Viper Hate/Envy

Chrissss

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This past weekend I took my Viper, through an invitation, to a car show. It was a good show, great people, great cars with over 150 entries. There were five categories, the last being cars newer than 1980. There were 50 trophies, ten per each category. To be honest, the vast majority of the great cars were in the 30's to the 70's, but there were some nice cars in the 80's. I did however feel I was a shoe in for a least a trophy in my category as the 80's and above cars were kind of limited and not many great ones. There were 6 judges and one head judge. The judges submitted their recommendations to the head judge and he made the final decision.

I, like I'm sure the rest of you, have been to plenty shows/cruise in's in the past couple of years. At this one however I had more photos taken of my car, more inquiries and more discussions about it than ever before. There was hardly a time where there wasn't some sort of group around my car.

At the time of awards, once again ten per category, my car didn't win a trophy. One of the cars that did win in my category, was a 1984 Pontiac Fiero. It was in good shape, nothing special and I hadn't even seen any one even looking at it but so be it. I was okay with it as I was there for the event and it was for a good cause. I was still ok even with several other car owners coming to me saying they couldn't believe I came away with nothing. One of the other winners, actually went to one of the judges and asked what they were thinking. I didn't want that as once again, I had a good time and I didn't want to appear to be sour grapes and think my car is the end all be all. There were some great cars there.

Then, one of the judges, not the head judge, came up to me and was making small talk. He said he loved my car and that he had recommended it win best of class. He said so did three of the other judges. I asked why it didn't and in fact, didn't even win a trophy and he said the head judge overruled the recommendations. Apparently the head judge said he didn't think in was classic enough, not enough personal work done on the car and didn't like the fact the someone would just buy the car and put in a show. I have had quite a bit changed on the car but whatever. The one judge told me however the head judge just "doesn't like Vipers" and yes, he had a corvette entered in the show. It was not judged however. He said there were actually words between one of the judges and the head judge about my car. I told him it was okay that I was there for the event and it just wasn't all that important.

Thinking about it though I was truly amazed at the dislike/envy, whatever you want to call it, over a car and or its owner. There are cars that I like, not crazy about, prefer and not prefer. There were cars there I personally wouldn't own but were great in their own right. As a judge I would judge them on that, not whether I personally liked that type or brand of car.

Once again, I was there for the event, had a great time and met some great people and made some great contacts. I will say though that I amazed at a negative response to a car just because of what kind of car it is.

Anyone else ever experience this? I hope not.
 
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Coloviper

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Car trophies ****! I would not worry about it. The enjoyment is the cars and the people. I go out of my way to make sure I do NOT win a trophy for any of my cars. If it meant I would win a trophy entering it in a show, I would sooner just park it in the parking lot, outside the show.

Much prefer cruise in and cruise outs. The Viper is very misunderstood though. I have found most people want to just admire the Viper from a far.
 

V10SpeedLuvr

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My DD is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. Back in the day, it was riced out completely. If I took it to a show and didn't win a trophy, I was mad. I won a lot of trophies with the car. Now with the Viper, if I go to a show and win a trophy, I'm surprised. Vipers always have a big crowd around them, but for some reason, carshow judges tend to ignore them.
 
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Chrissss

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I really didn't care about a trophy, it was the attitude that I didn't understand.
 

Twister

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just a typical vette owner...really wishes he had your viper but since he dosent your car isnt gonna acomplish anything under his eye
 

v10enomous

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Here's my recent experience...
http://forums.viperclub.org/general...ipers-got-******-around-bit-cruise-night.html

Take it as a compliment... Vipers are exotics... It's like showing up at a dog show with a Tiger depending on the show...
 

paul fettig

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I have been to a lot of car shows some with mine or my sons viper but one thing I understand is ,if someone put a lot of time and effort into a car to restore it or redesign it, they should be give preferential treatment. Just because it is a viper does not do it. Yes, many will look at the viper as it is rare. That in itself does not qualify for a trophy.I just enjoy sharing the viper with those that love or dream of them and have not been up close to one. Sharing the prize is how I look at it.
 

supersnake

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Use to go to World of Wheels Shows with my 69 Hemi Road Runner and I was the same as you, If the Judges liked you (not the Car) you won, To many politics in a indoor show. Started to go to S&S and they weren't as bad but I remember went to a Show at a town of about 2500 people. It did not matter how much mods or money you had put into your car, If you were from that particular town you won an award, If you weren't from there you went home empty handed. Thought it was funny actually because there was trophy hunters there and they didn't win a thing. Now I stay away from the S&S and go to events that you can drive and have a blast driving one of the Best Muscle Cars ever produced.:D:D
 

ChoklatMan

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Who cares what a couple of meat-heads with clipboards and inkjet printed name badges think of your car? For all we know they're the fry bosses at the local McDonalds, and this is their yearly opportunity to go on a power trip and "pass judgement"!

The bottom line is that you worked darn hard to EARN your car, you own it (many people can't afford even a Kia, let alone an exotic sports car) you're proud of it, and other people at the show (probably the Kia owners) appreciated the car for what it is: an exotic sportscar.

A dust collecting plastic trophy means nothing.

Be proud and grateful for what you have.

Signed,
A new viper owner who worked his a$$ off to get it!
 

