Kitcat Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Having just purchased a '97 1700cc Crossflow Caterham, I am anxious to try it out. A friend is hosting a track day at Putnam Park race track, about 40 miles southwest of Indy. Any one care to join me? Cost is $300. Just 2 run groups: fast & slow/newbies. So you will get as much time on track as you and your car can handle. If interested, go to their website: www.predatormotosport.com for details. This is a pure trackday, no formal instruction is provided but you will have no trouble catching a ride with someone and getting a quick tutorial if needed. There is always a nice mix of cars (no 7's before, tho): Miatas, Vettes, Mustangs, etc. At the moment only 14 cars are signed up so there will be plenty of track space & tons of time on track. Hope to see you there! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Kitkat - I'm in St. Louis and was considering that date at Putnam Park. However, both the link in your post and the link on the Putnam Park schedule page are broken. I'm quite interested, but need to know who to contact and how to contact them. Can you point me in the right direction? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Mike - I'm in St. Louis and am quite interested in that date at Putnam Park. However, both the link in your post and the link on the Putnam Park schedule page are broken. Can you point me in the right direction regarding who to contact, and how to contact them? Thanks. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted June 6, 2007 Author Share Posted June 6, 2007 Steve: I am having the same problem. I just called the owner of Predator, Kumar Viswalingham, and left a message. I will let you know as soon as the glitch is resolved. I signed up on the webpage a few days ago (downloded the application & mailed it & $300 in to Predator) and just spoke w/Kumar yesterday who said its' a go-he's paid the rent on the traack, so it will happen, regardless of how many people sign up. It would be great to have another 7 or two there! I have driven the track many times in other cars. This will be my maiden voyage in the 7 so I am excited to see how it does. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Mike - Appreciate your following up with Kumar. Hope to hear more soon. Thanks. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted June 7, 2007 Author Share Posted June 7, 2007 Steve: Everything is working now at their website. I just checked. Hope to see you in July. What type of LiSS are you bringing? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Mike - Pretty close to yours. '98 Caterham Dedion with a 1700 Crossflow. Was all set to print up the registration and send it in, but had a little trouble today with my Crossflow. I'm hoping it's just a blown exhaust gasket. Posted what happened on both the Seven's list. Assuming it's just the gasket, or something else "easy", then I should be there. I'll keep you posted. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted June 13, 2007 Author Share Posted June 13, 2007 Good luck. It would be nice to have another 7 on the track on July 1 so I hope it all works out and isn't too expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share Posted June 18, 2007 Just back from my first track day in the 7: this one also @ P Park, w/LOG. Lots & lot s of Elises/Exiges.: No interest in the lowlie 7 (Wh/was faster than 90% of the newer Lotus's). Aren't they interested in from whence theier cars commeth??? (Guess not). Anyhow driving a 7 is very different than any other car I have had at the track. Whereas the othe cars had to be grabbed by the scruff of the neck & man handled-around, the 7 appreciates a subtle suggestion-ham fisted doesnt do it. Once I figured that out, it was very fast, all 100 hp or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Mike - All those Elise/Exiges were just too indimidated by your sheer manliness and rad paint job. :cheers: Any pix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted June 20, 2007 Share Posted June 20, 2007 Mike - Just stuck my check in the mailbox. Where are you staying? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted June 20, 2007 Author Share Posted June 20, 2007 Steve: I will drive over from Cincy that am. It's about 2 & 1/2 hours so I should be there by the 8:30 driver's meeting. My car has been making funny noises on hard right hand turns so maybe I can get your thoughts on a ride-along. Kumar says 17 drivers have signed up so far, so it mite just be one long lapping session where you drive as much as you want, when you want (I am good for about 25' before I run out of stamina). See you there. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 Mike, if it's a squealing noise, it might be a simple belt tensioning issue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted June 23, 2007 Author Share Posted June 23, 2007 It's a metal sounding deal. The sharper the turn, the louder the noise, esp on right hand turns. The sound reminded of the mechanical noise some limited slip diffs generate, but this is an open diff. Maybe a wheel bearing? I am out of town the next week so no time to check it out til right before this next Putnam event. I will probably trouble- shoot it my usual way: when the part completely fails, I will know what was wrong:). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bball7754 Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Mike - Stumbled on a similar question, and it was suggested that the hand brake cables be checked to make sure they aren't rubbing on the wheel(s). Fix is to zip tie them so they don't rub. See you Sunday. Weather looks good (hope I didn't just jinx us). Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted June 30, 2007 Author Share Posted June 30, 2007 Steve, thanks for the tip! I will ck it out. See you tomorrow. Weather does look to be great. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 3, 2007 Author Share Posted July 3, 2007 For those who follow this obscure thread: We had a great time at the track: 2 Caterhams and an Ultralite mixed in with a variety of normal cars. Bball was fastest in his '98 Caterham Crosflow, I was a tick or two behind in my '97, with the Ultralite back a bit more (totally rookie driver). My car died and had to be trailered home (I drove it there & bummed a ride back w/a friend w/a trailer). Early Dx-coolant leak which landed on electrics and shorted things out. I am mechanically challenged so its at a shop with an experienced mechanic who has worked on Caterhams in the past. Wont be doing TOD tho. Hopefully it will be ready for the track day I am doing at Nelson's Ledges on 7/20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 grrr... what is it with Caterhams and coolant leaks? :crazy: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 I believe the Ultralite at Putnam was Paul Snyder ( A Red and silver paint job). He just recntly finished his kit and he told me he was having fuel delivery problems at Putnam. I know that bball7754 is fast, he had no problem keeping up with a couple of Ultralites when we were on a 3 day cruise in the Ozarks last summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted July 4, 2007 Author Share Posted July 4, 2007 Yes, it was Paul's Ultralite. I shudda known bball was a "ringer":)! In my defense, I was driving on 10 year old Michelin Pilots, wh/Bball said were known among 7 drivers as "Pileups" not Pilots. Weirdest tires I ever drove: as soon as they exceeded their grip I was sideways, no warning, nothing gradual, classic snap-oversteer. New Toyo RA1's are on their way. I was also surprised at how torquey the Crossflow is-pulled very nicely from 3300 rpms. I stopped shifting so much and it didn't seem to make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now