stevet

Yes. I'm in my 10th year (with a two year break in the middle - small matter of moving from UK to here). The trouble is they are addictive, and there is nothing else quite like them. Even with various age related problems (back, wrists), I still can't wait for a dry day and an open road. I only wish I had got into them at 21 rather than 41! It's numerous practicalities are evident in week one - the good news is they don't really get any worse :jester: Unless, like me, you are adding pounds as well as years

chest wigs, presumably :lol:

Some pretty decent camera work there too :thumbs:

Not sure about that shot looking back along the 'scaffolding' of the Atom... seems kind of redundant. Great circuit though :thumbs: and some pretty useful driving.

Mazda, thanks for that... size does not quite work so I'll pass. Steve.

Mazda, what is the depth on the exhaust shields, and what does 80% of Martin's price equate to in USD? Thanks, Steve.

Suggestions from a friend of mine who knows a bit about cams... 1. make sure the seal is seated properly 2. make sure you replace the sealant too (not just the seal) 3. be careful not to overtorque the cam covers as this can cause probs too. Hope this helps!

I've watched the whole thing now... glad the thing with Reynard did not work out, it would have been the end of Caterham IMHO :cry: But not the end of the Seven - not while there are folks like you lot out there :hurray: Tricky situation - father builds the biz, son takes over (inherits?), tries to stamp his own mark on the company. Can't fault him for trying, but when the company, product and brand are one and the same thing (the Seven), it's a little tricky to try to play the brand extension game...

Big thanks Martin - I was waiting on a copy from the UK. Have only watched 10 mins so far, but looks like a good old fashioned BBC documentary (and I mean that in a good way). Narrator is John Peel, a lengendary British DJ, who died a couple of years ago - wonderful to hear his voice again! Steve.

True Rob, but there's an amusing little film called 'Danny Deckchair' based, I think on that guy in California who strapped a bunch of balloons to a deckchair, filled them with Helium and ... up, up and away... Next thing, he's at 12,000 feet and into the LAX landing pattern The guy made into the 'Darwin Awards' - one of the few to make the list who actually survived (my favorite still is the guy who strapped a rocket to the back of his Chevvy Nova to see how fast it would go...)

Welcome aboard Randy, The stock Zetec is a good choice if you plan a lot of miles. Mine has just come up to 10,000 miles and hasn't missed a beat... but I'm thinking of a cam upgrade sometime soon, fingers crossed :crazy: Steve.

Er, that should read publicity...

Dutton were a UK manufacturer of kit car - closed down in the late 80's I think. I do remember them getting into a legal fight with Ford in the UK over the Sierra name (I was working with Ford on the launch of the Ford Sierra at the time) and the court ruled in Dutton's favor which got them major pulicity. The Ford folks were very unhappy bunnies :boxing: Never seen one personally, but they were usually described as 'crude' and 'ugly' on Blatchat (along with other words not suitable for this forum)

Al, I mentioned this when the plans were first being laid - might be of interest... Something for the ladies perhaps - or even those of us planning to drive down to the 777 weekend... my wife went down to meet some girlfriends for a 50th bash at a Spa near Bryson City recently. The place was pretty rustic but the treatments were excellent in her view (and she knows a bit about this stuff). They also ate at a very good restaurant in Nantahala called Ralia's where all the veggies were home grown, but you need to supply yoar own booze. Also, if you stop in Nantahala it's well worth getting some local sausage - fabulous. Details for the Spa; Aleen Whyte Contact Lakeview at Fontana at: 171 Lakeview Lodge Dr. - Bryson City, NC 28713 Phone: 800.742.6492 Email: >info@lakeviewatfontana.com >http://www.lakeviewnc.com/

7.30 this morning - loud, intermittent 'roaring' noise. Sounded like some weird creature... grabbed the camera only to find this out back of the house... http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/346081378_sunday morning, early.JPG Wide angle lens, so was much closer than it looks - was even able to have a chat with the passengers from my deck. Very cool, will have to try that one day...

Thanks Jeff. Good to know.:thumbs:

Al, is this all because I signed up for Autox lessons... you can tell me, it's OK, I feel your pain. :rofl:

Al, who are you calling a barsteward :cheers: It's true, I gave in, forgive me:blueangel: I already have a tire warmer - trouble is I'm wearing it, plus you have over 50 bhp on me you bugger... and you weight about 50 lbs less, and have all your own hair! Jealous, moi? :banghead: Jeff, it will be great to meet you. Having watched some of your vids I'm already feeling a tad intimidated. You're welcome to do a run in my seven (ideally with me as passenger) - though it might feel a bit tame after yours Steve.

I just signed up for a beginners school at Verona, Va on June 9th, organized by the Blue Ridge section of SCCA :cheers:

OK, boys, you both got my vote. Steve.

Apart from the obvious (your seven)... I'm packing basic tools, spare throttle cable, gaffer tape, tie wraps and cameras. Also, as I'm driving down in the seven, I've added a new accessory (it's never too early to start accessorising as my wife is fond of saying). I've done a long run in July before and it gets damned hot in these cars so plenty of fluids are needed. The standard CamelBak fits nicely between the seats on my Cat and the drinking tube is just where I want it. Sweet. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1237691122_camelbac.JPG

Personally, I would find somewhere else to put the gas tank!

Love that second shot - great light. Welcome aboard.

I thought the bigger brakes were now standard, but I guess not. If you get the 5 speed, definitely get the longer 1st gear. I do occasional long runs in my Caterham and find 5th gear relatively relaxed (in the sense that most things are relative in these cars!). I've also heard the 6 speed can handle more power than the 5 speed - but like Al says, probably best to check with a dealer. Steve.

OK, this was my last project before my first Seven... it's a heritage thing I guess.