Formal Announcement: VOI 13.640HP

[Nsane1]

"No matter what the extra cost may be". Reminds of the Harrison Ford Flick Clear and Present danger: "Can I try out your $5MM, helicopter? Sure, if you give us a deposit, how much is the deposit? $5MM"

In all seriousness, what would be too much for an extra day?

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Any updates after the weekend meeting?

 

[Paul Hawker]

Super positive meeting where the VOI was discussed in pretty good details. Pricing and details still need to pencil out, but the event seems to be getting just better and better.

Some additional things to be added, and logistics to be put into place, but finalized details should be posted as they are inked.

 

[gb66gth]

I'm more excited than a two peter'd puppy!

 

[flatblack]

Greg, I'm new to track days like this. But I'd be comfortable paying an extra $200-300 for a Sunday track day. Not sure how many people it'll take to cover the cost of the track for that day.

Hopefully something can get worked out though

 

[markk]

I'm sooooo looking forward to this. Looks like I'll need to ship my baby out there since I won't have enough time off to drive out and back. Will you be working on shipping deals like in the past?

 

[Nsane1]

We are working on shipping packages, and for the first time, we are putting a package together for our European bretheren to bring their cars, so we should get some never-before seen cars on US soil... John C is involbed with the shipping business, so he is arranging some good deals...

We have built the pricing models and are getting approvals now, it is a comparable price with last VOIs, so rest easy this will be as affordable as we can make it, even with the most expensive track we've ever had. Give us until end of week to release pricing, we are also working on the VOI site. We also have pricing on the resort, it's $169 per night, and like we've said, we think it's better than any previous VOI hotel, at an amazing price for this place (it usually has a hefty resort fee, that we negotiated out). It features an amazing spa, so even those that are not track rats will find much to enjoy in this VOI. My wife is a spa-nut and she's working on the spa activities, as anyone that knows her, she works ******* making the "fairer" sex happy when doing Viper-stuff...

Greg

PS we'll know more on the Sunday track day when we hear more from our sponsors, SRT, and see how many sign up...

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

169.00 per night IS a great deal but the sooner we all hear of exact dates and total pricing the better as we all need to have a heads up to arrange the time off from our work schedules. Well done so far....

 

[Nsane1]

I believe the exact dates were posted a month ago, post 1 of this thread. Sept 25-28. Not sure the hotel was posted. La Cantera Hill Country Resort, San Antonio. Reservations for our hotel block will be managed centrally at sign-up, so no need to worry about the rooms and as mentioned they are $169 per night, and no resort fee.

Pricing has been approved. There will be $50 discount for the first 2 weeks of sign-ups (for every pricing tier). VOI13.com is in development, we would expect to have sign-ups start the week of April 21st.

So with the $50 discount, the price is like $10 more than VOI 12, I think the hotel is a bit cheaper, so all-in this should be an amazing bargain:

Pricing without the First 2 Week "early bird" discount:
Venom Member = $840
VCA Member = $875
Non Member = $995

As in previous years this is per person, also like every other VOI, it is time consuming to manage the nuances of driver vs non-driver, so this is per attendee. Pretty much everything will be the same policy wise. What is new this year is we will allow these to be transferable (up to some cut off date, for a small fee to pay for new badging), so unlike last years, if your plans change, you can mitigate some of the "loss" that you would have incurred in previous VOIs. We are able to do this as we have our own badging machine, and an amazing support staff at VCA headquarters that do these kind of events for a living... Also, this company is a large reason why we got the cost so low, previous VOIs paid a LOT for support, we have a large portion of this "baked in" in our new management company contract, in addition to cutting some of the gimmicky stuff out, to cover a track that is 3x more expensive...

So... I think this is everything, expect a tentative schedule and sign-ups in a few weeks, it's going to amazing!

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Awesome news updates and I assume you mean around April 21st to register. The dates were posted but not the hotel info I believe. Well done!!!

 

[diamond head]

What is included in the pricing? Hotel,Track ???????

I believe the exact dates were posted a month ago, post 1 of this thread. Sept 25-28. Not sure the hotel was posted. La Cantera Hill Country Resort, San Antonio. Reservations for our hotel block will be managed centrally at sign-up, so no need to worry about the rooms.

Pricing has been approved. There will be $50 discount for the first 2 weeks of sign-ups (for every pricing tier). VOI13.com is in development, we would expect to have sign-ups start the week of the 21st.

