWIW, in my neck of NJ, Elises are fairly common. I'm surprised to see a few women driving them around too. That's a refreshing change from the "car guy" stereotype.

You are both lucky bastards. I spent the yesterday working a wedding show with Laura. Not drudgery to be sure, but not blatting on a beautiful early fall day.

I'm a member. I think there's another LEO show on Oct 8 (Bordentown NJ). There are a few NJ Seveners who roll with the LEOs. I will not be able to make either event, as I have previous family commitments (Mother's 65th b-day complete with three generation trip to Niagara...maybe I should drop in on Tony V.?!) However, I volunteered to map the Frenchtown to Bordentown route on my way home from the shore this weekend, so I'll be there in spirit.

Catie-do you happen to have a relative in the NJ/PA area? I met someone a few weeks back who knew what my car was because his sister raced one...I'm assuming (and potentially making the proverbial ass of myself) that you are a woman by your handle.

Regarding a helmet in a car....I asked at my local state police barracks (NJ) before ordering and they said it was fine. I have not ever been stopped in the 7 (for wearing a helmet). Note that moto helmets are generally unacceptable for track use, although it seems that some auto-x groups allow it. FWIW, the new Dainese helmets have built in BlueTooth so you can go helmet to helmet wirelessly as well as link to a blue tooth compatible phone.

I've never tried putting my helmet in the boot. With the Fuel Cell, nothing really fits back there anyway. You may want to try ne of the flip-up (motorcycle) like Schuberth or Caber. Also, check out the Bell Mag-8, which my wife uses and likes.

I just roll with a helmet on longer drives. See latest post at gardenstatesevens.org/wordpress for pix.

BTW, I would not ship my car. Althoguh I will try and rent a seven through the factory.

Gert-so you have the same fuel gauge issues? Mine (ATL gauge and cell) is "progressive" in that it seems to sip fuel until the half-way mark, then plummets into the E. I even ran out once already (on my way to rendezvous with Mazda et al) and had to use my "peace of mind booster" on the side of Route 78 in PA. And then the car was hard to start due to air in line or perhaps clogged filter. What fun!

Regarding the number 77... We picked the 77 limit after discussing lot size, parking, and other facility restrictions with the folks at our main host hotel, Tapoco Lodge. Mazda just posted a questionnaire that will be going out to everyone who has officially registered to get a better feel for what the event will be like. He and I are going down to ToD in early November armed with this data to talk to the locals, find local vendors for food, music, etc... After that trip we should have a much better assessment of what the true capacity is and what we can do to accomodate more. So far we feel confident that 77 LSiS vehicles can be supported in an organized fashion. Thanks again for your interest Kreb (or is that berk?) -Al http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif

Gert, is that red cannister your fuel cel? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/wink5.gif I've got one just like, it...'cept I usually put it in the passenger footwell.

Congrats No 6. Welcome to the asylum and all that. I was able to burn some petrol in Orange yesterday...no real destination, but definitely not a "waste" of gas! http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/thumbsup.gif

Folks- I just arrived at home to see the lastest ish of Low Flying sitting on the kitchen table still in its wrapper. Happy to report that both the California Club's "westside posse" and our "Skyline East" group made it into the mag. Have yet to read Clark's article on the Westside boyz, but will after a dinner engagement (how dare my social life overide my Se7en life!) -Al

I think the induction noise vs. exhaust noise is something many folks don't get...mostly I think because of the airboxes on "modern" cars. My Superlight's side exit is pretty quiet. But the sound of air and fuel getting slurped from the foamy thing over my trumpets is LOUD.

