Back in the game! And a (probably stupid) question.

[Saudio]

On 5/6/2023 at 7:14 PM, IamScotticus said:

I like to keep it simple to avoid a long explanation, "Lotus 7", answers a lot of questions quickly with a name most people recognize.

Also, if they care to do the research, any search for Lotus 7 will lead them down the right path.

The first time that's exactly what I said.  And I think mentioning "Lotus" has a much greater chance of recognition than "Caterham"/

[Saudio]

On 5/7/2023 at 9:55 AM, panamericano said:

"Still getting used to RHD on tiny US back roads, and gauging my distance from the lunatics coming the other way just a little over the center line.  And still trying to figure where exactly to look when changing lanes and backing up.  Not being an owl, I can only twist my head so far."

 

(I dDrive a RHD Birkin.)

This is not the optimal way to go about it.  Do not worry about the edges.  Aim for the center.  Say we are blasting between two close obstacles (left and right).  If you look at one obstacle, you will hit it.  We go where we look.  Aim at the center of where you want to go.  With a little experience, your brain knows where your body center is compared to the car center.  The center of the car through the center space.  Always follow the middle path, Grasshopper. 

Also be sure side mirrors are adjusted to show "blind" areas, not the rear.  No blue sky in side mirrors.  The rear is taken care of by the central mirror.  Convex helps.

I think simply racking up some safe miles in the Cat will teach me where the corners are and where I am on the road.  I've spent 50 years and well over 4 million miles teaching my brain where the vehicle belongs and now I'm unlearning it, and worse, having to change mental gears every time I switch from RHD to LHD.  I've only racked up 200 miles on the Cat so far and every single drive is on the job training.  

[Saudio]

On 5/7/2023 at 10:15 AM, IamScotticus said:

I'll contribute, 

Maintain visibility and awareness of how small you are.  If you cant see the other guys mirrors,  they can't see you.  Even so, inches matter.  

The worst place to lurk is anywhere next to a car.  You won't be in a drivers peripheral vision until you are a full car length in front.  Most drivers are zombies driving in a trance.  When I was driving my 7, I played a game where I would pull up along side someone and wait to see how long it took to notice me.  I often went unnoticed until I passed out front.

 

Likewise, your area of visibility in back is much farther because cars trunk lines are higher.  Figure you need 5 car lengths behind, or more.

 

My style in a 7 is to speed out of groups of cars to not get boxed in.  Falling behind works for some things, but in general, creating distance from others asap is staying safe.

 

People all have cameras now and want to share everything on instagram, including you.  They will run into you, or someone, trying to share your cute little car with all their friends. 

Just pass them quick, don't give them the time.  People steer toward what they are looking at.

 

If you've never been an aggressive driver before,  in a seven is time to learn. 

 

 

Thoughtful advice, thank you.  

[Saudio]

37 minutes ago, Christopher smith said:

I call mine a Lotus 7 series 123. Mostly series 1 but engine like a later series 2 and wings from a series 3 plus all sorts of safety upgrades including flying a Union Jack from the rear of the roll cage in hopes that others will see it and nut turn into me. Driving RHD is not so difficult with such a narrow car. Major insult if someone asks if it is a dune buggy. yes, there are some very stupid people on the loose but most others enjoy a short history of 7s.

My daughter says it looks like an insect.  

[slowdude]

15 hours ago, Saudio said:

I think simply racking up some safe miles in the Cat will teach me where the corners are and where I am on the road.  I've spent 50 years and well over 4 million miles teaching my brain where the vehicle belongs and now I'm unlearning it, and worse, having to change mental gears every time I switch from RHD to LHD.  I've only racked up 200 miles on the Cat so far and every single drive is on the job training.  

If you get the chance, try and watch a California Superbike school video on YouTube. While the vehicles are different, the logic is the same.

