I'm Not Worthy!

[KaiPL]

I\'m Not Worthy!

I just bought a new 2004 SRT/10.
I bought the Viper because by all accounts it is a pure “driver’s car.” After a few days behind the wheel, it has become painfully obvious that I am not yet a “driver.”
I have no idea how to up and down shift for the best performance. The tight steering has me overcorrecting and weaving all over the road. I’m having to learn to drive all over again. The result is that I have this beautiful new car, and am driving it like a granny. I’m looking at attending Skip Barber’s school, but given that I’m in Colorado and the closest Skip Barber class is in California, it will probably be next summer before I get out there.

So, can anyone recommend some good driving books or dvds which cover some of the basics of driving a high performance sports car? I want to be able to develop some good habits before I show up at Skip Barber. Alternately, are there any good performance driving schools in Colorado?

A few other questions from a newbie Viper owner:

Any “must have” accessories?
I got a “clear bra” covering all the leading edges and wheel wells.
I got a radar detector.
I assume that floor mats are a good idea. Any recommendations as to where to buy them?
Anything else I’m missing?

Thanks in advance.

Kai

 

[sun diego]

Re: I\'m Not Worthy!

"Speed Secrets" by Ross Bentley

 

[jimandela]

Re: I\'m Not Worthy!

snakeoly makes great floor mats!

 

[Steve-Indy]

Re: I\'m Not Worthy!

Call Courtney at Viper Days...enroll in the event that is nearest to you...and ENJOY that awesome Snake !!!

 

[Viperfreak2]

Re: I\'m Not Worthy!

It's good to hear you respect the snakes 'abilities'! After driving Vipers for the last 5 years (after mainly Porsches) I learned fast that they will bite, hard. I've had a lot of close calls. This morning, the SRT's brakes saved my butt. Spinning away from a stop sign, I got a wild hair up ... you know where. I did a little spin in second, then third. OK, so now I'm feeling invinsible and decide to see if I can get a fourth. I can, I did. Car is now sideways at 60+ on a wet road (what wuz I thinkin?) A quick stab of the brakes and all is well, except I can't breathe and my heart is, well, still not beating. After a mile, I relaxed and realized I had a big smile on my face. Same road same 'idea' 5 years ago in my RT-10, I was doing a 360 and ended up 6 inches from the guard rail, thanking God and swearing I'd never do it again....

 

[Steve Ferguson]

Re: I\'m Not Worthy!

There was a great book by Skip Barber all about car control, but I don't know the name. Try Amazon and see if you can find it there.

 

[SCLSSRT10]

Re: I\'m Not Worthy!

There is a Viper Days at Mid America near Omaha,NB. this summer weekend of May 15-16. That is where I learned to drive my SRT10, last summer with Viper Days. You can learn an awful lot in two days when you have an instructor sitting next to you to teach you how to drive the car. As said before call Courtney Thomas or visit the Viper Days website for more information. www.viperdays.com

 

[jrkermode]

Re: I\'m Not Worthy!

Head to your local Karting track (not the amusement park kind, but the racing kind). Karts are pretty good at teaching you how to control oversteer. Plus its fun!