Nine Ball

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I used to participate in several car shows. Winning a class has nothing to do with your car most of the time, it has to do with politics and the judges voting for their pals. I haven't experienced it with the Viper (yet) but have had other cars passed up for rolling crapboxes because they were owned by a buddy of the judges. I've been burned at Chevy/Corvette specific shows before, because I showed up in a Camaro and the judges were all Corvette club guys. Imagine that, just about every non-Corvette didn't win squat.
 

past ohio

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About car shows, there are two types, one is all makes and models and years masses together, and they have a cheerleader or mayor or some wives pick their favorites (usually a red Mustang convertible), the other type of show is a true to a specific brand and have actual concours judges that really know what colors, bolts/screws , pipes, etc....should be on that particular year....IF you want to go to the first type car show, I have said for years, it would be easier for the car show people, go to the bank on Friday, get $50 dollar bills, and when each car comes in , put a unique number on each car ( even if the car is under construction and in primer) then periodically through the show draw a number out of the hat, and give the $50 to that number and only give the "mayor's favorite trophy " out to what is liked by him !!!, IF you get a $50 number, THEN YOU can buy a trophy and put "Best of Show" on it, or take the wife on the way home for a pizza or ribeye steak, or buy a plaque , whatever floats your boat !! The second type car show is very legit and IF you feel you were left out there, it can also be a learning experience of what may be wrong on your car, IF you want to go to this circuit !!??
 

MTGTS

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Been there, done that. Don't really go to shows anymore as 90% of them have shenanigans. Go do a track day in your area and you'll never care if you go to another show again unless it's just to hang out with friends.
 

Cop Magnet

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The hate starts at the bottom with some kid who thinks your car is awesome but he "read" that the Z06 is faster or the Lambo is more expensive. It travels uphill to the ********* in the Corvette at the light who won't look at you to even give that "car-guy" head nod. Then guys like this judge, who have some preconceived notion over what Viper ownership means and how he is going toget back at you over it. Then, lastly, it is the automotive magazine reviewer. They hate us with a passion, no idea why. But it comes full circle when they do a supercar comparo and include only the GTR, Porsche, and Corvette, doesn't it?
 

ViperGeorge

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I've got boxes of trophies in the basement from local shows. The only trophy that is worth anything is the type of trophy awarded at a single Mark national show. One where the judges actually know what they are doing. Winning a gold award at one of these shows can increase the value of your car when you go to sell it but the rest don't really mean cr@p.

While a Viper might win a people's choice award it really shouldn't win a trophy against an older well restored car. Let's face it unless it is modded to hell its too easy to buy a brand new Viper and drive it to a show and have people go "wow". That doesn't mean that the Viper should win an award.
 

ROYMAN

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In my experience, not from entering my viper into shows but from being witness to the results of others doing so, there are a few kinds of shows to avoid if you are looking to win some hardware....
1. shows that are mostly classic cars - your potential in terms of how many trophies you qualify for is limited and chances are the audience and judges will be biased towards something that is not a viper.
2. shows that don't have a large domestic attendance - why? because otherwise a viper will constantly be compared to things that its not and judged by people who don't understand or appreciate the car
3. shows specifically for modded cars - chances are, both stock for stock and mod v. stock, a viper will still be more impressive than most everything out there, with the competition coming from intense FI set ups in skylines, supras, gallardos, etc. this breeds resentment from alot of the spectators and judges - why? "people don't like that "you can just buy a car and put it in a show" and some people just plain "don't like vipers" :D
 

swexlin

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I take both the Viper and the Superbee SRT8 to shows - some all makes/models, and some all-Mopar. 99% of the time, I get compliments and questions, and positive feedback, even from the ricer crowd - especially on the SRT8. This includes the Ford and Chevy guys too. At the Carlisle Performance and Style show, a new Camaro SS and my Superbee were parked next to each other all day, and we got SO many questions from all the young guys and old guys alike.

I don't believe, short time I've had the car, I've ever had a negative or derogatory comment on the Viper. Just last week, I went to a little M&G with many exotics, including two 2008 F430s, and even the F-car and P-car guys liked the Vipers (there were three of us there).
 

Firewater

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Typical vette owner that wishes he had a Viper, but is too much of a **** to learn how to drive a stick!!!! lol... :bdh:
 

AFL in NJ

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Were you wearing one of the "God made Vipers so that Corvette guys would have someone to look up to" shirts?

Hahaha!

Regards,
Aaron
 

97GTS

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Sorry, but when a Corvette owner is in charge of a show, I'm surprised he didn't have you escorted off of the property.

Maybe arrested.

Maybe shot and buried out behind the A&W.


Just be glad that you lived to tell the story.



I am a little curious: Did he have a little tinge of green around his gills?

Corvettes are nice but they will NEVER be Vipers and this guy knows it.




Ron
 

Jim C

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I put my completely stock ACR in a show (by invitation as well). It was parked next to 3 awesome Lambo's, immaculate Ford GT's, Audi R8, Porsches... Much to my surprise it won a trophy for "Best Exotic".
 

fireball

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I put my completely stock ACR in a show (by invitation as well). It was parked next to 3 awesome Lambo's, immaculate Ford GT's, Audi R8, Porsches... Much to my surprise it won a trophy for "Best Exotic".

I entered my ACR (and my vert.) in a car show last year. I won a trophy.

Truthfully though, putting an ACR in a car show instead of going to the track is like using fine scotch as paint thinner. It's just wrong.

I did it - but I'm not proud....

As was posted earlier. Join up for a track day and you'll likely never go to a car show again.

Greg
 

Keik SRT-10

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was this you?
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVDAM534how[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xy4XCxKPAU[/media]
 

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