CBuff

Switched to the knobbies. Good move

I went thru a million iterations on the website colors etc. the settled on my vintage green with double pin stripes. Time machines was able to get pictures from uk with the paint, stripes and leather stitched all sitting next to each other. Which made me tweak the colors vs the website. But turned out great. I talked with a lot of owners and even went to the annual event in 2023 when my car was ordered but not yet built. The big change was track options. I had never tracked anything prior to this so I didn’t even think about it. Once I tried it my options all skewed to accommodate track driving. (13” wheels, track day bar, aero screen, dated 6pt belts). The dpr mirrors were a must either way. I was very worried about my shoulder strap angle being too downward with lowered floors so I didn’t do it. This turned out to be an issue no one really checks. The broomstick is much more scrutinized. Which with non lowered floors I just make (5’10”). I guess that is really the only thing (lowered vs non lowered) that I would maybe considered again but not worth retrofitting for sure. And of course maybe a 620 vs 420. But that’s just the junkie brain doing its thing. The 420 is plenty.

Clearly I am chomping at the bit for the Nova (Avon) ZZS or ZZR. I reached out to nova UK and their US rep circled back today. They are in the process of signing off on the DOT compliance for the ZZS and ZZR range. I asked the best case scenario for tires in hand. Ken said maybe 4 months - but I am guessing there is a lot of maybe/possible in that. Ken Payne is the Nova contact who was very nice and told me to he was happy to connect with anyone interested. I will update if he gets back to me with any more updates.

I defer to those who have done this. @JohnCh you went esslinger I believe https://esslingeracing.com I think mountune is now the official engine supplier of caterham. They or one of the dealers might have some insights https://mountuneusa.com I think both these options are spendy. @Croc has some diamond encrusted jewel in his project.

@Jenks if you’re in Wisconsin Greg at time machines would likely be your closest caterham dealer. He could talk you thru the new pricing https://timemachinesmotorsports.com i am slightly biased since I got my 420r from him. Josh is Colorado is also great. https://rockymountaincaterham.com I don’t have a lot of info on Mk. https://mksportscarsusa.com @MK Sportscars USA here on site @zootnewton recently go an Mk and loves it. you could also explore some older caterham or similar and do an engine swap or restore to get your hands dirty. That’s well beyond my skill level so I defer to others on the pitfalls with that.

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/masstuning-trackfest-mar-28-2026-lime-rock-park-260096 Throwing it out there. I could be convinced for Saturday.

I came across this simscale model of the 7. Not sure of the voracity of this simulation. But to John’s point it does look like a lot of the wind is coming from the side of the car and being pushed into cockpit from rear wing. Would a half door mitigate this ? Not sure https://www.simscale.com/projects/jfazeli/caterham_aero/

I defer to the more experienced. But I believe there is some level of vagueness needed to avoid legal entanglements. I believe the Cobra forum had some listings on navigating the DMV (IE gaming the system) which ended up coming back to bite them with a bunch of registrations being revoked. Although I dont have first hand knowledge of this. There might be a way to keep this on track but may turn into a moderation nightmare. Navigating the DMV was certainly a stressful aspect of ownership. Sitting with a new seven and fearing you couldn't get it registered in the state you lived in. Or Montana (which seems to be slowly closing the door on out of state registration.

Maybe reach out to the Florida dealer. I think they just added a new one. They might be able to help and certainly would be interested in the situation https://waltgracevintage.com/collections/caterham

First nice (ish) day in months. Had to go out. Thanks @zootnewton for joining!

