Top 10 Tips to Driving the Viper?

[Asp Man]

"#8. Practice smooth exit and entrance to avoid being a DORKFISH and fuel is on the left."

you mean on the right. Couldn't resist.

 

[S-JC]

#10b. Never, ever, ever nail the gas when there is the slightest indication of gravel on the road. Otherwise you will soon have a different view than before you hit the gas.

I also agree about the rain--generally no problems below 50 MPH, but those pontoons WILL hydroplane at 60+ even if it doesn't seem like a lot of water on the road.

 

[Nuck]

#1 Pay extra attention to your surroundings. Exterior visibility in the RT10 is the worst of any car I have driven. Your chances of missing the presence of a cop car or radar trap are very good and the car is an attention magnet so the cop won't miss you. The low roof line and puny side windows make it harder to see traffic control devices in unfamiliar areas, or what the traffic is doing around you. And remember, even though the Viper is one of the fastest vehicles on the road sport bikes are way faster. A few of these guys cannot resist the temptation to do a screaming flyby to show the Viper how fast their machine is. I have been passed on the shoulder and in merge areas twice in the last week. Just be aware you can be opening the car up and still find yourself about to share a lane with a crotch rocket.

 

[Warfang]

#10b. Never, ever, ever nail the gas when there is the slightest indication of gravel on the road. Otherwise you will soon have a different view than before you hit the gas.

I also agree about the rain--generally no problems below 50 MPH, but those pontoons WILL hydroplane at 60+ even if it doesn't seem like a lot of water on the road.

What's all this about +60mph? It's been pouring here lately, and I've been caught out in my GTS a handful of times. I never go past 70 when it rains, usually hovering around 55-65, and I've never had a problem with hydroplaning. Just don't have lead foot in the rain at ANY mph, and drive a gear higher than you normally would. Obviously, if it's REALLY pouring or when it first starts raining (when it's most slippery), slow down.

 

[joe117]

The reports I have heard go something like this.

Driving on a highway in rain, keeping up with regular traffic, no turns, straight road.

Then the rpm starts to go up just like a slipping clutch.

As I said, the tires you have might make a big difference in the speed where this will happen.

 

[Cop Magnet]

Watch that front fascia. Don't pull too close to a parking curb--it won't bump up against the wheels like in your grampa's Delta 88. The curved nose can be deceiving.

Also watch, of course, going over driveway entrances where there is a bump plus a chane in grade. A trick I think most people learn is to turn the wheel sharply; the change in camber lifts the nose slightly.

 

[FlyBryViper]

Viper Days, Sebring Fl. 04/28-04/30. www.viperdays.com
VCA membership gets you $50.00 off. First time Viper Days events gets you another $100.00 off.
Just sign-up and do it. No excuses - this is cheaper & way more fun than the expense & time you might loose repairing your Viper.
Besides, it is dang fun!

 

[DanAuito]

Hydroplaning on old tires sounds like a very bad day! I too will be picking up the 98 RT with 10,000 miles on it next week so will be paying close attention to that particular point.

P.S. Skip Barber do Florida?

 

[Warfang]

Hydroplaning on old tires sounds like a very bad day! I too will be picking up the 98 RT with 10,000 miles on it next week so will be paying close attention to that particular point.

P.S. Skip Barber do Florida?

daytona and sebring

http://www.skipbarber.com/locations/locations.aspx

 

[GT40DOC]

Seems as though about every thing was covered except ENJOY and WELCOME to the family.

 

[DanAuito]

Bookmarked it! Thanks and I'll be seeing you all around the sunshine state!

 

[InjectTheVenom]

Watch that front fascia. Don't pull too close to a parking curb--it won't bump up against the wheels like in your grampa's Delta 88. The curved nose can be deceiving.

A tip that might come in handy if it's applicable (going in nose first, not paralel (sp?) parking):
If the cars you are parking in between are showing enough reflection on the sides, you can navigate your way forward towards the curb by watching the reflection of your car vs. the curb

 

[Cop Magnet]

Watch that front fascia. Don't pull too close to a parking curb--it won't bump up against the wheels like in your grampa's Delta 88. The curved nose can be deceiving.

A tip that might come in handy if it's applicable (going in nose first, not paralel (sp?) parking):
If the cars you are parking in between are showing enough reflection on the sides, you can navigate your way forward towards the curb by watching the reflection of your car vs. the curb

Yes, I meant puling forward into a spot. As far as parallel parking, I always check the buildings on either side to see if there's any glass which reflects my position relative to the car in front or behind. Try it, you'll love it...nothing like being able to see your car inching in towards somebody's bumper from an outside angle. I never bump anything with my car anyway, but it adds a big measure of confidence!

 

[Got Venom]

Get a short shift kit in it and you will not miss as many shifts as those above are talking about. Plus, one of the things they teach you at the Viper Days school, is the proper way to shift a Viper. Instead of gripping the shift knob for dear life, when making the first to second shift your thumb will probably be pointing somewhere around 10-12 o'clock. the change they teach you, is then when you shift from 2nd to third, your thumb is more at the 7-8 o'clock position. This way your grip is lightened and you are more likely to push to the right instead of man handling it back into first. This is too hard to describe in words, so go to the school. Like every guy that has 3 legs, I thought I was hot stuff when I got my Viper, but soon spun off track on a track event and had to have the right door repainted and right rear rim replaced. "Then" I signed up for Skip Barber classes and Viper Days training. This was the wrong order of events. Sign up for the classes first.

 

[DanAuito]

I get your point on the hand position so your wordsmithing is good, makes perfect sense and it may just save one from being a real DORKFISH in front of the masses. Great tip!

Driving school almost seems like a must, everyone swears by it here.