Results of Viper vs. Vette autocross!

[ChrisGTS]

Right. Craig's Kia attained 201 mph when he loaded it onto an airplane to transport it!

ROFL

 

[pdmracing]

Rouleau has tubes, filters & borla cat back fyi.

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

sorry I meant to write <font color="blue">I drive a kia</font> like this.

 

[J DAWG]

I did not know we could write with <font color="yellow"> colors. </font> I will have to try this <font color="red"> out </font> .

 

[BruceW]

I have a simplistic view of it all....Vettes are sports cars, Vipers are race cars.

 

[NOMERCY]

I have had three C5s. Never a problem with any of them. My BMWs are always in the shop. 01 X5 bordering lemon law status, 01 M3 was OK, 01 Z8 was a complete POS (replaced the entire top, sticky accelerator pedal replaced twice, sat back jus "fell off" one day ... it was pretty embarassing), even my 02 M5 is in the shop right now because the block is cracked and is being replaced (under warranty). I am sure that others are full of BMW success stories. I guess my point is just because a few people have problems that does not make the entire model line crap. I have heard my share of Viper horror stories as well.

BTW congrats to the Vipers guys for the victory!!

 

[Achilles99]

Rouleau has tubes, filters &amp; borla cat back fyi.

Don't forget the 5-point harness Actually, tubes alone are enough to take you out of Super Stock.

I had a blast. I think Tony summed it up nicely. I had a great time meeting the Vette guys. They talked a lot of smack, but in a good way. I like people who are proud of their cars... the Z06 is definitely not a slouch in performance. I prefer my Viper though, and I'm glad that we were able to run a clean sweep of all of the Z06's. As for experience, I don't think that all of the Z06's were newbies, as evidenced by their taping of rocker panels.

On a different note, I tried the EBC Greens for the first time on the auto-x course. I put them in a couple of days before the race, and tried my best to do about 20 miles of "city stop-and-go traffic." I was impressed by their lack of dust and squeal. However, it took some getting used to on the course. They didn't stop me as well as stock pads initially. I proved that it wasn't hard to lock them up, though, as I slid into a row of cones on my first run!

However, as the day progressed the pads definitely felt more "progressive" to me. Overall, I was happy with their performance. However, let me say that they aren't too effective after a couple of 0-100-0 mph runs. I would NEVER use them on a track day.

 

[Snakester]

I didn't have any problems to speak of in my Corvette, and thought that it was a great car. But the Viper is another animal!

I read on different forums about the Viper being only good in a straight line, and I laugh. It is one of the best handling cars that I've ever driven, and I'm glad for these racing/track stories to help prove the point.

-Dean.

 

[MichaelP]

I did not know we could write with <font color="yellow"> colors. </font> I will have to try this .

We can't write with colors, what are you talking <font color="red"> about? </font>

 

[Russ M]

Here is the event according to z06 guys, offcourse as expected the WHAT IF's are flying.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=515258

 

[Roadkill]

Great story..
I went to an autocross yesterday as well, but our track was much smaller I think than the one you guys participated on.. it definitely favored the smaller cars (giant skidpad with cones). The TTOD was between a modded GTI and the Subaru WRX.. ah well, first time getting the viper out on one of those courses.. I think i might have had those two cars if i had more runs under my belt. (was shaving off a few secs each run). Shame there weren't any other cars in SS here (or other vipers to compare times with).

 

[BlownC5Roadster]

Nice results Viper Dudes!!!
(How did this thread get hijacked to a Vette vs. Viper debate???)

This time the Daimler boyz won...ain't this stuff fun!!!!

Tomorrow is another day and another race.

 

[Torquemonster]

No Mercy - I know exactly what you are talking about re BMW. They are beautifully engineered driving sedans, but if you want a Euro car to last many years past warranty, people buy a Benz. I used to work out with the owner of a large BMW franchise and I never forgot the things he told me in confidence.... put it this way.... BMW's are a fantastic car while under warranty. After that I wouldn't touch one - although there are countless ones out there that give trouble free service - I think

As for GM - I think the Vette is good value for the most part... you get Monday cars from all the makers - there's a few Monday built Vipers running around too... but I'd have to say, I'd still rather drive a Monday Viper just my opinion.

It's tough when we hear of Viper getting beaten by WRX or GTI on the tight circuits.... but then revenge is as easy as the first decent straight! Be like stealing candy from a baby out on the open road... The GTI would be screaming its lungs out and rattling the drivers teeth while the Viper still had 2 gears to go... pulling away into vanishing point

 

[JDR]

Did you run with the camber shims removed?

