yellowss7

I bought the Orange caterham 2 years ago and it came with several sets of used Michelins which at that time were a Euro only spec. I ran through those sets and last year I found that they were now being imported into the US so I bought a new set. After running the old hard used ones for two years, the new ones were better but not as good as the Hoosiers iMO. I'm working on having the car set up with new rear spring rates and having it recornerweighted and all the other suspension settings reset. I'll see how it feels and then if not to my liking, I'll take the wingstays off and try it on the hoosiers. I'd be interested in knowing how your wingstay spacing works. Any photos? The Michelins are also a lot pricier than the Hoosiers, around $400 a tire. :ack::ack::ack:

Hi Brad, I autoxed on the 20x9 hoosiers at all for corners and used them on track for a year. You are correct, they are too short and hurt the top end and shift points in all gears on track. IMO I ran the 22.5 x 9 inch ones in the 25B compound and love them. They stick like glue and wear fine. I could fit them in on my yellow car with the Clams but on the Orange car, with cycle wings they won't fit unless I run without the front wings or have new wingstays fabbed up that give more room. I miss them badly. :svengo: The R888's are fine and wear like iron. but compared to the Hoosiers they are like wagon wheels. I'm running Michelin Radials now and they come up short of the Hoosiers by a mile, but do wear a lot longer Tom

yeah, Karl the original owner may have even been 6'8". The orange SV I bought from him does have the lowered floors and a tall roll cage. I'm 6'1 and before I put the tillet seats on adjustable runners, I had to sit on a pad and have one behind me to see over the wind deflector and reach the pedals. Unfortunately, I am in Pa, so not proximate for a test. But if you make want to make a trip out to NJMP for our July 7's gathering, you will get your fill of caterhams. Not quite the number at Stoneleigh, but probably the most you'll see in one place in the US. Tom

Add a couple of wings and a turbo and the way you fly around the track, you might just get liftoff! :driving:

Congrats Seb. Guess that MIT engineering degree paid off after all. :jester:

Seb, a 620R should be able to stay ahead of Kitcat or at least not let him lap him if he starts out a couple cars behind Kitcat. Kitcat is really a pussycat otherwise, it's just turn 4 that he likes to cut and kick up a little dirt. Might have to get NJMP to put up a haybale or some spike strips to deter him a bit. :jester: Tom

Beautiful car. Can't wait to see it on track. Hope to see you in July at NJMP Tom

Shaping up to be another good turn out. Looks like we will have a good mix of veterans and new attendees. The more the merrier. Should be a nice mix of Marques as well, Last year the Storkers were conspicuously absent. Will Shane get his act together and make it this year? Inquiring minds want to know. We really miss Suave. :jester: I took my car over to the shop today. It started right up after sitting since November. General maintenance, oil change, Brake Fluid change, bearing check and a complete nut and bolt check. Replacing and moving the inertial cutoff switch to inside the cockpit as I had it trip last season on track and sat in the infield all session waiting to be towed in. Felt good to drive the Caterham again even if it was just down the street to put it in the trailer. Hope to see you all in July. tom Drivers 1) Croc 2)Yellowss7 +1 3)Kitcat 4)SK400 5)Black Hole 6)JBH 7)Simon450 8)Spc_CwBy 9)Ottocycle 10)Wemtd 11)FMorser 12)FE07 13)BirkinDave H 14)TBox56 15)Dave D and Bev 16)Dan3030 +1 17)FastG 50/50 Spectating: 1)Blake J

My orange car goes into the shop tomorrow for it's pre season check, and looking at the calendar we are now just Five months away from the start of the 7th annual 7s gathering and track day weekend. I'll start the list of those that are planning on attending this year. Feel free to chime in if you are thinking of or planning to attend either as a driver or a spectator and I will add you to the list. Last year we had 20 cars and this year we feel that 24 or more could easily be in attendance if some get their act together and finish their cars. The more the merrier. Drivers 1) Croc 2)Yellowss7 3)Kitcat 4)SK400 5)Black Hole 6)JBH 7)Simon450 8)Spc_CwBy 9)Ottocycle 10)Wemtd 11)FMorser 12)FE07 13)BirkinDave H Spectating: 1)Blake J

