Another One Bites the Dust

[ViperGMC]

On 12/19/04 I was driving my SRT pretty fast. It was a cold night and the tires were cold. I shift aggressively into 4th and rear end broke lose to the right. I tried to correct but I could not grip. It began to spin and went off the road, through a fence, slammed into a parked pickup and then wrapped it around a tree. The car impacted the tree just in front of the driver’s door. The F-150 was knocked about 20 feet. It compressed the driver’s compartment to half its size. I unbuckle my seat belt and exited the passenger door called my wife and waited for the police. The police were convinced that I was drunk and gave me 4 sobriety tests (reminiscent of the scene in the **** with Steve Martin). Anyway, not a scratch but my pride was a little damaged. Once the police realized that I was not drunk they began to rib me about “what it used to be”.

My wife bet me that I would have another Viper in less than a week, she knows me too well. I am picking my new car up on Thursday. I arranged with the insurance company to remove all the aftermarket stuff including the supercharger. I have already ordered a new rotors and a Corsa setup from the Partsrack and will have the whole car up to speed over the holidays.

I had the supercharger for about 3,000 miles and I am convinced that 660 WRHP is too much for street tires, especially for me. I like punching it too much. I am giving up on stock rims and will be investing in some sticky tires, Michelin Cups, or BFG Drag or something close.

 

[Hirohawa]

Glad you are okay.

Everyone be safe this holiday.

 

[SnakeEye]

Can't help but cringe a bit when you read a thread like this...
Most important though, it's good to hear you're okay.

 

[Vic]

Take it easy, brutha, live long and prosper!

Glad you are alright!

 

[nazology]

Glad to hear your alright. The car and its parts can ALWAYS be replaced, which is obvious here. But your life, cant.... good to see your well, good luck with your next ride.

 

[redsrt]

Wow, what a shame about your car.

It's really scary how easy it is to lose traction with the Viper. My completely stock (expect for RPS clutch and flywheel) '03, broke loose twice the other day. Once when I was going from 2d to 3rd at about 70 MPH (that was exciting) and then a little bit later in 1st when I was putting a WRX in it's place from a standing start. Both times, I just shifted to a higher gear and regained traction during the shift. This was on good pavement and 50 degree weather.

The name Viper is very appropriate for these cars, as they are as dangerous to the handler as they are to others.

 

[Janni]

Glad you are OK - cold tires and cold temps are a deadly combination.

Do you really think it's wise to put the supercharger back on? Even with stickier tires - don't let that give you a false sense of security - when it's cold they'll be slicker than heck and don't even think about driving through a puddle.

Good luck - really hope we don't see you posting the same thing here in 3 months.... BE CAREFUL - drive as smoothly as possible and that doesn't mean you can't ge ton it, but you have to accelerate smoothly enough and get instant feedback so that you can correct a small mistake before it becomes a larger one.

Maybe a Viper Days event is in your future to explore the limits of your car on the track??? You'll be safer and a better driver for it!

 

[mongolwarrior]

"BE CAREFUL - drive as smoothly as possible and that doesn't mean you can't ge ton it, but you have to accelerate smoothly enough and get instant feedback so that you can correct a small mistake before it becomes a larger one."

Bah! You're getting soft Janni. Hair on your chest falling out? This is just a minor setback. Vipers are meant to be driven hard.

BTW glad you're OK. Any chance on parting out?
I'm interested in the charger.

Mon

 

[Janni]

Mr. Warrior,
No need to remind ME that the car is meant to be driven hard - but it's meant to be driven hard under appropriate circumstances. Since the car was wrecked and he hit a PARKED TRUCK (luckily unoccupied) then something was done wrong - WAY WRONG. This was not a mechaical failure - this was driver error - and driving too fast for conditions - plain and simple. If he was shifting aggressively into 4th and probably ran up through the gears pretty good (i.e. didn't shift 1-3 at 2500 RPMS - he was moving along pretty good - especially in an area with parked vehicles, etc. In the old GTS's top end of 3rd gear is 115 MPH - higher in an SRT becasue of the tire size.......... He's VERY lucky to be writing about this and lucky he didn't hurt someone.

