jimrankin

I couldn't get the link to open but it's probably like a lot of them I've visited before. There are vast oil reserves in a great number of places but there are some real problems with most of them. What everyone wants is easy to get at light sweet crude. Getting oil out of saturated rock, oil sands or deep under sea presents a lot of problems with just how much energy you spend to get at it and refined for market or how many risk you are willing to take. Also, some of it is high in sulfer or other contaminants making it a problem to refine. We are dealing with a limited supply of the "good stuff" no matter what you read about "total deposits". The amount of oil used in the USA alone per day is staggering and as the rest of the world developes total use is only going to get higher. There are no easy answers and no easy way to make changes in what has become a "life style" in developed nations. We tend to forget that before the advent of "cars for the mass consumer" there were 'city folk" and "country folk" because you had to live within walking or in some cases city mass transit of your job. Now it's considered normal to have 50-70 mile round trip work commute, alone in your SUV. Every time I see "hybrid" on a full sized never worked pick up or a V8 powered SUV plugging along in commute traffic with a sole occupant I have to laugh. Do these people actually think that is an answer? Do I have the answers, no. Do I understand that there is a problem, yes. It seem we are all in the same boat. It's sinking, but it sure is fast and stylish. LOL.

I went off on a tangent, not unusual for me, so didn't actually write what I started to and you should not have been left in the header. I completed another long reply but just deleted it because, well it went off on a tanget too. It basically stated that we, as a country, do not want to and in all practicality can not get by without cars so we need to figure out what to do for a way to fuel them besides imported oil. Got to get back to work so I'll leave it at that for now.

My plan for this year is to get to at least four different tracks. I'm a real fan of ThunderHill as my "regular" track but I've heard that Buttonwillow is great and can be set up in lots of different configurations to keep it fresh for the locals. TH is either clockwise or counterclockwise but it's a fun track. Going to do Buttonwillow, Laguna Seca, Infineon and as always TH this year. Might even get to Reno for a "fifth" if everything works out. Right now both RNR and I are working on getting our cars quiet enough for Montery sound limits, if posible. By the way RNR, fabricating is "fun", jacking cars up and down and rolling them in and out of the garage is "work". LOL.

Those fines are "peanuts" when spread across the various oil companies, probably a couple of percent of all the bonus money paid out because they are "doing such a fine job" (re: record profits). I agree that the EPA isn't doing anything but downgrading the requirements of the oil companies and pocketing a wad of cash but that isn't the way to look at this. Our auto makers hid their head in the sand when the EPA put in smog requirements and would not spen the money to re-tool for clean burning engines and electronic fuel injection. Took them just about closing to et them to come around to using the technology they already had, but would not invest in. The gas companies don't have the same motivation (the public choosing better cars made off shore) that the car companies did. We as consumers do not have the option of boycotting gasoline becaues, face it, we have to drive to work in this country since mass transit is a joke and most of us live too far for a bike or walking. The only way we are going to get a real investment in the sustainable, non food crop altenative energy fuel development is to really soak the oil companies with masive taxes/fines (instead of cutting the bill) and let them recoup with tax credits used to develop the alternate sources. Yes, I know we will suddenly find ourselves in an artifical "oil shortage" with lines like the post Shaw days but once the oil companies figure out that having control of the alternate source, with tax credits paying most of the capital investment, they will come round. Our government isn't going to be able to get shit done any other way, profit motive breeds advances and investment. Lets face it, carpooling, planning your shopping trips with several stops in one outing, marketing for the week and not driving to the gym will really cut our needs when the "shortage" hits and unless we step up, we have only ourselves to blame. I know I'm fortunate and can afford multiple vehicles but I did make the choice that my daily driver had to get at least 25-30 MPG. I work my crews together by where they live as much as possible and encourage them to ride share. Most of them do when they can. My parents and grand parents were depression and WWII era stock (first no money, then no gas)and when they had to they sucked it up, shut up and just did it. In all the stories I heard about those eras in my youth no whining was part of it, just pride on where they ended up. Might be time for some of that spirit to come back. "On your feet, or on your knees" Thanks, Jim R.

Talking cars and racing is NEVER wasted time. Besides, we got to watch RNR actually do something constructive while we "discussed important shit". LOL. I'm glad a ride and a quick chance to drive my S2K has you convinced on Ultralites as your choice. Too bad we didn't have time for you to get a ride in RNR's, it's quicker and he is a bit more talented driver. Like we said, there isn't a single "right" 7, just the one that fits you the best and pushes your buttons.

