Al N.

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)

Dean- I apologize if I have offended anyone in the bona-fide Lotus community or within Lotus Limited. I reviewed my posts here and don't see too much that I would consider "ugly": "I haven't reached out to the Lotus Limited folks directly because of the potential snob factor I sense I may receive, and don't really intend to reach out to them any time soon. I think the Seven crowd among them will find us one way or another. (That said, I am indeed a relatively recent member of LL.)" Note my use of "potential" and "sense". Other members of the Se7ens community have set me straight on this already, and right quick. Thanks for your input. Keep the faith. -Al P.S. Serious bonus points for your use of "balkanization". smileys/smiley2.gif[/img] </p>

John, welcome to the forum. I assume you are one of the folks who showed us "how the West was driven"! (I love the PNW, and wish it were closer so I could sport around with you all next year...please show the UKers Crescent Lake in Olympic, and the road to ShiShi or Hurricane Ridge.) Believe it or not, I think the UK core folks are open to us Yanks doing what works for us diversity-wise and NOT being overly exclusive (perhaps we'll draw the line at Fisher Furies or Ginettas, lovely as those rides might be). As shown by the 7-7-7 event, I am very in favor of all of us LSiSers working together to spread the gospel of "add lightness". Since you're on the left coast, what are your thoughts on the necessity for more than one USA chapter? Perhaps we start with just one and add as needed?

gardenstatesevens.org (naturally)

Dave- I'm with you on all fronts. I just got my car last summer, and I especially agree with the "one-stop-shopping" thing. -Al

I'll make inquries. Thanks for the interest.

There is an opportunity for us to establish a "US" chapter of the motherland's Lotus 7 Club. Does anyone have thoughts on this? Should there be 3 US Chapters? (East, Central, West)? Does anyone feel like being the main rep? (Note, this person should probably be a Lotus or Cat 7 owner...based on club relationships with factory). Please chime in or write ot me off board: al@mintadv.com

X-post from Se7ens.net: Regarding 777, we're now up to to 29 cars (and last night I looked at my initial list of handraisers to dedupe lists and the actual number is more like 35!) And one recent addition is coming from Cali! Hoorah! I now think 50 vehicles is not out of question, and perhaps we should even start to consider a ceiling number. As noted by others, we still have lots of time. The nice thing about people signing up early is that the volunteer organizers can gauge the interest in "optional" events (like auto x and tech sessions) and also get a read on where the "birthday" dinner should be held (really depends on # of attendees). Thanks again for all your interest. A few thoughts on the inclusiveness of the event: • I haven't reached out to the Lotus Limited folks directly because of the potential snob factor I sense I may receive, and don't really intend to reach out to them any time soon. I think the Seven crowd among them will find us one way or another. (That said, I am indeed a relatively recent member of LL.) • I have already reached out to the UK club and they think it's a great idea (although I think Tony P. thinks we're all crazy for our choice of road) and may even promote it in an upcoming Low Flying (the full color club mag) Additionally, my correspondence with the UK club leads me to believe that they are fairly inclusive over there (not that there's as much variety in available MFGs there as over here). I found this attitude refreshingly encouraging, and feel we should err toward this inclusiveness. If some people don't want to mingle with the other makes and even get a chance to meet some manufacturers and hear how they've evolved Colin Chapman's original concept, then I think it's really their loss.