ACR @ Putnam Park

[SammyV]

Had A chance to ride along with Aaron Vanasche (A Viper Days instructor) in his new ACR saturday at Putnam Park. I drive a 2001 GTS with an Arrow engine 520rwhp 545rwtq and have run a few laps in the 1:18 range. This car is in a whole new league! The speed in the corners was unbelevable! I knew it would be quicker but WOW!!! Turn 1 I'll run 80-85mph, we rolled through 100+ mph and with such ease!! While I didn't clock any laps it was obviously quicker than I have rounded the track! The biggest differance besides the corner speeds, is how setteled the car is on entry. While my GTS struggles for grip this ACR plants and goes! The ACR has awesome exceleration! It feels like it makes a bit more power than my GTS.Thank you Aaron for allowing me to experience your incredible driving skills and incredible car! The only problem is now I want one!!! SammyV

 

[Rich Wesorick]

Sammy - Putnam was fun, and you couldn't have picked a better driver than Aaron!

Rich

 

[SammyV]

Hey Rich, I won't soon forget that ride!! SammyV

 

[Steve-Indy]

Well I have to agree with both of you, Aaron is fast and smooth...AND, a heck of a nice guy!!!

Rich, once again, CONGRATS on winning Saturday's race...and thanks for a great weekend!!!

 

[Boxer12]

Did Aaron have GPS on his car, because I know he was running 18" wheels, which makes the speedo way off. Not to suggest the cars aren't fast, I was getting over 130 in 3rd gear (with OEM tires and wheels), and not exactly sure how fast I was turning turn 1, but was right behind a CC on several occasions and would hang with them pretty close although they had Hoosiers (as did Aaron) and i was on PSC's. These cars are crazy fast, definately in a different league than a GTS.

 

[Rich Wesorick]

Steve - Thank you for all your help with organizing the event, "working" the paddock, and helping Ben and I tear down to go home. You truly are one in million!

The race was a war of attrition, but I'll take a overall win anyway I can get it...

Great to see you as always,
Rich

ps - I'm waiting to see some pics from Leslie

 

[Leslie]

I have pics, I do I promise, just got home! haha

Wow what a great time, I also had the pleasure of riding with Aaron, his driving skills match the high performance of his ACR, that's for sure!

So many wonderful people, I couldn't believe the generosity of Kathy and Jim, their guys that helped me with my Viper, including Steve Fess, "Dr. Viper" (think he spent more time fixing my car than I did), the comp coupe guys....it all was a dream weekend for me!

There is NOTHING like the sound of race cars at the track, to be there in person, ride in a car, RUN this track in your Viper with other members...it doesn't get any better

Here's some pics of the Viper race on Saturday, click on picture to make larger or go into my gallery for higher resolution.

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Steve - Thank you for all your help with organizing the event, "working" the paddock, and helping Ben and I tear down to go home. You truly are one in million!

The race was a war of attrition, but I'll take a overall win anyway I can get it...

Great to see you as always,
Rich

ps - I'm waiting to see some pics from Leslie

 

[Steve-Indy]

Nice pics, Leslie!!!...minus one.

 

[Leslie]

Nice pics, Leslie!!!...minus one.

haha! You are in 4 of them

 

[BJ MOTORS]

Looks like you had a great time, I wish that I could have been there. Rich congrats on your win. I hear Steve's car has wings. Thanks for the continued support All I could do all weekend was think about how much fun you guys were having.Hope to see some of you in Texas and then in Georgia and Finals in Daytona. Wow summer is creeping to an end fast. Glad everyone was safe.

 

[ssnaked]

Jim, Ben, Rich, Steve and all the others, congratulations on a great event? And Rich, great win! We will have a Hoosier hat waiting for you. I look forward to seeing all of you at Roebling and Daytona.

John T.

 

[SCLSSRT10]

I never knew vipers could fly! According to the spectators I got the car about 1-1/2' in the air twice trying to avoid getting hit by Ben as he spun coming out of Dead Bear. I don't suggest going over rumble strip at 90 degree while doing about 60-70 MPH things get real interesting when that happens. I haven't had a chance to look over the suspension yet but the car drove find on Sunday morning, equalling my best ever lap times at Putnam which I achieved on Saturday.

Bernie, We did miss you.

Great weekend, Thanks to Jim Stout and Ben Matey for making it happen.

007

 

[Steve-Indy]

I'll grab your e-mail address and forward some pics of that near-flight that were extracted from a movie taken by one of our members who was standing on the porch of the Tower.

Thanks, again, for
your efforts and hospitality this weekend!!!

 

[Stretch]

haha! You are in 4 of them

Some keepers for the next news letter


Sorry I couldn't detour to make a stop at Putnam on the way home, but it was going to be pretty hot as it was driving back and I may not have survived! I went the last 2 years and had a blast so hopefully I can make it again.

 

[FordSVTGuy]

Thanks for allowing a Ford guy to hang with you all Saturday. I had a great time and enjoyed meeting everyone. I would love to come back to another Viper days event in the future.

...and as Ben said to me...maybe by then I will have changed from a Ford to the "dark side" and own a Viper.

 

[Rich Wesorick]

Mike:

The power of the dark side is quite strong...

Glad you were there!

Rich