Speaking of Autocross...

[Warfang]

I notice a lot of other car clubs hold autocrosses on a regular basis. Does any regional VCA do this, or do most Viper owner just prefer to be on a full-sized track? It's an easier event to commit to, higher availability (just need a biiig parking lot) and less prone to damage (although nothing is idiot-proof).

And if nobody is doing this... would anybody be interested in going to one? If there's no party going on, sometimes you gotta throw your own.

 

[Scotty B]

I notice a lot of other car clubs hold autocrosses on a regular basis. Does any regional VCA do this, or do most Viper owner just prefer to be on a full-sized track? It's an easier event to commit to, higher availability (just need a biiig parking lot) and less prone to damage (although nothing is idiot-proof).

And if nobody is doing this... would anybody be interested in going to one? If there's no party going on, sometimes you gotta throw your own.

Hey WF,

there is a guy in your area that has a GT2 who runs in a class called ASP at the local SCCA (sports car club of america) event named Alan Patterson we ran into weekend before last at a National Autocross Event in San Diego.

Contrary to what people might think these hot rods do quite well autocrossing due to their supurior ability to put power down at reletively low speed

We debuted our new (dedicated) autocross car at that event which is a 2004 Black Mamba with Motons, Forgelines, Lux Perf bushings & tilton clutch and soon to have CORSA exhaust and won ASP with it!

We started out autocrossing and still do it now and you are spot on about the low consequences for getting it wrong...

In fact I was at an SCCA National road race a couple weeks ago and one of my buddies from cone mashing days who had just made the jump to road racing was kickin ass and someone was asking me who this guy was and why he was so fast? I just replied that over the last 10 years he had written off the equivelent of 100 cars in autocross without ever going to the body shop or the hospital and that my freind is a lot of learning with no consequences

Check out this link for what goes on in your neck of the woods... Bay Area Solo (autocross) activity

sbw

 

[Saint_Spinner]

Yeah, I'd rather try autocross a Viper first before trying a race track, especially if its going to be my first time pushing this beast. Like you said, the only damage will be squished cones (hopefully).

 

[Warfang]

Check out this link for what goes on in your neck of the woods... Bay Area Solo (autocross) activity

sbw

I saw their website a while back, but I was hoping for a VCA sponsored event. Without sounding like a snob about it, I just don't want to be surrounded by a bunch of civics and wrx's with a big target painted on my back because I have a Viper. Heaven forbid you don't walk away with the best time there, and be the subject of the "I beat a Viper" thread all over the internet.

 

[MacManInfi]

I should have my Kumho's in another couple weeks and then I'll be ready to start autocrossing the Viper in San Diego with SCCA as well. Can't wait!

 

[Scotty B]

Without sounding like a snob about it, I just don't want to be surrounded by a bunch of civics and wrx's with a big target painted on my back because I have a Viper. Heaven forbid you don't walk away with the best time there, and be the subject of the "I beat a Viper" thread all over the internet.

I completely understand your reluctance regarding that thought process... BUT, entirely different crowd I assure you

There are plenty of Porsches from GT2's & 3's and TT's and boatloads of Corvettes along with the civics and wrx's and to tell you the truth Vipers are not expected to do well in autocross, so when they do...

When we get to the track everybody expects us to hammer 'em so if we give one up to a ricer it's freekin front page news! A/X tends to be about precision and skill and handling and even though the Vipers are quite capable in this area they are not generally thought of in this way so you are usually accepted as just another guy bringing out his really cool hot rod to play and most of these guys with wrx's and civics wish they had the dough for a Viper and promise themselves that if they ever did they would be just like you and bring it out and have some fun with it!

So if you do decide to bring it out, my suggestion is just show up with a smile and follow the rules and have fun

Here is another website for an autocross series local to you that specialises in serious hot rods like Nasty Corvettes, Pony cars, Vipers with more open and faster courses American Autocross Series founded by Larry Park

These guys are heavily Corvette oriented but welcome everybody

sbw

 

[Warfang]

I'll probably check out the Solo guys, but was hoping the VCA would have their own thing going. Looks like porsche, vette and even nissan/datsun Z club have their own a/x events going.

I'm always more than happy to show people my Viper, answer questions, and give rides, but sometimes it's nice to just be among fellow owners and you can talk about more than the "speakers on the hood".

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Don't worry about what the Civics, etc. think just go out there and do it.

But I'd skip the AX and go for the tracks if it won't break the bank. I did one AX, came in first (trust me, it was the Viper not my talent or rather lack thereof), and then went to the track and haven't AX'd since.

Whichever you choose, just do it.

 

[Saint_Spinner]

Regarding the civic thing...most likely the informed folks over at the civic, wrx, honda forums or whatever will have either call [******] on the poster or would know that the Viper was kind of out of it's element. Either ways, who cares. You got the car they can only dream about having.

 

[Detlef]

I've done my share of AXs and while fun when you run, around here with rather large groups it's more of hurry up and wait. You spend much time working and waiting versus driving. That's why like Chuck I also prefer the track over AX, because driving sessions last 20 minutes versus the 60 to 90 seconds an AX run lasts.

We had one SVT track event last year that I attended that had an AX setup as well as the track runs but no one was running the AX. Over lunch time, this other Viper and myself went on it and ran around the course for nearly 30 minutes non-stop, honing our car control skills and drawing a crowd of spectators. Now that's the way to AX! Hurry up and drive versus hurry up and wait. It reminded me of the Skip Barber ultra-high performance driving course I took!

 

[Warfang]

Don't worry about what the Civics, etc. think just go out there and do it.

But I'd skip the AX and go for the tracks if it won't break the bank. I did one AX, came in first (trust me, it was the Viper not my talent or rather lack thereof), and then went to the track and haven't AX'd since.

Whichever you choose, just do it.

I guess I should elaborate... The idiots in the civics don't bother me quite as much as just an open invitation pulling in a lot more people than I'd like to share an AX with. I guess I'm just selfish.

Like Detlef mentioned... it's a pain to have a bunch of guys there and you wait a while just to get a few laps around. The civic crowd just adds to the frustration. I'd rather have it set up like the Skip Barber Course where vca members get more time to really hone their skills, not just trying to beat the best time of the day.

As for breaking the bank, I can afford the track costs, but don't know if I can afford to replace my snake at the moment if I wrecked it on the track. I think most people are in the same situation. That's why AX is a more viable solution. Besides, going to the track is such a production, especially if you're far away from one. Most people live less than an hour away from a AX-able parking lot. Once I get my second Viper (in a year or two), I'll be in a better position to think about turning the current one into a track car.

Until then, I'd love to be able to throw the snake around. Any other of you guys in the Bay Area up to putting something together?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Besides, going to the track is such a production, especially if you're far away from one.

It doesn't have to be. Sebring is two hours from Tampa. In the beginning I left my house at 6am, tracked and was home by 6pm.

Now it's a big production with trailering and all, but just to get started getting comfortable on a track it really isn't much different than a spirited afternoon drive, only legal and much safer. And a lot more fun.

It's up to you. I'm hoping to get out that way for next year's Viper Days events. Maybe you can show up and we can b*tch about nanny-aids.

 

[Warfang]

I'm hoping to get out that way for next year's Viper Days events. Maybe you can show up and we can b*tch about nanny-aids.

Now THAT sounds like a production... from FL to CA.

Let me know when you're heading this way... would be glad to show you some San Franciscan hospitality (...in a non-brokeback kinda way).