I know we're not "United Se7ens of America" but...

[Al N.]

Folks-

 

This is a post that I've been meaning to write (in addition to my 7-7-7 recap post) for a while.

 

Attempting to go down to VIR and come back the same day was pretty much insanity on my part (Jeff U., you were right). I had to stop in Delaware somewhere at 1:30 AM because I was falling asleep at the wheel of the TT. Then when I got back, I ran the slot car track at a charity field day. Needless to say, I slept the sleep of an innocent man on Sat night. Pooped does not begin to describe how I felt...

 

But man it was worth it. Going down there and seeing Bob D. helping his fellow Nissan-motored Se7eners the Deman guys, seeing Jeff U. and Kevin B. talking about set up and track conditions, actually talking to John M. (one of the many people I merely said "Hi, thanks for coming, here's your badge." at 7-7-7), getting a big hug from Evelyn J., Justin S. recognizing me and greeting me with a hearty handshake, having a few laughs with Dennis B., hearing Folis' side of the Birkinlist story (FREE FOLIS!), mispronouncing Sharlyn's name, getting hydration from Michelle B. and Evelyn, hanging out with my pal Jim (art director partner back in the Mercedes days), crashing Mazda's pad at all hours of the day and night...all these things are what makes my life richer because of the silly little cars.

 

What I liked best about 7-7-7 and VIR was everyone interacting — no worries about what kind of car you drove. I've had a few conversations with dealers and makers over the past month that covered ground like "You know, our little niche is too small to be divisive." Their words, not mine. I agree wholeheartedly and am glad that our marque-inclusive group has rallied together this year to raise the profile of LSiS-type vehicles (dare I say "dramatically") in a very short time. Keep up the inclusive spirit.

 

All of this is a long way of saying that I'm really proud of what we've accomplished as a group so far. I look forward to many more long drives and laughs with you all.

 

Time to go home to the family.

 

Best,

 

Al

[Deman USA]

talk about a haul, pour Kevin had to drive from Las Vegas. He started driving on Tuesday. I drove out of Chicago at midnight on wednesday, and drove straight through till 4:30pm on thursday. Then i drove out of Viginia on Saturday at 6:30pm till 9am on Sunday.

 

Boy did that suck.

[slngsht]

All I can say is . I wish I had the time to be miserable with you guys :lol:

 

Any of you guys passing through DC and needing a place to crash (I mean rest), give me a heads-up

[R1 Seven]

Al,

 

Great post! You are crazy though! :jester: Mr. marathon driver! I am not sure if even I would have driven that far to watch us clowns going around the track.

 

You know what I hated the most about Friday? The fact that we all did not have a chance to chat more. I am certain that I spoke with everyone at least briefly but would have loved to have had more time to chat and hang out a bit. We were all pretty busy during the day. Kevin and the Deman crew should have been given and "effort and determination" award because of the long haul they had to get there and the hard work they put in to get around an unanticipated problem. Nobody likes to work on the car when they should be driving it. I was really looking forward to seeing that monster go like gangbusters on the track. But those guys put thier heads together and did the best they could to work through it.

 

This group of folks is really cool from what I have seen so far. I kind of think that it is a brotherhood of seven owners. Everyone is involved because they love cars and sevens in particular, but they have a great respect for each other and the paths that they have chosen. You don't find that just anywhere.

 

:cheers:

[stevet]

Wish I could have been there - sounds like a great weekend - VIR is only 3 hours south of me, but I was in the UK.

 

I did manage to get to a Sevens meet though, albeit the North East England chapter of the UK club. It was a great turnout given the weather they've been having (wettest summer for 200 years...), and there was an interesting mix of cars - about 15 intotal, including two bike engined sevens and two bike engined Mini's:eek: But what I found most interesting was this was a marque inclusive meeting, and that surprised me (in the UK) as most things outside a Caterham and Lotus are often frowned upon. Could be a function of geography - fewer sevens generally in the North (where men are men and sheep are nervous), so the cameraderie comes from a passion for these cars, rather than a particular badge. Either way, it confirms for me that the way the club wiorks here is the right way.

 

 

 

:thumbs:

[JBH]

Al:

 

Thanks for all your efforts - through this website you are one of the uniting forces. Any Se7ens that are head to VIR, let me know. The only reason I didn't make it last weekend was the crush of work.

 

Anyone that wants to join me on member day, give me a shout, Next session is the 2 days of August 25/26. As a guest you can only drive in Touring Lights which means pace car (fast paced) but no passing. Good for beginners. I am a qualified instructor so I can show you the lines and let you ride with me.

 

One caveat...I have done many laps in a Porsche Turbo and Formula Ford, but that weekend will be my first in the SLR

[slngsht]

I wish I was much closer to VIR rather than Summit

[BobDrye]

Let's see. Dino called today about over heating. Called Griffin Radiators today for Dino's problem and the fact that I think that I will have the same problem. If we solve his problem it will probaly help solve mine. I got to know Kevin and Michelle on Friday. Kevin talks of a guy known as Loren that I want to meet. The World is not that big! PS. Today I was doing 2nd gear burnouts @ 10psi. It's fun to drive sideways. I'm try to get the 7 ready for a week at the beach starting Sunday.

[7evin]

You guys are the coolest..... I wish I could have found people like all

of you years ago... Being a geeky techno car nut limited me to sharing

my out of the box ideas with my dear sick and twisted friend Loren..... I mean

that in a good way if that is possible... Now we have friends of like minds :crazy: (twisted)

to share our deviated automotive thoughts... Yeah....:hurray:

 

Cheers

Kevin

 

[WestTexasS2K]

7evin is a bad influence on all that come in to contact with him. He should be made to wear shirts with warning signs. The shirts should say "Caution loose nut in side".

[Boxologist]

also "infectious"

:cheers:

[jbanker]

Al and All,

What we experienced at 777 is exactly the type of reaction I received just after I completed my Stalker build in 2003. I was contacted by an Indianapolis Birkin owner and asked to participate in the annual Gathering of the Sevens on the Saturday afternoon and evening prior to the 2003 USGP.

 

In 2005 the Gathering became all inclusive for all LSiS and Lotus marques of all types.

 

With some reluctance, I joined Lotus Ltd and we attended attended LOG 25 in St. Louis. Once again we were well received and won a second place trophy in the Concourse in the Replica class.

 

In 2006 we joined the Indianapolis Lotus Ltd CHILL group (Club House for Indy Lotus Lovers) and I became Secretary for the group this year. This is a very active group which consist of Esprit, Exige, Elise, Orignial Seven, Caterham, Birkin, Locost and Ultralite owners. Every first Thursday of the month we meet at a local resturant for dinner and an ice cream drive.

 

Many of the Elise and Sevens owners now participate in the Indy Region SCCA Autocross events. This year we average 7-9 Lotus type cars at each event. We consider the SCCA activities an extension of our CHILL group.

 

Life is good when you drive a Lotus or LSiS car.

 

Jack Banker

Stalker V6

Indianapolis