Al N. Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) Folks- I know I've been dormant for a few years now as other aspects of my life have taken precedence, but I got a real charge out of dropping in on the NJMP event last weekend and was thinking perhaps we try for another "large format" meet. Knowing how long the planning cycle can be, I think putting 7-7-17 is not a terrible date to shoot for. There are club members and Se7ens all over the country, so a more central location is probably better — realizing that no matter what location we pick, someone's going to have a long drive. Starting this thread in the General discussion to attract the most eyeballs...but will move/start a new one in "National Events" if enough people are up for it. If you are interested, please chime in below with any thoughts/suggestions. -Al P.S.Just to have something to react to, here is an outline of one possible event (note, I have not checked with Barber on availability/doability...just thinking out loud and trying to have a more centrally located place than Tail of the Dragon): Barber Motorsports Park 3-Day Weekend One Trackday One Auto-X One "Carshow" At least one group drive Edited July 8, 2015 by Al Navarro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 FWIW, I think organizing something at Tail of the Dragon would be easier (at least if I were to be helping with planning), since we have some connections/resources we could leverage from 7-7-7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taber10 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Al, I'd be interested in either an event at the Tail or at Barber's. Of course, that is a long time off, so it is hard to definitely commit this early. I know it takes that long to plan and advertise a first class event. Taber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) As was suggested for the last one Northern Arkansas has very wonderful roads to drive on, and not crowded, but no race tracks. But I wouldn't be doing the race track anyway. We have had several Midwest Se7ens Gatherings down there. Also Elkhart Lake, WI. Nice race track but only soso roads. Russ Edited July 8, 2015 by locost7018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) I enjoyed the last USA7s event at the Tail of the Dragon and it is much closer to me than NJMP. On the other hand, the NJMP event is much closer to the majority of East Coast owners and most likely is closer to many more se7en owners than western Tennessee. It also has a superior amenities than most of the hotels at the Tail (pub, dinning room, pool, etc.). The Tail area offers truly amazing empty roads with almost limitless twists and 15 mph turns. The Dragon is the most well known, but there are so many others. So for folks who like spirited driving but not track days, it is perfect. For those, like me, who covet track days, it is good not great. I would love to visit Barber but everyone says it is hugely expensive. So we'd have to partner with some organizer already planning to run there and get our own run group. The worst scenario would be to schedule both NJMP and a Dragon event at the same time. There are probably too few of us to make both a success. Happy to see what others think. I think it is a great discussion topic, if nothing else. Edited July 8, 2015 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 The worst scenario would be to schedule both NJMP and a Dragon event at the same time. There are probably too few of us to make both a success. We would not do that Mike - as you note there are too few of us. The NJMP event really gets locked down for date in the January before the event. So we can wait to see if a Dragon event gets momentum for 2017 before committing to an NJMP event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 None of those locations are "central" except to people living on the eastern seaboard. How about something in Colorado? We have some nice mountain roads out here and tracks to play on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian 7 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I think you all should head up north to Toronto and we'll have an event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park - (Mosport ,for all you old timers!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 Skip- I would not call Alabama that close to me in NJ! (In fact, Birmingham AL would be a 2-3 day trailer from both you and I.) I am open to other locations (including Branson, MO as we had tried to do a few years ago) at this point...but IMO, what's best for the BULK of the attendees is the important thing...and I do think that the group (wherever they are located) doing the organizing gets some say in it. I think I could organize a ToTD meet, if not easily, then at least easier than one West of the Mississippi. Tom and Mike's event has pulled people from fairly far away...and so did 7-7-7 (though that was a "big" milestone with the 50th anniversary and all). Generally speaking, the various contingents that make up the club have their favorite Se7en activities as well...with the East Coasters being more into track days, the DC gang into Auto-X (though many now do track time, too), and the West Coasters (like Gert and Bill G.) doing more touring stuff. A national type meet needs to try and meet the interests of all parties...or again, the bulk of the Se7ening community. -Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelD Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 I attended the TOD-777 gathering and five NJMP gatherings. I enjoyed both. At NJMP we are all together, driving together, working on our cars, swapping stories, fixing our cars, eating, drinking and fixing our cars again. I have to say that I enjoy all aspects at NJMP far more than those at TOD. Plus plus we get more actual driving in at NJMP than we did at TOD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Something else to consider is where and when will LOG be that year. Nobody knows yet. Skip is right there are lots of cool roads near him. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 To Russ's point...haven't there been 2 Colorado LOGs in recent years (including this years)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 To Russ's point...haven't there been 2 Colorado LOGs in recent years (including this years)? This year will be the second LOG in Colorado. There was one in Las Vegas a few years back as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee break Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 7-7-17 East and 7-7-17 West? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
951n914 Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Hi there YUP ...Skip Barber is FAR ( maybe too far ) ...But WHAT a great track !! ( did Porsche Performance school there ) ...and they have a Skid pad area for Autocross ...And a FANTASTIC Museum *** Always Summit Point Raceway ...And DOMINION Raceway in Virginia .....should be Fully Operational by then as well Just a couple other ideas =) Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) @coffeebreak: The thing about separate east and west meets is that it sort of defeats the goal of a "national" event. In 2017, I won't have anyone graduating (from college or high school) but will most likely be VERY tied up with Summer Nationals (fencing...with one of my kids) the week before the Fourth of July. Which begs another question for the group...."Anyone interested in helping organize a meet?" Edited July 9, 2015 by Al Navarro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvacc Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 I would be willing to help organize an event here around Watkins Glen. I have been the chair at 3 LOGs, and involved in many more. If you guys want to arrange this around the date of our yearly High Performance Advanced Driving day at the Glen, then you could offer the group Track Time at the Glen. I have excellent relations with the Radisson Hotel in Corning. I could get us a discount rate. Driving the Glen is a blast. The Fingerlakes region of NYS is just really super great. Be happy to do this for you all. Tony Vaccaro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvacc Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Let me say a few more things. Organizing an event is really tough these days. Most hotels demand a hotel guarantee. Unless one of you is independently wealthy and wants to put up 20K, you need the kind of relationships I have with the people around the Glen. Plus the Glen is an expensive track to rent with a requirement of 5 million in insurance which can cost almost as much as the Glen rental. Tough to do it unless you tag on with another group like ours. The Mercedes-Benz Club of America and Lotus Ltd team up to bring this day to our members. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanG Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 I am up for some kind of get together and would seriously consider helping out. If you don't have a roll bar on your Seven (I don't) most tracks won't let you do anything beyond touring laps. Our ancient beast makes anything but short blasts in good weather a less than fun experience. 12-18 hours of towing each way is about as much as I would consider doing. 777 at the Tail of the Dragon was a lot of fun. Barber is a great place. The Glenn is a great place. Black Hawk Farms is a fun track with a good Lotus community. Colorado has a good Lotus community. Both of which would most likely be willing to work with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvacc Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Something else to consider is where and when will LOG be that year. Nobody knows yet. Skip is right there are lots of cool roads near him. Russ I think it is safe to say that LOG in 2017 will not be back in Colorado. In any given year the board of Lotus Ltd is always actively working on the next two LOGs. I am the current President of Lotus Ltd and I am sorry but I am not at liberty to discuss particulars regarding those LOGs but I can tell you an event in Watkins Glen in early July would not appear to me to be in conflict with a potential LOG. Not because there will not be a LOG in that area that year as cannot tell you that, but because we normally do not have LOGs during that time of the year. As far a roll bars in a 7 type car. We do require a competition rated bar with cross bracing and at least 4 points into the chassis. A "street" bar will not cut it. It is not hard to get your 7 ready for the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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