Worried About Viper Motorsports Future

Guyver1

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 26, 2000
Posts
140
Reaction score
0
Location
Gloucester, MA
I can't help but get more and more worried.

We have no information regarding Oreca running a factory Viper team at all.

We have no information on the development of a Generation 3 Viper GTSR (or GTS R/T as its called now), heck, we don't have any confirmations on even pre-development of the GTS model.

Daimler is concentrating on the McLaren F1 team.
Chrysler is concentrating on the Intrepid R/T in NASCAR.


Please, someone tell me there's hope, rumors, anything!

frown.gif
 

Bill Pemberton Woodhouse

VCA Member
Supporting Vendor
Joined
Jul 25, 2000
Posts
5,212
Reaction score
6
Location
Blair,Nebraska,USA
Wish the news was good, but the only " Shining Stars " of the Viper Racing World are folks like Bobby Archer, Deb Loth, and Morgan Reese who are doing a super job in the T1 class of SCCA - of course they were so fast that the GM faithful already got a restrictor plate placed on the Snake for the rest of the year.

Another bright spot is that the Viper Days Wheel to Wheel Races will be participating in a " SUPPORT RACE " during the Sebring Speedfest at the end of September. With 20-24 cars running at the events, it may not be long before this group starts appearing at more racing attractions, and as close as the competition has been this year, it could warm things back up for the Snake.

SCCA is looking very strongly at putting the Viper back in a class on par with the new Vettes, Lotus , etc. in Solo II racing. The Viper has been delegated to a faster modified class ( ASP ) , even in stock form, ever since it's first National Championship win back in 95. I believe. It would be nice to see GTS's and RT0-10's running on par with Vettes, especially since it would be ABS vs ABS and the competition can only strengthen both models.
 

FrankBarba

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Posts
3,285
Reaction score
3
Just remember all you race car drivers..When you are in the support races hoping that someone will discover you in your Viper, saftey is most important not winning the race. When you are fighting for position going deep into the turn ,diving in trying to out brake your competition . Remember to allow for tracking out, upon exiting the apex. "NO RUBBING ALLOWED"
 

Steve Ferguson

Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 4, 2000
Posts
2,447
Reaction score
0
Location
Burr Ridge, IL
Viper racing is done for now, at least with "factory support". They came, won and now they are planning the next step. If the funding is there, you can bet that DC will put the new Viper back on the track. If not, look for an independent future effort.

As for the GTS, nothing is approved yet, but that is just following the same path as the original game plan.
 
Top