Post your memories/highlights of 7-7-7 here...

[Al N.]

I'VE CHANGED THE TITLE OF THIS THREAD TO SERVE AS AN OMNIBUS FOR EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE MEET...TO CENTRALIZE THINGS. IF YOU HAVE POSTED ELSEWHERE AND HAVE TIME TO CUT AND PASTE OR LINK HERE, PLEASE DO...WILL HELP PEOPLE FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES. TIA-AL (HOME AT LAST 11 PM TUES.)

 

I actually want to take some time to write something more comprehensive and thoughtful about the event, but here are a few things that stand out for me the day after:

 

• Awesome meeting some of the "big names" in the hobby...Dick, Folis, Dean, Dennis B., John M., the "One Lap Car", etc.

 

• Putting faces and personalities to the names on the forum here.

 

• The willingness of everyone to pitch in whenever and wherever needed (esp. Nettleships, Bondurants, Arya E, and Rob M.!!!)

 

• The way people came to the aid of other Se7eners...I ran out of gas on the Dragon (coming back from the big group drive...gauge read 1/2!) and Norm Beaver whipped out his can and had me going in minutes. The funny thing was that I generally have a 2 gallon can in the passenger footwell, but Mazda had used that to help Dick Brink sort something out the night before...

 

• The journalists seemed to really get involved and engaged, and seemed to have a good time to boot.

 

• Erin V. driving on the Dragon run instead of her husband, the new Club Pres!

 

• Marcy P. keeping me sane and fed/hydrated the whole weekend long

 

• The JPE model built by Bill P....stunning and really taking the event up a few notches

 

• The generosity of everyone — btw, we ended up with two full boxes of canned goods for that local food bank!!

 

• Seeing the younger and older (and the middlers like Mazda and I) generation of Se7ens fans mixing it up.

 

• Both of the early AM drives...Friday with Jonny L. and the Maryland posse (loved those F1 style u-turns at the overlook boys!) in the wet; and Sat in the dry with the Illinois and Ohio groups (see that Skyline-esqe shot Mazda posted). Who knew you could have so much fun at just 30 mph...:lol: Better than a cup of coffee to get you going, hunh? And btw, Paul W. (Stalker)...you can drive lead out for me any time...

 

• The Saturday AM 9 AM drive...nothing but Sevens as far as the eye could see...

 

• Spending time with the Skyline East boys: Steve T., Scott L., and Mazda...anytime, anyplace, my brothers

 

• The sound of Jeff's R1 on the auto-x.

 

• Builders roundtable...if you missed it, you missed a great session.

 

• Graeme G's car & John G's "Best of meet" winning S2 -- both gorgeous...will make you think of a white Seven in a whole new way

 

• Giving local Nancy Johnson a ride over the Dragon

 

• Darryl "Killboy" Cannon mentioning that we were the first group he knows of that gave back to the community (the food drive and our raffle to benefit club/local EMS)

[locostv8]

Something I appreciated being more familiar with the Cobra croud. The lack of the petty bickering about mine is an original whereas the continuation cars are not and the replicas, locost, are slightly better than a dune buggy. Get on about any Cobra forum and you will see what I mean.

 

A hearty well done to Al, Mazda and all the others involved , Yall did a great job.

[Al N.]

Something that kept running through my head the whole time was this Harley Davidson ad from the early 1990s...it showed a photo of guy on a bike coming toward you from the POV of being on another bike...and the guy is giving you the "low five" wave.

 

The headline said "Did you ever meet a perfect stranger and know he was a brother?" That is very much how I felt about the whole weekend. Even coming into town on Thursday night with the car on the trailer, I'd start seeing more Sevens as we got closer and just started honking and waving at every single one I saw.

 

Thanks again for your support everyone. :thumbs:

[stevet]

My favorite car ad line is a good fit for what we all just did... "Happiness is not around the corner, Happiness is the corner"

 

All 318 of them :thumbs:

[Al N.]

My only regret about the whole weekend was that I didn't get to spend enough time getting to talk to enough of the people and see enough of the cars...I look forward to attending an event and NOT being one of the organizers.

