Al N.

Found this video via radiose7en.com. Amazing. >http://videos.streetfire.net/video/1DCDB100-62DA-4716-9B4A-9821006CBAD7.htmslngsht2006-08-23 08:34:28

The clarifications help me better see the context, and cause for alarm. If the mfg can't make a product that passes in its home country, that's pretty bad. It does underscore one universal issue though — that some inspection centers are more lenient than others, even within a coutry or state. Obviously the RH folks must have gotten quite a few of their products passed at some SVA station at some point, right? This reminds me of what I went through in NJ last summer right about this time. Where other folks had passed inspection easily at other insepction stations (only a few are approved "kit car" inspection station) while I got tripped up on a few technicalities at the one closest to me.

Well, hmm. How about this...I bought my car from an Authorized Cat USA Dealer and still failed in NJ for a number of what seem to be less crucial reasons. And I still love my builder/dealer. My point is that I don't see how a kit car builder can get that bent out of shape given that every state has different regs. And from what I understand, the Robin Hoods are not even American in origin (so what would the mfg know?). That said, I think it does fall to the US distributor to address and help remedy for this particular owner.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE (X-POST FROM USA-REQUEST@SE7ENS.NET) ---- Regarding 777, we think it would be interesting and fun to have a dyno and/or scales on hand. After all, who doesn't want to know how much they're putting out at the wheels? So, while we will do our research into semi-local places that may want to come out the Dragon, I put this out to you all too. If you know of or have either of this devices, please chime in. Note that we are VERY open to a dealer or shop sponsoring this partially (could charge a reasonable per car fee) or in whole. You would of course, get plenty of marketing exposure. Also, if any of the dealers with lists of people who are "interested but not yet owners", feel free to tell them about the 7-7-7 event as there will be cars of virtually every type on hand to check out. Dealers/Mfgs may also want to consider offering test drives to people who sign up for them in advance.

Update on 7-7-7. Mazda and I met up this past weekend to go over odds and ends for the Tail of the Dragon Event. In an effort to make it the event that attendees have in mind, we will be sending an email with some questions (or a link to questionnaire) to current registrants. We want to know stuff like: • How many people are you bringing? Will you be bringing non-driving spouse and/or kids? (so we can possibly plan for non-car activities and day trips, and perhaps even baby sitting...note that Mazda and I have small children and as of now are planning to bring them) • What hotel are you booked into and which nights (so we can plan in transit times for our full group events) • What sorts of souvenirs would you want included in your registration fee or a la carte (not everyone may want a t-shirt, etc.) And so on. If you are a registrant, please be on the lookout for this email the first week of Sept. The questionnaire may seem on the long side, but your answers will help mold the event into something that people will really enjoy. Additionally, Mazda and I spoke about the registration fee. As I noted earlier, there will be some sort of fee to cover insurance, some printing fees (not everyone will enjoy downloading and printing a 5 meg route map PDF), and possibly some labor (locals to help with day of activities so the organizers can also have fun with the rest of the gang) but we'll keep this minimal. Right now we are thinking about including the group meals in this reg fee (for 1 adult), with a la carte meal pricing for additional family members. Again, we welcome your input. Post here or write to Mazda and I directly. Also, Mazda and I fully intend to visit the Dragon in November to sort other issues out and meet with the semi-local Seveners who have raised their hands to volunteer help. We should be able to sort out all fees by the end of November and will post them here and on the reg page. Oh, finally, note that Mazda and I are shooting for a May 7, 2007 registration deadline so that we have 2 months to finalize the attendee welcome packs, souvenirs, etc. Of course, we will allow people to register after the deadline and even at the event itself (if you can find lodging remotely close by at that point), but they may not get the official t-shirt or whatever until after the event is over. That's all for now!

How about "Seven Nation" I'm reluctant to go with North American Sevens because it's a little too close to the UK nomenclature and also because I think it could sound like a commercial entity (which would be bad for us in terms of using the Sevens verbiage as owned by Cat UK). I think in the end, we should narrow down to a few favorites, then post a poll for all.

