Hello from San Jose!

[psz.]

After picking up my car from Will, I had the pleasure of sitting in LA rush hour traffic. When asked how many more miles we had in LA, a good friend who was with me said, "I've got good news and bad news." Then, "The bad news is there is no end in sight." Then I asked for the good news. He said "There is a Caterham behind us on a trailer and it's YOURS."

On that day I was glad to have a radio, AC, etc. Still, a beating about the head with a stick may have prompted me to sensibly pull off the freeway and stop at a hotel until traffic subsided.

I have found the mountain roads around here to be quite a bit of fun in the 7, and I am sure that the pleasure of being on a track could only be ruined by finding myself uninsured at the end of the day. For now I will likely remain an observer. I will still try to make it to Thunderhill to meet up with everyone, and pick your brains about fuel mapping, compound polishing...

best regards,
PSz.

[soareyes]

It really is a shame that there is no insurance company here in the US that offers track day coverage. In the UK you can purchase a daily policy when you are at the track.

I too have USAA for my regular cars, and they referred me to American Collectors Insurance when I bought the Birkin. American does offer track coverage as an add-on to their normal policy. It is very expensive with high deductibles, so I decided not to bother since I'm only doing a few track days a year and no racing. Still, their regular policy is very reasonable (mine is about $400/year with a 3000 mile cap). It would be nice if some company offered the coverage by the day/event though. The web site is:

https://www.americancollectorsins.com

Stan

[magnusfeuer]

Actually, when stuck on the 405 at rush hour in a Caterham, beating yourself on the head with a stick is:
1) A great stress relief.
2) The only entertainment you will get for the next two hours.
3) Confirming our lunatic fringe of car ownership in the eyes of the drivers next to you.
4) Quite British, in a British kind of way.

/Magnus F.

[Elv15]

roads

"As opposed to driving on the road, which is about as much fun as beating your head with a stick."

Agreed that the seven was made for racing, but don't discount the roads. There is lots of fun to be had on the public streets. 5500 miles on the USA2005 tour and I still had a smile on my face.

[Michael Murphy]

For what it is worth, NASA's view is that HDPE does not qualify as 'racing' because it is educational, and not a timed event. NASA say that they have been successful in persuading insurance companies to accept claims for damage suffered during HPDE events even though the claims were initially declined. That said, I think it is safe to assume that you do not have coverage when you drive on the track. I accept the risk because, in my view, that's what sevens are for. (As opposed to driving on the road, which is about as much fun as beating your head with a stick.)

[Elv15]

Usaa

I have USAA. I called them. I don't recall the exact wording, but they will not cover you for any car club event.

I've also seen some other posts on the internet about USAA, one guy even had his insurance policy dropped after he called and asked about track day events. So, be careful how far you want to push them on this topic.

It really is a shame that there is no insurance company here in the US that offers track day coverage. In the UK you can purchase a daily policy when you are at the track.

[psz.]

Funny you should ask. I was just looking at the Thunderhill and NASA websites. I really do need to learn how to drive the beast in a controlled environment. However, during the process of insuring the se7en my insurance company promised that my policy would be terminated "if the car gets near a stopwatch." Is anyone else here insured with USAA (and knows the specifics of their policies)? I plan to call them tomorrow to discuss the intricacies of educational events vs. racing.

I hope to make it up there for Group One.

Best regards,
PSz.

[slomove]

Thunderhill next weekend????

[psz.]

I don't actually know which cams I've got. The engine pulls hard from 3k to 8k. It doesn't really like to cruise around/ pull from below 3k though.

I'd love to meet up with any/ all of the other owners out there. I try and usually succeed at getting the car out every day. I'm thinking about a slow drive up Hwy. 9 today.

regards,
PSz.

[Rod]

pully

I also have the esslinger pully, and I have not seen any issues with it. Do you have the Kent cams on the top of your engine?

Perhap we should get together, I am in Sunnyvale.

[Roll a 7]

My Esslinger under drive pulley has been under intensive use for four years with nary a problem. You should be OK, if yours is like mine.

[Boxologist]

welcome from a fellow n00b! :)

[moosetestbestanden]

Anything else I should keep an eye on?

Yeah, boneheads driving SUVs. Never forget that you're just slightly larger than a squirrel.

[psz.]

Hello,
Thank you for the warning!

Mine is anodized blue, and says Esslinger Engineering on it. Is this the disintegrator?

I have read about the diff seal, and de dion tube. Anything else I should keep an eye on?

best regards,
PSz.

[Roll a 7]

Consensus is that mine came from Esslinger. I know that was the original source for the zetec underdrive pulleys. Yours????