Any Gen4 owners interested in gunning for an SCCA National Championship in 2012?

[j-rho]

Okay, it'd just be autocross, but this is an exciting opportunity.

For 2012, the SCCA made an oversight, and allowed the Gen4 Viper (not ACR) into the "Super Stock" autocross class. This class consists of the Lotus Elise, C5 and C6 Corvettes, and the Porsche GT3. It's been won the last few years mainly by a fast guy in a Lotus.

From 2008-2010 I campaigned my Gen3 Viper in the class, and in the two years I went to the National Championships, the car finished second place both times. Here's a thread on my Viper autocross adventures:
http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/611364-J-Rho-autocrosses-an-SRT-10-in-SCCA-SS-class

And here's an in-car lap from the 2010 Championships:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvlCyiME_Pk

I came really close in 2010, just one big mistake away from winning. But that was in a Gen3! Taking what I've learned about setting the car up, and applying that to the stiffer and more powerful Gen4, would make a killer combination!!

So what I'm looking to find, is if anyone here with a stock Gen4 would be interested in teaming up for a run at an SCCA Solo National Championship. Since I'm in San Diego, it would ideally be someone out west. I'd help get your car setup and tuned (there are actually quite a few things you can do in Stock class, and I've learned all the tricks), and can provide data acquisition technology as well as driving instruction. We'd run the So Cal events in April and May, a Northwest event in July, maybe a few local events here and there, and then take it out to Lincoln Nebraska in September for the Championships. I have a truck and enclosed trailer for transport.

Anyone interested in taking their driving skills and car's setup to the next level, and maybe bring another championship home for Dodge/SRT, please give me a shout!

--Jason Rhoades
[email protected]

 

[Malu59RT]

Sounds like an awesome opportunity for someone!

 

[ACRBruce]

j-rho,
You are going to run 315 A6's on stock rims in the front?
Will you be able to lower the car with springs in SS?

 

[j-rho]

Springs and ride height must remain stock, though the shocks can be changed. I happen to still have the killer shocks from my Viper, which would work fine on a Gen4.

I did, and would continue to, run the 335/30-18 A6 up front. 345-19 A6 rear. Stock size wheels.

 

[TrackAire]

Jason,

Since you've done so well in past nationals, maybe the Viper Nation can get behind you a little and get you and the Viper the National title. Hell, we set a Ring record with an out of production vehicle against the worlds best, why not a solo championship against some of the best that the USA and Europe throw at us in SS.

If you can get a car, I may have an extra set of Sidewinder wheels for your A6 Hoosiers that you can borrow for Nationals. Don't know how much they will help, but they are one of the lightest stock rims ever to come on the Gen 3/4's....plus you can keep the race tires on a second set of rims so the Gen 4 owner can drive the stock tires around without worrying about wear, damage, etc to the A6's.

Last question, can the Gen 4 diff be "adjusted" if needed to better suit autocross type corners, tire adhesion and suspension setup?

Good luck with the 2012 season!!

Cheers,
George

 

[j-rho]

Hi George,
Sidewinders would be the perfect wheel choice.

The only means of "adjusting" the diff is through the use of different fluids. I found a setup I was very happy with for that diff , since SRT came through and allowed the Gen4 diff in the Gen3 car in 2010 (part supcedence). Made a huge difference in the car's consistency.

 

[Alan Patterson]

Jason,

I have been experimenting with using 335-30-18's vs 345-35-18's on the rear of my ASP soon to be SSP (ugh!) '06 viper. It gives an effective rear gear ratio
of 3.21 vs the stock 3.07. This allows me to use second gear more effectively on a lot of autocross courses. The only issue (besides giving up a little rear tire
width) is that I can't lower the car as much as I would like due to the Moton shocks bottoming out in the rear. Ride height is still a little lower than stock, but
the car seemed to handle a little better when lower...

Anyway, you might want to consider trying the same on a Gen4 viper in SS. Gen 4's tend to have a little less (very low end) torque vs the Gen 3's which might
be important for autocrossing...

Al Patterson

 

[j-rho]

Hi Al,
Have to run 19's in Stock, so the 345 it is. Plus there's always first gear!

Sounds like you need shorter shocks? If you're going to SSP (or SSM) then a change to a 3.33 or 3.42 rear end would be all you need.

Jason

 

[Alan Patterson]

Whoops forgot about the 19 inchers in the rear... Unfortunately rear gear changes are not allowed in Street Prepared or I would have changed years ago! SP does allow update and backdate changes but alas, the viper only came stock with 3.07's... Maybe the new Viper will have a more favorable rear gear ratio which I can change to. SSM is out of the question since the Viper would get eaten alive there!
Al

 

[j-rho]

A buddy of mine is looking for a Gen4 Viper. Aero coupe preferably but others would work. He's also looking to sell and could use as partial trade, a 996 GT3 (black w/carbon brakes) and a 2011 Corvette Grand Sport w/ only 500 miles. If anybody knows of a good car for sale at a good price, particularly by someone interested in a partial trade, please let me know.

 

[TrackAire]

j-rho,

You have a pm.

Thanks,
George