Is it just me or does activity in the Viper world seem low?

Jason Heffner · Jun 5, 2015

A few weeks ago I had one of our good customers bring his supercharged 96 GTS in for service. It happened to be the same 96 GTS that we made the world's first 9 second supercharged 9 second pass in. I took the car out for a drive and it really got my head going with thoughts about my early Viper days. The car brought back some great memories of good times we had.

It seemed that at least a few of us were always going out to play and three or four of us would rent the drag strip once every month or two just to go out and make passes and the number of hours spent applying coats of Zaino to my car were countless. Not to mention the V10 Nationals where we would get 50 Vipers or more from around the country for some heads up drag racing. Every outing in the car was an event that I looked forward to.

Now, I so rarely even see a Viper. Not at the race events that we go to and very rarely running around the streets. In part, I was maybe looking for a good excuse to get another Viper but then thought "What will I do with it?" since I don't know of anyone that ever comes out to play anymore.

I'm interested to hear some of your thoughts.

Free2go · Jun 5, 2015

In my area, I'm always out tearing up the street (weather permitting). I do my part to promote the Viper. I see them all the damn time here in North Texas...lots of G5's. You should open up a shop here.

Sybil TF · Jun 5, 2015

Just owning this car is a delight!

zombiesnake · Jun 5, 2015

Yeah its sad, they were definitely a lot more common back in the day. you would see a couple at car shows back in the day and now at a large super car show over the weekend there were multiple ferraris, lambos, maserattis, and gtrs and i was only 1 of 2 vipers.

Jason Heffner · Jun 5, 2015

That is great to hear, for you, Free2go. I don't see us moving to Texas anytime soon but it's good to know somebody is out tearing it up.

Sybil, I understand what you are saying and can't disagree. I've had three GTS' over the years and thoroughly enjoyed each one.

Bobpantax · Jun 5, 2015

The "new" Viper owners, as a group, appear to be more show and less go than the older Gen crowd with a few notable exceptions.

NMviperguy · Jun 5, 2015

I must be one of those exceptions, seems I always have my foot in mine... I mean running against mustangs?? But damn. I've only got to race one stingray and had a c6 say she couldn't... Gotta get it where you can! I don't know what the scene was like here in the past... I know there was a chapter here, seems defunct now, I've seen one beautiful GTS a few weeks ago, bright orange with stripes. We messed around on the freeway a bit, but outside of that not much action. A buddy of mine did see another, I believe a 4th gen by the rims, with a few lambos at a shopping center. I don't know, maybe I need to hit up some of the local shows, they just have never been really my thing. I like to drive. Hitting up the local dragway tonight though, gonna get some baseline numbers. Wish me luck!

johniew398 · Jun 5, 2015

Wouldn't know as in this region you rarely see another Viper. In seven years of owning a Viper I've only seen three other Vipers in this area.

Jason Heffner · Jun 5, 2015

Good luck at the track tonight, NM. Let us know how you do.

EllowViper · Jun 5, 2015

I was going to try hitting Test and Tune at Bradenton on a regular basis but I could never get a read from the track regarding the need for their 'required' safety gear if running 11.5 or faster. Poor excuse but I wasn't making the drive without answers up front. Dan Lesser is moving to the area so maybe he'll stimulate some new enthusiasm...one never knows.

gb66gth · Jun 5, 2015

The North Texas Viper Club guys are active and a really good group of peeps. That said, I don't see a lot of Vipers out on the roads, a good and bad thing.

DaJerseyViper · Jun 5, 2015

Thats the issue with a very low production car. I wanted a Viper since the mid 90's and since then have literally seen 2 on the roads in NJ.

Viper Specialty · Jun 5, 2015

Hey Jason,

I think its a number of things. For one, many of the big-dollar guys have moved to Lambo, and due to the "timing", the Viper crowd was sitting in a niche that got whacked pretty hard by the economy hit in 2008. Beyond that, the aftermarket has largely moved on to other makes, Dodge has gone out of their way to make the aftermarket's lives difficult, and the VCA and resulting VOA club nonsense has done a number on it as well. Its just a perfect storm, to say the least.

Paul Hawker · Jun 5, 2015

Depends on your region. In many areas, the splitting up of the club caused things to go pretty dark. In other regions there seems to be a revitalization of owners. They have been reorganizing with simple phone calls. Someone wants to go out for a run, and calls up a bunch of his buddies and the put together a cruise to somewhere.

Pretty informal, but tons of it going on.

If things are slow in your area, just pick up the phone. Reconstitute your local owners, and go for a ride....Old School.

Nsane1 · Jun 5, 2015

I think ViperSpeciality hit it right. I know of many who are moving onto other marques that are somewhat similar in price. I also agree with Bob that the new buyers aren't typically "die hard" viper faithful.

