Al N.

Al Navarro here. I had the audacity to go on a weekend vacation without internet service (okay, so I did check in on my Treo once or twice, glad to report that USA7s.com works on the mini-browser!) I'm still catching up on all the new threads and posts, but just wanted to say that it's really great to see the spike in membership and activity. Especially all you folks who may not have met Mazda or any of the other original forum members (I think it was originally mainly a Rotus forum) in person before. I encourage everyone who's signed up for 7-7-7 to check that thread every so often for updates (you can also sign up for email notifiers when any thread is updated). The other "mother lode" thread is the US Club thread. In addition to 7-7-7, the genesis of a coast to coast, US based, marque-inclusive Se7ens club is a pretty exciting thing.

On my test drive (the one time I haven't been at the wheel), I told the guy from Mid-Atlantic that "he didn't have to try and kill me" after the first burst of acceleration into a bend. I've never driven bonkers with a passenger, btw. I can tell the car balance is different than with just me and don't want to "play" on public roads with that level of uncertainty.

FWIW, I think just about any spirited drive in a Seven as a passenger is terrifying, even if you are in the hands of an expert driver....maybe especially so?

Welcome 77R500 (are you the guy with the bona fide R500 in the Bay area?) If so, I think we've corresponded before. I think there are some uber-purists who might argue that even Caterhams are not the genuine (and I own a Superlight myself) thing...that only cars breathed on by Colin C. himself are the real deal. That said, the LSiS verbiage came from a kit car article from a while back, and seems to work for most folks. I mean, how could you not say that the "Rotus" was not inspired by the Lotus?

I like the future owners sentiment, but if that messes things up and created an "associate" members level that overcomplicates, then we use your verbiage above.

Welcome Catie. I don't track my car, but I know that Bart L. (who is forum member) does. He drives a black car sans lights, Vauxhall power, I think.

I think Rob Nelson on the Se7ens list either has one or is bringing one in. (An Irmscher, that is)

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. We definitely have more than 20 something people here.

Steve, I think you are quite correct regarding the reason for CKD kits being offered. That said, Chapman seems to have had quite the "DIY" bug himself...from his days of turning an Austin into something he fancied rather more.

Someday, perhaps not to far off (but hopefully after 777), we'll have to have a "East meets West" event. Indy?

Regarding Lotus Ltd. Again, I am a member. And plan to be for a long time. But I joined because it was a requirement for joining the LEO posse (Lotus Enthusiasts Org, my local NY/NJ club). And again, I'm fine with paying the dues there. Remarque is an okay pub...not as nice as Low Flying in my book, but at least it has ads from US suppliers! And I like the people I've met through it so far. But...really, I'm MUCH less interested in Elans and Esprits than I am in Ultralites and Stalkers, etc. And unless Tony throws another LOG in the NY area, I'll probably not make it to their big annual gathering. So, to me, the point of the new USA7s club is about focus. The focus is on the various and sundry "four wheeled motorbikes" inspired by that first 7 back in 1957. On adding lightness. On building your own (which, need I remind people, was a key thing to Colin Chapman back in the day). Instead of representing a small portion of a group meet like LOG, cars like yours will represent 99% of the field. Perhaps down the road, we'll have a register and directory, where travelers coming North in their Ultralites can get travel tips and vehicle support from a Birkin owner on their route. And so on and so on. Kumbaya. [THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH IS NOT 100% CORRECT: SEE MAZDA'S POST BELOW REGARDING DUES] Finally, and really, I do have a day job that I need to get back to, I think we're trying to make this a club with NO DUES (at least initially, and really for as long as we can), and support the various events that could happen down the road through event-specific fees. We'd have a newsletter that's online only to start (zero printing costs). And this no-dues point is what makes it all a no-brainer really. If it doesn't cost you anything, and you get something out of it...isn't that good? People have commented on the logic of paying dues to a UK club whose insurance doesn't cover us and whose scope is much narrower than the great American melting pot we have over here. They've got a point. [END OF PARAGRAPH] Oh wait, one more thing. Really. I think our little niche hobby and gathering next July are going to have a lot more eyeballs on them in the months leading up to 7-7-7. The Locost write up in Car and Driver was great and I think that momentum will continue. So it is important that we do things right and talk things out among ourselves. [sound of Al getting down from soapbox]Al Navarro2006-08-24 08:14:41

