gjslutz

Only the SHADOW knows.

You folks sure are the leading edge of the WCM test program. With all fo the added torque, HP, speed. and track time, if it can fail you will find it. This could have been a progressive failure. It sure brings up the question of how do you inspect and how often, an entire skinned frame for these things? When do you just repair and not reinforce these and other areas? Are you able to stress relieve the welded areas? These are some of the issues we have had with on aircraft that get worked very hard and have not been subject to stress reviews. These 7 type cars are experimental as much as some of the experimental aircraft I have been around. If they had all the R & D spent on them, they would cost as much as an F1 car. Be careful out there.

Here is another Vintage GP in the Mid-West. Is isn't as large and there isn't a show with it, but is a nice day event. http://www.midohio.com/. Gary

This is a great event and show. http://www.pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com/pvgp/site/default.asp It is on a golf course down town. http://www.pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com/pvgp/site/default.asp The course is on the street around the course. A great family event. The car show is at least 20 acres and is quite relaxed. I have went the last 2 years, it is where a person with a Caterham got my interest wet again. He should be there with his new 260 CSR. Saturday & Sunday I think is the best. I have not done anyother days though. Gary

David, go for it, it is a great engine with loads of torque. I have no numbers on the torque of the CBX or the new bikes either. I do know mine in the first 3 gears was on one wheel or sideways. It should do well in a 7 type. Would it be narrow enough to fit? 1 for the front & 1 for the rear? Forced induction? I went into a handstand and cleared the car, I doubt if I did much more than 300' on a down hill flight. I busted enough bones to cancel a season of airshow contracts. I never claimed to be too smart, but did / do enjoy the rush.

I like the shape of the nose on the Birkin & Caterham better. I love the brakes, Honda engine & 6 speed, IRS, size of the Ultralite S2K cockpit, wind screens, R side exhaust, 17" tire & wheels. To bad I couldnt find one when I was looking, it was my first choice. Makes me think? Did I also say I like the Wine & Silver combo? Loren & Jerry also twisted my head @ Gateway last fall. Gary

My last bike was a CBX that was much worked over, all of 125 HP on the rear. It was on the front edge of the performance bikes in the day (1983). It did very well up to the time I parked it in the trunk of a old Impala @ 125. The way it was set up 146 was 1,000 over red line. That is one reasons in and out of a seven with a roof is a little problem now.

pksurveyor My plan would be to shield the outside of the foot wells and then do the stand offs like MHKflyer52 said if required. If they didn't resolve the heat issue his idea of the small fan directed to the area should resolve the issue. On my Birkin my ECU was mounted up under the dash, and cleared the wipper arm movement no fan. I doubt if yours would require outside air. Just my thoughts. Gary

There is many types of heat sheilding products out there. I would start with some on the outside first. Summit Racing has some.

I was out and in the area, it could have been. There were many others out also.

My wife loves the Birkin at any speed! It is slower than anything we have owned in the 37 years we have been married. It is also one of the most fun cars we have owned. I think it is #1 on her list of cars we have had as well. I don’t think she would do a long trip with or W/O rain & no roof though. She hates to fly with me and that is the safest thing she could do, even with acro or formation flight. Gary

Bob, great recon, I know how much you hate to do this! Keep posting the great photos, and enjoy. Do they have any dry red wine out there? It looks like a roof is needed for this trip.

I also love the dry and damp grip. As TOYO states, watch out for standing water! If you see any shine on the wet roads hang on, you are about to get ready to float, I started to search for the life jackets. The trip to Carlisle and back a few weeks ago with the rain was a trip from hell on the R888s. I think it is the best dry and damp road track tire combo out there though. My RT615's do much better in any standing water and will be on for any drive that has rain.

Back in the day, I had a stock 650cc Triumph Bonneville when the 3 cylinder 2 cycle rice grinders arrived on the planet. I had to do the Routts 800cc kit & 6 & 9 grind cams with the light 500 valve gear to stay in front. I also had a Norton Comando at the time. I think Routts were in Baltimore, MD. I made a few $$ on the street back then. Yes Honda's are good. I still lust after a WCM, thanks to Loren & Jerry.

I think mine is a 13” Momo, stock Birkin wheel. One of the folks on the Birkin site made up some very short steering arms that are great. I no longer need a spinner for close fast turns. I do miss the pin-up photo in it though. Once the car is in motion, you hardly notice the loss of the long arms in steering force. It tracks very well into the triple digits also, not noticeable twitchy. You don’t want to take your eyes off the road while driving though.

I sat in the Deman @ Run & Gun last fall. It had way more room for large feet and all around cockpit room than my Birkin. I think it had more foot room than the WCM as well.

Today 93 Oct was $4.17 a gallon.

I think he is a frustrated graphic artist. It sure isn’t what I would choose, but the work and quality of painting looks first class.

Sam Buchannon is well known in the aviation world for his aircraft construction.

I know what you folks are talking about. My 33 R.R. PII had a magneto on one side and a coil fired on the other side. You aim the timing light at the crank pick-up?

Bruce this photo shows that people from CT. are much, smarter than from Oh. I had a great trailer & truck at home stored in my dry hanger.

Last fall I was where you are now at. 6'1" and 210 LBS, I was lusting after a WCM Ultralite. I was unable to find one. I ended up with a low mile Birkin that I have now made to fit. Dave in Mt. I think is 6'5" and drives a Birkin. Mine was well built and has been a start & drive away, much like a Porsche. It still is and I love my 2nd choice. I think any make 7 that is well built would fit the bill for you. I have not seen any I would not want to own, I think you could purchase any and smile as long as you own it. I have owned way too many exotic and other sport cars. The bang for the $$ on the 7 is the best yet. I never thought I could have this much fun below 130 MPH, but it is a blast! Gary

I did 35 MPG over and 23 MPG back. More R's = more fuel. More R'e also = much more fun. The route back was more direct also.

What a great weekend, I was able to put some faces on some of the folks from the web site. All fantastic folks, some even more twisted than me. Al’s two girls were very enjoyable. Bob & Mazda lead the pack from the far side, wild creations they have built. I had a great time, and much like Run & Gun last fall didn’t meet any I didn’t enjoy being around. I’m looking FWD to the next event. With fewer trucks as well as cars and somewhat less rain my trip back was 4:20 back with one stop. The trip over was 5:10 with 2 stops. The TOYO R888 is great dry, good on wet, but quite dangerous in any standing water 1/8” & less. If you detect any shine from the road, hold on. They state the same on their sales info, I expected no less. Any future trips that could be wet will be on my RT-615s. I would not want to be in the right on either direction. I hope all made it safely home and enjoyed this as much as me. Bob, yes I made it home, wet and also did float some from the roads, but as stated above with less people on the roads I had more than one lane to use. I was home @ 10:48, and was able to have some quality family time. Gary

My cell phone# 330-704-5686 @ Days INN 717-258-4147. I will be departing Ohio early Friday A.M. Gary