e PARTS FOR ALL SEVEN MODELS - 1957 TO DATE e RAPID MAIL ORDER SERVICE, VIS.4 EXPORT ORDERS WELCOME e ENGINE BUILDING, TUNING, NEW & EXCHANGE UNITS e TRANSMISSION, NEW & RECONDITIONED e SERVICING, REPAIRS & RESTORATIONS e ACCIDENT REPAIRS We are Agents or Stockists of most leading brands including: WEBER, K&N, SPAX, KENT Cams, VANDERVELL BEARINGS, MINILITE Wheels, WILLANS Seat Belts, NGK, TOP TEK HELMETS, 0/ E LOTUS & CATERHAM Parts, MOTORCRAFT, LUCAS, Plus our range of REDLINE Accessories. For Spares, Repairs, Servicing or Free Advice Telephone or Visit our premises in Caterham. Only minutes from Junction 6, M25, Short walk from BR Station.
HISTORIC SEVEN PARTS ~ SUPPLIERS ~ FACTORY APPOINTED PARTS & SERVICE CENTRE ~ !l REDLINE .~ COMPONENTS TEL: (01883) 346515 FAX: (01883) 341604 ,(\ « LTD TIMBER HALL, 19 TIMBER LANE, CATERHAM, SURREY CR3 6LZ ENGLAND ~
s e v e n s
Enthusiastic family business Parts and accessories available Old and new models maintained Lotus and Caterham 7 specialists Menu servicing or bespoke for your use Modifications or upgrades for road & track
CONTINUOUS SEVEN 1977-2007 SERVICE FOR THIRTY YEARS
Coterhom Approved Fireblode Ports I www.jameswhiting.com Appletree Works, 26-30 Glenfield Rd, Ashford, Middx TWI S IJL t) +44 (0) 1784 241466 f) +44 {0) 1784 25091 S Club administration and membership services I
including Event Support Vehicle (ESV) bookings, Calendar We $upport tf!Se,uch coordination and advertising in Lowflying into Leukaemia
Sam Pearce Lotus Seven Club, PO Box 7, Abergave nny NP7 5WQ Lowflying is published by the Lotus Seven Club e: sam. [email protected] please note new phone number: +44 (0}1873 853909 www.lotussevenclub.com
for membership enquiries or changes of address, contact: e: [email protected], or Sam at the address above or you co11 download o membership form from the Club website
Annual membership is E46 which includes Lowflying (UK and Overseas) or E42 ·50 if paytng by direct debit
01 Contacts this month : i tj Chairman Track day Coordinator Mark Durrant* • Geoff Pic kin • Picture gallery &::: 15 Searles View, Horsham, Clementeita, Vinegar Hill, Undy, ·~ West Sussex RH12 4FG Newport, Monmouthshire NP26 3EJ a slice of life from the fridge door 2 V1 t: 01403 250468 t: 01633 881837 !: ~ [email protected] [email protected] Welcome to new members cu General Secretary Event Support Vehicle Manager 4 ·~ "' Adrian Williams** John Bransfield ~ "' 50 Mayfl.ower Way, Farnham Common, [email protected] News and events 4,6,7,8,22 1 ~ .a Bucks SL2 3UB t : 01753 643313 Health and Safety Team talk 5 ~ ,s adrian. willia ms@lotus 7club .com Gill Elwell' Q) [email protected] V) Company Treasurer Area updates 6 V1 Other team members :::1 Lynda Preece** .j-.1 10 East Castle Street, Bridgnorth, 0 Jamie Jones* Get to know your Seven _J Shropshire WV16 4AL [email protected] -c t: 01 746 762451 continuing our guide to basic maintenance 10 Malcolm Godfrey' • c m: 07717 535309 ro [email protected] [email protected] E Coast-to-coast on Route 50 ro *indicates Management team ..c Membership Secretary Lotus Louts' long jog to Log blog 14 >-- •• indicates Club Directors Q) Sam Pearce, see above .j-.1 ro AR Coordinator Nuke-the-Leuk u Martin Bushaway• the latest fundrai sing news 18 >-- [email protected] Lotus Seven Historian .E John Watson IT and Webmaster f: 01923 836637 Racing a Seven Stateside Barry Sweeney** [email protected] a return to Buttonwillow Raceway 20 PO Box 777, Haywards Heath RH16 2YA t: 01444 458065 Caterham Archivist [email protected] Rasey Moffatt Area meetings directory 26 [email protected] Competition Secretary Workshop Simon Rogers • Valuations of Sevens for insurance purposes only [email protected] a trip to the rolling road 28 Guy Munday Regalia and Brand Manager t: 01508 530491 (work hours} The perfect drive David Nelson• [email protected] honing your on-the-road skills 29 LRF f Ntl Coordinator Classified advertisements 30 Rachael Sangha • Our former Chairmen Nuke the Leuk, PO Box 585, David Mirylees (founder) Cambridge CB1 OFN Diary of events 31 t: 01223 271440 m: 07974 097771 Lol Pilfold [email protected] Nick Richens Roger Swift Members' Benefits Coordinator Keith Jecks Geoff Brown • t: 01793 876465 Andrew Walker [email protected] St eve Winterberg
Editor & Designer Trade advertising Tony Pashley• see Club administration, above The Lotus Seven Club is the trading name of Seven Club Limited. Registered office: Horsingtons Yard, t: 020 8771 8337 Tiverton Place, Lion St, Abergavenny NP7 5PN. Company registration number 3880568. [email protected] For non-receipt of Lowflying, A copy of the Company's constitution and rules is available on written request to the Company Secretary. change of address or back issues contact the Membership Secretary Please note: Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Seven Club Limited ('the Club'), merely the Submissions by post to: views and experiences of individual writers. Opinions (whether technical or otherwise)should not be construed Lotus Seven Club, PO Box 7, Lowfl.ying is printed by as precise authoritative advice. The Club recommends readers to toke specific professional advice and that Abergavenny NP7 5WQ Shanleys Ltd, technical and/or mechanical work is only undertaken by suitable qualified individuals. The Club does not accept Units 38-39 Britannia Way, any liability for any loss or damage suffered by any reader after reading this publication, acting upon matters Bolton Bl2 2HH discussed or taking part in events mentioned. Editorial coverage or advertising does not imply endorsement. Submissions by email to: t: 01204 523773 a rticles@lotus7 club. com www.shanleys.co.uk March 2011 Lowflying-- 1 The fridge door
The Invisible Man? Well. perhaps not when in something as conspicuous as a Seven; above, Nick Hill wrapped up against the wind and, right, seen cutting loose on the Isle of Man. The splendid sign, above, was a gift Nick received from his daughter.
Right and above right: More 'light painting' from John Radley members' Sevens captured in the campsite at Le Mans.
2 Lowflying Mar lQd Stephen Long's Seven, 'Scarlet' (a touch of gas and it's gone with the wind, perhaps?) at the top of Andermatt in Switzerland; and above, ready to tackle a slalom course at the Swiss International meeting. See announcement in this issue far details of 2011's trip.
Below: the 1959 Series 1 Seven of John Hunt, seen at last yeal's Sevenoaks and District MC sprint at Crystal Palace. Seen behind are, a 1965 Alexis Mk8, the 194 7 Monaco 500 and 1959 Alexis Hfl.
Lowflymc 3 Maiden flights
The Lotus Seven Club says hello to new members wha have recently joined us ... Kim Bager, DENMARK & Matthew Bawden, Bristol Classic Sportscar Action Day Mr D Bland and Mrs R Phipp, Poole Castle Combe circuit Mr D Burgess and Miss C Rusdale-Jones, June 11 Winchester Chris Coxall, Hook This is the longest established Action Day so, depending on pace, lapping into double Michael Dean, South Ben fl eet on the Wiltshire circuit's calendar and has the figures ca n be ach ieved. MrS and Mrs J Dickens, usual mix of car displays, track lapping ses There will be 70 free admission tickets, Wolverhampton sions and automotive trade stands making it available on a strictly one-per-car basis at the John Erickson, Canada a very popular event. This year, the featured discretion of the organiser. Admission tickets Stuart Feeley, Hexham marque is Austin Healey. should be available April or May; booking in The Lotus Seven Club has been allocated advance is advisable as tickets do go quickly. Michael Johnson, usA the usual display area with space for the ESV I hope that both regular and new attendees Mr D and Mrs S Key, Bexhill-on-Sea and up to sixty cars. Also, there will be a to this popular event enjoy the day. (alum Mackillop, Wellingborough Sevens-only lapping session or two available Unfortunately I ca nnot be there this year, Mr M and Mrs P Pilgrem, London if bookings permit. but Alan Henderson has kindly volunteered Mr Rand Mrs J Rooke, Windsor .._. The lapping sessions are a great way for to officially represent the Club on the day and .... 'track virgins' to get to know their cars in the carry out the final administration processes. Nik Wall, Worcester track environment: driving amongst other I will be at the Le Mans 24-hour race ... a Sevens makes the experience safe and educa bottle of red, noisy petrol cars, quiet diesels, tional at a speed that suits the driver. no sleep ... heaven. See you at Castle Combe Sessions last for approximately 15 minutes for 2012! Geoff Brown And 'welcome back' to these former members who've BOOKING AND EVENT DETAILS returned to the flock ... To get onto the advance ticket list please Stephen Corcoran, Louth contact Alan Henderson, e: [email protected]. uk t : 01633 413020 or 07779 958937 Alexander Gurr, Hertford You will need to send Alan a stamped, addressed envelope in order to receive your tickets. Steve and Lisa Lucking, For passengers, admission tickets are sold at Please note: prior to going on track cars will Wivelsfield Green preferential rates of £6 (if purchased 60 days be subject to a sound check; maximum noise Anthony Mellor, SWITZERLAND prior to the event) or £8 (ten days prior). allowed is 100dba @ 4500rpm fro m 1/2 metre. Mr T Park and D Park, Yale ofGiamorgan On the day, tickets are £10. Most Sevens will pass, with the exception of Trevor Roberts, Fleet Passenger admission tickets can be purchased some Crossflow and Vauxhall engine cars. online at www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk Safety: Drivers and any passengers on high Tony Whitney, St Clements or by phoning 01249 782417-ask for Maria; speed la pping sessions will be required to quote reference CCAD11 attend a safety briefing, after they'll recieve a We're always pleased to hear track-pass wristband. On track, helmets must Lapping passes for 15 minutes of track time in from new members: tell us a little be worn and arms and legs covered. a Sevens-only session are £25 (if purchased 60 about yourself, how you first Directions: Castle Combe Circuit is situated days before) or £30 (ten days before). On the become aware of the Seven and approximately 6 miles west of Chippenham, off how you're getting on with the day, £35 although getting a place on the day is the 84039. Exit M4 from the east at J. 17 or whole Seven experience (or. perhaps, highly unlikely. Call Maria, number as above. how you tried, but couldn't live from the west J 18. Follow brown circuit signs without one!). Please mention the Club before you buy tickets. and directions for the A420.