REVISED (NOW WITH ACCURATE SUBTRACTION!...SORRY FOR THE EARLIER ERROR) REGISTER NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT (X-post from usa@se7ens.net) In the very beginning, I thought we'd get like 30 or so cars for the TotD next July. That is, until Michael D. put into my head that 50 might be possible. I know now that 53 is very possible. However, Michael's recent post made me think..."How many cars is too many?" And so I called our primary host hotel, Tapoco Lodge, to see if there is a ceiling past which things will get ugly. Based on my talk with them today (and their previous history hosting car clubs), I'd like to officially set a hard limit of 77 LSiS vehicles. That's seventy-seven. Past that number, I don't think we'll fit into parking lot with any degree of comfort and civility (not to mention the space we need for trailers!). Which means that there are basically 24 open spots left. I'd sure love to lock in a Series 1 (even for static display!), as Dean G. will try to get his together in time but understandably can't commit this far out. Maybe the LOG attendees can circle the wagons and rustle up an S1? We have S2, S3 (in the form of early Cats), and Scott N's S4. If we reach 77 and still have interest...well, we'll cross that bridge when it comes. Thanks again all. BTW, for those of you who have not been following the national-level club thread at USA7s.com...it's starting to get very interesting as the West and East try to come to a meeting of the minds (and merging of the forums?). http://www.usa7s.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=154 --- As you can see, I am at work instead of Watkins Glen. It's been that kind of work week/month. Al Navarro2006-09-08 20:36:29

Although I started this thread, Mazda and I have since agreed to mostly split responsibilities (me on 777, he on US Club...those day jobs sure get in the way!), but I wanted to chime in. I just wanted to say that I think the dialog that's happening between the East and West right now is really inspiring and motivational (which I need cause I'm having a shite work week/month). Whatever transpires, count me in to be the semi-official scribe for the East (as Clark is for the West) as well as being the semi-official liaison to the UK Club and even the Cat factory if you want (as I already have open lines of communication with both of those entitiies). Perhaps, some time in the next few years, East will meet West in a national meet over 100 cars strong!

Any recco on what kind of mike to buy? I was thinking one of those flat mikes, but it might then only transmit the vibrations of my aluminum!

Speaking of in-cars...my i/o port racing camera mount arrived this week. Not wanting to have the on-camera mike get all windnoised up, I intend on installing a corded remote mike. Does anyone have suggestions for placement, prep (foam sock?) and/or brands/styles of mikes that are best for open cars like ours? I've already written to the Jackals Forge (I consider him the dean of Se7en videologists) but want as many opinions as possible. -A

x-post from usa@se7ens.net... ...while this is even farther off than 7-7-7, is anyone interested in traveling to the UK for the weekend of Sept. 14-16 for the L7C celebration? I've never been to England, and if the costs work out, this could be a good excuse.

Folks- All 49 Se7eners registered for 7-7-7 should be getting an email from Mazda in the next few days that asks you to complete an online questionnaire which will greatly assist in the planning of 7-7-7. Please look for that and try and complete the questionnaire as soon as you can. Note that the online format helps Mazda and I avoid manually entering data. FYI Mazda and I are planning to go to TotD the first weekend of November to recon and meet with various hospitality and service providers. If you're interested in rendezvousing with us, let us know. We will NOT be bringing our LSiSes. -Al P.S. I think there may be one or two folks who have made 7-7-7 hotel reservations but who are not "officially" signed up at USA7S.com. If you are one of these people, please write to Mazda and I off board or register at USA7s.com (enter "777" for the vehicle type if your aren't bringing a LSiS to the party). X-post from usa@se7ens.net

DEAD HORSES BEATEN HERE. Folks. I wanted to do one last check that people would rather not incorp as a North American Chapter of the L7C which is based in the UK. From what I recall, the reasons against were: • Dues high for what is essentially a UK club (majority of events are over there, with a few on the continent and other former outposts of the empire) • Part of dues pays for insurance, which may not travel across the sea (they may be willing to fund domestic insurance for us) • Club mag (Low Flying, which I happen to love) is UK centric • Club seems overly Lotus/Caterham-centric (they have been adamant that they are very marque friendly) Apparently in the latest Low Flying (not yet arrived on our shores), there is some great article that supports the notion that "We'd much rather be the L7 Club international than be known as a purely a UK club." The dues for the UK club are about $70 per year...our USA club intends to have minimal dues and fund itself primarily with events. Again, I'm a member of the L7C and intend to keep up that afiliation. Please chime in.