[R1 Seven]

What a great event! Sharlyn and I (and the dogs) had a great time for sure! It was really great to meet everyone (well at least several people...that is all we had time for). I just could not get over what a great group of people this was to be with. I mean we had all ages, and a plethora of different Sevens both old and new. Honestly I don't think that you could have figured out who owned which kind of car until they hopped in it and drove away. That was cool! I was telling Sharlyn on the way home that this was the only time that I regret not having a registered car. I would love to meet up with you guys for a weekend of drives and hanging out.

 

It was great to be able to meet many folks that I have known for some time on the internet in person. There are lots of nice web based communities, but it is always good to meet face to face. I was also happy to see so many of my locost buddies show up as well. I think as many builders were there as there were folks with completed cars.

 

The location was very beautiful and a perfect setting for a laid back weekend. It was a little tight for big trucks and trailers, but it seems like everyone managed just fine. Even though it was not driving in a Seven, I really enjoyed the roads and scenery in the area.

 

The event was well organized, and for a first event, I think it went off very well. Hats off to EVERYONE who had a hand in organizing and executing the event! If we do this again, the major thing that I would change would be to make it longer. That weekend flew by really quick, and I felt like I never had enough time to look over all the cars and talk with everyone.

 

The roundtable on Saturday night was fun too. Al asked me to be a part of that and I was a little hesitant at first. I am not a manufacturer, but he wanted the perspective of the home builder as well. There were quite a few folks in attendance that were in that category. That ended up being a fun exchange, and it was interesting to hear all the comments and perspectives from the various builders.

 

They Sunday autocross was a blast for sure. The ETR-SCCA folks did a nice job setting up that event for us. The course was fun and well suited for our cars. If we could have gotten the oven turned down about 10 degrees, it would have been the perfect day. Nice to see that so many fast Sevens turned out for the event.

 

Well, that is is for now. I am sure something else will pop in my mind at some point. Can't wait to do this again!

[locost7018]

Al , your quote about happiness would make a great bumper sticker for our cars. Too bad we don't have bumpers, Russ

[stevet]

Agree with Jeff, the manufacturers round table was :thumbs: :thumbs:

[Al N.]

Various people have emailed me great memories from the event...from being moved to tears (in a good way) to laughter and hilarity...please post up your thoughts and memories here to try and capture the memories while they're still fresh!:bigears:

[Kitcat]

I've mentioned this elsewhere but will toss it in here too as it is not a thread hijack, for a change:

 

Planned to Leave Cincy @ 6:00am Fri, having just gotten the car out of the shop the evening before following a variety of repairs.

 

Numerous work-related problems & logistical problems (no motel to stay at, no idea how to get to Tapoca, etc,) delay departure til noon.

 

Notice both side mirrors have wilted. Decode the system for tightening them up. Then discover each side uses a different tool to remove the mirror and it takes a star key or something to then tighten up the internal mechanism. All mirror repairs are made in the boiling sun of the nearest Autozone. Many friendly questions from fans of the car slow up the process.

 

Finally hit the road @1:30 & roast for 5 hours, but enjoy admiring glances & thumbs up along the way.

 

Trip is about 50 miles further than I thot and the last 20 or so are the Dragon over which I average maybe 25 mph.

 

Get to cool off when car breaks down on the Dragon and I spend 45' fixing.

 

Finally show up after the car show is over, tired, hot, frustrated. I am approached by two friendly gentlemen (Michael Dougherty & Norm Beaver) who ask questions about the car, as Norm hands me an ice cold brewski which was ambrosia to my parched lips. (Norm-with one beer you bought a friend for life:))

 

The next night at dinner Tony Vacarro explained the joy of Seven ownership to me. It went something like this:" The thing with my Seven was, I always felt that I had accomplished something when I arrived at my destination. I had overcome mechanical obstacles and uncertainties and had triumphed after being tested along the way. With my new Elise, I just get in drive & arrive, big deal!"

 

After my trip, having been a Seven owner for all of a month, I realized I knew what he meant.

