yellowss7

Mike, that 485 SV looks like a bargain, but I'm still trying to process how they get from the four individual exhaust pipes to that one shown externally without a 4 into 1 collector sticking out. Doesn't seem like a standard exhaust IMHO. Tom

Congrats Van, very nice work! Where did you get the edging for the filter hole? I'm thinking of giving my intakes a little breathing room as the filler just rubs on the SV bonnet. I'm also really impressed that you tackled the gearbox. I thought those things were magical and you needed a wizard to fix them. Are you a Wizard? :smilielol5: Tom

Crosstown traffic. :cheers:

The IROC award. I RACE OFF COURSE. I love it!!!!!

Van, I'm happy to report that the issues that I had in the past have seem to be history. Replacing the head gasket with the newest 3 layer version, the timing of the cams and finally the time on the dyno to ensure that I had a good safe tune seems to have paid off. Steve at SBD said that with some more time he could squeeze another 20++ hp out of it, but to be honest, I still can't seem to get my foot all the way down and hold it there with the power I have. :willy_nilly: The car pulls like a freight train and seems stronger than before so I am very happy with the tune. I did have a slightly elevated temperature issue the first time out a couple weeks ago, but I drained the Evans coolant out and replaced it with Distilled Water and Red Line Water Wetter and my water and Oil temps came down significantly, and were 195F and 210-212F consistently for the full 20 minute sessions when running hard. Temps came down even further if I backed off for traffic or coming in at the end of the session. All good. As for the west coast, It can't be much more than 2400 miles one way out here. TBox56 did 1900 miles. What's an extra day or so. :jester: We might be able to schedule a third day to make the trip worthwhile. We definitely have a good time on and off the track. Tom

Here is an sneak peak of one of the views of our group on track.

Kitcat accepting the First Debris Flag award Rock Dan accepting the award for the prettiest car Paul accepting the most improved award Norman accepting the Mechanical sympathy award for two on track issues Roman grudgingly accepting the Polisher award, Or something equally ridiculous Ryan accepting the Golden/white commode for best skid marks with his 360 spin Scott accepting the award for actually not causing any issues. Tom C. Accepting the Gas Guzzler award for burning the most fossil fuel and helping keeping the global warming issue a HOT topic. :willy_nilly:

Several Group shots under the tent between Runs Dave D with his Shift knob that he ripped off the gear lever:ack: Tom C. (Tbox56) doing a little repair to his Birkin Michael D showing off his second repair attempt after his airfiler foam disintegrated.

Michael D. and his Caterham Mike Mooney (Kitcat) and his Racing Cat Croc and Dermot (ottocycle) with Jeff photobombing Norman, with his Caterham all aeroed up. Paul,(Wemtd) and his Birkin Roman, (RGTorque) and his UltraLight Scott and his Superlight R Caterham Steve in a Caterham SV Me with my Yellow and Orange Caterhams.

Here are a few pictures. Seb (SK400) and his matching red outfit. Dave D and his orange Superformance S1 The Birkin Boys Dave H and his son Ryan Fred (Fmorser) and his BEC Locost Jeff and his Blue Superlight R caterham Jim A and his Red Superlight R Caterham

Dean, I met you and your wife at LOG in Birmingham as we parked our trailers. My condolences as well. You were very lucky to have a wife who shared your passion for the Lotus cars. She will be in our prayers tonight. Tom

I got home a few hours ago and as Mike said it was a great weekend. It was great to be out there with a bunch of other 7s and to socialize with a bunch of really nice people. I want to thank Croc for his amazing attention to detail in pulling this off. He was blindsided with the news that the lunch on Saturday was going to be held outside of his garage for the entire 80 -100 members who attended the trackday. But in spite of that curve, the event was surprisingly relaxed this year, and we felt that we did get to spend some quality time with everyone between sessions and each evening. The weekend started out tough with some torrential rains that flooded the paddock and local roads on Friday afternoon and forced the cancellation of the Karting death race. But the amazing thing is that the cold front came thru and the temps and the humidity dropped, and the track and paddock were completely dry by the morning. As Mike said, the mechanical issues really made for some interesting paddock time. Jeff started it off with toasting two front hubs. Then Norman had an electrical issue, Dave H and son were re jetting their weber carbs, and that was just in the morning on Saturday. The good news was that all those issues were resolved and only limited track time was missed. By the end of the day on Saturday there were more issues but once again, repairs were made and all but one car made it back on track, and that one had a shot to get back on, but even a 12 ton press couldn't free the bearing from the half shaft. I've never seen someone weld a repair to a suspension/steering part and take it out on track within an hour or so of the repair being done. Amazing stuff. We have a lot of talent in our group and some of them can even drive. :jester: Our First timers, Dan, Matt and Todd were great additions to the group both in driving talent and socially. Hopefully we will see them again next year. I have some pictures to post, and some video to edit and I hope to get to that tomorrow. Thanks again to all who came out and made the event such a fun time. We really enjoy the company of everyone of you that attended. The track time is fun but the social banter is priceless. Those who attended heard that The NJMP staff extended the invitation to us to return again next year. So there is now 12 months left to get your cars sorted, save up for your hotel rooms, bar bills, gas and toll money. Next year I predict we should exceed twenty Seven's at our growing gathering! Looking forward to it already. Tom

