Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 (edited) To make it easier to see for those following this event I started a new thread. It was brilliant, full of fun, very social, and lots of laughter. I will let the photos speak for me and I am sure others will chime in. Tom and I kicked off the weekend on Saturday with a NJMP Members weekend. MichaelD joined us to run Sunday and Jack (Jvbtte) was my passenger for all Sunday sessions as he was able to drive his seven. By around 4pm on Sunday the group started to trickle in and the beers started flowing. Sunday night kicked off in the Track Pit Stop Bar and Restaurant: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00412.jpg Left to right - me, Mike (Kitcat), Spencer (a local NJMP member that drives a Porsche - but we forgave him), Michael (MichaelD), Jim (not on USA7s), Steve (bball), Karl (Blubarisax), Ron (Redgoose), Stewart (Sabbot), Jack (Jvbtte) and Tom (Yellowss). Steve, Mike and Jim had driven long distances to get to New Jersey Motorsport Park which is in Millville, southern NJ. Their presence was greatly enjoyed and Mike's driving is always spectacular to watch. First morning was at the Lightning Circuit: http://www.njmp.com/facility/track-maps.html So we lined up - 9 little sevens: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00416.jpg Jim settled in and ready to drive: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00417.jpg Mike belted down ready to cause havoc: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00426.jpg Edited June 27, 2012 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Steve and his freshly polished crossflow: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00422.jpg Michael's be-winged zetec. Despite how....um...errr..."interesting" it looks it actually seemed to work quite well for grip on the rear. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00432.jpg Karl's baby. All credit to Karl for sweating out a rebuild over the last 6 weeks to get out on track with the group after redecorating the car around Lime Rock. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00434.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Weather threatened storms until late in the day but they skirted us due to my extensive superstitious anti-rain god ceremony of continually putting the cover over my car. And so we tracked Lightning. Michael: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1571.jpg Stewart: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1576.jpg Steve http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1590.jpg For the record, Stewart and Steve have crossflows but thanks to Lightning being a nicely flowing momentum circuit they did not give much away to the bigger cars. Tom http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1597.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Still at Lightning. Steve cresting turn 1 at Lightning: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1940.jpg Karl at Turn 1 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1947.jpg Stewart at Turn 1 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1949.jpg Tom at Turn 1 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1957.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Mike is the fastest driver on account of his impressively sized certain part of his anatomy. So he just killed every car on the circuit (although I never saw him which was a pity as he is fun to follow). http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_2136.jpg When he gets his Caterham race car to replace the Birkin he is going to be quicker again! Ron in his R500 http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_2150.jpg Me at Turn 1 with the car very light as you crest the hump. The cone in the picture does not mean Boxologist joined us (sadly - maybe next year?) but was caused by Ron having a spin at Turn 1 when he missed a gear downshift. Luckily, Steve caught it with video (Ron may not think it is lucky!) http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_1993.jpg Steve again blinding us with a mirror finish http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_2164.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 (edited) Ron again around the back of the Lightning circuit: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_2165.jpg Stewart pedalling fast: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC_2419.jpg Mike in the esses Turns 2-3-4 area: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/20120625_SCDA_NJM_IN1_2179.jpg DaveD off this forum and his lovely wife drove out 3 hours to say hi to us. With Dave back to full health next year I am hoping he can join us on track. Edited June 27, 2012 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Dinner on Monday night at the Texas Roadhouse was a rowdy affair. Tom and Karl hatched a devious plan that it was my 21st birthday. So the staff all come out cheering and clapping for me with a saddle on a wooden frame on castors for me to sit on. I will post my embarrassment to limit the pain now. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/ridingasaddle.jpg However, vengeance is sweet next morning. Given Tom is a fervent Democrat MichaelD and I decided to advertize this fact: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00440.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00443.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00442.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 So Tuesday dawns perfect - bright, clear, and after the last 3 days no humidity. It was almost cool. A group photo on the podium for the drivers. Stewart is missing: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00449.jpg Group photos at Thunderbolt circuit which we ran on the Tuesday: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00451.