I believe you can get crutch straps from caterham. But I don’t believe the belts are dated. I went with schroth asm profi II belts. Good till 2029 I ordered them from hms and had them shipped directly to Greg. He put them in https://www.hmsmotorsport.com/products/profi-ii-asm?_pos=5&_sid=c2b37b752&_ss=r

I believe @Croc write up from last year is still accurate Event Requirements Safety: All safety requirements that are mandatory for all participants are specified in New Jersey Law – Chapter 62 here: https://www.njsp.org/divorg/operations/pdf/mvracetrack/20150709_racing_regulations.pdf Please read the section on HPDE as it will specify all safety and tech requirements you are subject to. Driver’s License: All drivers must have a valid Driver’s License and be at least 18 years of age to participate. You will be asked to present your Driver’s License at NJMP during sign on. Attire: NJ State Law requires all participants on the track wear long pants and closed toe shoes. No one in shorts will be permitted to enter the racetrack or pit lane. Driver overalls are perfectly acceptable but are not mandatory to those without them. Technical Inspection/Rules & Regulations You will be required to complete a tech inspection prior to the event. Please read the HPDE section of New Jersey Law Chapter 62 seen here. These regulations are yet to be updated for 2015 helmet requirements: https://www.njsp.org/divorg/operations/pdf/mvracetrack/20150709_racing_regulations.pdf Some essential criteria for being able to participate in an HPDE at NJMP: Helmet required: A Snell M or SA rated full face helmet dated 2015 or newer is required for all drivers and passengers on the track. Open face helmets are notpermitted in Se7ens. Rental helmets are available with prior arrangement through the NJMP General Store. Arm restraints: NJMP requires these as mandatory safety equipment in open cars Open top cars: Must have approved rollover protection. No pop up roll-bars or detachable hard tops. Broomstick rule is applicable for roll over protection. Broomstick is from top of roll bar to front chassis tube (at nosecone) as the windscreen is not viewed as structural. Belts: Only 5 or 6 point belts are acceptable. Belt age must be on a label on the belts. No label – no driving. SFI belts must be 2 years or newer. FIA belts must be within 5 years or newer. No 4-point belts allowed. No DOT 3-point belts are accepted in open cars like ours. Numbers: Painters tape or vinyl sticker numbers on both sides of your seven are acceptable. Please don’t pick “7” as everyone does that and you will be asked to change it. Tires: NJMP considers tires 5 years old to be out of date and expired. Please anticipate tire wear and do not turn up with marginal tire tread. Consider that the track may be damp in which case slick tires are unsafe. If you are close to wearing out a set of tires, then consider ordering and bringing a new spare set. TK Autosports can mount these on your wheels at the Thunderbolt pits for a modest fee. Effective June 2024, NJMP is mandating all participants at their events must use a recognized head neck restraint system. This includes brands such as HANS, Simpson Hybrid and the like. This policy includes any guest/visitor drivers. You will have to go through a tech line on the day and complete a tech form. These forms will be available from NJMP in the pits on the day of the event.

@zootnewton great drive today. Thanks for coming out. @Croc and others are certainly the experts. So they can correct me if I am incorrect on any of these. helmet 2015 or 2020 dated 5 or 6 pt belts Han’s device (in date) arm restraints long pants and long sleeve shirts tires - tread and I believe 5 years from date code ???? Not sure on this you can look at the 2025 registration link where croc was nice enough to lay it all out. If the hans isn’t mentioned that is a new regulation and is required if you want to go into a super deep dive there is this https://njmp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Chapter-62-_-updated-2015.pdf tech inspection (this states 4pt but I think that is incorrect) https://njmp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NJMP-Tech-Form-2025.pdf some racing classes have other restrictions etc. if you have not gone out before I believe you can go in the green group (possibly with instructor). We usually run in yellow for open wheel.

Cough cough. @NSXguy

I toyed with the idea of getting the moto lita wheel on a quick release boss. For quick switch. also asked Greg about the 2000 gauges but as of a few years ago caterham required I just buy all the other gauges and having Greg switch them out. Never got far enough to check feasibility of doing this. both options got cut due to costs. Interested to hear if this is possible.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a70532899/caterham-us-plans/?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=69a5ec6292b60a000169abce&utm_campaign=trueanthemFBCDphoto&utm_content=69a5e4185cb9b1000158f327&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawQTH9JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR6KBXnBdHJLg2BY8zt_EDg6W85PZH72JfJjidsn8xVc9LLEXLSmWXpIXMS4xg_aem__tB6LP2rpgZGhicFmj7COA Marking its 53rd birthday, an occasion few could have predicted, England’s tiny Caterham Cars is looking forward to a massive growth spurt in the coming years, with production increasing 50 percent and possibly more. Before you get too excited, remember we're talking about a company that currently makes around 500 examples of a tiny car with two seats and no roll-up windows. And that's in a good year. So an annual increase of 250 units seems huge in relative terms. (See full article in link) racing series in us???

