apparently it does not matter until after the runoffs but here's Jason's petition letter that he asked me to post:
"After witnessing the performance of the Dodge Viper SRT-10 this weekend during the Double National at Pocono International Raceway, we would like to request that the CRB immediately take action to bring the performance of the Viper in-line with the balance of the T1 field, PRIOR to the 2005 National Championship Runoffs, in order to prevent the Viper from effectively killing a class that has finally grown to healthy numbers after years of struggling.
Jeremy Thoennes observed that, at tech, the Viper weighed in at approximately 3640 lbs- a good 90 lbs over minimum weight already. Additionally, this Viper was running without the complete Dodge Mopar approved T1 suspension kit. The only suspension revisions on this Viper were shock absorbers (which are open in T1), and the alternate spring that was recently approved by the CRB. Mopar has not yet made the approved T1 suspension kit available to the general public. The addition of the approved stabilizer bar parts will only serve to increase the disparity in performance between the Viper and the rest of the field.
Therefore, we would like to respectfully request, the deletion of all components from the Viper SRT-10 approved suspension kit with the exception of springs (to prevent the Viper from becoming even faster), as well as a 188 lb. weight increase, (to bring the power-to-weight ratio in-line with the balance of the T1 field).
We need to ensure parity between all makes and models of cars in the class, and after the Viper was piloted by the defending, and current NESCCA National Points Champion (Andrew Aqualante) in the Saturday race, and the defending four-time National Champion in the Sunday race, it is painfully clear just how much power and speed the Viper has.
A well prepared, dyno tuned C5 Corvette generally puts out 373 rear wheel horsepower, at a class weight of 3280. The most any of us has seen is 380 rwhp. Using 380bhp and a very attainable 3280, the C5 has a weight to power ratio of 8.613lbs/bhp.
The Phoenix prepared Viper generated 435 rwhp according to Joe Aquilante. The class weight of the viper SRT-10 is 3560lbs. Using these figures, the Viper SRT-10 currently has a weight to power ratio of 8.1839. Increasing the weight of the Viper by 188 lbs to 3748 lbs. gives the Viper a nearly identical weight to power ratio as the C5 Corvette- 8.616 lbs/bhp.
Based on the observed and timed performance of the Viper SRT10 versus a C5 Corvette at Pocono this past weekend, these numbers would appear to be quite accurate.
Exiting the two second gear corners at Pocono, the Corvettes and the Vipers were fairly even, but once we hit third gear, the Viper would strongly pull away from the Corvettes.
It should be further noted that representatives from the SCCA National Tech Office were present to inspect the Viper to ensure that it was running in T1 legal trim.
Both Andrew Aqualante and John Heinricy also noted that the Viper needs to be developed in terms of suspension alignment and shock settings, and that it will be much quicker than it aleady is once developed, whereas the C5 Corvette has clearly reached the end of it’s development cycle, as it has been raced, tested, and tweaked continuously by top-level teams for a number of years.
Qualifying from Saturday
T1 - Qualifying
1. AJ Viper 1:39.284 a new track record
2. J Yarosz C6 vette 1:41.267
3. Heinricy C5 vette 1:41.304
4. Pintaric C5 Corvette 1:42.005
5. Joe A C5 Corvette 1:42.243!
6. Bob Kahn C5 Corvette 1:42.399
T1- Saturday Race
1. Andrew Aqualante Viper 1:41.150
2. John Heinricy C5 1:40.891
3. David Pintaric C5 1:42.374
4. Jason Berkeley C5 1:43.636
NOTE: In the Saturday race, Heinricy had to start at the back, so AJ did not push as hard as qualifying.
Sunday T1 Qualifying:
1. John Heinricy- VIPER SRT10 1:38.XX
2. AJ Aqualante- C5 Corvette 1:41.XX
3. Joe Aqualante- C6 Corvette 1:42.0
4. Peter Kulka- C5 1:42.2XX
5. Bob Kahn- C5 1:42.XX
6. Dave Pintaric C5 1:42.4XX
7. Jason Berkeley C5 1:42.59
8. Evan Kesselman 1:43.XX
9. Cliff Murray 1:4X.XX
10. Judy Warren 1:XX.***
Race:
1. John Heinricy- Viper 1:39.44
2. AJ Aqualante- C5 1:41.934
3. Joe Aqualante-C6 1:42.333
4. Bob Kahn- C5 1:42.048
5. Evan Kesselman- C5 1:42.280
6. Pete Kulka- C5 1:43.698
7. Cliff Murry- C5 1:44.196
8. Dave Pintaric- C5 1:42.076 * Not running at finish
9. Judy Warren - C5 1:47.378
DNF Jason Berkeley
We, the following people who are signing our names, have spent a great deal of time, money, and effort developing and racing these cars, and trying to build-up this class. We do not want to see 98% of the cars in the class rendered as also-rans.
Please make the requested changes to the Viper SRT-10 in order to slow it down and create REAL parity between cars. Also, please continue to monitor the parity between the C5, C6, and the Viper and adjust as required to ensure a level playing field.
Please make a point of including this request in your discussion this evening with the CRB. The potential consequence of NOT addressing this prior to the Runoffs, is the mass exodus of people away from T1 in the off season."