 

Target fixation on a motorcycle typically means hitting something, so setting your angle / trajectory through the corner before the corner, keeping your eyes up will help keep the car in the lane. Staring at the center line means you'll run it over. Another item I like to carry over is throttle-> smooth throttle through the corner to avoid upsetting suspension (and grip). I'm a bit wierd so take from this what you want.

 

It's like riding a motorcycle. No one sees you, defensive driving is a requisite: lane positioning as many have mentioned to optimize what little visibility we have. 

 

I've found with the 600 or so miles I've put on the car, the RHD gets a bit easier. I stay close to the shoulder of the lane, by default the car is a lot smaller than the lane, so I know I have minimum 3 feet from my front left wheel and the center stripes. The toughest part I am having are left hand turns, not because the steering is on the right, but due to how low and long the car is. Need to nose out. Again, very similar to a motorcycle where you need to be very cautious with all intersections.

 

Another youtuber to check out is Dan the Fireman. He does a lot of analysis of poor motorcycle riding, but his threat evaluation of dangerous situations can really help -> I always am cautious in intersections etc.

[panamericano]

"The toughest part I am having are left hand turns, not because the steering is on the right, but due to how low and long the car is. Need to nose out. "

 

Nose out is very dangerous.  Since all vehicle in the opposite left turn lane are bigger, we in a RHD especially are in a tough spot.  I know 2 people that have had these "nose out" accidents and they were in regular, small cars, not RHD Sevens.  We have to either be patient or watch for gaps and count cars when approaching, while we can still see something. 

 

"Taking control of the intersection" is legal in most states.  You pull STRAIGHT in towards the middle of the intersection on GREEN.  When the light turns red, you can still go , because you entered the intersection legally.  Of course, you have to watch for the yellow-to-red runners, but starting traffic should yield to you.  Still more dangerous than patience.  Alternate plan is avoid it.  If you know the area, like a city, sometimes 3 right turns is easier and takes the same time.  This thread seems to be dissolving into a defensive driving course.  Has Saudio had enough?

[joe7]

In response to you comments about right hand drive here's the way to do it. When driving look to the "right" side line rather than the "center" line to keep you in your lane. I've been driving right hand 7s for over 40 years and its the way to do it. Also, I always look "a bit ahead" before I make any moves.

[Christopher smith]

Joe7- for sure RHD is fine. I learned to drive with my brother's 1949 MG-TC and now with my series 1 7 it is even narrower, so no problems if you follow the curb line (or edge of road in any case). You do get a few surprised looks but is that because of RHD or just that a 7 looks so unusual here?

[Saudio]

On 5/9/2023 at 9:59 AM, panamericano said:

"The toughest part I am having are left hand turns, not because the steering is on the right, but due to how low and long the car is. Need to nose out. "

  This thread seems to be dissolving into a defensive driving course.  Has Saudio had enough?

Nope, I'm absorbing and enjoying the advice.  

[Saudio]

3 hours ago, joe7 said:

In response to you comments about right hand drive here's the way to do it. When driving look to the "right" side line rather than the "center" line to keep you in your lane. I've been driving right hand 7s for over 40 years and its the way to do it. Also, I always look "a bit ahead" before I make any moves.

I'm finding the same thing to be true.  If I'm close to the RH edge of the road, I MUST be comfortably away from the center line.  When the inevitable happens and somebody approaches over the line, it's going to be harder to throw the side of the car I'm sitting in into the weeds, though.  

[joe7]

I'm finding the same thing to be true.  If I'm close to the RH edge of the road, I MUST be comfortably away from the center line. That's the effect of high school geometry lessons, parallel lines!

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

1962 Lotus 7

Nope. After 70 MPH it starts to lift off in front.  They don't call them "wings" for nothing. I'm going to add flaps for lower speed landings.

Yep. Corners like a scared rabbit. Send your Ford F-150 into the ditch. Hell, send your Camaro into the ditch.

Yep. Original, save for the windscreen and muffler.

No, not really.  Imagine being in an accident while driving a Coke can, with a steel rod aimed at your chest.

About 43 HP, but about 963 pounds.

0-60?  Beat your Harley.