 

[ChrisGTS]

I didn't. My Viper is exactly as I drove it off the showroom floor except I changed the wheel lugs out and put locks on the wheels. I don't think that increases autocross performance ...

 

[Torquemonster]

ChrisGTS - that makes it all the more impressive! You can't get more honest than that. So who are these wally's that say the Viper can't handle anyway? and which tree did they fall out of? Whoever they are, they must have hit every branch on the way down

Awesome Chris.

 

[lonestar]

It was nice meeting new faces including Tony, Chris, Linh, Jason, Larry, and others.

You must be registered for see images

The drive down was pretty fun and everybody was staring at us.

You must be registered for see images

I drove the almost bone stock blue 02 Z06. The only performance part that didn't come on my car is a ***** Halltech T-1C intake system, which I didn't know came apart from the MAF until last night after getting home.

This was my 4th auto-x event ever, and the worst organized. Our group got a total of 3 runs all day because of all the chaos in the first group. I never saw so many reruns in my whole life.

I believe Jason's 03 Z06 was bone stock , and it was his first time to auto-x. The Z06 guys all put down street mod for the class since we were a little confused. I was pretty impressed he got 4th place out of the group. Tony kicked everyone butt! I just wished we could have gotten more runs to help improve our times. Oh well, there’s always next time. If I go again, I’ll put the stock intake system back and run in the SS class. BTW, it wasn't a complete sweep by the vipers.


Thanks Ryan for letting me know about the auto-x event. I had a great time!

-Teddy

 

[Achilles99]

Teddy,

You had some pretty fast runs! It was great to meet a lot of the Z06 group (as well as the fantastic exhaust sounds of the Camaro...). And, you are correct... it wasn't a complete sweep, I don't think. I believe 2 Z06's beat me by .5 seconds (however, I think 3 Vipers beating 6-7 Vettes, and me beating all but 2 is impressive ). Especially considering the fact that I have only 1000 miles experience driving the Viper, and I had replaced the brake pads with a new brand the previous night before (see post above).

As for being poorly organized, I think it was mainly because they tried to cram the novice school in the morning. That was unusual, and resulted from the school being cancelled in February due to rain. Usually, it is much quicker with more runs. At LEAST 6 runs, with several fun runs.

I don't think this event provided enough data to decide if the Viper is better than a Vette. However, it definitely proves that the Viper is no slouch when it comes to handling... even on a tight course. If we managed to dispel a popular myth, I am happy!


EDIT: Awaiting official results. I'm told that I actually ran a 51.xx, which would mean that it WAS a clean sweep indeed...

 

[ChrisGTS]

Hey Teddy! It was great meeting you. If you've got some more pics, please post them. I had fun at this event, but I am TOTALLY finished debating the relative merits of Corvettes and Vipers. I hope that more Viper owners will autocross their cars and I do want to make the point that the Viper is a great car for that kind of event. Hope to see everyone out there again!

 

[HOGDEALER]

I love this stuff!! I own a Harley Dealership my neighbor owns a Chevy Dealership at a recent charity auction we auctioned off a "Hot Lap" from JonB of PartsRack. My table was right next to my neighbors he was not pleased when the ride went for $450. I told him that "Corvettes taste like chicken" - All Corvette guys (I had two) think the Vette is a better handling car, they just believe to many auto mags.

Way to go!!!

 

[lonestar]

It was a pleasure to meet you guys. I finally got the pictures uploaded. You can find them here.... http://community.webshots.com/user/texastech97

Linh, if you got an 51.xx then it was a clean sweep! I must say that you and chris can auto-x, whether in a viper or anything else with 4 wheels. I prefer the drag strip. Maybe Les and I can meet you guys up there sometime.

 

[Achilles99]

It was a pleasure to meet you guys. I finally got the pictures uploaded. You can find them here.... http://community.webshots.com/user/texastech97

Linh, if you got an 51.xx then it was a clean sweep! I must say that you and chris can auto-x, whether in a viper or anything else with 4 wheels. I prefer the drag strip. Maybe Les and I can meet you guys up there sometime.