That said, we have 1-3 events a month here in NTX, we had some issues with the rain, but June should be fun...

FLAT OUT · Jun 5, 2015

Hi Jason, Good to see you on the forums. You've done some great work for me! The Central/North Florida Viper Club of America is very active! In Feb., 2015
we had a great showing of Vipers in downtown Sarasota at the car show, in December we had such a large response for a presentation /luncheon with Dick
Winkles from SRT Engineering that we had to move to a larger venue that could accomodate the crowd at St Armands. Last summer we had a dyno day at a
members race shop in Bradenton. We would love to do an event at your shop sometime. We have events almost monthly at various places around the state and sometimes combine them with the South Florida VCA. Hope you're doing well !

ViperPete · Jun 5, 2015

Having only owned mine for 2 months I haven't had much seat time as I work a lot. But, I can say when I am driving the car I am loving it.

Make a road trip up here to Ocala!

Id love to meet another Viper owner!

LadyCruzer · Jun 5, 2015

We are having a few Vipers tomorrow morning at the Lakeland Linder Airport, cars and coffee, from 8AM -10AM. This is a regular thing--the first Saturday of every month,same time, same place. It's free and always a really good time! Some of us head upstairs and have breakfast together. There is always an unusual blend of 30-50 cars and an interesting mix of people! Come join us ,Viper Pete! The central/north Florida VCA had about 12-15 activities in 2014, and in various parts of the state! Next month we are working on a tour in the Daytona area. I would like to invite all you Florida Viper owners to join the VCA so you can be informed of all gatherings in the sunshine state! We have a lot of fun together, and you will really enjoy the people ,all while having a blast in your car.Girlfriends,wives and children are always welcome to come along !Look forward to hearing from some of you! Cathy

CWhiteRun · Jun 5, 2015

Viper Specialty said:
Hey Jason,

I think its a number of things. For one, many of the big-dollar guys have moved to Lambo, and due to the "timing", the Viper crowd was sitting in a niche that got whacked pretty hard by the economy hit in 2008. Beyond that, the aftermarket has largely moved on to other makes, Dodge has gone out of their way to make the aftermarket's lives difficult, and the VCA and resulting VOA club nonsense has done a number on it as well. Its just a perfect storm, to say the least.

I think if one of of the big tuners would have a 2 day track event, more would come out of the woodwork. Problem is to get enough to commit to a race event with it only being a one day thing. If you or Jason were to get one going, advertise it widely. The ********* guys will come.

Free2go · Jun 5, 2015

The Viper will come back around. Take some advice from a room full of pimps.....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mvp-nOz9Gk

NMviperguy · Jun 6, 2015

Jason Heffner said:
Good luck at the track tonight, NM. Let us know how you do.

TimeTempHumidityBarometerDew PointGrainsAir DensityDensity Altitude

06/05 05:00 PM8126%24.42 Hg4350.077.55 %8450 ft.

06/05 08:00 PM7536%24.42 Hg4656.978.30 %81.40 ft., track info here at alb dragway last night. Track sits 5200ft and change so a mile high track here... And there were a few cars that broke down on the track so I only got 2 runs. Keep in mind I've only had my viper for a month and not many drag races from a dig. So I have no idea how these numbers compare to what they should be, and I only started messing with the tire pressure and catching traction on my last run, my pilot sports are also well worn and in need of a new set. With that said my goal was 12s, and I know if I had more runs and time to mess with pressure it would have been attainable. My first run was 13.4, I don't have the slips I'm sorry so don't know my traps. Second run was 13.1 @ I believe 115. My viper is bone stock, with only roe racing air filters. Good, bad? What should I be able to get, last run was much less tire spin, but still had large amounts of improvements to be had...

NMviperguy · Jun 6, 2015

EllowViper said:
I was going to try hitting Test and Tune at Bradenton on a regular basis but I could never get a read from the track regarding the need for their 'required' safety gear if running 11.5 or faster. Poor excuse but I wasn't making the drive without answers up front. Dan Lesser is moving to the area so maybe he'll stimulate some new enthusiasm...one never knows.

Ellow, the alb dragway uses NHRA rules. Only safety you need since we run 13.99 or faster is a fire jacket and a Snell helmet, anything slower them 10.99 does not require anything else. Hope you make it out this year!

plumcrazy · Jun 6, 2015

Jason Heffner said:
A few weeks ago I had one of our good customers bring his supercharged 96 GTS in for service. It happened to be the same 96 GTS that we made the world's first 9 second supercharged 9 second pass in. I took the car out for a drive and it really got my head going with thoughts about my early Viper days. The car brought back some great memories of good times we had.