-4 Lowflying March 2011 News and events
team talk
Our new ESV-operator, John Bransfield, introduces himself ..
HELLO, MY NAME IS ToHN BRANSFIELD and I have taken over as custodian of the ESV back up through France. We've done quite a from Malcolm Godfrey, as from January 2011. few trackdays too and ScotBlat 2010, which in Malcolm will certainly be a hard act to follow, but I shall do my upmost to do as itself was rather like a four-day trackday. professional a job as he did. I anticipate it being a rather steep learning curve, so any Like most people, I had 'upgraditus' kick in help from knowledgeable heads for the first few outings will be most appreciated! after a few years. This has resulted in a 4 - 2 - 1 Powerspeed exhaust and an LSD and a lot of The ESV (Type R), which stands for Extra a colleague on the 'Dark Side' (Lancashire). tweaking and help from Dave 'The Polisher' Special Vision Required (when reversing) will I joined the Club in 2 004 when I finally Horridge. The only thing that needs upgrad now be based in Haworth, West Yorkshire. fulfilled a lifelong ambition to own a Seven. In ing now is me! I live here with my long-suffering wife Sally, January 2005 I placed my order at Caterham The car has opened a completely new chap Briggs (Hungarian wirehaired Viszla), Luigi Midlands for a Roadsport 18oo (14obhp). I ter in our lives. We have met some great peo (Italian Spinone), Haribo (feral cat) and Zelda then had to make space to build a garage, but ple and gone to places we would never have (Harris Hawk-and a real Terra? Ed.). all was accomplished just in time before my considered before. I would never have d reamt We also have two daughters, Sophie and kit arrived at the end of April. It was intended of getting up at sam, getting the Skoda out Amy-Jo, both of whom we managed to offload to be a long-term project, but I could barely and driving to Peebles to have breakfast with last year on two unsuspecting passers by. I can wait to get it on the road and it went through my father and then being back home again assure you that two weddings are quite expen SVA at the end of June 2005. early in the afternoon to walk the dogs. But sive and the money could have been more On our first trip out, we were flashed and with a Seven? Well ... ! wisely spent on upgrades and trackdays for flagged down by another Caterham and its So that's me. I look forward to meeting old many years to come! Suffice it to say there crew-Martin and Lynn \Afhiteley - who intro friends and meeting new ones during my time shall be no more upgrades for me for a long, duced us to LADS; what a great and helpful with the ESV. As ' Precious' would say: "I shall long time ... group of people. make sure that 1 have de water, de milk, de My background is print, having worked in Since then we have had numerous trips to sugar and de cafe and hope that de gas does the industry for forty-two years. the top of Scotland (after reading one of John not run out. Praise the Lord, he sure do work The opportunity arose to exit the business, Aston's articles in Lowflying) and an expedi- in mysterious ways!'~ which I did. I'm now working part-time for tion to the Spanish Pyrenees, Costa Brava and Let's hope the sun shines! •
Information for Members online
If, for example, you are interested in having event organizing and hosting, road events, which will allow you to 'log in' and then see the Event Support Vehicle attend an event that an RAC guide to the DoT regulations and treasure those pages. This process was described in you are involved with, you'll find a question hunts and so on. This resource will be further detail in the Team Talk section of December's naire and a booking form you can download in added to over time. For the more adventurous Lowflying. You will need your Membership the 'Documents' section of the Club website: among you, there is also a guidance document number and the PIN (that you were supplied go to the home page and then to for prospective Area Representatives. with on joining) in order to verify your identity, MembersAreajDocuments. aspx To access the Members' areas of t he website you but once registered you won't need to repeat There, you can also find notes and guidance on need to register online to set up a 'User account' this process each time you log in.
March 2011 Lowflying -5 News and events Warwickshire 7s Newark Kit-car Festival hit the road June 18-19 The Warkwickshire 7s Area (Warks South) This year marks the 29th running of this very All change in meeting is going roving. They have decided popular show. It combines owners club Essex to move away from The Plough at Eathorpe stands, displays of classic and kit cars and for their regular meetings and t ry a number Debbie Stott brings news of off-roaders, trade stands and an autojumble of other locations within the area. Essex Area meetings with model engineering exhibitions and They'll be keeping their members informed a craft fair. If you're interested in attending via group emails, on their web pages at HERE IN EssEx we are having a 're-launch' for with your car to make a good Seven Club www. warwickshire 7s.co. uk and posts the Area on March 15th and we'll be changing 'presence' then please get in touch with on BlatChat. It is likely that. based on these our regular venue on that day ... Adrian Bleach; he knows the event well and monthly adventures, they will choose a new The Essex group will, from now on, be would be pleased to hear from you. regular venue later in the year. meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at [email protected] The meetings planned for the next few a really good pub, The Hare, at Roxwell (check You can find out all about the show at months are: it out at www.pieandpintinns.co. uk www.kitcarshow.co.uk March 30, The Bell Inn, Banbury Road, It's still a pub but does excellent food too. Ladbroke (near Southam), CV47 2BY Access is easy: it's just outside Chelmsford on April 30, The Red Lion, Main Street. the Al06o (postcode CM14LU). Hunningham, Leamington Spa, CV33 9DY The publican is a confirmed Petrolhead May 25, back to The Plough ! Fosse Way, Bristol MC Centenary (albeit that Porsches are his fascination -but Eathorpe, Leamington Spa, CV33 9DQ. Celebrations there's no accounting for taste) and is running Contact details remain as before. Castle Combe breakfast meets on one Saturday each month. June 25-26 We intend to organise early morning blats to these. I am sure you'll all love the new venue so Bristol Motor Club celebrates their centenary come along and say 'hi'; we'd love to see you. London Central this year, and with it a hundred years of motoring and competition history. To mark All our mern l.H,:r~ l:hip iu and help out going walkabout organising all manner of different things; this they are staging a two-day event on the we're a very generous crowd, whether it be The monthly Central London meeting has left last weekend of June at Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire. hospitality, buying a beer, or helping and the Barbican Tandoori to try roving venues advising the newer members. And it's not for a while. Contact Paul Beirne for latest On Saturday 25th round seven of our own just a 'men and their cars club' - wives, details (see Area Directory). Autoglym Lotus Seven Club Speed Events girlfriends, partners all come along as well. Championship will take, place in association We have lots of social events and early morn with the BMC. ing breakfast blasts at weekends (which I've On Sunday 26th the BMC will stage a display never managed, to be honest, as I don't do Classics at the Castle Sherborne, Dorset July of cars that typify club motors port - with mornings) but Stewart doesn't seem to sleep! 17 the hope of including cars to represent every We are lucky to be very close to other area The 'Classics at the Castle' event takes place from 1911 to 2011. The Lotus Seven Club meetings, so we intend to visit the nearby ones again at Sherborne Castle this year on 17th has been invited to display from five to such as Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and July. If there is sufficient interest, West eight cars. Cambridgeshire-and also the odd trip to the Hants and Dorset AR Adrian Bateman will It is proposed that one Seven from each Ace Cafe (although the drive's not quite so arrange a Club stand. decade of the Lotus and Caterham exciting round the North Circular). It runs from lOam to 4pm; the entry fee to production be shown. Consideration will also We'll surely have a variety of local and far put your car on the stand would be £10. be given to more unusual models such as away events going on this summer, including If you'd like to take part, please let Ad rian t he JPE or CSR to increase the numbers to the Swiss International trip to St. Moritz in know as soon as you ca n so that he ca n the maximum . July-if you want the drive of your life! begin making the arrangements. So, whether you have a Seven already or If you're interested in displaying your Seven Sherborne Castle has a history spanning fo ur at this event then contact Geoff Brown at you just love 'em, do come and join us at centuries; it has a lake and gardens by geoff. brown @lotus 7club. com The Hare on the 3rd Tuesday of the month 'Capability' Brown and much else to entertain for a blat- or just to kick a few tyres; you'll All members are cordially invited to watch the less-petrol-headed (the ruins of an even the sprint and view the vehicle display. always receive a warm welcome. Debbie older castle are just across the lake). Contact Adrian at [email protected] See the venue at www.sherbornecastle.com
6 lowflying March 2011 Get to know your 7 • Sun March 27
THER E IS STILL time to join this month's 'Get copy from the Club website- go to the to know your 7' event which will be held at What's on pages). the Caterham South premises, courtesy of Or for any other enquiries please con Caterham Cars' Andy Noble, and under the tact Ma rtin Bushaway on 07802 262876 or guidance of our own Andy Belcher. by email at [email protected] There are morning and afternoon sessions, But please hurry! 31st Swiss each covering basic and routine maintenance International Meeting procedures for Sevens. TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE: St v o 1 Even if you have no plans to become a reg • Safely jacking up a car with the correct jack ular home mechanic, it's a good way to gain a and axle stand location July 1-3 little confidence in checking over and looking • Checking of gearbox and differential oil levels and awareness of impending failure after your Seven and then carrying out some • Checking of suspension and steering parts, ENJOY THE UNSURPASSED Swiss hospitality and preventative maintenance or dea ling with bushes, bearings etc some of the most thrilling roads-and beauti some of the smaller problem that might arise. • Checking and changing of brake pads front and fu l scenery-in Europe if, not the world! (i.e. at Caterham, not the Dartford site). rear and changing of brake fluid This year, the long-serving Roger Savare There will be hot food and drink available • Checking and changing coolant and Fredy Kumschick have handed over the throughout the day and Soft Bits for Sevens • Basic engine maintenance, oil and filter change, reins after thirty years of very successful and spa rk plug maintenance, air filter condition; will be there to show you thei r products. setting and balancing Weber OCOE carburettors popular meetings; they have decided to relax There was an applica tion form in last • Good tyre maintenance, the importance of at last and let someone else do the work! A month's Lowflying (or download and print a pressures, checking wear hard act to fo ll ow, certainly, but th ings are looking good ... So, now we have the JISt St Moritz Meeting Re-loaded; organised by Vanessa, Dany and Mathius, it promises all the same excitement, cameraderie and amazi ng driving but with some new venues. This event is an independent travel event with help thrown in: the Swiss-based contin gent will take care of everything from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon, Debbie Stott will help with hotel accommodation on the way down. The usual fo rmat for most partici pants is to leave the UK ea rly on Thursday and take two days to drive to Switzerland. So, our thanks go to Roger and Fredy and thei r helpers for all the work and commitment given over the years to establish and maintain this much-loved Sevening tradition-and an equally wa rm thank you to the new team for taking the baton. If you are interested in taking part th is year (or you would li ke further details if yo u're not so familiar wi th the event), please contact Debbie Stott by email at [email protected]
Caterham Cars are again offering a special deal You can check out the dates and venues for on their popular Slalom and Drift days. Club Caterham Driving Experience (CDX) events members can get a 10% discount on the regular (and Circuit Experience Days too) at the entry price for a great time squea ling around Caterham Cars website. To make enquiries or the cones or learning to drift. It's a great bookings for Slalom or Drift events, contact opportunity for some spirited driving in some Emma at Caterham South on 01883 333700, one else's Seven (and tyres)! or at [email protected]
11 Lowflying -7 News and events This year we're returning to one of the major motoring events of the year: a chance to mix meeting other members with a fix of racing nostalgia. Peter Griffiths describes the ... Silverstone Classic Historic motorsport festival July 22-24
The Northants Beds and Bucks area are again a couple of dedicated races for them on the putting together-including entrance to live organising the Club's attendance at the main race days. concerts on the Friday and Saturday nights (acts Silverstone Classic which, this year, takes place yet to be announced). Tickets are now available online direct from the over the long weekend of 22nd to 24th July, so event website at www.silverstoneclassic.com The earlier you book the cheaper the cost: if please put the date in your diary now! where you'll be able to find all the latest news you book before March 31st the price for a 3- For anyone who has not been before, this really about the races and other attractions. day ticket is £80 for two, which goes up to £95 is a great weekend, with classic race cars dating until 30th June. from the 1920s right up to the last decade Club members' discount The Club will have a pitch on all three days, really 'going for it' on track. You can get really Make sure you use the Club discount code but at the moment we only have plans for this close-up access to the cars and drivers in the which is (11012. This will get you two tickets to be manned on the weekend days. pit garages and paddock; there are dozens of for the price of one. Camping is also available Unfortunately we won't have the ESV there this classic car club stands, all manner of displays, for Club members; all the details are on the year, but still aim to have some refreshments car-related stalls and food and drink outlets to booking website. available, and somewhere to shelter from the waste petrol tokens on! The ticket price includes access to the infield, sun (fingers crossed!). This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the to the Club stand with your Seven (if you book Peter Griffiths Jaguar E-type, so there should be a mouth early enough), free access to all grandstands, joint-AR Lotus 7 Club, Northants Beds and Bucks watering display of these iconic cars as well as and many more features that the organisers are telephone 07915 089161 .