Thanks again for all your efforts on the online front. My attitude toward an LSiS only forum is probably best summarized by what I said to the organizer of the local Lotus Club (which I recently joined): "Well, you should know that I'm actually more into Sevens than I am into Lotus cars. I mean Esprits and Elans and Elises are cool and all, but it's the Sevens I'm really passionate about...I don't even care if they were made by Lotus. If there was a local club just for Sevens, I'd join that." Thanks again for making this virtual clubhouse "just for Sevens".

Fontana now MORE aware of our event. Folks. Apparently a few people were asking for Toni Crisp at Fontana (as we directed on the reg page) this week, and she told them she didn't know anything about it. The deal is I had spoken with and corresponded with Toni back in July, but had not officially blocked out rooms as I didn't know if we'd even need them (and nothing is worse than people who say they're going to need 25 rooms and then bailing!). I was and still am planning on going to NC in Nov, and was going to meet with Toni then. When I heard today that some folks had reached out Toni and there was some confusion, I called her right away. We have revised the registration page accordingly...you are now supposed to merely mention the Sevens event and don't worry about speaking specifically to Toni. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused folks.

Al N. here. I still toil in the "pimple" which Steve T mentions...he and I have laughed in person about it before. After years of working for others, I co-founded a small ad agency in NJ. I live in Hunterdon County on a very rural property (enough field space to host dozens of Sevens should we ever want to have a Northeast meet!) with my wife and two young daughters (6 and 8), a cat, and a resident herd of deer. My wife is a photographer: www.laurabillingham.com. My Seven story is recounted on my blog at gardenstatesevens.org.

JC - You should send that plate out to TotD event, so we can take a nice group shot pic for all the purists!

Mazda- Count me in to split the fees. Perhaps we solicit a "founders board" where a few folks chip in to minimize the out of pocket for any one individual. I'm good on MD inc. -Al

Those Elfins and Toniqs are COOL>

A lawyer would be good too. To look over the various sundry docs.

Gave up golf for fly fishing. Still have my clubs though, for those rare occasions when i have to play a charity thing or my college buddies swing into town.

I thought I replied to this this AM? Perhaps I didn't click "Post Reply". I don't even know where to start on this one, Mazda. Golf? Lattes? What, will you install air conditioning in Frankseven soon?

Also, I think we're fine using 7 in the club name (from a legal POV), especially since we're decidedly not-for-profit. Yes, I have spoken with the UK factory.

Jeremy....I finally heard back from teh L7C UK. Let's just say that there are more people signed up for 7-7-7 than there are US members of L7C.

Dude, you're famous! Saw your ride in the CandD article (still looking for a print version for my archives...funny how you can't buy an Aug issue in August anymore). Know that you NEVER have to preface your statements with "I don't have a real Lotus" here. From what I've found, USA7s is 10000% inclusive and not elitist/snobbish at all. If you've got a LSiS/4-wheeled motorbike, you are welcome. Very interested in your bike motor. Hope you can make it to the event. I think it's going to be great. Note that a few folks from Tx are already signed up. You might want to coordinate with them for a road trip. -Al Navarro

Soliciting more input... A few of us had a call this AM regarding the national club (I'm assuming now that we're going to make it happen). It was felt that a truly independent, brand agnostic US club would probably be the best option, with no dues initially (only event fees, if at all), and an online newsletter (to elimintate printing and mailing costs). Affiliation with the L7C of the UK would be not be adjunct, but rather parallel, with a member of the USA club serving as liason to L7C UK. Similar affiliations would be forged with the Westfield club, etc. Many details to sort out still (like a name?, can we use "7" or "Seven" in any form, etc.), but some good direction and input. Would love to hear from more people as well as drum up more forum activity here. I think Mazda's built a great resource for us all and we should all take advantage of it as much as possible. People interested in being regional reps for this fledgling Seven club please step up.