It seemed that at least a few of us were always going out to play and three or four of us would rent the drag strip once every month or two just to go out and make passes and the number of hours spent applying coats of Zaino to my car were countless. Not to mention the V10 Nationals where we would get 50 Vipers or more from around the country for some heads up drag racing. Every outing in the car was an event that I looked forward to.

Now, I so rarely even see a Viper. Not at the race events that we go to and very rarely running around the streets. In part, I was maybe looking for a good excuse to get another Viper but then thought "What will I do with it?" since I don't know of anyone that ever comes out to play anymore.

I'm interested to hear some of your thoughts.

jason heffner ? who are you ?

name sounds vaguely familiar...

Darth Menace · Jun 6, 2015

zombiesnake said:
Yeah its sad, they were definitely a lot more common back in the day. you would see a couple at car shows back in the day and now at a large super car show over the weekend there were multiple ferraris, lambos, maserattis, and gtrs and i was only 1 of 2 vipers.

I brought mine to a smaller car show last weekend. Had a tonne of pictures and complements. The the three 1990's awards go to......two mustangs and one camaro. that's when I knew it was a rigged judging

Free2go · Jun 7, 2015

Darth Menace said:
I brought mine to a smaller car show last weekend. Had a tonne of pictures and complements. The the three 1990's awards go to......two mustangs and one camaro. that's when I knew it was a rigged judging

Every car show I have ever been to I have won first in the 90's category. Every single one. There wasn't crap that could even come close to a Viper in the 90's. There's three reasons why you could have lost. First, it was rigged. Second, your Viper was really dirty. Third, you come off as a major league ****** in person. The last one shouldn't even come into play. Just about every Corvette owner with the revolving toy Corvette in the engine bay and the large "history placard" on display in the front of the car falls into number three....

Darth Menace · Jun 7, 2015

1) I might sound like a spoil sport, but I believe it was rigged. It was a smaller car show ran by a local cruisers club and I am guessing everyone linked to it got a trophy.

2)car was cleaned by clay bar/polish/wax.

3)no plaque or anything...

plumcrazy · Jun 7, 2015

a good parking spot is the reason to go to shows, not trophies

Free2go · Jun 7, 2015

Darth Menace said:
1) I might sound like a spoil sport, but I believe it was rigged. It was a smaller car show ran by a local cruisers club and I am guessing everyone linked to it got a trophy.

2)car was cleaned by clay bar/polish/wax.

3)no plaque or anything...

Let me tell you how to win a car show. After you park your car, get the hell away from it. Don't sit next to it. Let people look at it and talk about it without YOU sitting around. Let their imaginations operate without your input. Then walk around and compliment the cars of EVERY owner. Talk to each owner and act genuinely interested in their hunk of $hit. Laugh at their bull$hit, always refocusing back on how beautiful their car is and how a member of your family has one and that was THE car that inspired you. Take your time...you have plenty of boring ass time so make your rounds. Now comes the voting, so slither back over to your car and sit down in your rickety ass lawn chair with a smile on your face. All the owners will vote for you and you will win. Take my simple advice, and your garage walls will be covered in cheesy plaques by the end of the summer.

3whitevipers · Jun 7, 2015

Jason--
Let's have an event to see your shop and a couple turbo Viper installs. There are Vipers here in Sarasota--I think that I can come up with ten names or so here in town. Lot's of the guys still work and have families which severely limits " Viper Time" That being said, I know an event at your shop would turn out a lot of Vipers. I would be happy to arrange this with Cathy Smiley( VCA Midsouth SE Director at large) if you were willing to have a VCA event at your shop. I'm here on Bird Key which is very close to your shop. PM me or I'm in the book--Dave Poelke

MoparMap · Jun 8, 2015

It's funny because I always seem to be late to the party whenever I join a group. I joined the local Vette club several years back and heard several stories of some of the shows they went to and fun they had (not the same kind of fun I've had with the Viper club, but still), but I didn't have the time or money to go to out to state stuff back when I joined (still in school). I joined the Viper club and heard all sorts of crazy stories of the antics and adventures that went on, but a lot of that has died down and it's become a little more casual club. They're still some of the greatest people I've ever met and I've been able to do a few out of state trips to meet many more owners. I'd still rather hang out with Viper guys that most other car people I've met, but it does feel like several people have "moved on" so to speak. The car is not nearly in the limelight it used to be in I don't think, so it doesn't draw as much of a following. You don't necessarily need production numbers for popularity, just a reputation. The Viper had a much bigger reputation in the past as an in your face no holds barred analog car that will bite you if you get it wrong. It still has that stigma, but realistically has become a much nicer car and at least a little easier to handle. It doesn't feel like it attracts quite the same crowd and attention. I've pretty much never seen them at car shows and when I bring mine you get some interesting looks.

Is it just me or does activity in the Viper world seem low?

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