Left: Chris Rea's swift Climax-powered 1955 Lotus 6 in action. Below: Sevens on show at last year's Silverstone Classic.
Below: Although somewhat behind the Seven, another quin· tessentially British sportscar reaches its fiftieth anniversary this year. Seen behind this E-type is a Lotus 16-sometimes dubbed the 'mini Vanwall' (Colin Chapman was involved in developing the Vanwall too) and the last front·engined Lotus single seater. Both are typical of the glorious machines you can see close-up at the Silverstone Classic.
Left: the prototype Lola Mk1 which, following on from Eric Broadley's Seven like specials, paved the way for another legendary British motorsports marque. The Mark 1 was the car which toppled the previously-dominant Lotus 11.
--8 Lowflying March 2011 We have over 35 years experience supplying and developing components and upgrades for the following engines ... Lotus-Ford Twin Cam Vauxhall C20XE Rover K-Series Vauxhall Ecotec !
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Saturday 21st May GTKY7 Midlands (Get to know your 7)
THE MIDLANDS-llASED EVENT is confirmed- thank you to those who Southern events- see the details of the So uthern event on page 7 if expressed interest in sufficient numbers to make it viable. If you'd like you're not fam il iar with 'GTKY7' theme. to attend, please fill out the booking form below and submit it as soon These are friendly, relaxed eve nts where yo u can raise all those as you can, together with your cheque. questions that you feared might be too basic to ask elsewhere! And The event will follow the sa me format as the previous Midland and actually see what is being discussed first-hand.
GTKY7 Midlands booking form event date 21·05·11
NAME MEMBERSHIP NO. • Please complete the form- or a photocopy of it and send it, together with a cheque, payable EMAIL TELEPHONE to 'Seven Clu b Li mited' to: Sam Pearce, Lotus 7 Club, ro nox 7, Abergavenny NP7 5WQ PREFERRED SESSION: NUMBER OF PERSONS • You'll receive an email confirming your AM OR PM (PLEASE STATE) booking on our receipt of the form. • The venue, Caterham Midlands, is on the A47 Cost is £10 per person. about 7 miles to the south west of Leicester Please note that, due the nature of the event, places are necessarily limited (to 36 per session) • Final instructions will be sent to you approx and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis; payment with booking please. two weeks before the event.
March 2011 lowflying -9 Workshop
Continuing our series looking at the essentials for maintaining your Seven. Even if you don't want to become a regular home mechanic, we hope this will encourage you to learn a little more about your car. Notes were prepared by Andy Belcher, Rob Davis and Michael Calvert; photographs by Jamie Jones. GET TO KNOW YOUR SEVEN PART 7: Suspension, prop shaft, fluid Levels, fuel system ...
}N THIS INSTALMENT We look at a Suspension checks Safety: variety of routine checks and This procedure comprises a visual check of service procedures: suspension, Take care if the car is to be raised; safe the front and rear suspension for security and use of jack and axle stands was covered in any deterioration o f components. It is neces prop shaft, fuel system, carburettor Part 1 of this series. sary to raise the car onto axle stands and balance, fluids, air fi lter etc. remove the road wheels for ease of access. Due to the number of variations of Starting at the front of the car, check that the Seven within the range of the suspension bolts are secure. Methodically Tools: check, with a spanner or socket that aU bolts s3, sv and CSR models, you may • Trolley jack are tight. Each derivative of Seven will be well find slight differences between • Axle stands slightly different. For example, the csR has your own car and some of the • Inspection lamp inboard suspension at the front; however the pictures and descriptions used here same checks can be undertaken. Also check • Grease gun for visible signs of leakage of fl uid from the but the principles are the same. • Small battery torch dampers. If leaking, then the units most likely Parts: require replacement. • Grease (eg: Castro/ LM) Repeat this series of checks at the rear. • Coolant anti-freeze Lubricating the prop shaft • Brake flu id The prop shaft universal joints on the Seven • Clutch fluid require per iodic greasing to ensure their (check the owner's handbook for longevity. O n the 53/sv these are accessible specifications off/uids) from beneath the car. However, the csR's prop • Air filter element (if required) shaft is boxed-in with a riveted cover plate • EP90 gear oi l (for trunnions iffitted) along its total length; this prevents access to
-10 Lowflying March 2011 the UJs for frequent maintenance. It is likely the fuel tank for signs, or smells, of fuel leaks. concentration) is important for the longevity that the car is able to cover in excess of 2o,ooo Work methodically from the fuel tank, its and protection of the engine components. The miles before this is a problem, at which time entry and exit hoses and connection joints, cooling system may need to be drained and removal of the cover plate may be necessary. tracing the visible route of the fuel pipes to the refilled at specific intervals (approx. 4 years); Alternatively, access to the grease points could fu el filter (typical example in Figs 3 and 4 ). check the owner's handbook for details. be achieved whilst undertaking any work that Continue forward from the fuel filter (not For cars with a sealed cooling system , check requires the engine to be removed. applicable to ail m odels) along the length of that the coolant level is between the minimum With the car securely supported on axle the car to the engine compartment, again and maximum readings on the coolant expan stands, the grease nipples can be seen on either looking for any signs of leaks. The fuel pipes sion tanks, see Figs 9 and 10 (overleaf) the CSR end o f the prop shaft, see Figs 1 and 2. may not be visible for the entire ro utin g. and S3 respectively. This should be done with Wipe any dirty grease or road grime from Any signs of leaks need to be fully investi the engine cold. If it needs to be topped up, the nipple and then, using a grease gun, inject gated and remedied by a competent and expe add the appropriate mixture of antifreeze into grease at these points - taking care not to rienced person. If in doubt, seek assistance! the coolant expansion tank. The mixture is damage the nipple. Changing the fuel filter is a relatively simple usually a so:so mix of water and antifreeze, operation, although in some set-ups access but check that the supplied fluid hasn't already Checking fuel system for leaks can be a little awkward. This needs to be been premixed to this level. Not e: this operation must only be under undertaken with care due to the flammable It is worth checking that all visible coolant taken in a ventilated area; any light source characteristics of petrol. It's recom mended hoses are in good condition and do not show used should be sealed and- obviously-no that this is undertaken by a competent person. any signs of deterioration, such as cracking or naked flames or smoking in the vicinity! leaks, particularly around any joints. If they Checking the fuel system fo r leaks is an Fluid levels: coolant require replacing, the cooling system will need important but simple procedure. Checking and maintaining the correct to be drained. This is not a difficult procedure; The use of a small, bright, sealed battery coolant levels in the engine is an important however, refilling does require diligence to torch is invaluable here. but simple procedure on the Seven. Using the ensure that any trapped air pockets are purged Starting at the rear of the car, visually check correct antifreeze specification (and correct from the system.
- - --·------March 2011 Lowflying 11 Get to know your Seven
Fluid levels: brakes, clutch and 'recharged' with a specific o il treatment. The level of the brake fluid can be checked Check handbook for details of this. by unscrewing the cap on the master cylinder reservoir, (Fig 6). Care should be taken not to Lubrication of trunnions allow any brake fluid to get onto the paint Note: This service item generally relates to work, as it is an effective paint-stripper! older cars, as Caterham progressively phased If the levels require topping up, ensure the out the use of tnmnions -the swivel joint at correct grade of fluid is used. Brake fluid also the bottom of the front upright (a legacy from has a 'life' and may require periodic replace the small Triumph range of cars) in favour of a ment. This operation is best undertaken by an modified upright using a spherical bearing on experienced person. new cars from approximately 1991 onward. If a hydraulic clutch is fitted (as, for exam However, various race and live-axle models ple, in the csR), the same procedure as for continued to be supplied with trunnions for brake fluid top-up is used. several years after that. The trunnion is the brass-coloured 'capsule' Air filter about two inches tall at the bottom of the The type of air filter element fitted to the upright just inboard of the front wheel; this is Seven varies from model to model. On the csR shown in Fig 11. there are two types; the one shown in Fig 7 on If your car has these fitted, then regular oil the csR26o, and a 'cone' type fitted to the ing is necessary. This is done via the grease CSR2oo; a 'cone' type- one of the typical fit nipple just above the trunnion on the inboard ments for K-series engine for S3 or sv- is face of the upright - but it should be fi lled
also shown (Fig 8). with EP90 gear oil, NOT GREASE! Whichever type of filter is used, they are A good quality grease gun should be used - either the replacement type or can be cleaned access to the nipple can be fiddly, but is easier I -12 Lowflying March 201 1 l if the front of the car is lifted onto axle stands, done using a 'synchrometer', which is an air the same reading at both trumpets. Turning and the steering put on full lock. flow meter which should be available fo r the screw towards the carb reading the lowest This can be a bit messy-oil should be between £25-£40-a worthwhile investment airflow will increase its draw. pumped in until it starts to seep out of the for anyone with a carburettor-equipped car; Once the airflow is equal between the two rubber cap at the top of the trunnion, but it should pay for itself in efficiency and trumpets, the carbs should be balanced. regular oiling is essential for both safety and improved running fali·ly quickly. Turn the idle speed adjustment screw anti durabil ity and it is recommended you do this Firstly, identify the idle speed adjustment clockwise to reset the desired tickover speed every 3-6 months. screw, marked in Fig 12, and the balance link (normally between 900- 1000 rpm) age screw, shown in Fig 13; note that none Relit the air filters and you're done! • Carburettor balance and of the many other possible adjustments that idle-speed setting these carburettors offer should be touched One key maintenance task for cars fi tted without some experienced guidance. with twin carburettors (that's primarily cars Run the engine u p to normal operating powered by Ford Xflow engines and original temperature, then switch off. Vauxhall models) is to check the balance of Remove the ai r fil ters from the carbs- these the. airflow of the two carburettors. Over time, will simply be attached by one or two screws, this tends to drift, causing a reduction in depending on the filter model. performance, higher fuel consumption and Start up the engine, and turn the idle speed emissions and, often, spittiJlg and hesitation. adjustment screw clockwise until the revs are Fu ll tuning of twin carbs is beyond the approximately 1500. scope of this article and should really only be Push the synchrometer in turn into the Next time we'll conclude with a look attempted by an expert, preferably with access inside inlet trumpet of each carburettor, at an assortment of regualr checks to a rolling road. noting the airflow reading for each. to keep your Seven in a good, safe and However, simple balancing can often The balance screw adjusts the relative air reliable condition. achieve significant improvements. This is best flow between the carbs, the aim being to get
March 2011 Lowflying -13 Adventure
Towards the end of last year, Rod Thonger described his visit to the 30th annual Lotus Owners' Gathering in Gettysburg (LOG 30). Here, from his 'pre-LOG blog', we read about the epic journey he made to get there-from Colorado to Maryland along Route 50, the last original coast-to-coast road across the USA.