So with the $50 discount, the price is like $10 more than VOI 12, I think the hotel is a bit cheaper, so all-in this should be an amazing bargain:

Venom Member = $840
VCA Member = $875
Non Member = $995

As in previous years this is per person, also like every other VOI, it is time consuming to manage the nuances of driver vs non-driver, so this is per attendee. Pretty much everything will be the same policy wise. What is new this year is we will allow these to be transferable (up to some cut off date, for a small fee to pay for new badging), so unlike last years, if your plans change, you can mitigate some of the "loss" that you would have incurred in previous VOIs. We are able to do this as we have our own badging machine, and an amazing support staff at VCA headquarters that do these kind of events for a living... Also, this company is a large reason why we got the cost so low, previous VOIs paid a LOT for support, we have a large portion of this "baked in" in our new management company contract, in addition to cutting some of the gimmicky stuff out, to cover a track that is 3x more expensive...

So... I think this is everything, expect a tentative schedule and sign-ups in a few weeks, it's going to amazing!

 

[Nsane1]

Like past VOIs, meals, track, giveaways are in the price. The hotel is the separate 169 per night mentioned. We are keeping as much as we can the same from previous VOIs.

 

[HyperViper]

Have you thought about making your laps (3?) around the track transferrable? Say somebody pays for themselves and a wife or girlfriend and the wife doesn't want to drive. It is a pretty stiff price to pay and may be hard to convince owners that the value is there? Now on the other hand , if more laps were available because you got your wife's laps....

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Have you thought about making your laps (3?) around the track transferrable? Say somebody pays for themselves and a wife or girlfriend and the wife doesn't want to drive. It is a pretty stiff price to pay and may be hard to convince owners that the value is there? Now on the other hand , if more laps were available because you got your wife's laps....

I like this idea too as my wife will be there also but will not drive on track. The prices mentioned though is a great deal when you consider what it includes and is inline with previous VOIs. You will be amazed at all the activities even off the track!!

 

[Nsane1]

Like other VOIs, I doubt we will have the ability to track that kind of thing, and we have to run this thing like a clock. Having said that, if your "other" is in a different run group for instance, that wouldn't be an issue (I don't think). We'll keep it in mind though, we've never done it like that before, but that doesn't mean we are not willing to try and figure that out...

Having said that, since we are all track guys, you will get more than 3 laps. I can't make promises, but we met with the track yesterday, and we should get an unprecedented amount of track time compared to last VOIs. I know that's not saying much, I think the most I ever got at any VOI was like 5-10 laps, and it was so slow because the instructor was such a Stasi agent that I didn't want more. We will have multiple run groups, so this should be more akin to a mini-track event than to a VOI.

The autocross area is huge, the track itself is immense, and we have other "soft" track activities at the track itself, so everyone, even non-drivers, will want to be there. We are meeting with the hotel today and tomorrow, and we are putting together tons of other "options" if you don't want to go to the track, or the cruise, like spa retreats, shopping retreats, and there's even Fiesta Texas amusement park very close, so even non-track rats will have fun...

 

[fuelman]

On the track time, normally in the late afternoon things thin out, so if you are truly a track rat, then hangout all day and you should be able to get a lot of runs. Some of my best vacations have been VOIs, and the way this one is shapping up, I think it is going to be one for the record books....

 

[Nsane1]

So we've been bandy-ing this out today, and we think we can make this work (getting your "other's" track time,) and you're right, it would be a big seller, so thanks for the suggestion, we agree it's potentially a game changer.

With all the events we have planned for those not wanting to do the track, you might get some "others" really wanting you to take their track time. There of course would be some limitations, etc, but if this works out like we think (depending on numbers) you could get multiple 20 minute sessions, on literally, one of the best tracks in the world. The caveat is we have not shared this idea with the track instructors, but logistically we think this will work.

I'll tell you, we toured the whole resort and all the excursion venues today and yesterday, my goodness this is going to be an amazing experience, I'm bummed I have to be in "work" mode for this one, this is gonna be a heck of a good time.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

On the track time, normally in the late afternoon things thin out, so if you are truly a track rat, then hangout all day and you should be able to get a lot of runs. Some of my best vacations have been VOIs, and the way this one is shapping up, I think it is going to be one for the record books....

THIS is music to my ears. Do you happen to know if the provided instructors let you go on your own once they find out you are an advanced/safe road course driver? Is it Skip Barber again? Thanks

 

[Flying Viper]

Nsane1, For the owners who want to go but not ship their cars what provisions if any do you have?

 

[flatblack]

It's great to hear that the pricing hasn't changed much over VOI 12. Great work on this guys and can't wait for this event! Keep up the great work guys!

 

[Nsane1]

It's not Skip, it's the VOI12 guys (Petty). We will have run groups, which we did not have before, so the instructors will be given your "history" which hasn't been done before. The hope is, yes, that they get comfy with you and you can actually enjoy the track. It will, of course, be up to the instructor, and this is a hard track, but that's the goal. This is coming from a guy that has never had a good time at the track at each of my 7 VOIs (but I've still had some of the best times of my life there)...

