Should I track the z06 and save the wear on the Viper?

[FinalEd357]

I have had my 02 z06 to the road track twice this year, Waterford Hills & Gingerman raceway in Michigan. It was even more fun than I expected!

I just picked up an 02 Final Edition Viper with low miles that has some history (former owner) and I'm concerned about too much wear/tear or damaging the car. My z06 is currently for sale, but I'm considering keeping it and making some mods for the track, while cruising the Viper for 1,000 miles per summer, or so. What are your thoughts?

thanks,
John

 

[Vic]

Drive what excites you. The point of the Viper is to have fun. What are you gonna save it for? Put it in the Smithsonian when you croak? Drive it, enjoy it, thats what its all about!

 

[VIPER52USA]

I would personally sell the vette and get a roe supercharger and have that as my track/strip/road beast.

 

[FinalEd357]

Those are both great ideas. I absolutely LOVE driving the Viper! I thought the Z06 was it, before owning the Viper. It is still a very nice car, but this Viper is just Baddazz! I do think I'll lean toward just enjoying the Snake. There really is no car, in my opinion, that is as fun to drive in this price range. I enjoy owning as much for how other people gawk over it as I do. Well maybe not AS much, but it is cool to share the experience of owning it with friends & family. I'm sure you can all relate...

 

[FinalEd357]

Vic,
I love that Sapphire/Stripe combo. Have you had yours to a road course yet? How did it handle - has it gotten loose on you yet?

 

[ViperRay]

Sell the ZO6 and buy a second viper that you can tear up on the track.

 

[Vic]

Thanks for the compliment! Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but I like "Electron Blue" too...

I've probably got about 12 hours of seat time at Willowsprings, 1:36 best time so far, but I'm ready to improve there.

10 hours at ButtonWillow (SCCA track), ran in various configurations, no great times to report there. Best thing I can say, is that last time out there w/Viperdays, I got very consistent and comfortable, and did a whole session with lap times about a second spread per lap or less. When you get consistent, you should be able to take ONE second off!!

5 hours at Thunderhill w/Viperdays, (another beautiful SCCA track), did consistent 2:15s I think it was, my first time there. [racers' excuse mode]Not terrible, as my brakes wore thin, and the pedal started going to the floor.[/racers' excuse mode] Its nice going out w/Viperdays, as Archer Racing was there, and put some new Brakeman3s on, and new Motul. Nothing like having good trackside service!!

I've had a few spins, luckily, nothing major. Worst one was my last time out at Willowsprings, spun going over the crest of turn 6, 'cause I didn't have it pointed straight when it got light, when it "hit the ground" (well, it was probably was on the ground the whole time) it was already going around, there was no chance of catching it. Went off in the rocks. Just scraped up my front fascia a bit, and got a small dent under the side sill. What the heck, you gotta get out there and have some fun! No velvet ropes in my garage.....

Do a search on prepping your car for the track, and learn all you can about car control at Viperdays, so you can avoid the common mistakes and learn faster. Don't push it intially, move up in steps.

 

[FE 065]

..I just picked up an 02 Final Edition Viper with low miles that has some history (former owner) and I'm concerned about too much wear/tear or damaging the car.

Well, there's been more than one "What do I tell my insurance company?" post from someone out for a day's fun at the track who hit some oil and whooooooooops.


- I'm only about 10 miles from the Waterford Hills track. (Final Edition #065)

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

the vette is cheaper to fix

 

[FinalEd357]

Thanks for the advice Vic. Sounds like you use your beast to the fullest.

FE065, have you taken in to Waterford? Gingerman is great based on the larger, wider, faster track with more run-off, but I like that Waterford is close. The only problem is all the crappy dirt roads leading back there...

 

[FE 065]

Waterford is kind of a tight course. I just go and watch. I don't want to be piecing together an explanation and Viper parts.. I like drag racing better.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Should I track the z06 and save the wear on the Viper?

It is really a tough question to answer. On the one hand you have a decent and disposable track car that any grandmother could drive. On the other, you have a car that commands respect from all who try to follow out of the pits.

Thankfully I was smart enough to buy a second Viper and not waste money on anything else.

 

[Fishtail]

Sell the ZO6 and buy a second viper that you can tear up on the track.

That's where it would take me.

 

[FLOORIN04]

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Should I track the z06 and save the wear on the Viper?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sell the z06 and buy a viper for the track

 

[FinalEd357]

Got it, sell the Z, pick up another Snake... Great advice. For those of you who recommend that or have done it yourself, I have a question for you... I was hesitant in buying the Viper to not show off to friends & family who don't have the means. Do any of you face the similar dilemma in owning not 1, but 2 Vipers?

thanks,

 

[SylvanSRT]

"showing off" is in the attitude of the owner, ownership is not showing off

 

[ViperRay]

Just behave modestly. Some people will envy you; some will find reasons to hate you. Most (I think) would feel that they would do the same sort of thing if they had the means.

Tracking a Viper is more expensive than tracking most other cars. On the other hand, you will enjoy Viper Days and, when you go to your local track, everyone will want to beat the Viper!

I love owning the pair and you will too if you take my advice.

 

[ViperJoe]

Track the "disposable" / "plenty available" one!

 

[FinalEd357]

Great advice, Sylvan. That is the way I try to be. Cars are cars (even Vipers) and as long as you stay grounded to what is most important, all else will fall into place.

From the other post, it seems that you really enjoy the Gen3. I checked one out prior to buying my GTS, but didn't have the chance to drive. Maybe down the road...

thanks,.

 

[Sonny 00 GTS ACR]

If you're going to the track, buy something with a roll cage and the proper safety equipment. It'll make you faster in the long run because you can drive with more confidence as you learn.

Gingerman is a safe track with good runoff, but it's ******* brakes. Make sure you bleed them often, use high temperature brake fluid and add some ventilation to keep 'em cool.

Viperdays is the only way to go - have fun!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I was hesitant in buying the Viper to not show off to friends & family who don't have the means. Do any of you face the similar dilemma in owning not 1, but 2 Vipers?

Two Vipers I have, but I am actually poorer than my friends and family, I don't have a wife or children. Boo hoo.

 

[Mike 99ACR]

So far I have not had a Z06 out run me at the track, not saying that it can't happen with the right driver maybe. I did have a Mallet Vette with super charger and lots of race conversions done to it with good driver out run me. So if you don't want to get passed often drive the Viper. When your out there in the Z06 you might think dam I wish I had a little more hp or tq. Its nice to real other cars in on long straights with the Viper.