Ready for the off: from Colorado, Atlantic·bound. Right: a little en route maintenace for the Seven.
TALK ABOUT A road trip: Sacramento, California on the Pacific Ocean to Ocean City, Pike's Peak and the Rockies to our right, on Maryland on the Atlantic coast-more than 3,000 miles all the way! our way to pick up Route 50 and then 2,ooo We'd all pretty much done the Denver-to-California route on the USA2005 trip (see miles of heading east. All good so far. Lowflying July and August 2006), organised by Steve Blair and the 7 ToUI·ers, so this We stopped at Rocky Ford to see the world famous Mary's Melons, a roadside produce was unfinished business. A m ere 2,ooo miles (through nine States) to go. stand. As advertised, hers were the biggest and Personnel barns, both owned by Brits and full of classic juiciest melons around. Ross Robbins, owner of a 1965 Lotus Elan 52 cars. Is this what everybody does here? O n the way to our first night stop at Garden and a 1968 Lotus Seven 53: The Tripmeister. Spent the evening at the LOCO (That's Lotus City, we diverted to see Bent's O ld Fort. Not Geoff Cole and Brian Green: the mechanical Colorado-an independent Lotus enthusiasts' actually fortified, but a trading post where experts from the Lincoln Lotus Centre. group; motto, Drive the dream ... Ed.) monthly hunters could trade furs, fix tools and revittal Rod Thonger: spare drive1; blogger and the meeting. Ross is the current President. The car their wagons. We got a guided tour by an ol' buyer-of-beer. park had about ten Lotuses and thirty people. timer (actually, a former High School teacher) A neat idea we saw here was photo-badges who gave us the history. Day zero, a bit of tourism for the participants, showing our cars. This And then on to Garden City, which seems to We drove around the Colorado hills to get was the first outing for our 'LOUTs' polo be named more in hope than actuality. The used to the cars, then met John Arnold for a shirts. I think they arc admired, or maybe the route is dead flat and eventually obscured by visit to the most comprehensive museum of guys think we're mad. Or maybe they were clouds of smoke from the farmers burning First World War flying in the world. just a little jealous. stubble-not, as had been feared, coming out On a barren plain to the north of Denver of the cars. and east of the Rockies, there are a whole col Day one, We saw much evidence of the Obama plan lection of steel buildings looking like lock-up from Littleton, Colorado (elev 5351 ft) ro keep the local popularion at wo rk- lots of garages; which they are, but they're full of air to Garden City, Kansas (2838 ft) road construction and repairs. We roll into craft. In the case of the first we visited, the What a great day! Clear skies, sunny and 'Gc' in a record temperature of 96 degrees at ww1 aircraft of the La Fayette Escadrille Air warm. We were off at 08.35 with confident 6pm. We never did find a restaurant for the Museum: three Fokkers, a couple o f SE)As, farewell wave from Ann, who would be meet evening meal but ended up in a Mexican cafe. and a room fu ll of medals, pilot stories and the ing us in Gettysburg in eight days time. Soon Brian stuck to the hamburger-and-fries and owner's fa mily. We moved on to two other we're heading south on Highway 105, with he suffered for it the next day. >
--14 -Lowfl-ying March 2011 INDEPENDENT LOTUS & CATERHAM SPECIALISTS Your Wanted If you are thinking of selling your Caterham contact Paul Clugston to discuss straight sa le, commission sa le, part exchange or whatever 0 01227 728190 ~ www.uksportscars.com Adventure
Day two, to Council Grove, doubtless still does) a great job, including somehow managed to regroup at a fi lling sta Kansas (1237 ft) losing one sock. How do they do it? tion. We were grumpy all round for a while, Off to Dodge City for breakfast. This is the We get going again at 10.30, skip lunch, but the pleasure of being back on the open Real West. There is a set-up of the old town, complete about 350 miles by 18.oo and stop for road soon sorted that out. Football at com plete with a bit of the old Boot Hill with the night at the Travelodge. Bloomington meant that all the motels were its tombstones and one body with his boots I take breakfast with a guy from the north, booked up and remaining rooms in Bedford sticking out of the ground. Unfortunately, unemployed and travelling to his family in were twice the normal price. Geoff and I since Blazing Saddles, the Old West will never Arizona, looking for work. This sounds like walked to the local mall to find a meal and be quite the same again, but it is fun and very something out of the Depression years and a ended up having to cross the Interstate both evocative. There followed a long drive through big contrast to home where moving towards ways, but it was a real bar with real residents flat countryside, with no real features to speak work is seen as an affront to human rights. and we had a good time. of; a feed-silo is the local hi-rise. Lunched at We eat a great dinner at the Three Brothers, the Paradise Bar. at Lavardi, on Route 66. Day five, to Marietta, Ohio (614ft) The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve was We had a good 'Lotus' road too: in fact, after A cool start again, under cloudy skies but just closing as we arrived, but one of the the last couple of days of flat and featureless clearing. Geoff had the runs but I was OK; rangers was still there to warn us not to feed countryside, Route 50 gives us a really enjoy not enough beer, obviously. We had a good the buffalo; they are wild critters. There is an able road in the afternoon- twisty, hilly, only drive over clear roads to meet Eric of Elan. net old one-room school house a short distance light traffic and both cars going well. at Marimont for lunch, then through after away which gathered the kids from miles noon rain towards Chillicothe and Athens. We around. The prairie used to cover 140 million Day four, to Bedford, Iowa (1,129 ft) also saw Versailles and Vienna that day. Rain acres of the American West but it's now Hail, hail, rock 'n' roll, we're off to StLouis! increased, temp decreased to 46°F; Brian and reduced to this 10,681 acres of the 'preserve'. The birth place of Chuck Berry and where he Geoff rode in the Seven. In Athens, I made a We arrived in Council Grove at the start of still plays, most months, at the Blueberry Hill totally stupid navigational error, compounded the Santa Fe Trail. I only remember miles of Club- but it didn't fit in with our schedule. by road works, and the GPS is showed us to flat, featureless countryside, but I was amazed After a cool and cloudy start, we set off to go be in a place where there are no roads. to find that we had already reduced our eleva up the Arch (the 'Gateway to the West'). It's an Nevertheless, we ended up on the best road tion by over 4,000 feet. How did that happen? amazing erection, built on the west bank of of the trip for a Lotus, looking for some fun, We are booked into the Cottage House Hotel, a charming place in the old style. Unfortunately were in the shacks out the back: smokey room, no wi-fi , someone has jemmied the door previously and it can't be locked now. The lady behind the desk has been well You're only supposed to trained; all mild enquiries about improving blow the bl... The only significant failure on the our lot are met by a broad smile and gentle whole trip occured at shake of the head. It must be one of the the very end (see text). crummiest places I've stayed in-and that's saying something1 We dined at Hays House restaurant and tav ern, the o ldest eater y in town ( 1857, they claim.). This is great, and I even resisted the chicken fri ed steak, fries, mash and gravy. Dan and Sue, who run the place, gave us a history the Mississippi as a part of the memorial to and suddenly my navigation was inspired, a tour of their place where a lot of adventurers the westward expansion of the us. We picked stroke of genius! It's the m681 if you find had their last civilised meal before setting off our way in light rain through th e tangle of yourself in that area. We arrived at the west. It's been good weather all day, low 8os Interstates in and out of the city; despite the Comfo rt Inn in good spirits, to find a decent and sunny. GPS, it was only a 140 db shout to Geoff and on-site restaurant. Even the broccoli failed to Brian that got them to the ca r park! We lost dent Ross's enthusiasm. Day three, to Gray Summit, Geoff (there's always one, isn't there?) but we Missouri (666ft) met up again and headed back to usso. Day six, to Fairfax, Virginia (312 ft) Bria n wasn't feeling so good that morning As we cross the Wabash River, Ross sings A cold and wet start as we set off over old so a quick trip to the local hospital was in Back Home again in Indiana but I am the only St Mary's Bridge, crossed the Ohio River and order, but it was all very efficient and he was one lucky enough to hear it. It had turned cold towards \.Yest Virginia. Ross was worried soon firing on at least three cylinders again. I (relatively), 60 degrees, and the Sevens wipers about Geoff and Brian in the Seven; I tell him amazed them aU by arranging my washing at have packed up. On the way out we got sepa that we're used to it. He wants us to see this the local laundromat-where Sylvia did (and rated from Ross and Brian in the Elan but area at its best, but we just enjoy driving alo ng
-16 L.owflying March 2011 these great roads. The weather cleared to sun Mission accomplished: shine but then turned to drizzle. We stopped Lotuses and crews reach the Atlantic coast at Salem to buy some Rainex for the Seven; it and the Boardwalk, must be good, there was no more rain! Ocean City, Maryland. Our next stop was in the middle of nowhere -an outdoor, and neglected , museum of old tractors, railroad cars and engines. Out there Amazing facts: in the dampness and mist, I was waiting for LOTUS, Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious, was crazed characters to come lurching out of the proved to be a myth as the two forty-year-old woods to hack us to pieces. In fact, the store cars made all that distance (4,t41 miles includ was friendly and I bought a camouflage hat. through downtown Washington, past the ing the return) with only minor problems. There were loads of fruit and veg on sale, sold White House (a wave to Mr O bama and a We still enjoy each other's company and in bushels and pecks. We lunched at a hilltop wave back again from him, we think) and the will do stuff again. restaurant where we got a picture of the Seven Washington Memorial. Standing right in the between two enormous trucks and apparently middle of Constitution Avenue, a six-lane Day eight, Ocean City to Gettysburg, towing a trailer! highway in downtown Washington, to take Pennsylvania (700ft) We already knew the Elan gearbox was leak photographs is not advised ... We met up with We arose to a beautiful sunrise in this holi ing oil, but it was still a surprise when Geoff, Dan Collins at Annapolis for lunch at the day town - about twenty miles of hotels and on 'under-car', duty managed to put a quart Boardwalk Restaurant. beautiful sandy beach, but not many people in o f oil into this two-pint gearbox ... From there it was plain sailing to Ocean October. It felt warm but got a lot colder as Traffic built as we got close to Washington City. We'd made it! And th en the Elan's door day progressed. We found lunch in the Amish and we stopped for beer and a meal before fell off. Colin Chapman's philosophy of engi area at Pasquale's pizza shack. This is all Civil making our overnight stop at Fairfax. neering to do the job and no more comes to War area-the subject of my holiday reading. mind! Both cars got welcome parking tickets We then moved on to the Eisenhower Hotel
Day seven, to Ocean City (7ft) and we found a good hotel with covered park for the LOG30 event and four days of Lotus We were off bright and early but soon stuck ing where we could carry out som e repairs. stuff. The other visitors can't believe it, and in traffi c and the Seven overheated. We took our supper at Finnigan's pub with a neither can we; even Ann has arrived on We got going again and were soon d riving rowdy crowd. Mission successful. schedule! • March 2011 Lowflying -17 Latest Nuke-the-Leuk contributions:
