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Looking for well sorted LHD Caterham or equivalent

Greg Davall

By Greg Davall
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Greg Davall

Greg Davall

Posted
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Intended Use:

Spirited street with a few track days/year. Would rather compromise track experience and be able to drive to events than trailer only full race - appreciate ability to set ride height, damping, preload, toe in, etc… for better track days…

 

Must have’s:

Left Hand Drive

Around 200 reliable HP or ability to “get there”

Either DeDion or IRS

Fit me (6’1”, 34” inseam, 205 lbs, 11.5 shoe size) 

Pass NH registration or ability to “get there” Bonus if currently registered as >25 years old due to relaxed NH inspection requirements. Generally NH needs windshield, wipers, horn, hand brake and emissions for VINs titled newer than 25 yrs old.

 

Would Like:

Wide stance front suspension 

upgraded fully adjustable Nitron’s or equivalent 

race capable roll bar that will pass me in broomstick test

SCCA legal harness 

hydraulic clutch (not just mechanical cable)

heated windshield/defrost

full weather kit with top, side curtains tonneau, etc.   

some cockpit padding so my wife won’t be so freaked out in local cruise mode 

OK cosmetics — not looking for showcar

420r if could find it and not break low $40k’s with all “musts” and most “wants”.

well taken care of with tasteful upgrades

 

Thanks in advance for any questions, suggestions or recommendations. I own several other toy vehicles and am looking for the Colin Chapman minimalist, lightweight is everything, fits like a glove with nothing extra (beyond what NH requires) experience. Extensive track time on motorcycles— appreciate what well sorted sevens are capable of under skilled driving.

 

Very much respect the knowledge and experience within this forum!

 

Greg

 

 

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  • 2 months later...
slowdude

slowdude

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Posted (edited)

Reading this, its glad you know exactly what you want. A lot of people come and go from the forum, I think because they don't know what they want, or the buy something and its not quite what they want.

It looks like you will have to do an SV Chassis if you are looking for some space at your sizing.

 

I think the exact car you're looking for is something that an owner will have upgraded after several years (nitrons, 200+ bhp), and will probably be harder to come by from selling. You might be better served buying a good base, and upgrading accordingly. A 360 or 420 SV chassis may be a good starting point, then upgrading to meteor suspension + throttle bodies (and ECU) should get you to the power you're looking for. I know youre not interested in RHD, but theyre not as difficult to deal with as they would be on a larger vehicle (ex: Defender), where you have to constantly reach over 5 feet etc.

 

Good luck on your search!

Edited by slowdude
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Greg Davall

Greg Davall

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image.jpeg.30a1102cc191fcd9a5f2d840bad3b196.jpeg

Also came with a bunch of spare and alternative parts (10” slicks for example). One of my first purchases will likely be 13x6 fronts and 13x8 rears with the Nova tires once they are available….

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CBuff

CBuff

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It won’t be out for a while. But save the date and run thru all your belts (dated 6 pt). And make sure all equipment including hans is up to spec.  You can ask any questions on the save the date link if you’re unsure of what’s needed.  
 

it’s a great time and a nice opportunity to meet the other owners.  

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11Budlite

11Budlite

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Congrats on your purchase Greg, they are a lot of fun!

 

Are you planning on running at any of your local tracks next year? I've already signed up for track days at Club, Canaan, and Palmer. It's always nice to see another Seven out there! 

 

 

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Greg Davall

Greg Davall

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I had no idea that these “club” tracks existed. Do you have to be a full member for track time or are there other associations that rent the track for specific events that I could sign up for at less than the $10k+ one time membership fee?

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11Budlite

11Budlite

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16 minutes ago, Greg Davall said:

I had no idea that these “club” tracks existed. Do you have to be a full member for track time or are there other associations that rent the track for specific events that I could sign up for at less than the $10k+ one time membership fee?

 

I've been running with MassTuning for the last four years. They run events all over the northeast. I've done the three tracks mentioned above, plus LRP, NYST, and Watkins Glen. I also signed up for Pocono this year for the first time.

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Croc

Croc

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17 hours ago, Greg Davall said:

Is there a link to formally sign up for the June event in NJ?

 

 

Probably be another month or so before I get notice of the motorsportreg registration being open. Figure on February.

 

 

 

 

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Croc

Croc

Posted
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38 minutes ago, Greg Davall said:

I had no idea that these “club” tracks existed. Do you have to be a full member for track time or are there other associations that rent the track for specific events that I could sign up for at less than the $10k+ one time membership fee?

 

 

Most tracks have their form of "country club" track day club thing.  They all have their program of upfront cost, annual membership, and then daily track day fees.  WE run the annual sevens event there as it gives us a good track time quality without other big heavier cars in the mix to spoil the fun in the corners.  We discovered this very early on in the running of this event. 

 

However, there are a lot of track day operators who you can purchase a day on track with.  Motorsportreg.com is the site you should look at to find who is operating on what tracks and on what dates.  Not all operators will take you as they specify conditions (car types, conditions, etc).  But there are enough around that there are plenty of options to choose from. 

 

 

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Croc

Croc

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23 minutes ago, 11Budlite said:

 

I also signed up for Pocono this year for the first time.

 

 

Set suspension to SOFT.   Its a very bumpy circuit around that infield and the join to the tri-oval.  Almost as bad as Sebring.   

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11Budlite

11Budlite

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1 minute ago, Croc said:

 

 

Set suspension to SOFT.   Its a very bumpy circuit around that infield and the join to the tri-oval.  Almost as bad as Sebring.   

 

Thanks Croc. It wasn't high on my list of new tracks to go to because of that reason, but my son convinced me I should try it.

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11Budlite

11Budlite

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9 minutes ago, slowdude said:

Canaan and Palmer seem like idea 7's tracks?

 

Absolutely, I'm probably the most familiar with both of those. Palmer is a really fun track and it's the closest drive to my house so I've been there the most. Yes, even closer than LRP and Thompson. Canaan is a great track to learn at with relatively low speeds and decent runoff for most corners. Just be careful with the concrete barrier. I've seen a couple instances where a driver over corrected to stay on track and went back to the inside and into the barrier. Club is probably my favorite with just one corner that I struggle with. Really hoping I can make it to NJMP in June.

Edited by 11Budlite
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