That is just sick. His Balls must be a lot bigger than Shane's. :seeya:

Take it to the track. It's legal and safer. Most everyone is going the same way, no one is texting or talking on their phones. Most drivers are aware of the rules of the road. There is usually run off room not trees or poles, if you do happen to run out of talent.:jester: You only have to look out for Kitcat. :svengo:

Skill and Horsepower, now that is a winning combination. The Red twins will have to work a little harder this year. :cooldude: Tom

Great! send your info to Mike or I at sevensarefun@gmail.com I'll pencil you in on our list. We are anticipating another record turnout. Less than 6 months to go!!!! Tom

Welcome to the big boy club. :smilielol5: Hopefully you and your son will make it out a few times to shake it down before the July 7s gathering. We will be looking out for you. Tom

Sevenup, no disrespect intended. I just wanted to warn you that you might need to undercoat or something the underside of the wings to keep them from the star cracking. These cars are so much fun it would be ashame not to drive it just to keep it purtty. Taber you on the otherhand need to let your wife take it out and drive it on track. You know she wants to. :toetap05: Come on up to NJMP this summer and we will put her in the novice group with no passing and we will provide and instructor.:party: Tom

Always good to have spare wings.:smilielol5:

You don't EVER want to follow kitcat around if you are worried about a few stone chips. BTW you should be aware that the star crack that appear in the rear wings or in Clams are from stones that come off the tires underneath the wings. So if you are really worried about keeping your wings looking pristine, you will need to do something on the underside of the wings to limit the damage from the underside. Either that or don't drive it. :deadhorse: Or just buy a new set of wings and keep them for your shows. They are easy enough to change over. I use to do that when I auotxed. http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=12048&stc=1

Hi Jay, Since your expansion tank is up front, your heater may be at the highest point if its up on the scuttle. I've found a bleed tee that you can pick up at Auto Zone, installed high up in the hose that leads to the heater is the best way to ensure that the system is topped up properly. Fill the system from the expansion tank then stop when it reaches the max line. open the bleed tee and fill the rest of the hose from the tee. Make sure the heater valve is open and then run the car until the thermostat opens, that should ensure that the coolant gets circulated throughout the engine. Fill up from the expansion tank if necessary to bring it back to the max line. Once cool you can open the bleed tee to ensure that there is coolant right up to that highest point. And you may want to replace the coolant cap with a new one. I found them to be about $10 at a local Jaguar dealer and they can have it in a day. Cheaper than the Ford dealer surprisingly. Good Luck Tom

Mike is referring to his track nickname, "The Blue Enema" :driving: A name he earned in one of our first get togethers, when there were other marques out their on track with us. Some of which were a bit hesitant to give our little cars a point by. So Mike would make his presence known by putting his nosecone right up their Axx. So to his point, I'd much rather follow him, although, doing so will require you to either wear tear offs or have a spare helmet shield as he does tend to kick up a lot of stones, dirt and other debris with his "typical lines" :jester: Even with it snowing here today, I'm finding myself smiling at the thoughts of getting on track again with all of you guys. Tom

Ok Ok, your Christmas present is in the mail. :jester: Just following Kitcat around for a lap or two is worth the price of admission. It's pure entertainment! :cooldude:

This event started out seven years ago with seven of us just wanting to run with other 7s. Each year we picked up a few more and eventually got enough participation to have our own run group of just 7s. Last year we had 20 cars on track together. This year I expect that we will exceed that number. It has become more than just a track day event with the dinners, Karting and the camaraderie. Those of you that just want to come and hang out with other 7s are more than welcome to join us. We are a friendly group and there is always someone to help you with your car if needed. Mike, Simon, Jeff and Michael D and I are instructors and can take passengers out with us to give you a taste of the on track experience. You have six months to clear your calendars, do your upgrades or finish your build and polish your car. Get R done!!! Merry Christmas! and Happy New Year to all 7 lovers. Tom

What are your goals for the engine build? Tom

I have three of these that I've been using, one for 15 years on my yellow car and the other two on my other cars. They work very well in keeping the batteries topped up. Tom http://www.batteryminders.com/12-volt-maintenance-charger-desfulator-1500

Congrats!!! What are the specs? Color etc.

I hope you like your meat cooked Raw. :jester: