Not about a Viper, but good advice nonetheless

[MoparMap]

Found this article on Top Gear's website today http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/richard-hammond-on-the-alfa-romeo-4c-2013-11-28. With all the constant bickering and comparisons with other cars and how the Viper just isn't good enough for some, this article strikes a chord for me. It's not always about the numbers. There are other cars out there that are faster, prettier, cheaper, etc., but they aren't a Viper, and sometimes, that's all you really want.

Another interesting read here regarding Nurburgring lap times: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/ford-claims-nurburgring-lap-times-arent-worth-it-2013-11-28. I tend to agree that without a sanctioning body and appropriate verification, lap times aren't really that good of a comparison. Also, I don't think a difference of 5 seconds over 7 minutes is really that big of a deal. It's one thing if it's a race car, it's another if it's just a toy that you drive on the roads and occassionally track. All it really boils down to is bragging rights.

 

[PDCjonny]

Nobody here complained too loudly when the Viper ACR held the record.
And it had beaten the LFA by only three seconds. In fact it was quite a source of pride.

 

[MoparMap]

I agree that it's awesome the ACR held the "record" for so long. It's definitely a feather in the cap for owners, though at the same time there's always some debate as to what constitutes a "road legal" car. The Radicals SR8's have technically run faster times and can be legally driven on some streets at least, though most would agree they are purpose built race cars that you could theoretically drive to the track, but really aren't street cars like an ACR is. I'd call a Radical more like an ACR-X that happens to have turn signals and an EPA sticker.

Watching the videos as well, I'd say the winner is whoever has the biggest set between his (or her in the case of Sabine Schimtz) legs. That track just looks like a death trap to me and it doesn't matter how fast of a car you might give me, I don't think I'd crack 10 minutes if I drove that track myself, lol.

 

[Nine Ball]

McLaren claims "sub-7 second" on their new P1, but hasn't and likely won't ever reveal the official time. I read an article in EVO magazine while in London on the subject, they don't see the value in setting 'Ring records at the sake of killing drivers. They claim to only want to use the track for development of their cars. Here is a Jalopnik summary of that:

http://jalopnik.com/did-the-mclaren-p1-get-beaten-at-the-nurburgring-1458393775

I also do not buy my cars based on 'Ring results. Never have, never will. The fact that the Viper is competitive is just bonus points, for me.

Tony

 

[MoparMap]

I kind of see it the same way. Lap times are typically only as good as the driver behind the wheel, which pretty much means I won't be anywhere near them. A well driven Miata could probably give me a run for the money since I've never been on a road course before. Knowing my car is "supposed' to be faster might encourage me to drive it better, but it might also be more frustrating if I can't acheive the performance the car is supposed to have. The fastest car in the world is still only fast with the right person in the driver's seat.

I've done weekend drives with an exotic club nearby and I'm usually in the back. I just don't feel like pushing my car on public roads like that anymore. If you're a racer I understand it being a different mindset. I want the fastest car on the road as much as the next guy, but you really can't use that kind of performance anywhere but the track.