OK, I have been a FAN of Tommy Archer for a long time. A LUCKY fan. Tommy squirted me with champagne 4 times since 1997, in 3 states, in FIA, ALMS, and TransAm. I talked with him during his SERIOUS post-crash recovery, after his testing (for you and me) for Dodge. I sat beside him at 3 victory dinners. But I never sat beside him in his "Office", a Viper Comp Coupe. Til VOI-8.
As it happened, just before our planned driving time, Tommy Archer was providing paid speedway rides in the Archer Racing Comp Coupe at VOI-8. Pac-NW VCA has been there for Tommy's 2 PIR wins, and FIVE of those PNW-VCA folks bought rides. We hosted Tony from S.Africa, and he bought a ride. My Viper-owner friend and PartsRack CPA (Doris) has made 2 of Tommy's wins , and is a big fan. [She sees something in Tommy that only women see.] So I gifted Doris w/ a ride. So 7 paid Riders of the 12 available were Pac-NW folks. Doris was thrilled to learn the driving line from Tommy, altho the "Skippy rules" did not allow her his high line. After 12 riders, Tommy motioned me over: Corsa was renting the car in 20 minutes, and he still had some rubber and time left. "Jon, would you like to Go?" Duuuhhhhhh! I Grabbed Doris' balaclava and helmet (ouch!) Sidesills and rollcage are honestly 250+ degrees. Burning to the touch. Interior 150-degrees plus. Tommy looks cool in satin white/blue.
I have always considered myself a very good sportscar driver. Owned a bunch. Held racing licences, and hold a couple licenses now. I've instructed at Viper Days, and PIR, and Thunderhill, Gingerman, and Seattle and more. My Pace Car licence has allowed me to give HUNDREDS of VIPs and regular folks the "Ride Of Your Life" as the local charities call and sell it. We've raised many thou$ands. My riders think I'm amazing. [Its' the VIPER that is amazing] And I think I'm pretty good. Or at least I used to think so......
Compared to Tommy Archer, I might as well be back on the farm on our International Harvester. I'm a Chump. A Hack. A flogger. A Poser. A mouse, not a man. Or a mouse in rats clothing. But compared to Tommy Archer, I am NOT a Driver.
TMS is the track where the IRL sent 75000 paid fans HOME after IRL drivers complained of G-force induced dizziness. The IRL cancelled the race with just HOURS notice. This track is insanely FAST.
Tommy made that VCC fly, glide, skate, dance and DRIFT.....but he did it with 3-4 digits of only his left hand. He broke most of the usual driving school rules. [Rules are made BY the Tommy Archers of the world, not FOR them.] His eyes, brain, shoulders, butt, feet and semi-circular canals simply process G-force inputs faster, and in some inhuman {super-human?} fly-by-wire way.
The high banks were Tommy's airways; the pseudo-straights his drag strip and brake-check pads; the infield corners his "Drifting" facility. After 5 laps, we could feel his tires going, going, gone..... and when he parked it, the cord was indeed visible. I was soaked with sweat, and a bit lightheaded. Tommy joked that because I'd supported his many Portland visits, he had given me a very special ride. I wobbled out unassisted, while Doris took photos. {that I dont know how to post) She was grinning as big as I was...her ride was JUST as special. We had just shared an INCREDIBLE trip. It was WAAY better than the USAF F-16 Simulator I flew at the Viper vs Viper race!
The good news is: Tommy may be coming to a Viper Days Event somewhere near you. If you EVER get the chance to take a ride with Tommy Archer, this poser-chump, mouse-man highly recommends it. And if PIR-PORTLAND is on your way, Sept 24-25-26, we are selling tax-deductible VCC, GTS, SRT-10, and RT/10 rides at PIR for "Dornboecher Children's Hospital." $25/lap. Please send your friends / relatives / prospective owners. THANKS. But please DONT tell em how much better it WOULD have been w/ Tommy..........
As it happened, just before our planned driving time, Tommy Archer was providing paid speedway rides in the Archer Racing Comp Coupe at VOI-8. Pac-NW VCA has been there for Tommy's 2 PIR wins, and FIVE of those PNW-VCA folks bought rides. We hosted Tony from S.Africa, and he bought a ride. My Viper-owner friend and PartsRack CPA (Doris) has made 2 of Tommy's wins , and is a big fan. [She sees something in Tommy that only women see.] So I gifted Doris w/ a ride. So 7 paid Riders of the 12 available were Pac-NW folks. Doris was thrilled to learn the driving line from Tommy, altho the "Skippy rules" did not allow her his high line. After 12 riders, Tommy motioned me over: Corsa was renting the car in 20 minutes, and he still had some rubber and time left. "Jon, would you like to Go?" Duuuhhhhhh! I Grabbed Doris' balaclava and helmet (ouch!) Sidesills and rollcage are honestly 250+ degrees. Burning to the touch. Interior 150-degrees plus. Tommy looks cool in satin white/blue.
I have always considered myself a very good sportscar driver. Owned a bunch. Held racing licences, and hold a couple licenses now. I've instructed at Viper Days, and PIR, and Thunderhill, Gingerman, and Seattle and more. My Pace Car licence has allowed me to give HUNDREDS of VIPs and regular folks the "Ride Of Your Life" as the local charities call and sell it. We've raised many thou$ands. My riders think I'm amazing. [Its' the VIPER that is amazing] And I think I'm pretty good. Or at least I used to think so......
Compared to Tommy Archer, I might as well be back on the farm on our International Harvester. I'm a Chump. A Hack. A flogger. A Poser. A mouse, not a man. Or a mouse in rats clothing. But compared to Tommy Archer, I am NOT a Driver.
TMS is the track where the IRL sent 75000 paid fans HOME after IRL drivers complained of G-force induced dizziness. The IRL cancelled the race with just HOURS notice. This track is insanely FAST.
Tommy made that VCC fly, glide, skate, dance and DRIFT.....but he did it with 3-4 digits of only his left hand. He broke most of the usual driving school rules. [Rules are made BY the Tommy Archers of the world, not FOR them.] His eyes, brain, shoulders, butt, feet and semi-circular canals simply process G-force inputs faster, and in some inhuman {super-human?} fly-by-wire way.
The high banks were Tommy's airways; the pseudo-straights his drag strip and brake-check pads; the infield corners his "Drifting" facility. After 5 laps, we could feel his tires going, going, gone..... and when he parked it, the cord was indeed visible. I was soaked with sweat, and a bit lightheaded. Tommy joked that because I'd supported his many Portland visits, he had given me a very special ride. I wobbled out unassisted, while Doris took photos. {that I dont know how to post) She was grinning as big as I was...her ride was JUST as special. We had just shared an INCREDIBLE trip. It was WAAY better than the USAF F-16 Simulator I flew at the Viper vs Viper race!
The good news is: Tommy may be coming to a Viper Days Event somewhere near you. If you EVER get the chance to take a ride with Tommy Archer, this poser-chump, mouse-man highly recommends it. And if PIR-PORTLAND is on your way, Sept 24-25-26, we are selling tax-deductible VCC, GTS, SRT-10, and RT/10 rides at PIR for "Dornboecher Children's Hospital." $25/lap. Please send your friends / relatives / prospective owners. THANKS. But please DONT tell em how much better it WOULD have been w/ Tommy..........
