Forum Changes

[Nsane1]

We met today, and based on numerous requests we are deciding to make the following changes:

1) Per your multiple requests, we are undertaking the effort to place "Viper Owner" on the forums. This is a pretty substantial effort, so will take some time (we have to do some VIN work, some coding changes, etc.) So we will have 3 groups, member, owner, and enthusiast. Related to this, we have decided to keep the regional forums as a member-only benefit. I realize this is not what many of you want, maybe down the road this can change, but right now, we have decided to keep some benefits for the benefits of members. I should add, this is not a new thing, it's always been that way, but true, we've never had this many former-members either.

2) After much debate (in some cases years), we have decided to open VCA membership to Viper trucks. Please know this is a HUGE change from a process and procedures (and website) perspective. So this will take some time. Some may not like it (they're not Vipers), but our mission is to support Viper owners, and I can think of NO better way to sell Vipers is to invite people who already have the passion (look they got a Viper Truck), and show them what a great time we have in our Vipers. So perhaps this will get them to "graduate" to Viper ownership, this helps SRT, and all of us as Viper owners. It also fits in with our spirit of being inclusive and passionate about car-crazy people. This is more of a stay-tuned announcement, as we have other things brewing like the new raffle car (expect an announcement in a few weeks, and YES it will be COMPLETELY above-board, and totally different than what we've done before) big changes at VPA, (yes in addition to what you've heard already around the new GM), so we have a lot of cool stuff coming.

Watch this forum for details on Daytona, being posted by Cathy soon. Everyone is invited to support SRT, and we would love to discuss our future.

Greg

 

[Paul Hawker]

Nsane1

While I understand, and appreciate the controversy over these decisions, they seem well thought out and very forward looking.

The New VCA seems to be pretty open to fresh, new ideas, and I believe that these changes will be welcomed by many.

 

[GRANGER73]

Good move. Actually Great move!!

 

[ViperJeff]

Just WOW.....






I'm a Viper Truck Guy!

 

[WANTED]

awesome! its so much better here already.wtg VCA

 

[cubican]

Fantastic news!! lets get back on track and enjoy our cars.

 

[ferraritoviper]

Indeed, Nsane1's post is welcome.

 

[Bobpantax]

Excellent changes. Well done. Keep up the good work.

 

[TowDawg]

Definitely like bringing back the "owner" status.
I understand the decision and don't have (nor have I ever had) an issue with the regional forums being kept as members areas. I honestly never thought much about it, but could go either way on that topic. Maybe it keeps people form becoming members because they can't communicate with those around them, but then again, if they could, maybe they wouldn't find a need to become a member.
I personally don't have any issue at all with the Rams being allowed in, and I know you have been talking with those guys for a while, but the timing of allowing them in NOW could be taken as a sign of desperation to get dues any way possible.

Just my 2 cents on the topics above.

 

[Bonkers]

I like the idea of the Regions being MO - at the very least it
will allow locals to set up events without being harassed by
outside influences.

I forget, can non-members read regional posts, or are they
just banned from posting there?

 

[ViperJeff]

Yes we can read them

 

[Nsane1]

Dawg-

Anything we do is seen as desperation if you want to see it that way, time we get past that I think. It was done, because it was a repeated request, for a long long time, and recently, and there really is no reasonable reason to exclude them that we can see, they are ********* car people, we need more of those around here, less about the elitism.

As to the owner moniker, that could be spun as desperation as well, again if you want to see it that way. But in actuality, it probably reduces the incentive to be a member, but sometimes it's not about number of members, you gotta do what's right. Did re-instating JonB get us any members or any money to the VCA? Nope, it was the right thing to do. We are not as "desperate" about members as you might hear... We want solid members that will contribute positively to the community at large, would 10k haters be better than 1k passionate, awesome people? I choose quality over quantity, personally, and we want to be inclusive to all that are passionate. Let's not forget, they have a Viper engine, we aren't inviting the Miata club over

Anyway, glad to see we are hitting close to the mark, now hold us to it in putting this good stuff in-place.

