ViperStaring
Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2010
- Posts
- 42
- Reaction score
- 0
I had my first experience of a car race earlier today, as a guest of the Viper Club of America, Northern California Region.
The Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, held Round 6 of the Formula Drift Pro Championship race, and the VCA had a secluded section all of its own at the best vantage point, at the far end of the bleachers right next to the 270-degree turn, whereas the general audience were baking under the sun. A stationary RV sporting the Viper Club of America banner marked the area beyond which ten Vipers were parked, plus a tent for the member drivers to watch the race in comfort. That is reason alone to become a Viper owner.
According to Maurice Liang, president of the regional club, drift racing originated in Japan decades ago, and 2004 was the first year a race took place in the U.S. I used to have tremendous respect for race car drivers as a kid. The drift racing today reawakened my admiration for them. The display of power of focus and seamless execution at the race was a sight to behold, and one that inspires.
Besides good company from the very gracious and hospitable Maurice and fellow members, I also was given a passenger ride by member Bill Todd in his '99 GTS-R! Even though Bill has an aftermarket muffler system for an additional 15hp, which supposedly sounded louder than stock, he took me on a 10-minute drive on the local freeway away from the raceway, and I thought it was not as deafening as the 2007 Ford Shelby GT-500 that I also tested a few months back. More powerful and less noisy. I love that.
My thanks to Maurice, Todd, Robin, Terri, and many others who chatted with me about owning a Viper, whose name I didn't grasp. Now, more than ever, I want to implement the complete evacuation of my warehouse of a garage and garage a Viper in it. My SLK350 will just have to sit on the driveway. The SSG Viper featured is Maurice Liang's personal ride, a 2008 SRT-10.
Postscript: I had intended to post lots of pictures, but found out only paid members have the privilege of posting pictures up to 500MB. Sorry.
The Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA, held Round 6 of the Formula Drift Pro Championship race, and the VCA had a secluded section all of its own at the best vantage point, at the far end of the bleachers right next to the 270-degree turn, whereas the general audience were baking under the sun. A stationary RV sporting the Viper Club of America banner marked the area beyond which ten Vipers were parked, plus a tent for the member drivers to watch the race in comfort. That is reason alone to become a Viper owner.
According to Maurice Liang, president of the regional club, drift racing originated in Japan decades ago, and 2004 was the first year a race took place in the U.S. I used to have tremendous respect for race car drivers as a kid. The drift racing today reawakened my admiration for them. The display of power of focus and seamless execution at the race was a sight to behold, and one that inspires.
Besides good company from the very gracious and hospitable Maurice and fellow members, I also was given a passenger ride by member Bill Todd in his '99 GTS-R! Even though Bill has an aftermarket muffler system for an additional 15hp, which supposedly sounded louder than stock, he took me on a 10-minute drive on the local freeway away from the raceway, and I thought it was not as deafening as the 2007 Ford Shelby GT-500 that I also tested a few months back. More powerful and less noisy. I love that.
My thanks to Maurice, Todd, Robin, Terri, and many others who chatted with me about owning a Viper, whose name I didn't grasp. Now, more than ever, I want to implement the complete evacuation of my warehouse of a garage and garage a Viper in it. My SLK350 will just have to sit on the driveway. The SSG Viper featured is Maurice Liang's personal ride, a 2008 SRT-10.
Postscript: I had intended to post lots of pictures, but found out only paid members have the privilege of posting pictures up to 500MB. Sorry.
Last edited:
. When we cruise with my buddies in single files [ Viper GTS , Ferrari 550 Maranello and Noble M400 ] the reaction of motorists is even more unbelievable 