Flying- we are working multiple angles on getting Vipers there, for those not bringing cars, including SRT. It is high on the priority list that we have this there. Keep in mind, SRT brought a car from Vegas to AZ, for just a few of us to flog against an F-16, with only a few weeks notice. Now they have 100s of potential customers... John, who raced against the F16, bought a T/A a week after driving that car, so we have told them time and time again, us Viper guys just need more time in the seat of these things to feel the awesomeness...

Lastly, on that thread, we are working on a way for people to actually purchase, and drive away in, a new Gen 5 at the event, which we haven't done before, so know that we have SRT's back in selling these cars so we can keep getting new ones, so to support that, we'll need to have cars to drive...

Great questions, keep em coming...

 

[Paul Hawker]

At a previous VOI, SRT brought out some of the new Gen IV's for us to experience at the event.

I was not expecting them (like the Gen V's) to be such a big improvement is so many different areas than the previous, look alike, Gen IIIs

My eyes were opened at the first shift. That thing was smooth, and I never missed a shift with it. The car's new rear end pulled much smoother and stronger off the corners. The new hood did not channel hot air into the passenger compartment. All the little changes added up to it being a much improved car.

When I got home I bought one, and now am getting the itch to upgrade to a Gen V after reading all the glowing reports on this and other forums.

Like the idea of people being able to go to VOI, and be able to experience the latest and greatest. With all the excitement of a VOI, it would be fantastic to be able to leave your old car there (trade it in), and drive home in a new Gen V.

 

[Bird325]

What an AWESOME approach, Paul! Go to VOI and leave your clunker behind, but drive home a brand new Gen V ... Hmmm, wonder what my credit card limit is these days?

 

[Paul Hawker]

For those interested in using SRT factory cars, it us not unusual for SRT to decide at the last minute what they might be able to bring. Some times a lot, some times just some for display.

Some times they have Vipers for the road course or oval, and others they have SRT Challengers, Chargers, and Jeeps for autocross. Since they are in a flux, with the factory being closed and such, it may be hard to know till the last minute.

One time they had cars, but only for out of the Country guests that had no way to bring their own cars. This year they are even looking into the possibility (only looking into it at this point) for international attendees to be able to bring their own cars.

While it is always more fun to have your own Viper at a VOI, it is well understood that not everybody can bring their cars.

I would imagine that these details will begin to be fleshed out as we get closer to the date.

I remember, back in the day, when we would go to racing events, stop at the local Hertz counter, pick up a mustang, and drive the wheels off it. Took the numbers off and returned it to the rental counter with a sheepish look on our faces and smoke curling out of the wheel wells.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Paul, PM sent regarding the above with the Petty guys. Myself and possibly others do not have a vast "history" with previous VOIs and I was not at VOI 12 but have considerable experience with the old Viper Days and NARRA inc. part time instructing. How will the Petty group sort out the run groups properly with incomplete VOI history info? Thanks again.

 

[HyperViper]

At VOI 12 there were 3 different groups with different color wristbands. Green, Blue & Red. Green was novice, red most advanced. There will be an instructor with you in the car no matter what color.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

I assume they will have gas for sale at the track? Thanks for the PM Paul, very informative too.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Not many car clubs have been invited to run at COTA. We must be reasonable when we are on their track. VOI attendees will be ambassadors of the club, and we want to be invited back, so while we will have more fun than a barrel of monkeys, it must be understood that everyone must be on good behavior at all times. We want to represent well.

Please do not run down and intimidate those that may not be as skilled as you, and also be gratious to move over and let faster cars go by. Drive within your limits, and be willing to spend a lap to come up to speed.

At a previous VOI, in Indianapolis, one guy decided he needed to do a full track scarring burnout in front of the bleachers, on a parade lap around the historic Indy 500 Speedway. Everyone was told this was not to be done before the lap, but he did it anyways. The track officials (not VOI) closed down the track, and many were unable to experience the track...don't be this guy.

On a happier note, the COTA track will be ours exclusively. We will be able to attain very high speeds, corner with high G forces, wind out our engines with full abandon. We will learn the fast way around the track, have pictures taken. Be able to feel the track designed suspensions in the environment where they shine the brightest. In addition to driving our own personal Vipers on one of the finest road courses in the world, we will have the opportunity to see some professional racers at speed.

Do not miss this opportunity. Vipers will come alive on this type of track. Be on your A game, and have perhaps the funnest day ever.

Just think of the Facebook posts you will be able to make. Bring your GoPro : >)

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

How are we looking for registration around the 21st as mentioned?

 

[Nsane1]

We have an early registration flyer close to ready, we will likely extend the early bird offer, as we are having some "group think" creating the flyer... When it comes to creative, everyone has an opinion

We are still shooting for Monday, however.