our on-going support for research into Leukaemia
December 2010 January 2011
Monthly standing order from a shy, team sparri ng Monthly standing order from a shy, team sparring partner of old... 25.00 partner of old... 25.00 Monthly give-as-you-earn donation from another Monthly give-as-you-earn donation from another shy Club member.. . 25.00 shy Club member 25.00 Martin Young in Abu Dhabi says thanks Guy Munday passes on a valuation cheque to Derek Price for the wind deflectors 20.00 from D Cobden 5.00 Martin Bushaway passes on the money raised at Rob Murgatroyd makes a donation to say the Graham Nearn Memorial Blat 1035.00 thanks to 8/atChat users for helping out with a friend's online survey 10.00 ... and the proceeds raised from the Rebellion Racing pit garage tours, arranged by Paul Allen says thanks to Simon Parker and Speedchills at the Le Mans 24-hour race 700.00 Roy Booth for the loan of their engine hoist by donating the normal hire charge 30.00 Andrew Mitchell thanks Andy Couchman fo r the television, passed on to an impoverished Stephen Long would like to thank daughter! 25.00 Ian James for his old banner battery and Alex Moore for the luggage rack 20.00 W Callaghan thanks Peter Ray for the cover 20.00 Andy Couchman passes on the money raised Jim Walker says thanks to the Club for the at the Gloucestershire Area Christmas Dinner and additional calendar 10.00 Raffle - held on 15 January! Bruce Yule makes a donation 160.00 to say thanks to John Birrell for the tyres 25.00 (thanks to attendees for donating the raffle prizes) Continental Agricultural Tyres make a generous John Vine say thanks to Jan Randall for the donation 250.00 loan of his Min no trailer 30.00 E 8 Grant Taylor passes on monies raised from Martin Hughes passes on money raised by .c) the sale of bulk-buy jack seals; he also donates auctioning off an extra set of shift lights from :::s his costs from the endeavour 239.00 the recent bulk buy he organised 80.00 a: \:j., 0 "':::s Mark Garnett makes a donation 20.00 Paul Manning passes on money raised at ...... 9 Steve Brown passes on the money raised at the the Drifting in the chicken sheds event at e @) Philip Cole's farm 60.00 Ql East & North Yorkshire Area Christmas meal ..r::1:1 ~ 1:1'1 135.00 Tony Milling sends the money raised at the "t: 1:: .C) 1:1 Pennine Area Christmas 'do' 88.05 E "! ~ Qj So that brings 2010 to a close-with nearly Graham Palmer says thanks to the 8/atChat 1:1 £15,000 raised! Many thanks to everyone for member for the nose cone badge 5.00 co "S their generosity over the last year. 1.0"'"' ..e Paul Richards passes on money raised at the ~ cu LADS Area Christmas Meal 33.00 Ql 0 ..... John Birrell says thanks to Neil Fraser for Q.. the PC games 10.00 ~ "' :::s 0\"' Ql 0"' -.I Ql "'"0\ An excellent start to the new year :S "' many thanks to all who continue to "'0 ~:::s .. support Nuke the Leuk! :c:: E t:i 0 The month's total: 2,529.00 The month's total: £581.05 g, ....."'" Total for 2010: £14,883.74 2010 to date: £581.05 ~ "'C\J I'V) Fundraising history, 1991 to 2009: £361,544.44 Fundraising history, 1991 to 2010: £376,428.18 cu C\J -1:1 C\J Total to date: £3 76,428.18 Total to date: £377,009.23 ..... i5 0 ~ ~ ~.s ~ Contributions, Gift Aid and offers to members t .s Please send cheques payable to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research unless stated otherwise (there is no NtL account) to 1:: 8 the address above or to the individual fundr aiser. :;:l And please, please include a completed Gift Aid form - the taxman gives them another 28p for each £ you donate. :c:: You can download a Gift Aid form from the Club website, at: www.lotussevenclub.comfnuketheleuk.aspx where you can also find details of regular fundraising initiatives and offers and the Coin Appeal.
18 1 Lymq March 2011 A while back we heard from Jan Smit about his latest epic adventure in the saddle- the North Sea Cycle Route: that's pedalling your way in a huge loop through near-coastal lands around the perimeter of the North Sea. At the end of the 'summer' Jan set ot to complete the missing section from his first ride, and battled through near-continuous rain and headwinds. COMPLETING THE CIRCLE
FoR SOME REASON I still wanted to fi nish that did make it- thanks to Ian's rescue mission last part o f the North Sea Cycle Route from and after cycling 152kln. Harwich to Dover, Calais, thro ugh France and Day 5: Ian accompanied me the first 15km or into Belgium. Although the official NSCR ends so toward Canterbury, from where it rained all at Harwich, the Cycle Route N0 .1 goes all the the way to Dover. Stuck to the official 'No.1' way to Dover and continues in Calais as 'LFl' thanks to Ian's enlarged prints of the route. I back to The Netherlands. succumbed to a 13 & 13 stay in Dover. I cycled the remaining 950km in a little Day 6: Still raining. Ferry to Boulogne, but over one week and in doing so managed to wish I taken the Calais option. Very bad cross pass the hooo mark- raised for NtL- for my ing: big waves making progress slow. No rain N SCR trip made in 2009- 10. in France at first, but getting out of Boulogne Day 1: Utrecht to Hook-of-Holland. A small by bicycle was a real nightmare: follow the taste of what is to be expected: headwind all signs and you end up on a motorway time the way! after time. It took me an hour to leave the Top: No stranger to headwinds Day 2: Ferry crossing and a rush in the dark on place! Then the rain started. And the strong then, from a land partly built on a busy Al20 to a small camp site near Ramsey. headwind again. Needed to change plans here wind power. Day 3: Lots of rain in the morning but clearing because Ypres would simply not be feasible Above: Crossing the Thames ... up later. Mo re head1vind to Little Baddow today. Ended up in the pouring rain on a near Chelmsford. Camped on a fi eld with campsite in Guines (near Calais) instead. Below: Travelling light? beautiful views and rain mostly on the other Day 7: It's still raining ... I now had some Some people pack less tha n this in their Sevens! site of the valley! catching up to do. Reached Blankenberge after Day 4: Strong headwinds again ! Planned to 130km in the saddle. meet up with Club member Graham near Day 8: Still a long way to go before I reach Nazeing Mead but misdirections from Harlow home but it's a clear day with changing winds. cost me an extra hour of pedalling. A beautiful Managed to catch the fe rry to Vlissingen and day though, and Graham managed to guide reached the goal for the day, Breda-a whop me into Lo ndon witho ut problems (thank ping 170kl11. you!) and I fo und the foot tunnel without Day 9: A rainy day again but reached home problem. with water in my shoes and wet to the bone). Followed the 'N0.1 route' signs around the And for the record: no punctures! Millennium Dome and eastward. Th is was not Another successful trip has been completed. the best choice- took me far too long to reach The North Sea Cycle Route has finally and Dartford, let alone fi nd Bean where I was due fully been covered! to meet Club members Ian and Sue James. I Total raised for this part of the trip, £100 for NtL.
Well done, Jan. We're all amazed by your dedication, never mind your fitness. Many of us would would baulk at such a trip, in that weather, in a Seven!
Ma1ch 2011 Lowflying -19 Racing Back in 2006 we read of a US-based member's foray into enduro racing, sharing his road-going Zetec-engined Seven with US racing legend Tony Adamowicz-and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Feeling the need for some diversion from the everyday routine, Clark Taylor decided to scratch that itch again- but this time the bug may have bitten deeper. Here, Clark resumes his story. RETURN TO BUTTONWILLOW
A fEW YEARS ago, some members may recall, I teamed-up for an enduro race with a clockwise 13). Some of it felt familiar, but the fellow who was a hero driver of mine from the late '6os, Tony Adamowicz. Tony is a section from 'Cotton Corners' through 'Bus terrific driver who not only possesses a lot of capability and enthusiasm, but also has Stop' was uncomfortable. I hadn't driven this the desire to give back to the sport he loves. We had a great experience in that race, section for several years. After a few laps and a second-in-class finish. though 1 began to settle into rhythmic groove. There was no additional enduro practice From first mention of participating in that minutes of down time. But who to pick? I sessions scheduled prior to the race, but event, another Seven owner, Doug Liedblad asked Doug who in our California Caterham Michael needed a few laps to get used to the offered to help with the pit stop and in any Club held a competition license-without feel of my car and get his lines and rhythms other way he could. Since that event, we have blinking he suggested Michael Murphy. established. With a little bit of arm-twisting frequently talked about doing another, Doug Michael and I are not too different in size, he (Michael is a lawyer and can be quite persua being a helpful and very capable individual has experience racing a Caterham and of sive, you know!), we got the NRCR event saw the fl aws in our pit strategy from that first racing open wheelers in F2ooo (and possesses organizer to allow him into one of their after event with Tony and made plans to assure we an IRL licence too!). Choosing Michael was a noon 'open passing' timetrial sessions. wouldn't repeat them! big relief for me: he's someone I know, some Doug and I began communicating again one who's ridden with me and I've ridden Making a driver change du ring early in the year when the Alfa Romeo Club with, and he's someone I trust. When asked, the race could actually save us six first announced the event. I felt a little uneasy he quickly agreed to join our team. or seven minutes ... about asking Tony to share the driving again, On June 4th, I made the drive up Highway 5 since he is busy racing his '69 Championship to Buttonwillow. The little car is amazing, winning F5000 car these days and, I might making it all the way to Buttonwillow from As I mentioned earlier, Doug is really quite add, winning the championship again. Riverside on less than one tankful! That meant a good guy: he wants everyone from our ccc (For those not familiar with the background averaging well over 30mpg (that's us gallons group who attends these events to participate of Tony 'a2z; as we said before, for a Brit that though). Doug and Michael arrived late that and have a good time. In that spirit, he would be something akin to sharing your Seven evening, so I didn't see them until Saturday recruited Justin (the new owner of the ex with Brinn Redman or Derek Bell. Ed). morning. Caterham USA R-500 press car) to handle the I considered the challenge of going it alone, For this event, the Alfa Romeo Club com fuel ing, so he could attend to our drivers' but when the Club's rules were posted, we bined forces with the Northern California needs. In case you were wondering, Michael clearly saw the flaw in that strategy: driving Racing Club (NRCR), so there was much con and I are both very high-strung elitist individ solo, I would be fo rced to stop for a full ten fus ion about how things would go. We knew uals with huge egos requiring constant gratifi minute 'rest and rehydration' break, whereas we had an early morning race group practice, cation! (Don't believe it... Ed.) You might be with a second driver we'd have no time limit but first needed to register and get Michael's asking 'what did we need?' Well, of the prob imposed. transponder mounted to the car and while the lems noted from our first enduro was the need We acquired a fu el pump that could transfer other two took care of that I searched out and for better communication between drivers five gallons to the car's fuel tank in less than a dealt with the paperwork. I took the car out and pit crew; to that end, Doug brought the minute, so making a driver change during for the first group practice to get a feel for the device he and Michael use in tl1e F2ooo car the race could actually save us six or seven track (this was Buttonwillow, configuration and extra ear-buds and microphone for me.
