TD at AIA

I had a great time on Tue 8th of December at AIA. First session was done with a wet track, lots of fun. The other sessions were on a dry track. My PerformanceBox blew a fuse, so no timing data LOL

I did feel much faster than in my previous visits and no leaks at all! yay!

Driving in the rain

The Lotus was like a delicate lady. This car is my bitch! As much as a daily driver as my toyota corolla. Took it to work under the rain this morning. Top tip that I got from the first time I did this: Leave the back window unzipped open. Otherwise no visibility and it gets too stuffy. The plastic leans against the rollcage, so the rain slides out :-D

I love this car!

I <3 my 7

I love it. It is much more 'me' than the Exige ever was. I have been twice to the race track at AIA and had a blast both times. Last time I was there, I felt great because I saw my lap times go down. Love it, love it, love it! It's also my daily driver. I've driven it in all weathers. I really feels like flying. What a superb little piece of kit!

Vendo Carrinha Audi A4 de 2005 (da minha mulher)

Vendo uma carrinha Audi A4 1.9 TDI Diesel (Carro de senhora)



O carro é óptimo e apesar de ser uma carrinha familiar, proporciona muito prazer de condução.

A Automotor, num comparativo do modelo de 2005 afirmou:

"O Audi destaca-se pela boa dinâmica, que faz jus à sua imagem desportiva, para além de apresentar uma boa relação preço/equipamento."

A carrinha Audi A4 de 2005 foi um dos Tech Cars of the Year da CNET. A prestigiada revista Edmunds escreveu no teste a este modelo em 2005:

There are things in life you just don't think are possible. And then they happen. Things like the killing off of Oldsmobile, the Dukes of Hazzard on the big screen and Arnold the Governator. But the shocker of this young century has got to be Audi improving the A4.

Honestly, we didn't think it was possible. The last two generations of A4 saved the company and have been Audi's best sellers by a bunch. But the 2005 Audi A4 is better. A lot better. And almost in every way. It's more powerful, has new transmissions and its suspension has been retuned for a smoother ride and better handling. It even has a cool, new look.

Usei o carro essencialmente para fazer o trajecto entre minha casa e o meu emprego (Campo Pequeno - Oeiras via A5). Tem agora 107200 km. O carro nunca sofreu acidentes. Têm um conjunto de pneus Michelin Primacy HP colocados recentemente (12.000 km). O registo do carro é de Agosto de 2005, vêm inspeccionado (passou à primeira sem anotações) até Agosto de 2011.


O carro está em óptimo estado. Tenho o livro de revisões completo e sempre fiz as revisões sempre na marca de acordo com o programa oficial do concessionário.



O carro é de um discreto cinzento médio metalizado. Têm uma série de extras orientados para o conforto do condutor e dos ocupantes. Além da pintura metalizada, o carro tem ar condicionado automático com regulação independente para passageiro e condutor. O carro têm também um apoio de braço dianteiro com espaço de armazenamento (ideal para cartões, trocos, telemóvel, etc...) As janelas traseira têm cortinas laterais manuais. O carro têm fecho central com o comando integrado na chave, com abertura remota independente da bageira. Os bancos de trás são rebatíveis e o tampo da mala (toldo) é deslizante e amovivel.



O carro têm também extras orientados para facilitar a condução, incluindo cruise control, limitador de velocidade programável (emite um aviso quando o carro ultrapassa uma velocidade definida pelo condutor), e aviso sonoro de ajuda ao parqueamento atrás e à frente.

Tem ainda extras orientados para a segurança. Tem 6 airbags e controlo da pressão dos pneus com aviso em ecrã digital.



Apesar de todos estes extras e do óptimo estado mecanico, interior e exterior do carro, o preço é de apenas 21.000 EUR.

Well... well.. well...

Picked it up yesterday

All I can say is WOW!

Much more comfortable and compliant than I imagined, much faster than I imagined, rawer than I imagined - just very pleasantly surprised.

How small were Colin Chapman's feet anyway?!