 

Mike

[slngsht]

I've mentioned this elsewhere but will toss it in here too as it is not a thread hijack, for a change:

 

Planned to Leave Cincy @ 6:00am Fri, having just gotten the car out of the shop the evening before following a variety of repairs.

 

Numerous work-related problems & logistical problems (no motel to stay at, no idea how to get to Tapoca, etc,) delay departure til noon.

 

Notice both side mirrors have wilted. Decode the system for tightening them up. Then discover each side uses a different tool to remove the mirror and it takes a star key or something to then tighten up the internal mechanism. All mirror repairs are made in the boiling sun of the nearest Autozone. Many friendly questions from fans of the car slow up the process.

 

Finally hit the road @1:30 & roast for 5 hours, but enjoy admiring glances & thumbs up along the way.

 

Trip is about 50 miles further than I thot and the last 20 or so are the Dragon over which I average maybe 25 mph.

 

Get to cool off when car breaks down on the Dragon and I spend 45' fixing.

 

Finally show up after the car show is over, tired, hot, frustrated. I am approached by two friendly gentlemen (Michael Dougherty & Norm Beaver) who ask questions about the car, as Norm hands me an ice cold brewski which was ambrosia to my parched lips. (Norm-with one beer you bought a friend for life:))

 

The next night at dinner Tony Vacarro explained the joy of Seven ownership to me. It went something like this:" The thing with my Seven was, I always felt that I had accomplished something when I arrived at my destination. I had overcome mechanical obstacles and uncertainties and had triumphed after being tested along the way. With my new Elise, I just get in drive & arrive, big deal!"

 

After my trip, having been a Seven owner for all of a month, I realized I knew what he meant.

 

Mike

 

Great story. I still can't believe I missed you at the event.

[slngsht]

Various people have emailed me great memories from the event...from being moved to tears (in a good way) to laughter and hilarity...please post up your thoughts and memories here to try and capture the memories while they're still fresh!:bigears:

 

I have a few...

Rob's practical joke - that was great. totally fell for that.

 

Jon's little screams while driving him to the gap... that was funny. I didn't have time to look over, and I could barely hear him over the exhaust. At first I thought I was hearing things :lol:

 

Preston Lerner... what a guy. Honestly, He is braver than I am. I made a pretty good run up the dragon with him riding shotgun. The whole time I'm telling him I just finished welding the front end together, hopefully it'll hold up :lol:. No rational person would get in a car like that and ride the dragon with a stranger.

 

Watching the bigger version of the skyline lineup at the overlook. At that moment I thought to myself "wow, it has really come together".

 

Spending time with Folis... what a character :lol: especially at the Mexican resturaunt

 

Watching the kids play with Al's kids... always a good time :thumbs:

 

As usual, getting together with the old gang - Scott, Steve, Al... Didn't get a chance to spend as much time together this time around, but it's always fun.

 

Another memory I'd rather forget... coming down the dragon back to the lodge from one of our morning drives (I think it was Saturday), I was coasting down due to a problem that turned out to be a loose wheel bearing. I was doing 30 between the cross roads and Tapoco. There was a pickup coming up the mountain. A crotch rocket decided it was safe to pass the truck while I was coming down. The truck and I both hit the brakes, and I put my right wheel on the edge of the pavement for the moron to have enough room to pass.

 

[olymar7]

I shared this with Al in a PM,

 

Lee and I had an increible time! We are still soaking it all up. There simply was not enough time to meet every one and check out details.

 

For me, working on my project since 1999, I was brought to tears during the non-parade lap when all I could see in front of me and behind me was sevens. Truly, a once in a lifetime experience.

 

Oh, and when Tony V. thought my scratch built was a real one! Yeah!!!!!

[Flibbie]

Hello. Newbie to the 7's scene. Have been a fan of Lotus for 40+ years. Having just retired, I'm planning on building a Stalker. My son, Jeffrey, and I were the ones in the blue 05 Lotus Elise at 7-7-7. Had a great time and met many really nice people. We really appreciated being allowed to join-in all the festivities even though we weren't in a 7. Here are some pictures my son took. Enjoy. And again, thanks to one and all. Jim

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/312956885_PICT0573.JPG

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/316437683_PICT0574.JPG

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/64526355_PICT0575.JPG

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/815027238_PICT0579.JPG

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http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1359865046_PICT0626.JPG

[Al N.]

thanks JIM!