-20 l owflying March 2011 Now we were starting to look and feel like true professionals with this communication equipment that required outside assistance for hook-ups and removals. Very fancy! We practiced some fuel stops and getting out of and into the car just so things would go smoothly during the race. The rules were pretty explicit about these things-for safety reasons-and it would have been easy to get the order of things mixed up and garner a time penalty (j ust as we did last time, when Tony missed a step!). As our 5.30p m start time approached I got suited up (luckily it was only about 93 degrees by that time) and we gridded for the start. Since there was no official qualifying session, we were gridded on the honour system, with each team providing their expected lap times (Now tlrnt's true Clubmnn's motorsport. Ed). I should learn to stretch the truth a little because we were gridded behind some cars Grapevine tha t we were clearly faster than. Next year, if procedures are the same, we'll know better! Our race took the green Aag and everyone made it cleanly through the first few corners always a relief when your race car is also your ride home. Pits and paddock
Our car was the only one driven to the track and raced in street configuration ...
For the first lap or so, the pack of cars stayed Buttonwillow Raceway Park pretty much intact, but then started to string California out. An AJfa Romeo GTV was the car just ahead drcuit 13, clockwise, 3 miles of me and I had a very difficult time trying to get around him. I chased and provoked him throughout most of my session and he was having to way over-drive his car to stay ahead. On several occasions he put two or four wheels off the road, but knowing how cars can slingshot back across the track, I never pushed through from his mistakes. Also, Buttonwillow's straights were not really long enough for me to get a clean pass on straight line speed. Finally, when some lapping traffic came by I used their draft (slipstream) to make the pass! With that, my lap times improved by over five seconds! I made a note to myself to work on passing techniques and skills for next yea r! Michael took over for the second hour and made the little ca r look good. Kicking up a little dust here and there at turn exits, he looked fast and the stopwatch confirmed it. He has learned a few things >-
March 2011 Lowflying -21 Racing
about driving si nce our early days lapping with the Los Angeles Shelby Club at the Grand Prix de Pau May 2011 'Streets of Willow' ci rcuit. Almost every lap he came by, he clicked off lap times in the 2:14 LoNG-STANDING CLUB member, and Essex AR, Debbie Stott has recently taken range, about 1-2 seconds under my best. I up a post at Grandstand Motor Sports who are looking to offer tours to vari guess it's true what they say about driving ous events. someone else's car being worth a couple of The company was launched in 2005 and has very quickly become a major seconds a lap! (Doesn't work for me, I'm way operator in this market and now offers an impressive range of holidays to all roo timid! Ed.). kinds of events around the world, from Grands Prix to historic and 'retro' For comparison, Tony' A2Z' Adamowicz was events like the Mille Miglia, including MotoGP, World Superbikes, NASCAR turning 2:10 to 2:09 on the shorter track con and classic sportscar races such as the Le Mans and Daytona 24-hour races. figuration ('clockwise 14') without the Bus Stop section; so Michael was indeed quick. Club members' offer What can I say? I feel that our team effort Yo u will see more details of their activities in their advertisement next upheld the Lotus and Catcrham honour fairly month but time is short for one particular event that could well be of interest well. Our car was the only one driven to the to members so we hope you won't mind us giving you some details straight track and raced in street co nfiguration; with away. Club members ca n benefit from a 10% discount on the brochure price configurations being a little more equal, I (based 011 two people sharing a cnr, room and cabin) on their fully-escorted think we might have made the podium. We seven-night driving tour to the Grand Prix de Pau in May. did beat the Mustang that took our class in the Pau, in the south-west of France near the Pyrenees, has a great motor rac previous race, but a couple of quicker cars ing past that few cities can rival and which can be traced back over hundred got in there too. With more experience and years. The Pau Grand Prix catered fo r top-level cars right into the 1990s; the sharper passing skills I wouldn't have lost so event continues as a major Historic meeting and remains focused on the sin much time behind the Alfa; but on the other gle-seaters which made the circuit fa mous, but attracts full grids of pre-war, hand, we finished without incident! pre-'61 and pre-'66 Grand Prix as well as sportscars, Formulae junior and Ford, 1960s GT and endurance racers and even Minis. The tour leaves on the evening of MAY 10 from Portsmouth, returning on MAY 17 via Santander and includes an exciting mix of driving on the excellent French roads, with overnights in comfortable hotels (with some dinners included) and a full weekend of great historic racing. Places are limited, but if you are interested you wiJI find details and the itinerary on their website at www.grandstandmotorsports.co.uk but they can tailor this-or any of their tours to your own requirements; give them a call on +44 116 231 1222 or 0845 375 0300 . •.. ' Pau: a real slice of history
The 1901 event held near Pau was the save for a recent extension. It is an Driven hard? Yes, that's brake dust ... first recorded use of the term Grand astonishing and unforgiving ci rcuit: Prix for a motor race. A pre-WW2 there are video clips around showing French Grand Prix was held on public pre-war races, with Bugatti and We are now pondering our tactics and roads outside the town and there is the Maserati, and F3000 events featuring strategies for next year. After the chequered delightful circuit at nearby Arnos the likes of Montoya and Heidfeld; flag, Michael finished his cool-down lap and (which many Seveners have enjoyed and much of the track and surroundings drove back to our pit garage. When we pushed over the years) but Pau is best known are still so easily recognizable-very the car back outside again we couldn't help for the spectacular street circuit, first much more so than at Monaco. but notice all that black dust dropping from used in 1933. The venue was graced by Those latter races look, frankly, crazy the wheels ... The 'post-mortem' revealed the likes of Nuvolari and Wimille (who on film and a visit there - even with no front brake pads about ha lf worn, but the rears won there, as did Fangio, Ascari and racing on-does nothing to dispel that down to the nubbins, with the outside left pad Clark) and then hosted its prestigious sense! But it's a lovely place to visit, metal-to-metal! Who needs brakes though?! Grand Prix for F1 cars right into the in an area with strong, if not-easy-to But that is something to sort out, especially 1960s and then for F2 and F3000. The fathom, historic links to Britain. And with a long drive home after the race! • track has remained largely unaltered, the Pyrennees are close... Tony.
-22 lowflying March 2011 Classic car specialist is interested in buying any Ford based model from the 1 960s, 1970s, 1980s or 1 990s.
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Mateh 2011 Lowflying- 23 B H pTrackDays Ltd For your circuit driving experience Croix-en-Ternois 4 May 2011 from £149 Open Pit Lane
We're back again at this fun little circuit located just 60 miles or so blatting distance from either Calais or Boulogne. As usual we will be arranging no-frills local dining and convivial chat in like-minded company. We just split the bill at the end of the evening and it usually works out at around €30/35 per head including drinks- and of course there is the track day as well. Itinerary 3 May- traveling. Make your own way (or join up with an informal group)and arrive at Saint Pol-sur-Ternoise. Meet up in the evening at the "Traffic Lights" bar for pre-dinner drinks, followed by a meal at a local restaurant within walking distance of your accommodation. 4 May- Track day sign-on is from 08:00. On track at 09:00. Lunch break 12:30 - 14:00. Back on track until18:00. Meet up again for drinks and a meal at another restaurant. 5 May - Make own way back to Blighty after a leisurely start, or take a few additional days in France and explore. Book the track day on-line or call us to reserve your place.