Even though brazil is the "leader" in alcohol blend fuels they are still making changes for the better. They use sugar cane as the main source since the sugar converts easily to alcohol but they are also working on using other, more environmentally friendly sources. (Note that they burn the waste from the cane as a source for electrical power genertaion which also helps them decrease imported oil). In their "backwoods" there is a cottage industry in 100% alcohol fuel production that the government doesn't even count, probably kind of like ours doesn't count "white lightning" in how much booze we consume in the USA in a year. There are several rapidly growing "swamp weeds" that also convert into alcohol and that is where we should be looking for future energy. Loren is really on the nail head with the issue of hogs and cotton. Everything from a pork chop to a T-bone has skyrocketed from the price of corn escalating. I was told that we are not competative with CHINA in exporting corn to Mexico because our corn is no longer affordable. If were going to blow my tax money on something lets subsidize converting swamps into agricultural production land instead of making the rich richer.

Alcohol is a viable alternative energy source except that the USA has gone about it all wrong. We should not be using food sources (corn) to make alcohol and paying out huge subsidies for it to boot. Brazil has used alcohol as a main source of gasolone replacememt for years (you can convert to 100% alcohol or stay with gas with no alcohol) but did not subsidize food source marerial to be used. We have priced corn out of the export market (which helped with the trade deficit related to oil more than ethanol has) and raised the cost of staples (priced a box of corn flakes lately)used by our poorest population segment. The corn lobby is powerful so it's what we got stuck with. I can't complain too much about the corn lobby in the midwest when we pay big farmers here in California to grow cotton and rice (both require massive watering) in what is in reality, a desert state. Big farmers and big water districts equal a big time lobby to control the government. Want alcohol as a fuel source, utilize the thousands of square miles of swamps in the poor south to grow non-food source plants like brazil does. That would provide low/mid skilled jobs where they are needed and not disrupt food crop cost/exportability. Unfortunately, those states don't swing a lot of power in the government. Since "reason" and "government" do not seem to be synonymous we are not going to see much change.

As a child in central Maine our phone number was "Winthrop Exchange- Stanley road party line, three long rings/two short rings. Yes, every phone on the party line rang, you listened for your "code" ans if it wasn't for you it didn't matter, everyone was going to listen in anyway. Faster information exchange than Email. LOL.

Go to PepBoys or some other cut rate shop, get a set of their "4 for $79.95" tires and after they are installed every corner will be a drifting class. If your car can fit an A78-13 it's like a bonus lesson.

The guy in the modern video may have had some stones but the woman in the old film could have applied for the "Macho Babe of the Year" award and won! Holding it in her hands with no other protection around her, out in the country and no life flight helicopter service then. Bigger stones than the rest of the crowd together.

I'm dating her right now, picked her up at the local BevMo.....

If you want the "real thing" and not some "snake" your going to spend a bunch of $$$ on an old real Lotus produced kit car and it's going to make you slower and more uncomfortable that any of the kits. But you do get to brag about it being "real". It's just what you want for yourself so even that isn't a "wrong" choice.

I have an Ultralite S2K and I'm just over 5'11' and just over 220lbs ( just about your size?) and I actually added a couple of thin pads to the side bolsters in my seat. The passenger seat is "just snug" but comfortable for me as it's 1" narrower. I can crank the pedals about 3" more forward if someone well over 6' should ever need to drive it. Daily driving is OK in anything but Getto basketball shoes or work boots. Track or auto cross is going to require driving shoes if your feet are over about size 8. I've put in trips from near the coast (San Mateo) to back and forth runs on 132 & 49 (the fun back roads near Yosemite) and then back to san mateo in one day without being uncomfortable in the car. The car is way more capable on track or autocross than my driving skills. It's predictable and really has saved my ass from stupidity more than once. LOL. I bought this car "built" but have since taken nearly everything off/out of it except the motor and tranmission, changed what I want to more my liking so know it almost like I built it from a kit. Saved some money at the beginning buting used but seem to have probably caught nearly up to what the original build cost. Since you probably won't be entirely happy with what you build "first" either used or "new" is kind of a toss up. On the "used" side, you do get to start driving sooner and at least your not taking apart and tossing something you already did once yourself. LOL. I think someone already had done an S2K with a turbo Miata motor but that would be interesting, a little wider torque band and probably cheaper. Good luck with whatever you end up with I'm sure you'll have more fun than you could ever imagine, I have. P.S. I live close to RNR from this blog so you can get to ride/drive two different S2K builds if you come this way. His is more race, mine more plush.