ALso I hear you on the regional forums... There are solid cases for each way, given some of the recent attempts at posting in there we see, it's probably best we keep it the way it is for now, but we should revisit this as our changes begin to take hold...

Greg

 

[johniew398]

I don't own a Viper Truck but I applaud that change as well as having a category listed as owner. I have often thought of the relationship between the trucks and the Vipers especially at some auto shows I have attended.

 

[Jance GTS]

Is there any plans to have a VOI this year or next year?

 

[malcoll]

There should be some "perks" for paying to be a member so I see the Members Only Section and posting in the Regional Forums to be some of those perks... even the "Viper Owner" as a "member perk"...... There should absolutely be something special for VCA members on the VCA website!

But here's my perspective on I why don't rejoin. I don't see the value in North Florida. I paid the dues, and all the events were in Orlando, Tampa and South Florida... heck for almost a full year I didn't even get on the email list to hear about events that might have made their way to Jacksonville. And then on top of it... my Viper magazine didn't always get to me. VOI was always somewhere far away from me, so I could not go to those...and if you ask any questions on the forum I got deleted and then moderated.

This site is what convinced me to buy my first Viper and I've owned a Viper for the last 13 years... love the car! I have been a member in North Florida, Ohio and North Texas......absolutely enjoy the people I've met in all the clubs...... the Ohio and North Texas Viper clubs were great...North Florida ....well I covered that.

I don't want to see VCA go away, heck the VPA deal I applauded in the beginning.... I hear that things are changing, but haven't seen any proof yet.... at least in my geography.

And to be clear, I did not join the VOA either. I don't see much difference......same annual dues amount and in my area everything seems to be focused in Orlando, Tampa and South Florida... maybe that's where people joined, but if no effort is made in North Florida (Jacksonville) then why should we join?

So what's happening in Daytona? Something that will entice me to join???

Thanks for letting me vent a bit.
Lance Malcolm

 

[Nsane1]

Malcoll-

As I've said a few times, both clubs have their benefits (and frankly, some of you have already seen this, that I have come down on those that smack talk the other group here). There's no way to become all things to all people in 4 months, in a year, we should be close.

There are a few areas of the country that we are working on from a "local" perspective, yours is one. In your particular case, we hope to have an announcement at Daytona specifically. I don't want to over-hype the event, we don't have any huge reveals planned (we're not that great at dramatic marketing) we will have some great things to talk about,but most you have heard of. The biggest thing is we will have an open discussion about out future and what we propose to do... To your question of "would I join", we hope so, but if there is not enough proof to overcome the lost trust, that is your decision, and we respect that (which is while we feel the need to recognize viper owners, we can't blame them for not trusting us yet).

Everyone else- So, I really came to this thread to fall on my sword. I was a little over-zealous on our Viper Truck addition. We've heard that the membership wants to weigh-in on the decision, as it does change the club for them. This is not an "urgent" change, so it absolutely makes sense to get feedback on the issue before we spend time and effort on doing so.

I will make a poll in the members section, weigh out the pros and cons, and get the pulse of the membership. I will also say, the officers/*** feel strongly we should allow for Viper trucks, but it is NOT our club, it's our members, so if there is a strong direction against, we will have to listen to that.

I also realize, you as Viper Truck guys don't get a vote, since that's the whole point right? That's why I say "Strongly against", if it's split, and you had a vote, it would clearly go forward, not scientific, but its the best we can do..

I cant apologize enough for the "flip-flop" here, it's no excuse, but we've been running so hard, so fast to try and please/correct, we sometimes forget to ask, and assume what we read here is representative of the whole membership. This one is on me as I spear-headed the idea, so I will feel particularly crappy if the membership says no...

Stay tuned...

Greg

 

[Allan]

It is good to see such thought and effort put into trying to fix things here.

 

[ViperJeff]

(As a Viper truck Guy)

No worries, take your time, there is no rush even for us (VTCoA Board)

To the best of my knowledge, you will not offend anyone in the Viper Truck Community if you pull it off the table and shelve it. Also, your Membership deserves the right as Members to determine the course of Their club.

