Southwest 7's Festival Notice

[Caterham99]

We still have some spots open for additional cars in this years Southwest 7's Festival. If you have a friend who would like to join you, or know of someone who would like to take advantage of this unique opportunity, plaese have them contact me at se7en@ctesc.net or post intreset on this site.

[Al Navarro]

Where are the pix, Phil!!!! Car-less schmos demand as much Se7en porn as possible!

[BirkinBernie]

Here are a couple of pics from the 2009 Southwest Se7ens Festival, taken at the Lodge at Lake Palo Pinto. See all those smiling faces? You need to add yours to the group next year!

More pics to come!

Bernie

[MHKflyer52]

Ok Bernie,
Your car is the first one in the photo of the 7 lined up at the Lodge but who owens the others.

[Al Navarro]

I see some familiar faces at that table!

[BirkinBernie]

Hi Martin,

Yes, that's my car, then Carlos Fenny's Birkin, Dick Brink's Birkin, Chuck Spera's Ultralite, Gale and Lana Newlin's Stalker, and Phil Anderson's Caterham. There were quite a few other cars at the track days - I'll post some more pics as soon as I can get them from the other participants. We also had a Westfield at the track day on Saturday so a pretty good selection of the different brands were present!

Bernie

[Caterham99]

Thanks to all those that attended this years Southwest 7’s Festival. A great time was had by all. Each of our unique cars is a lot of fun, but it is the people who make it truly memorable.

The two day track event at Motorsports Ranch was held in conjunction with Apex Driving Academy. This proved to be an excellent track format for both beginners and experienced drivers as well. The driver’s school format allowed first timers (like me), the opportunity for seven 20 minute driving sessions with an Apex instructor, while the experienced drivers took to the track by them selves.

We had 10 cars on Friday. It was a “members” day at the Ranch so we had to share the track with a couple of Porsche GT3’s, 2 race prepared Vipers, a Vet, and a pretty fast Mustang. It was tense at times, especially for us new guys, but by in large we did our thing, and they did theirs so we got along ok.

Saturday was better in that we had 15 Seven’s, and the track all to ourselves. However, Apex pulled a fast one. After running the course counter clockwise on Friday, they had us run it clockwise on Saturday. It was a whole new track. Even those that had driven the track many times had to learn a whole new line.

We were able to squeeze in two technical sessions into Saturday’s busy schedule. Blaine Ballentine a lubrication engineer for Central Petroleum Company gave a most valuable presentation on engine oil, gear oil and grease. We all learned a lot about the slippery stuff, and his paper “Lubrication for Se7ens”, pointed us in the right, and in some cases a new direction.

Carlos Fenny also educated us on laser chassis alignment using inexpensive readily available tools. Accrete, and a far simpler than the old strings. Defiantly worth a try.

Saturday’s evenings BBQ dinner gave us all time to socialize and talk about our experiences. Some very nice door prizes were also given away. We would like to thank USA-7’s for donating a signed Publishers Edition of Lotus 7 & The Independents. Tim White, the owner of a very rare Datsun 7 took home the prize.

Sunday’s tour was an opportunity to slow down a bit from the previous two days and enjoy the back roads west of Fort Worth in beautiful Palo Pinto County. Alfredo Aperezcalva who was driving his newly acquired Stalker from Florida to his home in Mexico City joined us for the first part of the tour. Anyone that passionate about their seven is always welcome!

The tour was a bit cool for this time of year in Texas, and the wind tossed us and our little cars around a bit, but it was still a lot of fun. Our stay that night at a rustic log B&B overlooking lake Palo Pinto proved to be one of this years highlight.

Plans are already being made for next years Southwest 7’s Festival. We plan to keep a similar spring format so please check the USA-7”s web site for future information, and discussion. We want to hear from you.

Thanks again for all those that made this years Festival such a memorial event. For those that were unable to join us, plan to attend next year, it’s going to be great. You don’t want to miss it!

[manik]

Some photo's from Saturday's track session paddock.

[jorrester]

Phil,

Thanks for the write up, yes truely a good time was had by all, thanks again for all the work you and the others did to host the event.
John