Ralph "needs a raise" Thread.

bluestreak · Mar 18, 2013

The man has managed to save the Viper, and in an age where design CEO's sit back and let you take what they give you, he goes out and makes his team hurry up with the goods to get a car out to beat the competition. Within a couple of months!!! That's unheard of. All while keeping and extra one clip (Trofeo/MPSC) in the chamber and a bozooka (ACR) strapped to the back.

On top of that, within a year of debut, has the SRT ALMS running at the front of the pack (small issues will come, that can be fixed but the car is undeniably competitive and one of the fastest). Corvette, Porsche and Ferrari have been going pretty much non-stop for almost 15 years. BMW has about 5 and we all know how badly big money BMW struggled at first and had to get all sorts of handicaps to get the M3 to the front.

Now imagine if this man had the same budget as Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari, Nissan head guys do.............

I don't think everyone recognizes the magnitude of what SRT has accomplished with a small team on a limited budget (relative to competition) in such a short period of time. In spite of what Viper faithful may believe, I don't know that the Viper has ever been represented better than it is being right now. And he can and DOES drive the wheels off the car too.

I'd challenge anyone to find a better guy to represent the car they love. I've been a BMW, Corvette and Porsche fanboy at various times over the years, but I firmly cannot wait to have a Gen V in my garage to mash everything with.

Kratos · Mar 18, 2013

I agree........unreal....

patgilm · Mar 18, 2013

What I am impressed with most is that they went out and fixed a lot of the issues with the pre-production car based on what MT had raised when they did the ZR1 vs. Viper comparison. A lot of people weren't happy with the way SRT handled the situation (i.e. giving them a preproduction car to use in the test) but I am happy it was a pre-production car and not a production car that got a beatdown. I find it amazing that in the short amount of time from the first test that they were able to make some changes that made a big difference rather then handing them a production car and trying to deal with its shortcomings after some were already in the hands of owners.

Andrew/USPWR · Mar 18, 2013

Yeah, whatever he's making it's not enough

Viper X · Mar 18, 2013

Who signed off on the 4th gear "overall ratio" for the Gen V I wonder? The shorter 3.55 rear gear combined with the 1:1 fourth gear in the Viper definitely hurts the Viper in the 0 - 150 test, which the ZR1 beats us to.

It will also hurt on many of the faster road courses. I'd guess they'll fix that too.....I hope.....

VENOM V · Mar 18, 2013

bluestreak said:
The man has managed to save the Viper, and in an age where design CEO's sit back and let you take what they give you, he goes out and makes his team hurry up with the goods to get a car out to beat the competition. Within a couple of months!!! That's unheard of. All while keeping and extra one clip (Trofeo/MPSC) in the chamber and a bozooka (ACR) strapped to the back.

On top of that, within a year of debut, has the SRT ALMS running at the front of the pack (small issues will come, that can be fixed but the car is undeniably competitive and one of the fastest). Corvette, Porsche and Ferrari have been going pretty much non-stop for almost 15 years. BMW has about 5 and we all know how badly big money BMW struggled at first and had to get all sorts of handicaps to get the M3 to the front.

Now imagine if this man had the same budget as Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari, Nissan head guys do.............

I don't think everyone recognizes the magnitude of what SRT has accomplished with a small team on a limited budget (relative to competition) in such a short period of time. In spite of what Viper faithful may believe, I don't know that the Viper has ever been represented better than it is being right now. And he can and DOES drive the wheels off the car too.

I'd challenge anyone to find a better guy to represent the car they love. I've been a BMW, Corvette and Porsche fanboy at various times over the years, but I firmly cannot wait to have a Gen V in my garage to mash everything with.

Amen Bluestreak, hard to add anything to that!

bluestreak · Mar 18, 2013

I forgot to include the SRT engineers as well for engineering the car to still keep it's bite while making it safer to drive. From Randy's dialect it still seems to have it's fangs but will reward you if you don't back down from it.

I absolutely LOVE cars like that. They separate the men from the boys. While everyone else is going computer everything, some people are still using good ole fashioned mechanical (rather than electrical nanny) engineering. I know they read here and have heard all of the negative nonsense. So hopefully they will appreciate a well deserved pat on the back!

