Forget about engine or head swaps...what about driver swaps?

[Al N.]

Folks-

 

I caught up with Mazda last night on a few admin items (like finally getting around to letting him know the names of the people who signed up for 7-7-7 at the event!).

 

And something occured to me (especially in light of the current steering feel thread)...why don't we do more sharing of our cars at meets/blats? It doesn't have to be 9/10ths stuff (or even 7/10ths), but just enough seat time to get a feel for how one Se7en is different than yours.

 

After all, we all understand the general idiosyncracies of Se7ens...so the risk is minimal that another Se7en owner will push the accelerator instead of the brake, miss a shift, etc. The bike-engined cars are certainly the exception here, what with their high revs and sequentials.

 

I know I'd let most of the guys I've met drive my car if I could drive theirs in return. I found out that my Hagerty policy allows other drivers as long as I give my consent.

 

Just a thought/goal for future meet ups.

 

-Al

 

P.S. Steve T., you've got first dibs on Orange the next time out.

 

[slngsht]

Folks-

 

I caught up with Mazda last night on a few admin items (like finally getting around to letting him know the names of the people who signed up for 7-7-7 at the event!).

 

And something occured to me (especially in light of the current steering feel thread)...why don't we do more sharing of our cars at meets/blats? It doesn't have to be 9/10ths stuff (or even 7/10ths), but just enough seat time to get a feel for how one Se7en is different than yours.

 

After all, we all understand the general idiosyncracies of Se7ens...so the risk is minimal that another Se7en owner will push the accelerator instead of the brake, miss a shift, etc. The bike-engined cars are certainly the exception here, what with their high revs and sequentials.

 

I know I'd let most of the guys I've met drive my car if I could drive theirs in return. I found out that my Hagerty policy allows other drivers as long as I give my consent.

 

Just a thought/goal for future meet ups.

 

-Al

 

P.S. Steve T., you've got first dibs on Orange the next time out.

 

People are afraid to let me drive I think http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/images/smilies/huh.gif

 

So far, only Folis has driven my car from the forum, and he had a grin on his face... then I reminded him that was only 40% throttle . I think Box and Solder_Guy are the only other members to get rides in Frankn7, as well as Arya.

 

And I've driven Al's TT, but we won't talk about that

:leaving:

[WestTexasS2K]

I'd be game for swapping rides for comparison sake.

[scannon]

I've let a number of people drive my Caterham. But only those whose driving ability and common sense I trusted.

 

I don't think I would have a problem letting anyone on this forum drive it, even Mazda, afterall, how much trouble can he get into with only 235 RWHP?:lol:

[Al N.]

I guess my point of the whole thread is "why don't we swap more often?"

 

And Mazda reminds me that I am a terrible passenger so whoever gets to drive my car will be able to do so solo.

[BobDrye]

I am willing to share with some. I do think that we need to be careful with some of the cars. The first time that I power shifted from 1st to 2nd I ended up on a curb with broken front suspension. I would also suggest that in some cases we limit the speed or some other input.

[stevet]

So, we all get together (at Mazda's brothers place :thumbs: ) and throw our keys into a bowl. Wait a minute, I've seen that film :shocked:

 

Al, it's a deal - and you can try less power and less grip in return

[Al N.]

I am willing to share with some. I do think that we need to be careful with some of the cars. The first time that I power shifted from 1st to 2nd I ended up on a curb with broken front suspension. I would also suggest that in some cases we limit the speed or some other input.

 

Obviously no one wants to break someone else's car/get their car broken. So yes, it has to be all done with "not breaking your buddy's ride" in mind. Almost as a "cool down" run after a blat. Probably not first thing in the AM, when reflexes might still be waking up and tires are cold.

 

:hurray:

[slngsht]

I am willing to share with some. I do think that we need to be careful with some of the cars. The first time that I power shifted from 1st to 2nd I ended up on a curb with broken front suspension. I would also suggest that in some cases we limit the speed or some other input.

 

I have yet to power shift my car. The closest I've gotten is when I tried 0-60... even then, it was more of an aggressive shift than a power shift, and the car got a little sideways. As the power goes up, it pays to learn to roll in the throttle.

[eVox]

I'm up for sharing my car with y'all when its done. It will be built to be destroyed, and I expect to powershift every day and generally just beat my car up. After all, thats what its there for. Toyota parts are cheap enough

 

Driving other peoples cars of course would be a different matter alltogether....

[jbanker]

I let a former Caterham owner drive my Stalker in an auto-x earlier this season. He had sold his Caterham this Spring and purchased an Elise. Phil W. is an excellent Autocrosser and often got FTD. at all of our Indy Region Events. He jumped at the opportunity to co-drive with me. Set FTD for all fendered cars in My Stalker while I was 0.900 sec behind him.

