Spoke with Skip Barber folks today...

[RavenFan_94]

I have done research on this board, spoken with other VCA members and would like your opinions.

Through the years I have owned Porsches, Vettes and now Vipers. While I feel that I have had full command of the former, the Viper is just above me from a skill level perspective. Both my RT and SRT are the first cars I have owned where I feel that the driver is the limiting factor. How's that for candor?

In an effort to improve my ability, I am looking into a driving/racing school. Skip Barber appears to be the natural choice as they A)use an SRT during instruction and B) I would prefer to use someone elses car before I am acclimated for obvious reasons.

Their advanced schools require prerequisites of which I am not qualified. After speaking with them today, the two day driving school appears to be the best I can do.

The two day program teaches some heel-toe shifting and threshold breaking in a Neon and a Dakota. Finally there is some instruction on auto-cross techniques in an SRT. My concern is that this seems elementary? At the end of the day, I want to be able to enjoy the car at its limits and with confidence. Any suggestions with the afforementioned considered?

Jody

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

The two day course is adequate for an introduction. Last half of the last day you will take turns on an autocross with the SRT. I do not believe there is any course that will prepare you for enjoying the Viper at its limits by the end of the day. Best course of action would be the two day school and then a Viperdays event were you actually spend 2 hrs a day in your car at your own pace with Viper friendly instructors in the car. One neat thing about those events is getting a ride along from others and that will open your eyes up to the capability of the car in the right hands.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Go to Viper Days and ride with someone like Alan (Hoosier Daddy) and you'll see how much the Viper can do.

 

[Steve 00RT/10]

The Bragg-Smith School in Nevada may be the most bang for the buck. 3 days. One full day of car control.........braking,skid pad,heel/toe. Then 2 full days of track time on his road race track which equated to 325 track miles.....all 3 days in a ZO6. 2 years ago it cost $2,000 for the 3 days...may still be the same.

Steve

 

[Detlef]

If you do Skip Barber, do the Ultra-High Performance 2-day school, NOT the regular 2-day driving school as you'll spend much more time in the SRT-10. I did this one earlier this year and it was awesome.

 

[pdmracing]

Try the panoz school @ road atlanta, the cars are front engined like the viper, & you are at the king daddy track of all time Road atlanta. the 3 day course is very good 7 the instructors are pro's that actually race in the big leauges. Ask anyone who was at our Zone Rendevouse!

 

[Rich Wesorick]

Jody:

While Rupert and Panoz are great schools, you will not be driving your car, which is I believe your objective. Viper Days is hands-down the best school for learning to drive the Viper, and just learning the car in general. The folks there will help you with all of the tricks of the trade for tracking Vipers, both from a driver and a car prep. perspective. The price is right too...

My 2 cents,
Rich

 

[Schulmann]

Check this site http://www.mecaglisse.com/
I had a full day training for 250$ in this rally school with my Viper. It was FANTASTIC. My top speed was only 70mph but I had a lot of fun skipping with the Viper.

However this place might be far from MD.

 

[Detlef]

One more thing, as a VCA member you get 25% discount with Skip Barber driving school and 10% for racing schools. I have posted pictures in mid March.

 

[RavenFan_94]

Thanks guys for the feedback. Unfortunately Skip Barber won't allow me to do their racing school as I have not completed one of their prerequisite programs. I will probably go for the driving school as the VCA discount makes the investment minimal.

The others sound great. Will be calling them today.

 

[sun diego]

If you let them know how many track days you've done they will probably let you take the 2 day all Viper course.