Not a ton of insights here but some third party perspective on gyraline. Maybe not enough to push me to purchase. https://www.caranddriver.com/car-accessories/a70496131/gyraline-diy-alignment-tool-test/

I love my 420. But do wonder if I would like a 620. But never drove one. And frankly could foot the bill on the 620 so I am happy with what I have. If I drive enough and hard enough maybe the engine will need to be replaced in my lifetime. Maybe go with a destroked 2.5 caterham says if you order 10 620s they would make it in left hand drive. So it can be done. Maybe Greg can figure out how to route the steering around the super charger. And super charge the 420.

Looking for a tired old model to a s3 620s..... That escalated quickly. But I can relate. Congrats.

@NSXguy how are they in the turf? sorry couldn’t resist.

@Vulin23 I have a 2023 caterham sv with leather seats. Non lowered floors but you are welcome to sit in that for reference. I am 5’10” and just clear the broomstick test with helmet. I have spacer and sliders on the seats.

@Exarkun1178 if you get your order in you will likely still have time to confirm the final specs after our annual get together in October (depending on lead times etc). Millville is under 2 hours from Brick. You could come and see some of the cars with options for final sign off. I think you just need to confirm S3 vs SV in advance but things might have changed in the last year or so. I went down to the annual track day after I ordered and before delivery and found it helpful. Also a chance to meet the, ahem, interesting owners. (Save the date linked above)

I love the harness. I got the schroth profi II asm https://www.hmsmotorsport.com/products/profi-ii-asm I figured I would run it as 4pt on the road and 6pt on the track. But I actually just run it with 6pt all the time. Surprisingly to me I find it more comfortable. And piece of mind that the buckle stays low on your abdomen. I had crutch strap holes cut into the leather seats. I did dpr mirrors on the windscreen frame since I rarely run with doors on. They work great. Tiny. But solid. here is my post from when I got the car

Well, at least we beat the Model T. Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/2104944/least-aerodynamic-cars-ever-made/ Don't trade blows with the air; learn to slice through it. This low-drag philosophy is almost as old as automobiles. Skeptical? Camille Jenatzy, a Belgian race driver, shaped his battery-electric "Red Devil" racecar like a bullet to cut through the air more efficiently — in 1899! As a result, he was the first to break the 100 km/h (62 mph) barrier, reaching 105.85 km/h (65.25 mph). Then, in 1921, Zeppelin designer Paul Jaray started working on streamlined cars, while Edmond Ruppler showed an extremely slippery prototype, called the Rumpler Tropfenwagen, the world's first streamlined car. The car was shaped like a teardrop and even had wings to channel air more efficiently, boasting an aerodynamic coefficient of just 0.28 Cd. Later, in the 1930s, Wunibald Kamm introduced the easy-to-implement "Kamm-tail" that dramatically reduced aerodynamic drag. It's even present in modern vehicles like the Ferrari 812, Toyota Prius, Tesla Model Y — the list goes on. Unfortunately, many automakers seem to have missed the memo. Yes, overall, aerodynamic efficiency improved over the years, but implementing it in regular cars was challenging. In fact, it was common for early 1900s cars to have a brick-like drag of over 1.0 Cd. Two important notices: first, we excluded SUVs and trucks; secondly, drag coefficient data for most vehicles isn't available, particularly for early cars. So, this list only contains cars for which we could find verifiable drag coefficient data. Read More: https://www.jalopnik.com/2104944/least-aerodynamic-cars-ever-made/