Accommodation, travel and meals are not included in the above price. BHP TrackDays ltd, 23 Rushfords, Llingfield RH7 6EG
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Tel: 0 1209 215 164 ..:!:: : _ UFI mRHLE ~ 7:./ !Rm..d'&fPMi feHS <:8 G ~ ww w.opieoils.co.uk SIIICOiene ~ DENSO - Mobil ~ €1 r:::t::.rnll iM\ OQJlfDI sales~op ieoil<>.co. u k Vat: 434 3287 56 tel: +49 2631 39360 or +49 1755 644011 (out of hours) Borders 7 Flanders, Belgium Kentish Weald Day and venue currently variable; Venue and dates variable, please Spotted Dog in Penshurst/Smarts Hill please contact AR more information contact for details 3rd Tues ) Neville Mackay > Bruno Dewaelheyns +32 499 740 585 > Richard Young 07714 676422 01750 32705 [email protected] f8\ [email protected] [email protected] > Sven De Loenen +32 496 065 188 ~ Lakes and Lochs Bristol and Bat h Germany Roving venue, roving organisers, please ring The Boar's Head, Aust, BS35 4AX, Venue and dates variable, but most if)\ for details near the junction of the M48 and A403 at last Sundays of the month \_V 2nd Wed southern end of the Severn crossing. please contact for latest details > Dave Eldon 3rd Tues > Andreas Seydel! +49.171.4205424 (mobile) 01946 841558 > Rupert Handley 07980 865259 [email protected]/Forum > Florian SchlUter 06257.505717 Lancashire and District (LADS) flo ria n. sch lueter@caterhamca rclu b.de Brussels & Wallonie region The Blundell Arms, Chorley Old Rd, Venue to be confirmed, but held on ... www. caterhamcarc/ub. de Horwich, near Bolton 7th of the month 1st Wed please contact for more details Gloucestershire > Paul Richards > Jean-Marc Bikx CD The Hig hwayman, off A417 at Duntisbourne 0161 763 5410 [email protected] 00.32.(0) 495.249.239 (between Gloucester and Cirencester) www./adsl.co.uk jmb7 @lotus 7 club. be 1st Thurs > Andy Couchman Leics, Notts, Derby and Staffs Cambridge 01451 821982 [email protected] The King's Arms, at Hathern, LE12 5LD The Red Lion, High St, Grantchester (near Loughborough and M1, J24) 2nd Tues Guernsey, Channel Islands 1st Thurs en > Kevin Baker roving venue- contact Stuart for details: > John Minns 07833 363434 > Stuart Butler 0115 989 0673 (h) [email protected] 01481 722070 (h) 01481 704648 (w) 07875 553257 (m) en > Rachael Sangha 07781128002 (m) [email protected] [email protected] 07974 097771 or 01223 292 400 rachae l. sang ha@ lotus 7club. com Hampshire (W) and Dorset Lincolnshire c 1st Tues Empress of Blandings, Copythorne, The Royal Oak, Scopwick, LN4 3PA, on the Canada, West (Alberta) S040 2PB, on A31 Ramsey Road, nr. M27 J1 B1188, approx 10 miles south of Lincoln meeting place and times currently 3rd Tues Weld Arms, East Lulworth 3rd Tues variable; please contact for details > Adrian Bateman > AR position vacant +i > Terry Johns 01794 323776 [email protected] 00 1 403 347 3117 London (Central) GJ or 0014038722153(m) @ Hertfordshire roving venue - contact Paul for details: [email protected] 1st Wed the Long Arm & Short Arm pub, last Wed at 6.30pm Lemsford Village, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7TH > Paul Beirne GJ Cheshire and Staffs from around 8.30pm 07960 930548 [email protected] The Swan Inn, Main Road, Wybunbury, Cheshire > Dick Dixon 2nd Weds 01920 8711532 [email protected] London (South) Nick Chan 01782 621818 or 07590 841674 > All Bar One, 32 Northcote Road, [email protected] 3rd Sun Three Tuns Hotel, High St, Ashwell, E Clapham Junction, SW11 . Richard Price nr. Royston, SG7 5NL, from 12 noon; > 1st Wed 01782 616493 or 07770 617127 coffee, snacks and 1-hour blat > Adil Patel [email protected] > Richard Bloomfield 07778 590111 [email protected] 07763 477673 south lando n@lotus 7club. co. u k Cornwall > Paul Kennedy roving venue and variable dates; Isle of Man Merseyside and District (MAD) AR position vacant The Ring O'Bells Pub, Daresbury, Warri ngton for current information please contact The Crosby Hotel, Isle of Man last Wed Christian Storr 1st Tues > Martin Richards 01726 842396 > Mi ke Scott 01624 622192 or 07624 486500 > 07884 437652 Ch ri stia n@corn is hse 7ens. co. uk [email protected] www.cornishselens. co. uk mad.ao@lotus7 club. co. uk Jersey, Channel Islands > Stuart Forshaw stuart. forsha w@lotus 7 club.co. u k Devon roving venue, please contact for details Warren House Inn, on Dartmoor 4th Sun Middlesex and London (West) 1st Weds evening (April- Oct) > MarkLe Lay 1st Sun lunchti me (Nov- March) 01534 867743 or 07797 728939 The Ace Cafe London, > Brian Robinson jersey@lotus 7 club.co.uk Ace Co rner, Old North Circular Road, Stonebridge, London NW10 7UD 07956 034941 > Ian Brandon [email protected] 01534 852098 (h) or 07797 743887 2nd Tues http:jjgroups .yahoo.comjgroupjlotuslswarea [email protected] > Thomas Rosselle 07917 598921 Entre Deux Mers, France Kent (East) tho mas. rosselle@tg b. toyota. co. uk Chateau de La Tour, at Cadillac, (on the The Ringlestone Inn, Ringlestone Hamlet Michigan, USA Ave. Liberation, on the way to Beguey) nr. Harrietsham, Maidstone, ME17 1NX last Sat 2nd Thurs meeting place and times currently variable; > Hugh Dent >Becky Bosman please contact for latest details +33 (0)55 623 9931 0 07990 855412 > John Donohoe [email protected] l!< eastkent@lotus7 club. co. uk 00 1 517-655-5125 (h) ~ [email protected] ~ Essex 0 Kent (North) www.simplesevens.org The Hare, Roxwell, Chelmsford, CM3 3HJ 1st Tues. The Plough, Eynsford, New Zealand 3rd Tues from 7·30pm Kent DA4 OAE > Debbie Stott > Richard Brunero 07974 927618 meeting place and times currently variable; 01277 354239 or 07850 273369 > Ian Bruce 07973 291144 please contact for latest details [email protected] emails for both: [email protected] > Nigel Riches fNZ\ > Stewart Heath 00 64 3318 1440 ~ [email protected] nigel.stepha nie@xt ra. co. nz
-26 Lowflying March 2011 Vl
March 2011 Lowflying -27 Tuning
- ,,ao ,. .. ,. .. ,. .. 2700 One for the road? Nicholas Paul descn·bes his first trip _,. .. ,s.oo to a rolling road with his Seven. Initially, Nick didn't .2400 -13.00 hear the results he was expecting - or wanted - but there is ,. I :,oo \ more to this than the headline figures ... \ .2()00 \
ttOO I ,.oo I
~~:\4.00 ~~ ON A ROLL t300 PART ONE ______. .,2..00 ... ,... , tOll - .... ' - "'!"'~
WHILST SEASONED RACERS just refer to having a 'roller session', to many of us lesser All rolling roads are not equal; there are mortals there seems something mystical about having your engine setup on a rolling good ones and not so good ones. Even good road. But as a professional engineer, the concept of accurately measuring perform ones are just like any precision piece of equip ance and making adjustments to maximise it seems eminently sensible. ment and need regularly calibrating and serv icing to ensure they work correctly. [t obvi My car started out as an R300 with roller known as 'The 2 Steves' in Rainham Essex; and ously depends on how well they are set-up and barrel throttles, which Caterham Cars rated at Dave Walker of Emerald Ecu fame in Norfolk. maintained as to how accurate they are. a nominal 16obhp. But having worked in the The interesting thing is that both parties Add to this the competency of the operators automotive business, I was aware that the fig have respect for, and recommend, each other. (ideally there should be two people involved
ure stated is not always a guarantee of actual I understand that a certain RSOO had a visit one in the car and one calibrating) and the horsepower achievable, especially on modified to the 2 Steves just before its big day in the temptation to give the customer what he production engi nes. Also, whilst the roller bar spotlight at Dunsfold ... wants to see (with some rolling roads its quite rels make a marvelous noise and the exhaust's There are plenty of other rolling road tuners easy to fid dle the results) then that lovely print rasps, pops and bangs sound great, this does in the country but beware- rolling road out of the power curve can be total fiction. not always mean power with a capital P. tuning is not cheap and therein lies the rub. (It used to be sa id that the easiest, if not the So, with the hope of rescuing some dormant Without wishing to cast aspersions it is per cheapest, way to raise your engine's figures was gee-gees I started enquiring about rolling road haps wise to consider the following: do owners to go to one rolling road after anothe1; telling specialists. of'fast' cars, having spent £10oos of their well each the results from the previous one ... Ed.) Within the Seven Club fraternity, I came earned on 'bolt on' tuning bits like being told Just like some tuning manufacturers' fig across two frequent recommendations: the that their 215bhp traffic light drag racing ures, rolling road print outs can be equally collaboration of Steve Greenald (Race Engine supercar is only producing a measly 15obhp? optimistic. At a trackday last year, having Calibrat ion) and Steve Pitcher (Track'n'Road) Well, no they don't. passed another Seven under acceleration, the
-28 Lowflying Mmch 2011 The craft of driving
Here we look at a technique and an attitude you can apply regularly to put more in-and get more out-of your driving. Famed performance instructor Ross Bentley describes am approach to self-coaching. THE PERFECT DRIVE Far left: Are you sitting comfortably? Note that the exhaust is ducted away and the cooling is assisted by I wouLD LIKE to do something a little differ • Returning the clutch foot to the dead pedal the external fan. ent. I want to challenge you to drive the 'per immediately after each shift-never riding fect drive'. Now, the 'perfect drive' can take the clutch pedal place anytime or anywhere-on )'Our way to • Turning the steering wheel smoothly, or from work, a holiday trip, a Sunday drive, gently, and as little as possible (keeping the Left: A rolling road session can seem to or just going to the corner sto re. What makes front wheels pointing straight as much as be a fairly violent episode if you a perfect drive is many things ... possible) - gradually buildi ng up cornering haven't witnessed one before. I personally have been trying fo r years to Here the car is strapped firmly down forces, and then unwinding out of a corner to keep it on the rollers. achieve the perfect drive, and even came • Always holding the steering wheel in the very, very close late o ne evening. And yet, 9 and 3 o'clock position even though I've never quite made it, I feel it is one of the most effective tools I use to both • Always looking ahead to pick out and increase the enjoyment I receive from driv predict potential accident situations; always Left: The graph for Nick's car, showing driving with an escape route in mind power and torque curves. ing and make me safer on the road. Just imagine the concentration and atten Driving the ideal line throug h every corner tion required to achieve the perfect drive and • Braking smoothly and efficiently - and you begin to understand how much better a modulating the pedal so that the point driver you will be while striving for it. And, where the car actually comes to a complete anytime you can make your driving more stop is never even felt challenging, the more you will enjoy it-even if you are sitting in rush hour traffic! Every lane change made ~mou l hly wilhuul Defi ning what goes into a perfect drive is running over the cat-eyes difficult. Just when you think you have cov • Readi ng road conditions and other drivers ered and perfected everything, the road ahead changes-someone cuts in front of • Controlling the weight transfer and balance of the car to your advantage you, the weather changes, the road gets rougher, or... • And finally, before even starting, to driver subsequently asked me what power I Some of the key aspects that I strive for ensure the car is prepared to handle a had and was a bit miffed when I told him. He in my perfect drive are: 'perfect drive' couldn't understand how his 'rolling-roaded' • Proper visual tracking - looking well 200-plus seemed less powerful than my 154. Practising these techniques, and many ahead to where I want the car to be placed I admit when I first went to Track 'n' Road more, will improve your driving both from a on the road I was hoping fo r at least 165 and maybe 170 speed and safety po int of view. The increased horsepower out o f my '160' verniered -puUey • Planning, and thinking, well in advance awareness level necessary to achieve the 'per equipped, but otherwise bog standard, about where I want to go, and what is the fec t drive' will definitely make you a safer absolute best way to get there unmapped standard set-up. Defi nitely not driver, and the work on smoothness will o n the agenda was an apparent drop to • Making every start (clutch engagement) make you quicker (when you want to be). 154 bhp after re-mapping! smooth, and yet. with no excessive clutch And, I guarantee, you will enjoy the chal However, the good news was that I felt I slippage lenge of everyday driving much more. could take this as a genuine 154 and not a • Every shift perfectly smooth-upshifting By the way, the reason I didn't make my theoretical manufacturer's 160 (which might or downshifting (using the heel-and-toe 'perfect drive' that evening is that I ran over a actually have been 145) and the car d rove technique always)- matching the revs sunken manhole cover which I knew was noticeably more quickly, was smoother and so well that a passenger in the ca r never there. I should have avoided it. Oh well, used less fuel. The bad news was that I now feels a single shift maybe. tomorrow night will be perfect... • wanted more power. .. A year on and with some further engine Ross Bentley is a much·respected performance and race driving instructor and writer in Canada. Some of us alder members may well have came across his instructional articles in the past, but these words here modifications undertaken another session is seems as relevant as ever and describe his dedicated approach to driving. You can read more about Ross via booked. Wish me luck! I wiU report on the speedsecrets. com With acknowledgement to the Lotus Car Club of British Columbia, in whose 'Cam Journal' results in due course. • this article appeared previously-and to David Mirylees for reminding us of it.