 

Bottom line...I learned that my car was fast with the right person behind the wheel. I considered the experience a very good one. Gave me confidence that I have a good car. Phil's comment was that my Stalker was "Wicked fast and extremely well balanced". Now I have to work on my own driving skills and forget about "Go Fast" parts...That just means that I would hit a cone or DNF sooner!!!

 

Jack

 

[slngsht]

I let a former Caterham owner drive my Stalker in an auto-x earlier this season. He had sold his Caterham this Spring and purchased an Elise. Phil W. is an excellent Autocrosser and often got FTD. at all of our Indy Region Events. He jumped at the opportunity to co-drive with me. Set FTD for all fendered cars in My Stalker while I was 0.900 sec behind him.

 

Bottom line...I learned that my car was fast with the right person behind the wheel. I considered the experience a very good one. Gave me confidence that I have a good car. Phil's comment was that my Stalker was "Wicked fast and extremely well balanced". Now I have to work on my own driving skills and forget about "Go Fast" parts...That just means that I would hit a cone or DNF sooner!!!

 

Jack

 

That's awesome.

 

The driving instructor at the DC SCCA region autox school has driven my C5 on a number of occasions. It always amazes me how much more he can get out of my car, just getting in it cold, first run... and the whole time he's talking to me as he is driving. Hopefully he can try Frankn7 soon.

[Boxologist]

i was going to let Mazda drive my 7 but there was no point after he gave me a lift. he'd look at me ago," there's something wrong with ur right pedal, its like not hooked up or something."

 

and i'd say, "no, its slow.":lol:

 

to anyone who wants to see there cars driven the way there suposed to be, just find a regular national or pro solo driver who instructs at ur local autoX and let them co-drive. Its humbling for most of us. i'm considering offering one the chance to co-drive next season for some serious instruction. those (us novices) who saw what the 2nd run group at 7-7-07 was doing don't understand till we sit shotgun in our car and realize its not going to break.

[BobDrye]

 

I have yet to power shift my car. The closest I've gotten is when I tried 0-60... even then, it was more of an aggressive shift than a power shift, and the car got a little sideways. As the power goes up, it pays to learn to roll in the throttle.

 

 

 

Mazda:

Let's see. You said that you were going back to WV in Oct. You also said that you needed to build new control arms. Now if we trade keys, yeda, yeda ,yeda!!!!

[slngsht]

 

 

 

Mazda:

Let's see. You said that you were going back to WV in Oct. You also said that you needed to build new control arms. Now if we trade keys, yeda, yeda ,yeda!!!!

 

I'm trying to con my brother into towing the car for me out there :yesnod:

 

BTW, my car doesn't have keys, so you could jump in and fire her up. Maybe I should go install a security system now :lol:

[BobDrye]

 

I'm trying to con my brother into towing the car for me out there :yesnod:

 

BTW, my car doesn't have keys, so you could jump in and fire her up. Maybe I should go install a security system now :lol:

 

Mazda:

Your seven doesn't need keys. All you have to do is remove the track ball and unless they a programmer your safe.

 

:cheers:

[slngsht]

So true :lol:

[solder_guy]

So true :lol:

 

Or let your unregistered Windoze time run out .. :leaving:

 

 

I'm up for sharing my car with y'all when its done. It will be built to be destroyed, ...

 

Now Andrew .. you are getting a southern accent .......... destroyed?? How about some Seven demolition driving?

 

 

... i'd say, "no, its slow.":lol:

 

 

:lol: :iagree:

 

 

Rob

[eVox]

Now Andrew .. you are getting a southern accent Big grin .......... destroyed?? How about some Seven demolition driving? Smile

 

Actually, I am one of those weird yankees that says y'all. It just always seemed like a useful word :]

 

 

As for the demo derby...With all the money we've saved from paying for normal sports cars, that sounds like an easy way to catch up on the spending game

[7evin]

I think its a great idea,

Even though all the cars are built after a 7 the difference in attitude can be huge.

 

I was afforded the opportunity to drive the Deman orange beast.

FUN FUN FUN

I found that 101% in their car is much more predictable than in MOJO. But recovery in MOJO

is a bit more graceful.

 

A thought to consider is, when your car would zig their car may zag. My thought is caution.

 

Of course we should not drive our buddies car to 99.9%.....

But on the same hand that is where you find the true character of the car.....

I'm talking racing of course.

 

Drivability around town and manners are a different story.

 

Constantly looking for the hairy edge is a contagious disease you catch

from hanging out with demented souls like Westtex (AKA Loren) who follows

Einstein’s theory of relativity X 7= 3.14 times faster than you should be going.

I believe in the near future in a galaxy not to far from here he will be cleared for landing in a 7. :nonod: