The Road to LOG 30

[Kitcat]

This trip has been a great excuse to do much over-due maintenance. Thanks to torque specs kindly provided by Skip Cannon, I have done a nuts and bolts check, at least of the items I can get to. Boring. All ckd out perfectly as I worked my way from front to back. In fact, since I didn't get to the back over the weekend, I almost didn't bother.

 

Fortunately, I had some extra time yesterday: 6 critical bolts in the rear suspension were loose-2 were so loose I was able to hand tighten them, 4 took several turns to bring up to spec. (radius arms, both ends on both arms, etc.).

 

Needless to say, handling has improved. It is doubtful I wld have made it thru the 1500 mile round trip and Summit Point track day with things so close to falling off.Also tightened the clams-wow, they don't shake at engine idle anymore, I thot that was normal!

 

I also discovered a leaky lower radiator hose. Last time that happened I was stranded, so I had to fix it or not go. Following advice of BBall, I ordered a set of silicone hoses from Classic Silicone Hoses in the UK, as a long-term solution. They had never used an American credit card so that was its own adventure-I had to call my card co and get them to bless it, the hose place had to do the same on its end. It is in a remote location and kept losing its "signal" to the credit card place (while I was listening on the transatlantic call to them I made-can't wait to see that bill).

 

Speaking of bills, as a short-term solution, I was able to get the needed hoses from Ben at Caterham. He overnited it to me. Since I was desperate, I didn't bother to ask the cost of shipping. Wow! Let's just say I have bought cars for less, and driven them.

 

Packing: I have two large piles of tools & parts, one large pile of track stuff (helmet/HANS, etc) and one small pile of clothes (3 pairs of blue jeans, 5 black t shirts, 2 sweatshirts and, for the "formal" dinner Saturday, a sweater-simplicate and add liteness). Where I will put it all, I don't know. I mite just leave the tools at home and take a Swiss Army knife and some duct tape.

 

I cleaned the car up, waxed it, added vinyl finish to all the rubber parts. Man, it didn't look this good when I bought it. I almost hate to drive it.

 

Weather report is, in a word: perfect. Five days of cool nites, mild days and sunshine. What's not to like?

 

Let the adventure begin, I am ready! Assuming all goes well, I will leave tomorrow around dawn and arrive in G-Berg whenever the combination of road gods and Se7en gods ordain-hopefully before dark.

 

Mike

Edited October 7, 2010 by Kitcat

[Croc]

Mike - I sooooo wish I was as prepared as you. In reality I suspect I have problems looming. :svengo:I have not driven the car in 7 weeks (or even seen it because I have been travelling overseas). It should be interesting to see if I start it first go. I will work on it tonight to change fluids and give it a once over safety check. It will be dirty, grimy and desparately in need of a clean. I will hit the autozone place today to buy some supplies to clean it up on Friday afternoon at the LOG hotel so it looks less like Franken7 and more like your Seven.

 

Packing should not be a major issue - I will face that one on Friday morning. I am used to travelling very light. Anyway the luggage room in my fat bastard SV model is much more than you have to work with

Anyway I suspect my boot will be full of tools and spares. In order to forestall Murphy's Law I will bring a full complement of parts and tools. Naturally because of this precaution I will not need any of that which I bring!

 

It could be worse - at least I still am still planning to bring my Seven. I understand Boxologist went to the hairdresser this week to buy a Miata and will be bringing that. Sounds like he had some rotten luck with his Seven to lead to such a desparate move. The plan is that I meet him on I-78 and we travel together after that to Gettysburg :driving:getting there early/mid afternoon.

 

I am looking forward to meeting the USA7s group there for a few drinks, discuss Sevens/Lotus, hear some tall stories and plenty of laughter :cheers:

[slngsht]

I guess I'll be sitting this one out too Radiator leaking like a garden hose. So far the first 3 days of this week, I put in 45 hours at work. No energy left to even look at the car.

[S1Steve]

To all that go to the LOG, Enjoy it. You will have excellent 7 weather.

 

Safe trip, Steve

[yellowss7]

I just got home from a Track day with the Aston Martin and Lotus owners group at NJMP. Car is loaded and ready to go tomorrow morning. Mike I'll see you at the car wash as my car is covered with Black rubber marks and various dead bugs.

 

I plan to leave here around 10:30 and it's about a 3 hour drive so if I get there first, I'll try to reserve a table or 2 for the 7 guys. Mike, Box, Mike(kitcat), Taber, Who else? Dean? Michael D? XFlow?

 

Tom

[Taber10]

Well, I've made it half way to Gettysburg--Joan and I are in a motel in Southern VA. The Cat 7SV is in the trailer in the parking lot. I had to work on the TRAILER--it hadn't moved in over a year. Cat prep only included dusting off the regular top, the bikini top and putting them on the back. Packing--too easy when you have the truck and a trailer--you can bring anything you think of--wish I had thought of everything...

 

See you guys tomorrow.

 

Taber

[xflow7]

My girlfriend, Jude, and I will be coming down tomorrow. Not sure yet what time we'll get off. Need to drop the dog off and pack the car. I expect we'll be leaving mid- to late-morning and arrive in Gettysburg around 3 or 4.

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

 

Dave

[Al N.]

Add me to the "No LOG 2010" list. I held out hope that I'd be able to call an audible at the last second, but work will keep me in NJ today. Enjoy and take lots of pix all those attending!

[DeanG]

The Colorado folks arrived Wednesday night with their caravan of Se7ens & Elans.

[Croc]

The weather here is perfect. After my long sunny drive I have a nice raccoon look to the left side of my face...oh well.

 

Friday afternoon was well spent cleaning the car....cough cough...paying the Meguiars guys to give it a detail for $45! I spent the time having a short nap and then later giving Tom (yellowSS) and his cousin (Dave?)some "encouragement" as they cleaned up their car. Now my car looks fantastic - almost as good as it did when I bought it.

 

Great turnout here - very nice just to stroll the parking lot and just chat all things car. Some unique animals are there - for example an Exige with a very large rear diffuser somehow also had a towing hitch poking through the middle of it. Some gorgeous Elans, Elites, series 1 and 2 Sevens are also lurking there. There is this white/cream Series 1 seven that looks stunning

 

Turnout is looking good. At the reception last night there was Taber and wife, Jon (Boxologist), Tom (Yellowss) and cousin and me. Later while wandering I found Dave (Xflow7) having a late bite of food after getting in late.

 

I know Mike (Kitcat) is here - he was briefly parked next to me while at registration. I also me Scott (orange superlight from Maryland - dont know profile name on USA7s) in the parking lot. There is also a Caterham couple who drove from Cleveland (names escaped me). We started some USA7s tables for the Saturday formal dinner so the Sevens crowd should only get better.

Edited October 9, 2010 by Croc

[Croc]

Also seen at LOG yesterday. While looking out my hotel room window before the reception there was a guy in a early series Seven briefly doing donuts in the rear parking lot.

 

Excellent! :rofl:

[Boxologist]

Finally home. good seeing everyone again. Especially the new faces and the ones from 3 years ago.

[glenntwincam]

I'm half of the caterham couple from cleveland Lynn is the other half. we had a great time at log , was nice to see such a diverse group of caterhams. had a great drive there and a better drive home ( warmer & less traffic ) but I still hate the PA turnpike . the weather made our 760 mile trip almost perfect !!