March 201 1 Lowflying -2g
Cars for sale Parts, miscellaneous V) Red Caterham Supersprint 1989: For sale: -o 1700 Ford CrossOow; 27k miles. 4-into-1 Set of 4 Kuhmo V70A tyres: 3: 0 --' exhaust; Momo steering wheel; de Dion; 5- 175/60R 13, part-used, properly stored, (1) ta ...a speed; cycle wings; race seats with 4-point £100.00 harness, FIA rollbar. Windscreen, full weather Caterham 4" exhaust can: ' ~·;u .j...J kit, hood bag, separate aeroscrecn and ton stainless, vgc, £50.00 (1) neau. Un fortunately no heater. Adjustable contact: 01953 881234/ 881939 "0 (1) shocks, immobiliser. MoT until july and road or 07850 613741 ...c ' .j...J tax until 30 th jun. It has always been garaged pa perboych ris@ bti nternet. com ta (1) (1) in my keep and is good mechanical order. Vl Only used in dry weather. Reluctant sale; call I ~c: (1) email me fo r pies or to arrange a viewing E E (based in Leicester); £8250 ono. QJ Wanted Vl contact: Virendra 07984 605 435 or email V) ·-e (1) [email protected] > Seven: "0 Always looking for Rover, Sigma and Duratec ru Caterham 7 Roadsport 1600 K-series: GJ "0 Seven. And although only VVC engines. (1) 200 I factory -built. Porsche arctic silver, 6- I'm a German Caterham dealer, in England 4= 'Vi speed gearbox, FIA roll bar, qu ick-release approximately every 3 weeks. I pay cash. .c Vl Momo steering wheel, starter button, luggage References available if required. ~ ~u rack. FSH (Caterham Midlaftpare wheel, contact: Gunther 0049-831-95502 or +-I ru Yokohams l A b tiJIII weather email [email protected] -~ E gear, ton cW plus new half hood and ...a ::I wind deflector. 27,000 careful miles; MoT until Any pre-19 7 6 Lotus cars or parts: Vl including engines, any cond ition considered, 11 /20 11 and taxed unt ill l/20 l l. ~ Always kept in the garage.£ 12,000. especially Lotus 7 models. ( Leicestersh ire). contact: Neil, on 07944 413111 contact: Ivor, mobile 07546 476477, email [email protected] Series 2 or 3 Lotus 7 (or Caterham) ••• Ads are accepted for as a restoration project. Basket case, damaged Cars for sale (Sevens only please) or incomplete car considered. Caterham Roadsport: Parts and miscellaneous and contact: David Marsden 2006, Frozen white with black detailing Wanted [email protected] stripes down the length of the car and Maximum 100 words or 01452 760474 Caterham decals on the sides. Black wings, black pack, clear indicator LED rear lights Project 7: How much? with clear lenses, full weather equipment, fu ll Crashed, damaged, restoration-an)•thing tonneau, hood bag, Tillett seats, four-po int Club members, Free considered. Also interested in an)' early Lotus, (quote membership number) harnesses. 1.6litre K-serics engine with a from parts to complete car. Non-members, five-speed gearbox. 13-inch Superlite alloys Also wanted: 1960s/70s Clubmans, FF or £10 per insertion, inc. VAT with new Avon CR500 tyres. Wide-track front any th ing interesting. Payment by cheque suspension, FIA Roll bar, anti-cavitation tank, contact: Barry on 01745 342378 or payable to 'Seven Club Limited' quick-release Momo steering wheel, push but 07990 841093 sent to the address below ton starter. MoT to end january 201 2; one owner from new; 12,200 miles with service All Lotus 7 54 parts wanted: Where to? history.£ 14,995 ono. contact: 01953 881234/ 881939 or by email, to: contact: Paul on 07795 563783 or emai l 07850 613741 sam.pearce@lotus lclub. com [email protected] (Herts) pa perboych ri s@ bti nternet. com or by post, to: Sam Pearce, Lotus Seven Club, PO Box 7, Abergavenny, NP7 5WQ
Deadline? to be received by 8th for Nuke the Leuk: inclusion the following month Coin appeal that unwanted cash is worth real money! Contact details? Foreign coi ns, notes, obsolete ones from Euro Please remember to include your countries, pre-decimal. .. all can be used to contact details (yes, some do forget). raise funds for research into Leukaemia. Consider indicating your location: please pass any such cash to your AR: this could be of concern to a buyer collection service through local branches. wanting to see a car or collect parts.
March 2011 Lowflying- 31 E: c l!ml!llll MIIHiii.i.ii 1:.1 .Q Fri 11-Sun 13 Sat 18 -Sun 19 ;::s 1:.1 British Motor Festival Newark Kit Car Festival -...... New car show held alongside the British Leisure Show, Newark and Notts Showground, Newark II) ;::s at Royal Windsor Racecourse. The 29th year of this popular show, with club stands ~c Complimentary tickets if attending and displaying and displays, trade stands and autojumble and much Seven in the owners' areas; see news item in this issue more too. If you're interested in attending with your -@) for conditions and more event details Seven, please contact Adria n ... ~ Adrian Bleach ~ Sun 27 e: [email protected] t:S ~ GTKY7 South Q, A 'Get to know your Seven' introductory technical V) day at Caterham Ca rs, (the Caterham showroom, not et:S II) the Dartford premi ses). Fri 1-Sun 3 0 Morning and afternoon sessions; numbers limited; .., .j...J £10 per person, half going to NtL Swiss International Meeting .t: see news item in this issue for details and booking form St Moritz E The 31st running of this traditional favourite! c ...0 ::::l See details in the issue. Vl ~ Debbie Stott Q) Vl e: [email protected] cu ru Sun 1- Mon 2 ~ 0.. National Kitcar Show Sun 17 Stoneleigh Park, Royal Showground,near Kenilworth Classics at the Castle > ...... Vl c details to follow Sherborne Castle, Dorset cu Q) Classic car show in truly historic surroundings. E Tue 3 If there is sufficient interest we can have a Club stand; ""C c Lotus Seven Club trackday please contact ... Q) Adrian Bateman E Cadwell Park, near Louth, Lines ru Open pit lane; free track drivi ng instruction available; e: [email protected] ""C noise limit 105 db 0 c Tue 19 ru booking form with this month's Lowflying > Geoff Pickin ~ Lotus Seven Club trackday ·;o e: geoff.pickin@lotuslclub. com Snetterton circuit, by the A11 near Thetford, Norfolk .j...J t: 01633 881837 Q) Open pit lane day on the new Snetterton 300 layout ""C nearly three miles around! C' ...... Wed 18 Free track driving instruction available; c Q) Lotus Seven Club trackday noise limit 105 db; details to follow > Geoff Pickin ta UJ Brands Hatch, near West Kingsdown, Kent Exclusive Members' session on an MSV-run day on the e: [email protected] fabulous Brands full Grand Prix circuit; t: 01633 881837 free track driving instruction available; noise limit 101 db; details to follow Fri 22-Sun 24 ·- > Geoff Pickin -o Silverstone Classic e: [email protected] Silverstone Circuit.. near Towcester t: 01633 881837 Great historic racing festival with unrivalled access to the fabulous assembly of competing machinery Sat21 plus displays, trade stands, concerts and Seven Club GTKY7 Midlands parking area; booking directly with Silverstone, A 'Get to know your Seven' introductory technical day but see details in this issue of two-for-one offer. at Caterham Midlands, near Leicester > Peter Griffiths > Stuart Carter or Roy Worrall t: 07915 089161 booking online with Silverstone at www. si lverstoneclassic. com ~ Sun 31 Sat 11 Millwood Motors Open Day Classic & Sportscar Action Day Popular annual open day for Seveners; barbecue and Castle Combe circuit refreshments, use of set-up scales, quiz, parts sales Up to 70 free admission tickets to be available; and socialising; a great relaxed day out! book a ticket in advance - one per car; see news item in this issue for more details passenger admission expected to be no more than £8. Discounted track sessions in 'Seven-only' groups. for more information, please contact: > Alan Henderson e: [email protected] Mon 12 t: 01633 413020 Lotus Seven Club trackday Cadwell Park, near Louth, Lines Sat 25-Sun 26 Open pit lane; free track driving instruction available; Bristol Motor Club Centenary event noise limit 105 db; details to follow Castle Combe circuit contact details as previous Celebrating 100 years of motoring and competition; including a selection of Sevens within a parade of a centu ry's automobiles. On-track action includes a round of theLotus Seven Club Speed Championship. see also, news item in this issue > Geoff Brown e: [email protected]
32 owflying March 2011 DESIGNED F 0 R RACING . BUILT FOR LIVING
CATERHAM AT MILLWOOD MILLWOOD MITSUBISHI ONLY OFFICIAL INDEPENDENT DEALERSHIP OFFICIAL CATERHAM UK SERVICE CENTRE
We're very proud to be the only factory appointed dealership As one of only three Caterham Approved Service Agents in the country. It shows the trust and confidence put in us by in the UK, you know you're in good hands. Caterham and our many customers. Expert, factory-trained hands in fact. We supply the whole range of current models, whether factory built or for home assembly. From demo to delivery. We've a large workshop complete with M.O.T. bay, laser alignment and corner weighting facilities. Our showroom always displays a selection of the very best used models. So whether it's a service, parts, accessories, a full build, Please call first, to arrange your visit at a time that suits you. an M.O.T., or simple help and advice you need, talk to us.
T: 01453 541511 E: [email protected] T: 01453 544321 E: [email protected]
MILLWOOD MOTOR COMPANY AND MILLWOOD MITSUBISHI, AMITSUBISHI CAM,DURSLE~GLOUCESTERSHIRE.GLll SOH MOTORS
Specialists in FORD DURATEC and ZETEC Engines, Gearboxes and Differentials
The p e rfe ct engine to repla c e o ld, tired and cos tly Cros sflow engines. All p a rts r e quire d to upgrade to zete c-R p e rforma n ce are a v a il a ble from s tock, Inc luding n e w For d 2000cc Focus Z e t e c e ngines, Inle t m a nifolds, w a t e r r a lls , c ast w e t s ump p a n s, ECU modules to s uit c a rbureHors a nd throHie body inje ction, flywheel a nd clutches, a lte rna tor mounting a nd Idle r pulley kits , comple t e s t a inless s teel exh a u s t s y s t e m s , e ngine mounts a nd s ilicon w a t e r hose kits . Please call for d e t a ils .