ViperSmith · Mar 18, 2013

Viper X said:
Who signed off on the 4th gear "overall ratio" for the Gen V I wonder? The shorter 3.55 rear gear combined with the 1:1 fourth gear in the Viper definitely hurts the Viper in the 0 - 150 test, which the ZR1 beats us to.

It will also hurt on many of the faster road courses. I'd guess they'll fix that too.....I hope.....

I'd bet the gearing changes for the ACR - the models now are the "viable" models for general road use and possible track - to generate revenue. The ACR - if the Gen V does well, could just end up being a complete monster.

Nsane1 · Mar 18, 2013

Great thought bluestreak. There is not an executive that cares more, does more, is more passionate, listens/talks to us as owners and future buyers than this guy. Lutz is the only person I can consider that is even close, and many consider him to be the best car guy exec there ever was. But I'll tell you, I never met Lutz once in the early days, and I've met Ralph numerous times in the short amount of time he's been around.

I'd say raise, but NO promotion, he needs to stay where he is (for purely selfish reasons).
Greg

JAY · Mar 18, 2013

I Concour give team SRT a Raise !

ACRucrazy · Mar 18, 2013

ACR beats ZR1 = Awesome car, track weapon! Street legal tires! So badass! Bow before all that is awesome!
ZR1 beats Viper = Booo hiss, get with it SRT. ZR1 cheated with slicks. This car is a let down, I'm keeping my old car.
Viper beats ZR1 = Hooray! Awesome! I drive the best car on the planet! Give everyone a raise!

Until next time Batman...

vipernut · Mar 18, 2013

Ditto!! What they ALL said!!

1BADGTS · Mar 18, 2013

ViperSmith said:
I'd bet the gearing changes for the ACR - the models now are the "viable" models for general road use and possible track - to generate revenue. The ACR - if the Gen V does well, could just end up being a complete monster.

Its not who signed off its what is ALLOWED by the governing powers to be namely Dodge( in house driveabiility ,durabilitytests ) and certain govt mandate tests .A car company just doesnt go changing ratios everything must fit within budget and testing parameters

JLorello · Mar 18, 2013

1BADGTS said:
Its not who signed off its what is ALLOWED by the governing powers to be namely Dodge( in house driveabiility ,durabilitytests ) and certain govt mandate tests .A car company just doesnt go changing ratios everything must fit within budget and testing parameters

So the 2010 revised 5th gear was because the powers that be (Dodge and the government as you say) mandated it?

It wasn't because dodge wanted a higher top speed at Nurburgring?

ViperSmith · Mar 18, 2013

1BADGTS said:
Its not who signed off its what is ALLOWED by the governing powers to be namely Dodge( in house driveabiility ,durabilitytests ) and certain govt mandate tests .A car company just doesnt go changing ratios everything must fit within budget and testing parameters

Ok, well this is obvious to just about everyone.

1BADGTS · Mar 18, 2013

I have no idea as it could literally be a dozen things .Does changing ratios effect interior noise decib tests .Does changing ratios effect corp fuel econ .Is there a warranty issue. Is there a budgitary issue if certain trans or rear ends were purchased ,set up prev manner .For years SRT wanted to get rid of the 3.07 rear in the prev GENS but couldnt for some of the reasons i listed above .

Bird325 · Mar 18, 2013

I think the entire team, and especially Ralph, deserves every minute of praise that they get for what has been done with the Gen V. Driving the pre-production car at VOI gave me a taste of what team SRT is capable of. You can feel it when you talk to the engineers and to Ralph ... this isn't just a job, it's a passion with these guys! Every time I see a Gen V on the track, it makes me smile and I thank Ralph and his team of dreamers for making this a reality. :2tu:

BigDawg · Mar 19, 2013

SRT does need some recognition, and so do the so called "trolls" and "naysayers" on this site for raising the alarm and getting SRT serious about making it right. Fortunately, SRT listened, Ralph listened, and they've made headway in record time. Kudos to Ralph and team SRT. Thank you for rolling with the punches and fixing the major concerns.

bluesrt · Mar 19, 2013

you guys that want everyone to get a raise, can also pay more for the car and parts now..... you now will get handed the smart guy award.... :bonker:

bluestreak · Mar 19, 2013

Why so serious? This is just a kudos thread.