I've driven all my cars hard - very hard - MANY track events. I know where it's appropriate and I've never had an incident on the street. Probably been safe there because once you've driven on the track, you realize that it is the only place to truly appreciate the power and handling of this car. Playing around on city street loses it's appeal and you become a less dangerous driver. You also learn valuable car control skills in a safe environment - car control skills that very well could have prevented this accident.

And I didn't say don't drive the car hard - I said learn to drive it smoothly. The fastest guys in Speed World Challenge will wring out everything there is to get out of a car and they are so smooth that you only know they are accelerating or braking based on which part of the seat you are pressing against.... Smooth = fast = safe......

 

[ViperGMC]

So, so, so stupid. The first thing I thought when I got out of the car was, “What the hell were you thinking”. I know better. I have done more than 100 laps on the track and a dozen or more SOLO events so I have a good idea of the limitations of the car. When I am on the track, I am very cautious and smooth, so why did I get on the street and act like a 20 year old? Absolute power corrupts absolutely? This was total driver error, poor behavior, poor judgment, poor conditions, poor, poor, poor. Stupid – stupid – stupid.

My wife tells me that I need to tell people about this and explain how stupid I was so it will humble me. As hard as that is to do, she is right. This car demands respect, all the time. I abused its power and I am very luck that no one was hurt. I am going to a 3 day driving school in January and a track day in February. I know that my driving skills will get better, but I do not attribute this accident to my driving skills, I was an idiot plain and simple. I love this car and driving it brings me the greatest pleasure. I want to be driving my new one for a long, long time.

 

[Janni]

GMC -
Good for you. It's amazing how such a quick lapse in judgement can do such damage with the power and torque of the Viper.

Sounds like you got a free pass this time! Glad you are OK and thanks for posting the reminder to all on how quickly things can happen.

 

[VIPERMIKE]

The name Viper is very appropriate for these cars, as they are as dangerous to the handler as they are to others.

LOL!!!!

 

[WANTED]

your are so LUCKY to be ALIVE !!!!!!!! not only will this help you to never
do this again but I for one will think of this story when i get that feeling
to just punch it while i'm driving on the public roads. I now feel LUCKY that it
hasn't happen to me as i also love to drive the car fast. i will be doing tract events
this coming year to take care of the urge of finding the limits of my viper.
well glad to hear your fine and remember - YOU ARE ONE LUCKY DUDE!

TOM

 

[womsterr]

Dang glad you are ok. I would submit that a performance driving school is appropriate for most Viper owners. There are too many of these posts lately!!

Best Wishes. Merry Christmas...

 

[JonB]

"If Only..........."

If Only this otherwise good driver, moving near the limits of adhesion, had not encountered a cold, slick MANHOLE COVER. 4 well-hooked tires became 3......and a loaded, cornering tire let go. The result was less than 75% of the traction he possessed just milliseconds before. You might as well have had a BLOWOUT.

A risk-manager would make Cities sandpaper the tops of all manhole covers !

GLAD you are OK, and 'upgrading the software' between your ears.
And THANKS for your business......

 

[Viperfreak2]

This brings back the arguement about a traction control system for the snake. The more I drive cars with a good system (allows some fun, and has an off switch) the more I think it would save quite a few accidents in the Viper during 'normal' driving. Maybe Fiona could start a poll asking that question.

 

[VIPER D]

I also think its those runflats and cold weather!!! I almost lost control last year with my silver srt around this time and I was driving it normally!!!


vd..

happy to be runflat free!!!!

vd..

 

[VIPER D]

here are the pics


I hate to see pics like this......

vd..

 

[ACELLR8]

GMC>
Glad you are ok! Thanks for sharing your story and pics, definietly is going to make me think twice. Had to share with my wife as well about the cold tires since she drives the 2001.

Scary pics too.

Regards,
Ed

 

[madman]

uuuhh, now that's what I call totaled car...