I have NEVER been to a drag strip... I'm just waiting for someone to show me how When Joseph Dell finally gets his beast, I think we are going to head up to the strip. Maybe 1Tony1 will sponsor an outing, too? Thanks for the compliment... it was great meeting you all. I'm sure that next time a clean sweep will be much more difficult, now that everyone has a little more experience under their belts

 

[SoloIIRacer]

I have been autocrossing since 87. From 96 til last year it was in Corvettes. From Sept 2002 it has been in a GTS, with some other experience in a ASP RT/10 that a friend runs down here. I can tell you that a Corvette does have better pure handling characteristics, it brakes, turns and accelerates wonderfully in stock trim. A Viper in stock trim has some problems that limit them from handling better in stock trim. One is the front outer-to-outer rim width versus the rear outer-to-outer rim width (the measurement taken from outer edge of the rims). The front is much narrower than the rear, which makes the car want to go straight, this is one of the reasons it puts power down so well. Another factor is the cars weight, it is much heavier than a Z06. I tried running the GTS in Stock trim for autocross, I ran 17" stock 96 rims on my 02, because it isn't my car, and I can't afford to run 18" Hossiers. I run on some very fast courses, and on those fast courses I was the car to beat, I would run as fast as street prepared(driven by a few national champions). On the slow courses, the car was like a battle ship, it just wanted to bull doze its way around slow corners (this was on stock width 17x10f and 17x13r with Kumho Ecsta's) A Z06 handles very well and stops with some authority, and is much quicker out of slower corners(it has a very short 2nd gear).


Having driven a very well prepared ASP 96 RT/10, I gave up on trying to run the GTS in stock. I knew the car could handle very well if the defficiencies were dealt with, and I was right. We put 17x12" CCW's with 335 Kumho Ecstas all around, and it turned it so much better. It didn't push the second I turned the wheel with the bigger tires. Last weekend at the San Diego SCCA Solo II national tour was the first time on the big wheels and tires. I took a gamble on the big change, because I had to do everything I could to try to catch the current national champion in ASP. It will be a car to contend with on our fast courses, but I will need to change my alignment to compliment the cars new found front grip. The car use to put power down so hard that I couldn't get the back end loose, even in first gear. Let's just say it gets loose now, and how. I have been running 0 total rear toe, which worked great with the stock set up, but won't cut it any longer. We have another event in 2 weeks and I will put in a bunch of toe-in to help the car put the power down again. If it works it will be very fast, even though it is still a stock car with just big wheels on it.

I will say this about quality of both cars. The Vipers paint is the nicest of any car in America, almost of any car in the world. I have seen a lot of very high end cars and paint jobs and this one stands with the best of them. The paint on the Z06's I have seen has been very poor for such an expensive car. The interior on both is sub par, with comfort going to the Corvette. It looks like they designed the fastest car in the world, then had to figure out a way to put an interior after the fact on the Viper.

Let's face it, both cars have a cult like following, and each have their place. I am a vette fanatic(C4's) and will get another one some day, they are great bang for the buck. The Viper looks bad ***, and kicks some major ***** when you mash down on the go pedal. Slap some huge front wheels on it, and it will handle like a dream.

SoloIIRacer

 

[1TONY1]

Cool pics. If anybody remembers red5 that used to post here.....I sure wished he was there !!!!! Thats the but t I want to kick.

 

[ChrisGTS]

Yes, Red5, wish we could find him again ...

Teddy, thanks for sharing the pics. I note that you spared everybody by fuzzing out Ryan's face!

 

[jimandela]

my 1 experience with autoX was.
the viper did okay but will come around if not careful.
let track "pro" drive my car. warned him but he spun out.
i did lose by about 4 secs to the subaru WRX
that little can just fly around the cones.
the guys were sort of surprised i lost to them but heck it was my first time and i sucked.

 

[Steve 00RT/10]

i did lose by about 4 secs to the subaru WRX
that little can just fly around the cones.
the guys were sort of surprised i lost to them but heck it was my first time and i sucked.

When your PAX number is figured in, you actually probably lost by a greater margin as your modifier is multiplied by your time for a point total. I know---I've been there. I've beat a couple of WRX's, but there's one who has consistently beat me where I run. Heck, they go to 60 in just over 5 seconds. I'm still learning. Done about a dozen so far.

Steve

 

[Roadkill]

Glad to see that I'm not the only one that got smacked by the WRX.. It's those [******] tight courses! All wheel drive works wonders there. I'm looking forward to trying a more open course. I think the Viper will shine when you've got some straight-aways in the mix.

 

[RockyTop]

Achilles, as you were the weakest link in the Viper chain, I now undersatnd your screen name !

 

[Achilles99]

Achilles, as you were the weakest link in the Viper chain, I now undersatnd your screen name !

Haha... thanks for the vote of confidence, Rocky

However, we found out that the official results did in fact show me coming in at 51.xx. So, it was indeed a clean sweep, and I didn't come in as the slowest Viper Even though I wouldn't have felt bad about that, since I was completely stock