X-POST FROM usa@se7ens.net: Regarding 7-7-7, I want people to understand that there are a bazillion great drives within spitting distance of the Dragon, and some others a little more distant. And in between all the "official" drives and meals, we should all hit as many as possible. George H. even proposed a "Asheville and back" blat for those who crave a little interstate pace. I personally would love to visit a town called Sylva that from my guidebook looks incredibly quaint. And I'm sure our group drive on the Cherohola will include a lunch in Tellico Plains. What else. Not much besides the fact that I would love to see Keith Tanner and the Locost contingent represented, as well as having at least one Series 1 owner officially commit to the event so we have the lineage display locked up. Anyone? Anyone? Dean G. can you forgive me?

Great points John. With everything else going on in my life (777 not the least), I am inclined to err on the side of simplicity. But if you and others have the time and energy to take up the banner this year, I would support that too. As I mentioned to Mazda in a phone call this weekend, I don't have teh time to generate a newsletter this year, and would like to stay away from teh money side of things too. Perhaps a summit meeting on this in the Fall or Winter? It would be great to be able to make 7-7-7 the "official" kickoff for it.

I wanted to air a few thoughts regarding a US club. I agree that both membership and events will be 1000% INCLUSIVE. We'll let the individual event planners and or regional/local sub-chapters decide on classes for shows and other events (auto-x?). But everyone is welcome. While Mazda and I are sorting out the insurance bit, I will say that I would like to align with the British Club. For two reasons — from what I know, they are well funded and even try to chip in for regional events (according to what I read in Low Flying). Additionally, I think Low Flying is a pretty great little publication. I could see a regular "Across the Pond" column. I would recommend aligning with IK, but paying a reduced fee to cover only membership (for overhead, membership card, etc.), and LF subscription (including postage)...NOT paying anything towards UK insurance but rather using whatever that portion is to offset the cost of US insurance (or just handling the insurance on an as needed basis). Also, I think it would make sense to have regional coordinators (as divided up here at USA7s.com) in addition to one main contact to serve as liason to the UK. It's clear to me that the California folks can and do get together, and of course, us "Skyline Seveners" out east. We'd use this great resource Mazda has built for us as our version of "Blat Chat", but also have privileges over there.

Bernie...so glad you chimed in. I caught the GREAT write-up in Kit Car of your event. Very cool. And totally in the spirit of what we're trying to do with 7-7-7 at Tail of the Dragon. I think quite a few trailer purchases will be made between now and next July. I am leaning toward an Aluma (although the Trailex is nice too). Do what you can to get Keith Tanner down to the Dragon...I think the Locosts should be represented, and he seems to be the dean of that particular school.

Mazda- This is AMAZING! Really. It's almost Mac-like in its feel (yes, PC users, that was an low blow on my behalf) A few minor things pop out at me...on the previous version, it was great to be able to see the names of the states in each region as you define them. That would be great to restore. Also, should we move 7-7-7 out of Southeast and into the National Event category? (As it's fast becoming!!!) Great job, and a real asset to our community. -Al

Here's a thought for everyone to chew on: "The United Sevens of America" Whether or not your car was breathed on by Colin Chapman or not, we all have gravitated toward a formula...the "four-wheeled motorbike" concept. Cars which live up to the "add lightness" way of motoring. It's interesting to see that Lotus Ltd. has 3 show classes for A) Original Lotus Sevens, B) Caterham 7s, and C) Replicas (since Tony M. won first in this category, I'm assuming they put Birkins in this bucket). For our 7-7-7 event, I doubt we'll have classes....although I've been thinking that we should have 2 car show votes per attendee: Best of breed (meaning what you own) as well as (best of other)....this way those Stalker guys can't get together and stack the deck - JUST KIDDING! (As I count it, the 7-7-7 group so far is 50% Lotus/Cat and 50% independents)