A new appreciation of speed
Discussion
Had my 7 for a 6 weeks or so, gradually beginning to feel comfortable giving it some welly and realised I have to recalculate everything. I thought I would have to be careful driving the 7, actually found I have to be careful driving "normal" cars now!
Leaving town last week at the point where the road goes 30 limit to NSL is normally a bit of an unleashing point for all vehicles, the first stretch is 1200mtrs approx dead straight with good sight lines so a rare Dorset overtaking spot. I dropped a couple of cogs and nailed the 7 past one then realised the lift off alone would carry me past 3 so kept foot in and ducked back in only to realise I was less than 1/5 the way up the road and had already caught the train of cars in front. Down shift again and bang- am past 9 cars and half a Km ahead of them before the point where a pass would have begun to be risky. All safe and legal.
Went the same way last night in family car, similar situation- passed one dawdling duffer but no possibility of catching anyone else safely, let alone passing. Bend at the end of the straight part isn't sharp but arrived a Many MPH only to have to really lean on the brakes- totally needed to refocus as 7 would have taken the bend without a lift.
Feel like printing a sticker "Not a 7" and sticking it on the speedo of both other "normal" cars in the household.
As an aside- took a Biker friend out for quick blat, his review "First car that has ever made me smile"
Leaving town last week at the point where the road goes 30 limit to NSL is normally a bit of an unleashing point for all vehicles, the first stretch is 1200mtrs approx dead straight with good sight lines so a rare Dorset overtaking spot. I dropped a couple of cogs and nailed the 7 past one then realised the lift off alone would carry me past 3 so kept foot in and ducked back in only to realise I was less than 1/5 the way up the road and had already caught the train of cars in front. Down shift again and bang- am past 9 cars and half a Km ahead of them before the point where a pass would have begun to be risky. All safe and legal.
Went the same way last night in family car, similar situation- passed one dawdling duffer but no possibility of catching anyone else safely, let alone passing. Bend at the end of the straight part isn't sharp but arrived a Many MPH only to have to really lean on the brakes- totally needed to refocus as 7 would have taken the bend without a lift.
Feel like printing a sticker "Not a 7" and sticking it on the speedo of both other "normal" cars in the household.
As an aside- took a Biker friend out for quick blat, his review "First car that has ever made me smile"
Hi , since I bought my seven last year I have had to upgrade my daily driver/ family car to a Renaultsport Megane which actually is still really good to drive even compared to the seven , I know it's not as fast or as pure a driving pleasure but it does deliver as a all round great car , a very good second best to the seven , and you can fit the kids in as well !
700newtons said:
Hello Scubadude,
I know exactly what you mean. I tried a few Sevenesque overtaking efforts with my VW. I have now learnt my lesson.
Good to see you the other week at the Haynes.
Yup, I'm sure it's possible in some quick metal but I can't think that short of a super car of sports bike there is much quicker/safer way to pass.I know exactly what you mean. I tried a few Sevenesque overtaking efforts with my VW. I have now learnt my lesson.
Good to see you the other week at the Haynes.
Enjoyed the Haynes meet too, will endeavour to make the next one as its an excellent drive from here.
neil-935ql said:
Hi , since I bought my seven last year I have had to upgrade my daily driver/ family car to a Renaultsport Megane which actually is still really good to drive even compared to the seven , I know it's not as fast or as pure a driving pleasure but it does deliver as a all round great car , a very good second best to the seven , and you can fit the kids in as well !
Funnily enough I also have a Megane (only the so-called SportWagon, aka small estate) version and 80hp/tonne vs 350+ makes a very noticeable difference!Not that I would want/need to emulate the 7 experience in the family car- just something I didn't think I'd have to be mindful of! :-)
A word of caution. Some of the guys in the line you're overtaking might not know how quick a Caterham can be!
I love my R400D would wouldn't want to be in a battle with the back of a family saloon car!
I've developed a technique of assuming that cars I'm passing haven't seen me. It's served me well so far!
I love my R400D would wouldn't want to be in a battle with the back of a family saloon car!
I've developed a technique of assuming that cars I'm passing haven't seen me. It's served me well so far!
REALIST123 said:
A word of caution. Some of the guys in the line you're overtaking might not know how quick a Caterham can be!
I love my R400D would wouldn't want to be in a battle with the back of a family saloon car!
I've developed a technique of assuming that cars I'm passing haven't seen me. It's served me well so far!
Wise words of course. I love my R400D would wouldn't want to be in a battle with the back of a family saloon car!
I've developed a technique of assuming that cars I'm passing haven't seen me. It's served me well so far!
I think its wise to assume that all drivers have not seen or heard you in any car or bike.
My Dad told me while I was learning to drive "Assume all other drivers are total morons" (We lived in East London) and that caution has served me well so far.
Oddly, I find overtaking easier in my Megane (a 250 Cup) than in my 7.
I think mostly, because overtaking speeds feels less scary/frantic on the Megane than they do in the 7 - especially if the road suddenly gets a bit rough. I think the increased height from the road helps with visibility a bit too.
That said, things might change now that I've had the car corner weighted properly, as it did bounce around a lot before!
I think mostly, because overtaking speeds feels less scary/frantic on the Megane than they do in the 7 - especially if the road suddenly gets a bit rough. I think the increased height from the road helps with visibility a bit too.
That said, things might change now that I've had the car corner weighted properly, as it did bounce around a lot before!
The reference to taking a biker friend out in the seven reminded me of the time I did that.
Dubai, about 2003, the guy was working for me, had a Kawasaki 1300 I think, and had a reputation for being a bit of a "nutter" on it. He asked for a spin in the 7.
so I took him out for about 30 minutes along roads I knew very well, including quite a few roundabouts all well practised.
When we got back he got out and started of very politely by saying "thanks for that" then proceeded with a raised voice "but I'm never getting in that thing with you again you crazy f*&king Ba#$tard!"
I took it as a compliment from a Geordie.
Dubai, about 2003, the guy was working for me, had a Kawasaki 1300 I think, and had a reputation for being a bit of a "nutter" on it. He asked for a spin in the 7.
so I took him out for about 30 minutes along roads I knew very well, including quite a few roundabouts all well practised.
When we got back he got out and started of very politely by saying "thanks for that" then proceeded with a raised voice "but I'm never getting in that thing with you again you crazy f*&king Ba#$tard!"
I took it as a compliment from a Geordie.
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