ViperJeff
VTCoA Board Member

 

[Bobpantax]

Over the years there have been numerous posts stating that the heart and soul of the Viper is its V10 engine. Since the Viper Truck has the V10 engine and SRT 10 emblems, for me, it is "at heart" a type of Viper. I think it would be great if they were included in the club.

 

[redtanrt10]

Greg, good changes!

 

[Nsane1]

Oh I forgot to answer, there is a VOI this year! Stay tuned!

 

[doctorbob]

Please have the VOI in Hawaii so I can come......but seriously I will make the effort to be there with the ACR or a G5.

P.S. Maybe one of the last magazines from 2013 will demonstrate my passion for experiencing and driving the car.

 

[fuelman]

Let's also remember, many Viper owners own Viper trucks! So, we may certainly see Viper Truck owners getting into Vipers as well. Mine has a 488 gear in it, nothing like letting a V10 loose with that gear, even though it weighs 5500 pounds. It sounds so special well I push that start button and the V10 comes alive.

 

[Gustfront]

(As a Viper truck Guy)

No worries, take your time, there is no rush even for us (VTCoA Board)

To the best of my knowledge, you will not offend anyone in the Viper Truck Community if you pull it off the table and shelve it. Also, your Membership deserves the right as Members to determine the course of Their club.

ViperJeff
VTCoA Board Member

I think those trucks are bad ass. What kind of Viper Truck do you own.?

 

[ViperJeff]

Unfortunately I'm a former owner, just haven't lost my passion for all things Viper... I surely don't see that ever changing.

here's what I did own.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Free2go]

I've been to numerous car shows and a few charity events with my Viper and every time I run into people who own Viper trucks it's an immediate positive connection. Have also witnessed some pretty ingenious modifications to some of those trucks.

 

[PeterMJ]

2) After much debate (in some cases years), we have decided to open VCA membership to Viper trucks. Please know this is a HUGE change from a process and procedures (and website) perspective. So this will take some time. Some may not like it (they're not Vipers), but our mission is to support Viper owners, and I can think of NO better way to sell Vipers is to invite people who already have the passion (look they got a Viper Truck), and show them what a great time we have in our Vipers.
Greg

I guess I am one or the only one that falls in this group. There is more to the Viper than the engine. There is already a lot of stigma regarding pick up truck origins of Viper, at least now, there will be no doubt. Using the logic of having passion, this invitation should be extended to Corvette owners since Corvette has way more in common with Viper than Ram pick up truck.

 

[luc]

A Viper truck is an oxymoron. The Viper is a sport car and the Viper Truck is...... guess what........a TRUCK

 

[ViperJeff]

A Viper truck is an oxymoron. The Viper is a sport car and the Viper Truck is...... guess what........a TRUCK

Couldn't agree more. We can stop by Lowes in the morning "pick-up" a load of sheet rock and 2x4's, then buy the nursery to "pick up" some tree and shrubs. And for a night cap, stop by the track kick ass (to include some of them sports cars).

All in all, just fun and in a good days work!


In all seriousness, a RAM SRT-10 is just simply a Bad Ass Truck. Should not be considered a Viper at all, even us Viper truck guys say that. Whether we join you from time to time at the track, park or restaurant... it is your call
Vj

 

[Camfab]

Couldn't agree more. We can stop by Lowes in the morning "pick-up" a load of sheet rock and 2x4's, then buy the nursery to "pick up" some tree and shrubs. And for a night cap, stop by the track kick ass (to include some of them sports cars).

All in all, just fun and in a good days work!


In all seriousness, a RAM SRT-10 is just simply a Bad Ass Truck. Should not be considered a Viper at all, even us Viper truck guys say that. Whether we join you from time to time at the track, park or restaurant... it is your call
Vj

Some people are gear heads and well............ some have nothing good to say. Glad to see your a real car guy (truck) and not just a dude with a stick up his a$$.