MichaelD

Branded Sevens are defined by the manufacturer and are therefor included as Sevens. The only Sevens on the road that are not clearly defined are Locosts and other one ofs that people put together. It would seem to me that a simple spec would be to take the specs from a Lotus & or a Caterham Seven and make them the minimal dimensions. I believe they are the same. Lrger and heavier would be acceptable.

How about: Sevens Mod or SMod. We could have a street class - requires proof of registration and insurance; and a Mod class with some basic rules for both groups. 1. List of approved manufacturers that are included. This list to include all manufacturers of Seven style cars that are or were eligible for street use and have or had a published list of components, specifications and a dealer network or sales and production site in the US. 2. A sliding scale displacement/weight minimum. 3. Cars to maintain original style fenders offered by their cars manufacturer. 4. No restriction on wheels ans tires, suspension, transmissions, R/L steering ...OTHERS? 5. Engine to remain in front but otherwisw unrestricted as to type or size. 6. Windshiedls are not required. 7. Seats not required beyond Solo safety requirements. Just a start. please chime in. You know, if enough of us could come up with and agre on a suggested set of rules for a new class for Sevens to run in; maybe it's not that far fetched to present them to the Director of SCCA for consideration. Along with signatures from the SCCA members on this list.

I agree the problem is with the SEB and the current rules. However I disagree with your logic that all sevens ar mods of a Ford. To follow that logic then all 911s would be mods of the first Porsche. Not distinct modles. There were four distinct variations of the Seven under Lotus and a few more under Caterham. Each modle could be recognised based on published standards from the manufacturer. That I think can be said of most other Sevensque cars like Birkin, Westfield, Stalker, Ultralite, robinhood, Tiger, etc. It can not be said of the locost cars because there is no production standard or list of required components. I think therein lies the problem with the rules. Michael D.

Should there be a street tire class and a slick class?

Tom, I think a sliding scale displacement vs weight for all of DM or a Sevens class would be fine. I also feel the aero changes that some people have made generate little if any advantage. The biggest difference is still driver ability.

D/E Modified is for Production cars modified in excess of SCCA SOLO II Prepared rules. 2006 D/E Mod cars are devided into "stock tub" and "mod tub." Stock tub must keep all stock parts between front and rear firewalls/bulkheads. Mod tubs must keep the original length and width floor pan between front and rear bulkheads. Both stock and mod tubs may make alterations to the floor pan, frame/subframe for the instalation or relocation of the engine, transmission and exhaust as long as the engine remains in the same half of the car as it was originally. See current SOLO II rules document. At Nationals DMod is has a tube frame Lotus Europa, a few Lotus Elans, alot of Sevens. The most modified cars seem to be the Euorpa, two locost Sevens and an Elan Most of the other Sevens are basically stock. If ther is such a car as a stock seven. I guess that is a Seven that has all the parts in their original location and all parts are from a seven manufacturer with a standard set of assembly instructions. It seems that there are two factions in the class. 1. those that wanr to experiment and modify their cars looking for that extra competitive edge. 2. those that are happy driving a car without making structual or design changes. Hence the search for other options.

Basically a car was challanged on six points. most of which were on structual changes that amounted to aerodynamic aids. The protest committe said no foul. An appeal was filed and the SEB did not address the claimed violations at all. Instead they said the car still looked like a Seven. basically they ignored the complain and the violation. That is what occured through my eyes. In the end I am not upset by the car dbuilder pushing the limits. But I am extreemly disapointed in the lack of action of the SEB. They did not do their job. As a result. I will push to have Sevens granted another class to run in. Possible XP since they have already approved FF cobras. A clone with a tube frame. Anyone else interested?

Thank you. But that's a bit far to drive from Bethesda, MD.

where are their events held? Michaeld

The recent protest in DM at nationals this year have underscored the need of new class for Sevens or another class that accepts Sevens. I am starting this thread as a place for those of us that are interested to discuss our options. Please chime in. MichaelD