 

I sent you a PM just now...you don't happen to have a video of the non-parade do you?

 

If so, ask Mazda for the club YouTube Account info...and post it in a new thread...I think that will get LOTS of views.

 

-Al

[Al N.]

Step into the wayback machine...

 

I was feeling a bit nostalgic today so rooted around to dig up this, which I sent to the USA@se7ens.net list on June 12, 2006...a little after the Skyline East cruise:

 

Folks-

 

How many people would be up for driving to a certain road in North Carolina that rhymes with "Nail of the Wagon"? Yes, I know it was just covered in R&T and is probably crawling with idiots right now, but they'll have crashed out their welcome by next July.

 

I know that the East Coast contingent would pretty much be in. The question is, would Seveners west of the Mississippi make the trip?

 

Feel free to write to me off board. We'll get a dedicated 777 board sorted out one of these days.

 

-Al

 

-----

And here's a reply the same day from Mark B...from small acorns, as the saying goes.

 

Al

I'd love to go, Its something I've always wanted to do in the 7, just haven't gotten down there yet. Please add me to your potential participants, and keep me posted on progress! Thanks for setting this up!

Mark Bondurant

'05 SV

Dayton, Ohio

 

 

[slngsht]

speaking of feeling nostalgic...

I was looking back last night at this thread (whose car is that on the left?):

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/2006-06-05_094141_blue_ridge_7_Small.JPG

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/2006-06-05_094309_blue_ridge_2_Small.JPG

 

and this vid (John and I recon for skyline):

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/Movie.wmv

 

[Al N.]

"I'm not too much in favor of doing multiples of the

posted limits on big group drives"

 

Famous last words (mine, btw)...:jester:

 

----

 

Thanks for digging that one up! And to think we all thought a 5 car drive was a big deal...

[Boxologist]

mine was teh trip out on the wayah road loop on saturday. i don't see se7ens around by me. EVER. the only other one was a s3 last year at a charity show. so seeing 50+ made me ecstatic. and just driving, and i mean DRIVING with other se7ens just gave me the warm fuzzies. even if it did start to rain.

 

add to driving the Dragona nd not even knowing it thrursday night and just dreading what it would be like if regular US129 was so curvy, what would the Dragon in NC be like. i had no clue where the dragon was the tail was.

 

that KitCat actually made it down when last knew the breakage at putnam park was going to keep him from attending. actually meeting a whole bunch of people from the forum who i will actually remember beyond my next beer!:hurray:

 

and just being at the autoX, watching adn listening to the DM/EM and formula ford go at it in heat 2. and those mustangs were worth watching as well.

 

major kudos to Al and everyone who made an effort in some form to make the weekend better. Next time with some sort mobile communication. it was like playing telephone when u were a kid as one group of people relayed info to another at different points in the drives.

[jbanker]

Penny and I just returned home from a fantastic ten days of Se7en fun!! Al and Mazda are to be commended on a job well done. I know you had some excellent help from a small group of people to make the event run very smoothly. THE NEXT ONE WILL HAVE A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW!!!

 

The very first folks that we met at the Fontana Lodge were Norm B and Michael D, two very competitive and well respected, nationally known auto crossers that I have read about over the last three years. What a pleasure to begin the event with a highlight.

 

It was great to see old friends again and make many new ones in the Se7ens community!

 

Prior to this, I thought that having seven Se7ens at our annual Lotus USGP F1 party in Indy was really something. That does not pale to being in the company of over 50 Se7ens in one location.

 

After leaving the Fontana Village/Tapoco Lodge area we drove on down to Helen, GA for a week of driving around the north Georgia Mountains. We met with 13 Stalker owners, some had also done the 7-7-7 event as well and all had praise for the USA7s group.

 

Thanks again for a job well done!!

 

Jack and Penny Banker.

Carmel, IN