JeffTheViperMan
Enthusiast
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Viper Club of America, and Viper owners World-wide, I have a suggestion to make.
But first of all, a brief story in history:
I learned of the Viper many years ago and have been a fan ever since. When I attended PennState University, every single one of my friends knew of my Viper obsession. Maybe it was the posters all over the wall, maybe it was the line of die-cast models hogging valuable space on my desk. Regardless, the "ViperMan" was well established.
I met another student during my freshman year by the name of Gregory Whipple. "Whipple" was a quiet guy and generally kept to himself. He was math wizzard who could be often found walking around campus wearing shorts in the dead of winter. He was very fond of sports, and was an avid supporter of the PennState Icers Ice Hockey team.
It didn't take long for Greg to get bitten by my love of Vipers. While sharing a room my Junior year, he learned that Charlie Brown III of Team Viper was coming to PSU to speak to the SAE students, and got us both invited. A few months later he learned that the SAE students were traveling to the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Michigan to tour the facility. He got us both invited again, but I was unable to attend due to a prior obligation. Greg went along for the tour, bringing me back some souvenirs and a slew of photos. He was so excited, and expressed his regrets that I wasn't able to join.
In 2002 Greg Whipple passed away in his sleep from Addison's Disease. No one knew it was coming, as it's symptoms were masked by Diabetes.
I would like to organize the Gregory Whipple Memorial Spawning of the Vipers.
We all know that the Conner Avenue Plant is due to close in 2010. I have always wanted to tour the facility, especially after seeing photos from Greg's trip. Now I realize that there may not be much time left.
I think the Vipers should return home - return to their nesting grounds - before the plant closes it's doors. I'd like to do it for Viper owners and lovers the world over, and in memory of my deceased friend.
I have no idea "when" just yet, I'm actually thinking early 2010. I'd like to see if this is something the VCA would be interested in helping me organize, and perhaps use the reputation of the club to help line up a speaker or two, or at least a "special" tour for all who attend.
I don't want this to be a high-dollar, heavily sponsored event. I'm not looking for vendor booths or glamorous sales pitches. Whereas we all hope the Viper will live on in some capacity, the chances of it being a Chrysler product are limited. I think we should all have the opportunity to go back to where it all started, and revel together in peaceful Viper brotherhood.
And so I open this up to you opinions and thoughts. Thanks for reading.
Jeff Knapp
But first of all, a brief story in history:
I learned of the Viper many years ago and have been a fan ever since. When I attended PennState University, every single one of my friends knew of my Viper obsession. Maybe it was the posters all over the wall, maybe it was the line of die-cast models hogging valuable space on my desk. Regardless, the "ViperMan" was well established.
I met another student during my freshman year by the name of Gregory Whipple. "Whipple" was a quiet guy and generally kept to himself. He was math wizzard who could be often found walking around campus wearing shorts in the dead of winter. He was very fond of sports, and was an avid supporter of the PennState Icers Ice Hockey team.
It didn't take long for Greg to get bitten by my love of Vipers. While sharing a room my Junior year, he learned that Charlie Brown III of Team Viper was coming to PSU to speak to the SAE students, and got us both invited. A few months later he learned that the SAE students were traveling to the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Michigan to tour the facility. He got us both invited again, but I was unable to attend due to a prior obligation. Greg went along for the tour, bringing me back some souvenirs and a slew of photos. He was so excited, and expressed his regrets that I wasn't able to join.
In 2002 Greg Whipple passed away in his sleep from Addison's Disease. No one knew it was coming, as it's symptoms were masked by Diabetes.
I would like to organize the Gregory Whipple Memorial Spawning of the Vipers.
We all know that the Conner Avenue Plant is due to close in 2010. I have always wanted to tour the facility, especially after seeing photos from Greg's trip. Now I realize that there may not be much time left.
I think the Vipers should return home - return to their nesting grounds - before the plant closes it's doors. I'd like to do it for Viper owners and lovers the world over, and in memory of my deceased friend.
I have no idea "when" just yet, I'm actually thinking early 2010. I'd like to see if this is something the VCA would be interested in helping me organize, and perhaps use the reputation of the club to help line up a speaker or two, or at least a "special" tour for all who attend.
I don't want this to be a high-dollar, heavily sponsored event. I'm not looking for vendor booths or glamorous sales pitches. Whereas we all hope the Viper will live on in some capacity, the chances of it being a Chrysler product are limited. I think we should all have the opportunity to go back to where it all started, and revel together in peaceful Viper brotherhood.
And so I open this up to you opinions and thoughts. Thanks for reading.
Jeff Knapp
I have heard OH is planning a run to CAAP, so maybe PA, OH, and ONT all need to meet up there! 
