colincagain

Ross - you have more mail Colin

Dave I have a 1400SS - it is P reg but 92 car but in excellent condition. Was not looking to sell immediately but am currently looking for a bike engined caterham so will have to sell it eventually. Am in the UK right now and planning to go to Castle Coombe tomorrow morning for a look around and a few laps. If you come out - be good to have a chat. The car is black with a yellow nose cone and a roll cage. May be near he Westfield clan (Dad not me). May be worth calling first to see if we are still there. Try 07768 774166 (or 01249 654300 before 8.00am) cheers Colin

I am looking to replace my 1400SS with a bike engined Caterham.....back in Uk for a few days before we move back permanently in a couple of months time....if you have been looking for a new owner for your b,b or busa engined 7 and fancy a day out at Castle Coombe this Saturday,,,then I plan to be there and would be great to talk, see, feel, drive, etc.... Please call on 01249 654300 or leave a message on 07768 774166 so that you don't waste a trip if our plans change. cheers Colin

Paul I am back in the Uk for a week or so and planning to go to Castle Coombe on Saturday (CCC Action Day) just to give my rarely driven machine a bit of cobweb removal treatment - if the car just happened to be there for a test I would be a willing testee!! Still seriously planning to own a BEC within the next month or so but unlikely to have time to get to Caterhams assuming the car is still there. Can get hold of me on 01249 654300 cheers Colin

had this problem on and off all 3 years I have owned mine - keep thinking it is sorted - combination of problems caused by starter motor wiring being too tight and too hot, bad connections to starter motor and last time around (very similar symptoms to above) it was a problem with the relays in that little black box under the ECU - so that may be the place to look. I have always thought the immobiliser was the problem and finally changed it but problems did not go away. Amazing how many times wiggling the wiring has got me home. Not had a problem since sorted this relay - but then it is sitting in a garage 4000 miles away from me so not getting run for months at a time - not really a good basis for saying it is fixed. (posted from hotel in SPaulo after watching Mark Webber give a lot of locals a nasty moment)

Andrew - moving back to UK over next few months - really appreciate the offer - will email you once my plans are more defined and see what we can arrange. I am lusting after a bike engined car without ever having tried one! cheers Colin PS further evidence that I am real not imaginary is available in the club sprint results from 2000 - but do not look at the top of the listings.

Paul - Roger is hoping to get along to Silverstone on the 1st - he has Brodie's phone numbers. I may be back during March - should know if & when with next few days. Colin

sad bit was that I was even born in 57 which I think was the year the 7 first appeared...or close anyway....family history of go-karts, scrambling, trials and sprinting probably provided the connection and source of inspiration to Mum and Dad for the "handle" - my only recollection of the man was that (when I was a pretty average motocross competitor) he could not see what great commercial advantages could accrue to Lotus from sponsoring me.... despite a very nice letter ....at least he was gifted in other ways...

You are of course absolutely correct - but it is not the only reason - however it does have some significant disadvantages: 1) Most enquiries to Lotus or Caterham related businesses are greeted with assumption that I am winding them up. 2) Circulating at the back of the pack in races gives commentators plenty of ammunition...but generally they have been reasonably kind! I can just about cope though! Colin

Will advise as soon as I have a date for trip back. The chap with the grenade has not helped as BA have now stopped flights from Caracas while they try to help ighten airport security here...please email me with location of car as a friend may be able to come over to give it a once over (he is just finishing building his). thanks Colin

Paul Probably no good to you - but I am interested in a bike engined Caterham to replace my 1400SS K series - only problem is I am living in Latin America - but expect to be back in UK again sometime in 2Q - unless the crazy man running Venezuela forces us out again before then. May visit sometime in March/April. No good to me here as there is no petrol left in the country. If you have a spec you can email - please send to cmchapman@aol.com thanks Colin

Sounds as though I need to get the kids to join forces and get the £10 / £20 bike job for a try... and then I have time for a mega birthday present of the peltor set pre Ring next year if needed. Are the FMT100 and FMT200 the best models for working with helmets? DT prices imply £95 for amp and 2 lots of £75 for headsets - total £250 instead of 10 or 20!! Thanks for all the advice. Colin

thanks folks - making hard copy and putting in red envelope under my wife's pillow

Any recommendations please? Looking for robust, high quality, easy to install, fits inside both full face helmets for track days and not silly money. Just interested in talking to crazy next door neighbour not pits or elsewhere...several in demon tweeks catalogue...thoughts?? experience???

Peter - where in Castrol do you work??

is there any risk of drilling through the chassis tube ???? or is the captive nut(??) in a lug above the chassis??

hmmmm...thanks all...no one seems to think peeling up the aluminium trim is very smart .....shame as I have 10 rivet heads drilled off already....what is actually inside (then dinner was ready) ...is it a captured nut??? sounds like I should put the skin back and go for the nut and bolt solution if necessary...

OK folks - too much omph and not enough plus gas....broken bracket so undid rear bracket (one with the rubber mounting) and the bolt sheared with less than a ml showing outside the skin - cannot grip it to get it out; seat out and only way I can see to get at it is to peel up all the aluminium trim?????? anyone have a smarter idea? what will we find when we can see inside???? All contributions welcome while we calm down and eat roast chicken!!! Thanks Colin

Mint Condition with full service history and only 4,600 genuine miles. Gentle road use only. Twin Webber 40s; Converted to unleaded; revolution alloys; Spax shocks. £8,750 OVNO. Telephone 01249 658152 (advertising on behalf of friend - so please do not email me as I'm the wrong side of the world)

Most track days do not fuss too much about the crash helmet you use - I have never known a check other than making sure you have one on and done up - so you could use a helmet you use on a motorbike without any hassle - I did when I started. However, if you catch the bug seriously - very good chance you will - then my bike helmet (ACU approved etc for Motocross) did not meet the spec needed for racing per the MCA specifications - so I bought a new one when I wanted to start racing. If you want prices for a decent race legal helmet - look in Demon Tweeks or Grand Prix Racewear catalogues or web sites - last time I checked the prices were similar - expect to pay about £300 and up - I invested over £400 for my Arai 2 years ago. Good luck Colin

Thanks Mike - I'll never need to use it then.

real - and major disadvantage when near back of pack in a race - seems to attract commentators merriment!

I get continued problems on mine (1400K SS)despite fitting the smaller starter motor to improve clearance from exhaust etc. I think it is caused by shorting out the wires into the solenoid but despite repeated tries..... with expert help.....it never stays fixed for more than a month or so.....good luck..if anyone has any additional ideas.......meanwhile my passengers are a pretty fit lot. Colin

Ralph I asked a similar question re RR near Cheltenham before moving out to Venezuela -- ended going to Interpro near Bristol (Thornbury). I was impressed. They only did a power run but the knowledge, interest and flexibility were impressive - keeping the car within 750 club C class rules mean they cannot do very much if the basics cheeck out. Think the guys name was Paul. Agree with comments made about the 2 Cheltenham based outfits. Did not go to Castle Coombe but they did not seem interested when I talked to them on the phone. We should start a global Castrol 7 club! Colin

sounds like you have enough data - I use 24 hot in my 32s and I normally start out at 19 cold to see if that gets me to about the right place --- but what I do not understand is why track day advice often includes a note to increase tyre pressures by 5 psi+ over pressures used for road use - if I did this it would mean driving on the road with 14 cold - can anyone explain???