In terms of affiliations with any existing clubs, here's my POV. And again, it's just one guy's view. I am personally a member of the UK/International Lotus 7 Club. And I will keep paying that annual fee even in light of the terrible exchange rates until my wife makes me stop. Mostly because I like the magazine, Low Flying. I rarely use blat chat, although it did help me sort out the speedo dip switches. Also, if I ever visit the UK, I want to rendez with some folks over there and perhaps visit the factory...and I think being, quite literally, a "card carrying member" would aid my cause. So this whole thing started out because I was looking at their chapters and wondered why we didn't have a US one. However, there are a few issues with that...for starters, Low Flying is basically just for Loti and Caterhams. Rare is the inclusion of a Westfield, Birkin, or Locost in their coverage. Additionally, part of the dues (which I'm fine with paying, mind you) goes toward insurance for events, both large and small. And that insurance does not travel to the US. Additionally, there are a handful of purists over there who might publicly (and no doubt privately) frown about the dilution of the bloodline with us marque-inclusive colonials. For anyone who thinks I am fanning the flames of "balkanization", I recommend you lurk on the lotus list of se7ens.net and see what some folks have had to say about our gathering at Tail of the Dragon. If anything, I think I have an extremely open POV. After all, I am a member of L7C UK, as well the US Lotus Ltd. Club. And I'll be a member of whatever transpires of the USA7s club. More on Lotus Ltd. in the next post.

That last one was just one pence. Here's the second. Regarding the name itself, I would very much like to have some reference to Sevens. I think Clubman is a bit too far afield, especially for us folks here in the USA. I have a fondness for: "United Sevens of America" with a shorthand of USA7s" If necessary, I would go to "United Se7ens of America". Upon further consideration, while I like the whole "inspired" thing...does that leave out original S1 folks? (Not that there seem to be that many chiming in here.) I'm going to write a bit on the Club thread, so you may want to switch channels now. http://www.usa7s.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=154

Al Navarro throws in his 2 pence. First, I wanted address my correspondence with Mr. Drake, the marketing guy at Cat UK. While I don't want to cut and paste from our e-dialog, I will say that he was very responsive, nice, and seemed to be fine with our appropriation of the logo for our placeholder 7-7-7 "Dragon's Tail" icon. I wanted to check with them on usage, out of respect and to keep the lines of communication open. From what I gather, the factory POV on fan sites and clubs who use the name seems to be pretty broad...if the site is non-profit, innoffensive and has some relevance to Caterhams (which this site and club does!), they seem to be open to allowing usage. That said, they have asked for logos to be changed and/or removed in the past. I'd prefer to start off on the right foot and not be asked to change things down the line.

I am gravitating toward the "inspired" ones... How about Seven Inspired Car Klub (SICK). I dig that. We'd become knows as the Sickos or Sickies. As in "The Sickos hit the Dragon again and were in rare form...." I've always liked the "The Black Ear Club" (what happens when you drive a Seven with the top down. Or, "Friends of Colin Chapman" Or "North American Four Wheeled Motorbike Club" Or maybe I should go back to work now.

V8- From what I can read, it looks like Jim C. took things in the the spirit intended and addressed things properly. You were very good about framing the situation, BTW. -Al

My favorite thing about that Seven clip is the passes and outbraking of motorcycles! Not that I'd ever attempt that on a public road.

Jim- Welcome to the forum. I think you deserve serious props (that's a good thing!) for addressing this issue directly. Well done. Additionally, your post made me click through to the Coveland site, where I was able to learn that you offer parts for the more traditionally framed LSiS cars. Perhaps you'd be interested in joining the merry band assembling next July in North Carolina? Best, Al N.Al Navarro2006-08-22 13:07:18

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".