MM Series BSN-1 stereo microphones. You get two mic's with a 6' cord on each, windscreens, stereo plug and little clips for mounting. The 6' cord may be right at the minimim for going forward in the car from a roll bar mount but they look like fairly good quality. One site has them customer rated at full 5 of 5 stars, didn't see ratings on others. About $60 or so. I may just spring for these so we have a "test" for future reference.

That makes it easier as a lot of the Mics I was looking at on line asked for 1.5 t0 10.0V internal or an outside battery power source.

Interesting post but I didn't find anything about the microphones until the very end. The only one that was mentioned as having been used included a battery when I looked at it on line. That probably answers the question of if external power is required or if the mic input is internally self powered. Leave it to GoPro to always be 2% short of getting everything right. Must be their location over on the coast, too many "smoke breaks" with those funny hand rolled doobies. I'm always forgetting to turn off the GoPro Hero 1 I already have so now I'll probably be getting "no sound" from my dead battery microphones instead of just wind noise. Better pick up some more ginko billoba or a stack of mic batteries. LOL.

Anybody used their new Hero2 with the outboard microphones input? I'm seeing a few different mic's on line but have NO experience with recording live so DNK what type is best or even what input is required for the GoPro (waiting on an email from GP support for their input, if they can actually figure out the request). Got some good previous input on placement and have been looking around the car for "out of the way" locations that seem good for motor/exhaust/tire pick up so just lacking something to stick there. Want to play with the GP2 before I put the car away for winter upgrades just in case spring gets here before I get them done.

I guess you don't have to know how to wear a seat belt when your packing a couple of deployed air bags already.

Either the passenger has a rubber backbone or Jaguar sedans are starting to really handle again. That guy must have been the inspiration for the bobblehead doll.

NYD was just perfect out here in NorCal. Was out just driving around, enjoying the weather while it last and stopping by to say hi to couple of friends and then back home in time for dinner.

In 1969 my room mate had one of these, about a '67 I think because it was "new" but not "brand new" at the time. I was driving a slightly modified 1961 MGA 1600 at the time and his car was as much fun to drive as mine, and a whole lot more practical and comfortable. Bet he wishes he had it now. For that matter, I wish I still had the MGA. Not fast but sooo easy to drive up near it's limits, limited as they were.

Just about burned through 2011 but my thoughts are already on spring of 2012 and warmer sunny days at the track. The attached photo is from earlier this month and it was (at least for California) COLD that morning. Still had so much fun I couldn't stop smiling even though I was in danger of biting my lip with my chattering teeth. LOL. Here's wishing everyone a big new year of "7" fun, on the back roads, on the track, at your local autocross or just wrenching away thinking of future rides ahead. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL "7" DRIVERS AND THEIR "SUPPORT GROUPS".

I'll probably hold off on buying anything till spring. No matter how long you wait something new, improved and cheaper always comes out but waiting is probably the best bet. Want to get it in time to learn and experiment with it though.

Since I now have two GoPro's (original Hero and a Hero II) I'm really not looking at a different camera now. Would have been easier to buy a camera set up for use with a Data Logger but RNR has told me that there is software to combine pretty much any camera to a data logger. Probably only have to have a PHD in computer science to use it. LOL. I'm just starting to look into the Data Loggers as it was only a few weeks ago that RNR was showing me how he uses his and got me interested. I'm not sure just how complex a unit I need to get as some seem to be realy esoteric. Obviously not looking at one that broadcast live to my pit crew since I don't have one.

I was looking at different cameras and that was one I thought was pretty good. I actually did get my GoPro Hero II from "Santa". It was a present from my son (over 40 so it wasn't saved from his allowance LOL). He knew I was never happy with the original HD Hero sound and knew I had been Emailing them about producing a different non-sealed case with sound entry from the sides and foam wind noise supressors. Since all of their responses sounded like they were hiring drop outs from the local HMB Continuation Middle School to reply to their emails I had given up on them. I had talked about ordering a spare case, drilling out the sides and adding some sculpted microphone foam to see if the sound got through. Their open and sealed backs both seemed to only pick up the wind over the camera when on my roll bar. As usual, I got busy with other things and didn't get around to it before the new Hero II came out and hopefully solved my problem. Now all I have to do is decide on a datalogger and then get my pointy little head wrapped around learning to use it and hopefully learning how to integrate the DL information with the HD video.