Trailer is loaded and truck is packed. Just have a few things to bring out in the morning. I'll be heading out in the AM and will meet up with Croc who is already there. We will be waiting for you all in the Paddock at Lightning. See you Tomorrow!!!! Tom:hurray::hurray::hurray::cheers:

We are excited to see you on the Karting track too Seb. BTW I have a heavily weighted vest just for you to wear to even up the competition. I'm figuring your past Canadian Karting champ experience will be able to overcome an extra 150lbs of weight. :rofl::rofl: Tom

Dan, the Harry's lap timer app is a good one that records your data and video on your phone. All you need is a mount. for better refresh rate you can use a Bluetooth GPS that makes it even more accurate. And I think it even puts your data on a go pro if you have one.

What, that Vegas wedding was just a sham??? :puke::puke::puke: And Seb, it is Croc's GarageMahal. I don't have the big buck that he does. Tom

There goes the neighborhood!!:willy_nilly::willy_nilly::willy_nilly::hurray:

Mike, can you wipe off all the water spots on my yellow car while you are cleaning up? It was raining a bit when I drove the car in on Friday. :cheers:

Coming down the home stretch. Less that a week now, so finish up your polishing, checking your tire pressures and loading up the trailers. I dropped off my yellow car at Croc's NJMP garage on Friday and will load up the Orange one in a few more days after some last minute maintenance is done. For those of you with longer drives, take it easy and be safe. We will have the paddock area reserved and tents and refreshments set up for you when you arrive. Looking forward to a few days of sun, fun and lots of laughs. Don't forget your bathing suits as we do have access to the pool. See you soon. Tom

It's good to see it flying one last time. Although it's landing was probably softer than it's last prior one. I thought you pilots knew to put the landing gears down before you land. :jester: Tom

It was nice meeting you and your Son too John. Unfortunately it was a tough weekend for Duratec Caterhams, Dr. Doug's R500 suffered a major issue on the front straight on Sunday in the first session and dropped a ton of oil that required a big clean up. He's now out for the July event as well and will definitely be having his engine rebuilt too.

Hey Van, I just had Steve at SBD, do the Remote tuning on my car on Wednesday. The prior owner had installed some Cams from SBD when he upgraded and had the MBE 9A4 installed at that time too. There was some question as to whether my coolant issues were due to a head gasket or detonation. Chicken or Egg type question apparently, so I had the head pulled and gasket replaced and Steve reviewed the old map and had me update the software and install a new map. Then he spent some time testing to make sure everything worked prior to our dyno session this week. I'm headed to the track for the weekend and we will see how it goes. Good luck with your install and tuning. Let me know if you have any questions. Tom

Coming from the South on I-95, you may hit a bunch of traffic as you mentioned. DO NOT go into Philly!!!! From I-95 going North, get off at RT 322 EAST which goes over the Commodore Barry Bridge. Stay on 322 East and then take RT 55 South. Get off at exit 24 even if your nav is screaming at you to take exit 27 or 26 DO NOT take them pulling a trailer. Go the extra three miles to Exit 24. The exit is easy and trailer friendly. Take the right off the exit on to Rt 49 and go a couple miles to CEDAR Street. Take a left on Cedar st. (there is a single overhead flashing yellow light there) Go up one block to the light and go LEFT onto RACE Street. Follow Race to DIVIDING Creek road. go Right on Divining creek road, Track will be up the road about a mile on the right. Go to the main entrance with the sign and Flag. I'd recommend anyone coming in from the West on the Pa Turnpike to get off at Downingtown, And take route 202 South to Route 3 East or North, cant remember which, but definitely not west or South. Take Rt. 3 to Route 353 South, go RIGHT on rt 352 South. Follow Rt 352 to Rt 452 South, going RIGHT on 452 south. Follow 452 S for a couple miles to CONCORD Road, and Go left on to Concord Rd. Follow Concord Rd. for a few miles and after you go under a railroad over pass, look for the Sign for Rt 322 East on your Right, it comes up fast. Take that street which is ENGLE street to the second light, and go LEFT on 9th Street following the signs for R 322 East. The exit for Rt 322 East/ Commodore Barry Bridge is on your right about 100 yards after you make the right on 9th st. Stay to the right and take the exit ramp up onto the Bridge. Follow the Rest of the directions above for Rt 322 East to Rt 55 South to NJMP. Croc Feel free to correct my directions as I was born breach and have a great sense of balance but horrible sense of Direction. REALLY.:ack: Tom

Two weeks to go and by now, some of our long distance attendees will already have been on the road for a day or two. You guys are just plain hard core. :flag: Mike an I will be there early on Friday to reserve the paddock area we will set up in. Same as in prior years, just more room. We've heard from half of the procrastinators, :troll: and they will be signing up shortly. I still think we will be pushing 20 cars at the event. Those of you in the area that don't track your car but like 7s, can still come on over and socialize. The more the merrier. Tom

Hi John, I'll be there for the weekend, as well as, Simon, Jeff, Croc, and Paul U, will be a guest with his Birkin. We will see you there. Tom