Please elaborate specifically on where you think the Viper is lacking when compared to other sportscars. The current Viper is setting records on every track it touches.
It leaves others in the dust,
blows the competition away,
is on top of the food chain.
Clearly the vettes/Ferraris/lambos/ect... can not outsmart the Viper with all of their gadgets that take control away from the primary operator of a vehicle. The Driver.
Agree'd
The Viper was built for a niche market. If you dont fit in that niche then there are several other sportscars that can fulfill your desires.
Better Tires/Brakes/Suspension allow a vehicle to more directly translate a drivers inputs to the road. This gives the driver greater control. Its when you have sh!ty tires and a loose suspension that your inputs get botched up and the vehicle misscommunicates with you and the road.
Traction control, Stability control, and other safety gadgets take control away from the Driver by taking his inputs and changing them to something that the driver did not intend to do.
Do you really think that the other manufacturer that are in this 'niche' (there is more than 1 car in this group or else why do we even compare it to others)are just sitting idle and waiting to see what Dodge has up their sleeve when the new Viper is introduced. The stakes are being raised every year and there are even new players showing up. What I am saying is that I hope that Dodge does all that they can to ensure that the car is on top still when re introduced again. If this then means introducing systems that are proven to work....then so be it. Make it as good as possible.
If conditions were always perfect....and your car was always perfect in every way with fresh, correctly inflated, just the right temp, high performance tires, finely adjusted suspension just right for the road ahead....the roads you travel are of course perfectly paved and all other drivers where driving as well as you....on top of their game. Never tired, Never distracted...well, then I guess it would all be great driving for anyone pushing their high performance cars.
Reality is that most of the time, unless in a controlled environment, different conditions are thrown at us constantly, and while I am sure there are some very good drivers on this forum, many in reality are human and could probably benefit from some electronic performance systems. It would make them better (read safer) drivers and what do you know....may even save their lives someday. Do you think its possible that some of the Viper crashes in the last several years could have been avoided ? (I am not defending stupid driving and think many where caused by simply that)
I also do know that, as you mentioned, F1 cars and Indy cars arent able to have any TC and similar aids any longer. Isnt it true that laps times slowed down several seconds once those new rules got implemented ? Drivers just werent able to drive as efficiently.
I personally dont think it has to be Black or White...there are ways to change cars for the better that will benefit all of us. Some stuff we probably wouldnt even know about unless we were told. If the new Viper comes out with a whole bunch on 'nannies'....well then those that cant deal with that will have to make some choices to either accept it or look for a left over 2010 on a dealer lot.
....and Yes. I love my Viper in its beautiful, raw and unsofisticated way.
oh...and guess what (you gonna love this)... I have a digital Race Logic TC installed...but its turned off as we speak.
Matt
YOU are the vipers traction control! There isn't anything that the electronic nanny can do for you that your left and right foot can't accomplish just as well. Go buy a vette.