Finally!... almost

I finally met my 7 last Friday. Still can't drive it though, waiting for license plates and some bits and ends :-(

Here are some pics. As you'll notice the lights are futher ahead than pre-sigma sevens. I didn't really like it at first, but it's growing on me.

Got the first call!

My 7 starts its journey home to me today. Due on Friday or Monday.
Godspeed!

Yay :-D

The roof is in

I received my 7's doors and roof by mail.

Here's the contents of the package:



Here's the main challenge in mounting it: just look at all those fasteners!



Just to get a notion of how narrow the car is, this bar is the width of the whole body and the squares are CD cases!

More photos

Looks great. One week to go!

(A bit disappointed that the exhaust does not exit on the side)

First pic

It's missing its EU4 ECU, Airbox, seats and front lights... but it is already a thing of beauty:

Happiness is but an email away! Look what I got on my inbox today...


From: "Elizabeth Reid"
Date: May 26, 2009 9:46:22 AM GMT+01:00
To: "Joao Vieira da Cunha"
Subject: RE: Seven ordered for Portugal

Hi Joao,

The car enters build this week so I will get some pictures taken in the next couple of weeks. You will then be able to see the car in a semi assembled state.

I look forward to emailing you some pictures.

Regards,
Liz

Framed advertisement for the seven

I have this in my office:

I want to roll over and cry!

I got this email from Caterham today...


----
I estimate that we will have the car complete by the end of June 2009.
Please contact me on this email address around that time and I will
advise you on the status of the car.

If you also email me at the end of May, I will take some pictures of the
car in build and email them to you so you can see the progress.

Decided on the color

but I won't tell... it's a surprise. I'll show you a pic once I have it!

My fast little fly

Stats for my car:

Engine: 1600 Ford Sigma
Max Power (bhp/rpm): 125 @ 6100
Max Torque (lbs ft/rpm): 120 @ 5350
Weight: 550kg
0-60mph: 5.9 Seconds
Power-to-weight: 227 bhp-per-tonne
Top Speed: 112mph


Even just being the basic model, my Seven is as fast as (0-60mph, after the first corner, forget about anything racing it, as it only weighs 550 kgs!):

Audi S6, Mercedes SL500, BMW 330i Sport, Jaguar XF V6 Diesel S, Audi Coupe S2 5.9s, Nissan 350Z 5.9s

It's faster than:

Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 Q4 JTS 6.0s
BMW 535d E60 6.0s
Renault Renaultsport Megane R26.R 6.0s
Lotus Elise S1 6.1s
Porsche 968 6.1s
Audi A8 4.2 Quattro 6.1s
Honda Integra Type R DC2 6.2s
Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 6.2s
Honda Civic Type R JDM 6.2s
Audi 3.2 Quattro 6.2s
Ford Escort RS Cosworth 6.2s
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 6.2s
Mini Cooper S Works GP 6.3s
Alfa Romeo 156 GTA 6.3s
Porsche Boxster 2.5 6.3s
BMW M3 Evolution E30 6.4s
Audi S3 6.4s
Audi TT Coupe 225 6.4s
Honda Civic Type R JDM 6.4s

Lack of updates

At the request of a kind reader, a quick note to say that I have not updated the blog because I am still waiting for the car. In the meantime, I hired an instructor to help me learn quickly how to drive fast(er).

Thinking about painting the car and put a transparent starshield just like the Lotus. Not sure if I want this




or this



As soon as I get the car, I'll let everyone know. Crap, can't wait.

Almost there!

Just made my half-way payment to Caterham... yipeee!

I miss speed sooo very much!

The king is dead, long live the king

Yep, I sold the Exige some weeks ago and....


... ordered a Caterham Seven for this year's academy in Portugal. I am going to embarrass myself and my family not only because of my poor driving skills but also because a lot of the Academy competitors in Portugal are experienced pilots. Well, at least I'll learn a lot :-)

I have started the Club Seven Portugal to help spread the love for Chapman's creations.

See you on the track