We won't need to anyways, because now that the Viper is wiping the floor with the competition like everyone expects it too, and is more civilized, they can sell a lot more of them, and even make a mini-viper thingy to sell a lot of and make more money. SRT is doing big things and there seems to be a bright future ahead. They will earn their keep.

Mamba52 · Mar 19, 2013

1BADGTS said:
I have no idea as it could literally be a dozen things .Does changing ratios effect interior noise decib tests .Does changing ratios effect corp fuel econ .Is there a warranty issue. Is there a budgitary issue if certain trans or rear ends were purchased ,set up prev manner .For years SRT wanted to get rid of the 3.07 rear in the prev GENS but couldnt for some of the reasons i listed above .

I now have a aluminum flywheel and 355 gears in my Gen 3 and love the way the car drives now.

VIPER GTSR 91 · Mar 19, 2013

Well said and SRT along with team Viper are doing a fine job. Not an SRT but hope they get that huge recall just announced on the 2013 Challenger 6 cyl. with electrical fire issues. Owners getting loaners and told not to drive their cars and keep them out of the garage. Ouch

TexasTorred · Mar 19, 2013

Agreed on Ralph.

Don't forget Sergio (Marchionne) and the Board! We all report to somebody--even Ralph

Bill Pemberton Woodhouse · Mar 19, 2013

TexasTorred --- well said, I think Ralph would heartily agree and thank his lucky stars his Boss is another automotive fanatic. Great place to be a Motorhead in 2013 ---Chrysler Corp!!!!!

Marv S · Mar 19, 2013

Enlighten us on what the Viper faithful may believe.

bluestreak said:
In spite of what Viper faithful may believe, I don't know that the Viper has ever been represented better than it is being right now.

Policy Limits · Mar 19, 2013

he could always do what other CEO's that got bail out money from Obama did....give [Ihimself][/I]a raise/bonus....a big one. what a country hee hee

Mopar Boy · Mar 19, 2013

Ralph is da man. No doubtaboutit!

TexasTorred · Mar 19, 2013

QUOTE=Bill Pemberton Woodhouse;3163446]TexasTorred --- well said, I think Ralph would heartily agree and thank his lucky stars his Boss is another automotive fanatic. Great place to be a Motorhead in 2013 ---Chrysler Corp!!!!![/QUOTE]

Thank you Sir. I was told a story that at first Marchionne was a little on-the-fence on the Viper and a lot of........'in love' with his Enzo.........glad he saw the light!

There's also a great account in Maurice Liang's SRT Viper whereby Chrysler President Olivier Francois stood by Giles at a crucial meeting to save the Viper.......See, those French aren't that bad!

Merci bocu

p.s. Had to stop by CAAP and 'thank the team in person!' This one's nice, but I'll take mine in orange with TA on the side please LOL

You must be registered for see images attach

Viper Grenade · Mar 21, 2013

I have had at one time or another all 4 Gen of Viper. My favorite is still the Gen2 (granted its a TT monster). But even the miles in have put on my Gen4 it still doesn't have the feel of the Gen2. Yes the Gen 4 (stock for sock) was better in every way but it just didn't have the Tao of the Gen 2. I am saving judgement of the Gen5 until I drive one but so far...not sure I want it.

PeerBlock · Mar 24, 2013

Well said.

The Viper is a car that, by all accounts, shouldn't exist...with big automakers being pigeon-holed into producing craptastic eco-friendly cars nobody wants by the feds to the point where they are essentially penalized for having a car like the Viper in their ranks (thanks to CAFE), only a handful are keeping it real and making cars like this that echo a time when America was a productive nation that took pride in the things it built.

I was at the dealer within days after they announced that they were taking orders for the Viper and I've ordered my own. Aside from it being one hell of a **** car that basically hooked me at first glance, especially in stryker red, I really got a sense that the people who made it were driven by passion and not dollars or satisfying some b.s. government mandate.

I'm sure that Ralph would appreciate a raise but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that he's the kind of guy who would have done this just to do it even if the pay wasn't spectacular. Either way he certainly deserve props for pulling it off.

Side note- gotta appreciate the irony in seeing "sensible" people regard cars like the Viper as "impractical" as they climb into their battery-operated ****** on wheels that needs to sit and charge for hours to go like 40 miles.

Ralph "needs a raise" Thread.

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