ViperNM
Enthusiast
I’m looking for some recommendations on reputable, quality Viper repair. This past weekend I drove my 01 Sapphire ACR from Albuquerque, NM to a SCCA regional event in Pueblo, CO at PMI. I need one more class and two regional races in order to receive my regional license. The class was given by Danny Collins of Danny Collins Racing School. Anyway as I was completing turn eight and letting the car’s momentum track out, I hit a patch of oil at the same time there is a small dip in the road. I was literally thrown off the track into the grass. At this point it was both feet in. I hit a tire wall and came to rest in a dirt embankment. Lucky for me a friend of mine was able to trailer my car back to Albuquerque and I took a flight from Colorado Springs back home.
The car is currently at a dealership and tomorrow the wrecked pieces, which include, the front fascia, driver’s side headlight assembly, driver’s side sill and driver’s door will be removed. The hood looks fine but we’ll see once we get it off and see if any stress cracks exist. At this point, I don’t know if there is any frame damage. The front control arms are fine but the front clip may be toast. The steering is toast and I believe the steering gear is shot. I lost the serpentine belt and the power steering pulley.
I’d like to say that insurance is going to cover this, but that simply is not the case. Tough lesson – don’t race it if you can’t walk away from it. So I will be footing the bill for the repairs. My feeling is that if there is no frame damage, the guys locally can do the work. I can get used body parts for about a third to one fourth of what DC wants for them and the dealer has no problem with me supplying the parts. If, however, there is frame damage and the front clip needs to be replaced, then I will probably send it out of state to someone who has a track record in these sort of repairs. So who would you guys recommend? My short list includes Bobby Archer, Defratus Collision and Woodhouse. What are your thoughts?
The car has 3,000 miles with upgrades to the brakes, brake lines, headers, exhaust, heads, cam, T&Ds, etc. The car dynos out at 560 RWHP/580TQ. Oh yeah it also has a Venzano interior and MGW goodies.
The car is currently at a dealership and tomorrow the wrecked pieces, which include, the front fascia, driver’s side headlight assembly, driver’s side sill and driver’s door will be removed. The hood looks fine but we’ll see once we get it off and see if any stress cracks exist. At this point, I don’t know if there is any frame damage. The front control arms are fine but the front clip may be toast. The steering is toast and I believe the steering gear is shot. I lost the serpentine belt and the power steering pulley.
I’d like to say that insurance is going to cover this, but that simply is not the case. Tough lesson – don’t race it if you can’t walk away from it. So I will be footing the bill for the repairs. My feeling is that if there is no frame damage, the guys locally can do the work. I can get used body parts for about a third to one fourth of what DC wants for them and the dealer has no problem with me supplying the parts. If, however, there is frame damage and the front clip needs to be replaced, then I will probably send it out of state to someone who has a track record in these sort of repairs. So who would you guys recommend? My short list includes Bobby Archer, Defratus Collision and Woodhouse. What are your thoughts?
The car has 3,000 miles with upgrades to the brakes, brake lines, headers, exhaust, heads, cam, T&Ds, etc. The car dynos out at 560 RWHP/580TQ. Oh yeah it also has a Venzano interior and MGW goodies.