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00458.jpg http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00453.jpg Do you like my carbon effect headlight covers from Sevenspeed? I had to have something in carbon that Karl does not have! ;-p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Another group photo with drivers and their cars: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC00460.jpg So on to Thunderbolt - a very fast technical track but a good challenging one to drive. A sevens freight train (we all just passed the M3 and the Mustang in the background). Front to back is Stewart, me, Steve: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC_2437.jpg Just before the Jersey Devil out the back of the circuit: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC_2851.jpg And again: http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/mjohnson555/seats/CSR/NJMP%2006252012/DSC_2833.jpg I am tired after 4 days on track (I was there early) but very happy and will be looking forward to doing this again. With 15 sevens we can have our own run group with no pesky Corvettes, Beemers, Porsches or Mustangs to provide mobile chicanes. Thank you to Tom for helping to pull this together. Looking forward to June 2013! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Postscript - Less than a mile from home I was hailed by a white BMW 3 series. Turns out he knew I had a Caterham and a buddy of his just bought one in Houston Texas. The owner is on here but his friend did not know his profile name. Small world! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1Steve Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Nice write-up and photo spread Croc.. As we can see from you in the saddle, it looks like you guys had a great time ...... Karl, Glad to see your seven back in the action, looks mean as hell with the cage on.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blubarisax Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 Steve, We missed you at the track, wish you had made it. I do love the cage, it was made by Caged, the same people that make Caterham roll cages and chassis. Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Some say...Karl is planning a carbon fiber wing on his cage roof like MichaelD.... :willy_nilly: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blubarisax Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 That is true, maybe one will fall off a F1 car someday soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 That was a lot of fun. Great to see everyone again. I'll upload some pics tomorrow. I've looked at some of my camera footage and there are some good laps. I also detected Ron still in pit lane with the cone down. Will need to slow mo it :smilielol5:Not as good as Croc's spin last year but everyone behaved this year. Hopefully we can add a few more to the group next time. Mazda, Al. get those cars done!:deadhorse: Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBH Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Two great days at NJMP Saturday and Sunday. Very sorry I couldn't stay for the Monday/Tuesday gathering. Flew into Tropical Storm Debbie on Monday...ugggh Very wet here. Thanks to Tom, Mike, Michael, Glen, Spencer and Karl for making me feel so welcome. I will do everything I can to make the next gathering. Love the pictures...can't wait to see the videos. -Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Jeff - It was a really nice surprise on Saturday when you came into the garage and said hello. We will definitely make sure you are aware next year when we try this again as doing NJMP on a Mon and Tues is much nicer than doing Debbie. I am starting to work through the raw video now. Tom's video will hopefully arrive by Saturday and I can start playing around in the editing process. Ron's spin was beautifully caught by Steve's camera. Kitcat's driving style was a surprise given his reputation - it is smooth to look at from behind the wheel and he only trucks around in 4th and 5th. The only flaw I have found so far is my Tuesday footage seems not to have picked up sound - I guess the mic batteries were worn out. Soundtrack time to cover up that stuff. Remember 15 sevens and we get our own run group next time. That would be really fun! :party: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Here is a video recorded on the Sunday Members Day at NJMP by Glenn who runs a rapid Exige there. He is edging towards buying a Seven! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookwheel Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Excellent video! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 (edited) Just back home after 1500+ miles on the road. What a great event! Not only was it a group of gentlemen, it was a group of gentle men, and they are fun to hang with. Kudos to Tom (Yellow SS) for herding cats (Caterhams) all year and making this happen. He also rented garage space, provided snacks, and even let several stray Cat owners stay in his room. Croc is awarded my best-sport award for getting the joke at Texas Roadhouse (see saddle photo). He also supplied most of us technologically challenged geezers with Go-Pro cameras. Seems a investment fund he manages saw fit to put some serious $ into Go-Pro and they supplied him with some extra cameras to show their appreciation. Anyhow, other than asking me to turn the camera on/off, Croc did everything else to provide the video from my car. BBall gets long-haul award (940 miles 1-way), and also my shinny-est-Caterham-ever seen-on-the planet award. It was dazzling. Stewart's lovely blue X-flow looked the coolest of all, to my eyes. The padded rollover bar combined w/Brooklands gave it a low slung way-cool look. Michael D: Track dog award. Karl: Most impressive (expensive?) thrash to get the car ready for the event award. Ron: coolest new tow vehicle/trailer award. He's added a high end Land Rover and enclosed trailer. He was also the only guy I wasn't able to catch thru turns 3-4-5 on T-Bolt. Me: Most improved car award. Nothing broke in the Birkin! The car ran like a champ and was able to hang with all the big dogs. I never seemed to find Croc but suspect, in spite of his great modesty, he was faster than me. I did sit in his car and it was wonderful-everything is a step up from standard Caterham fare. Me: Most improved driver award. Last event I went off track at NJMP 4 times, this time 0. No black flags either (unlike certain yellow Caterham owners who shall remain anonymous:)). Croc: Are you actually saying I was "smooth" on the track???? Is this some kind of head game to get me to slow up:)? I will have to see the video before I believe that:). Cant wait til next year! Edited June 29, 2012 by Kitcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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