The 10th 2012 Production Viper off the line goes to...

[ivanrho]

Usually I'm pretty quiet, but the excitement has me too ecstatic to be as such...

Ralph Gilles came down to Miami Beach just over a month ago for a NASCAR banquet. Some members from the VCA South Florida shared some drinks that night and had breakfast with him the next morning.

During breakfast, he informed me that he would be coming down again around Christmas time so I offered a carting event at Xteme Indoor Carting located in Ft. Lauderdale for the members to join in on a challenge.

The challenge would be, any VCA South Florida Member putting down a faster lap time than him would earn the right/voucher to buy the 10th 2012 Viper off the assembly line. He agreed and it was on.

Well today, after 2 sessions, I am more humbled than happy to say that I was able to edge out Ralph.

1st Session Ivan: 30.72 Ralph: 30.77
2nd Session Ivan: 30.32 Ralph: 30.38

In all fairness, during the 1st session Ralph started in the back and was in traffic with 6 others. During the 2nd session, there were only 4 of us and the track was open. It was good we didn't do a 3rd session; I think he was getting the hang of the track.

Ralph told me he's never lost to a Viper owner before, on the track or carting. Ralph is a true gentleman and 1 incredible driver. I'm in disbelief that I was able to keep him off my heels, but today was my day, and I'm really looking forward to the 2012 Viper!!

Ralph and company stand alone. These types of things don't happen in other car companies and today was a prime example. A true gentleman to say the very least, and one hell of a driver. Thanks Dodge!!!

 

[plumcrazy]

way to go.

 

[RevHeat]

Nice Ivan. The Viper force was once again with you today!

 

[01sapphirebob]

As silly as this may sound but I may be out of the loop. Why the 10th 2012 viper? Is this the first one going to the public?

 

[ivanrho]

Thanks everyone. A lucky day for me. The reason why the 10th is because 1-9 usually go to Dodge Execs and for testing.

 

[Boxer12]

Shame on you for not opening this up to the rest of the VCA!

 

[ivanrho]

Shame on you for not opening this up to the rest of the VCA!

Ralph happens to visit South Florida quite a bit. We're fortunate enough to have seen him 3 times this year already.

If you want in:
-You gotta move to where it's warm! Well, it's gonna be in the 30s tonight so I can't say it's really that warm.

-Then you gotta talk to your regional president and get a driving event planned where he can attend.

-Then you have to be lucky and good. I'd rather be lucky which I was today.

 

[Bobpantax]

Hi Ivan. Some clarification please. I know you have run that track many times and you know the line very well. Had Ralph ever run it before? If not, was he allowed at least ten practice laps before the races? Also, you said he got caught up in traffic. I know that the carts used to start in a straight line out the shoot. Is that still true? If so, were you first in line on your runs? Was Ralph? Are all the carts equal? I remember when I ran a number of years ago some were better than others and some had better tires than others.

I think a rematch may be in order which neutralizes any home court advantage that may have inadvertantly occurred. After all, Ralph was our guest and I would hate to think that we might not have been fair with a guest.

Also, as noted above, perhaps this should have been a National VCA event run on a more convenient date for people to attend than the day after Christmas. Exactly how many people attended?

One more thing. Don't the VCA bylaws prohibit a Region President from participating in a competition resulting in a prize? I believe that applies to the raffles. Is the rule applicable here? If so, you are disqualified and Ralph won.

( And for those reading this - yes I am biased toward Ralph.) LOL.

 

[1fast400]

If that post is serious bob, you're an ass.

 

[Bobpantax]

It ends in LOL. But thank you for the thoughtful, perceptive and Forum Rule violating post the day after Christmas.

 

[ivanrho]

Hi Ivan. Some clarification please. I know you have run that track many times and you know the line very well. Had Ralph ever run it before? Yes he has. If not, was he allowed at least ten practice laps before the races? He has run there before and races an ACR-X. Professionally. After the 1st session, he wanted to run a 2nd. I agreed. Also, you said he got caught up in traffic. I know that the carts used to start in a straight line out the shoot. Is that still true? We raced against the clock. Fastest timed lap for the session wins. It wasn't a race with a line up. If so, were you first in line on your runs? Read the previous comment. Was Ralph? Read the previous comment. Are all the carts equal? I'm assuming they're all equal, or maybe I was in a slower cart, but have excellent driving skills. I remember when I ran a number of years ago some were better than others and some had better tires than others.

I think a rematch may be in order which neutralizes any home court advantage that may have inadvertantly occurred. After all, Ralph was our guest and I would hate to think that we might not have been fair with a guest. Ralph was our guest, and will always be our guest. He is a man of his word, and is one of us. A total down to earth kind of guy. You think I was unfair to him because I drove faster than him today? So as a guest, I should have let him beat me? Are you a democrat? Hmmm Bob your true colors are coming out!!

Also, as noted above, perhaps this should have been a National VCA event run on a more convenient date for people to attend than the day after Christmas. Exactly how many people attended? 8 people attended. And sure, if Ralph would be available at a more convenient time, (let me poll our members to find out) I'll be sure to tell Ralph when he needs to be down here for that.

One more thing. Don't the VCA bylaws prohibit a Region President from participating in a competition resulting in a prize? Um no. I believe that applies to the raffles. Is the rule applicable here? You're an attorney; maybe you can shed some light on this. If so, you are disqualified and Ralph won.

( And for those reading this - yes I am biased toward Ralph.) LOL.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I am humbled by my win today. It was for fun and for a great time to draw VCA members who attended, to have their 2010 and 2011 VCA dues paid in full.

As easily as I won, I could have lost or someone else could have won. That being said, I didn't win anything of value as I'm unable to flip this car for a profit. I will keep this car because it has a higher value attached to it for me than the what it will cost.

 

[Bobpantax]

Ivan. Read the post again. Note that it ends in LOL. Must be all that Christmas food clogging up the neurons tonight.

 

[1fast400]

All you said was that you were biased to ralph. Just a stupid post.

 

[Bobpantax]

Thank you again for your perceptive and thoughtful comment.

 

[ivanrho]

Ivan. Read the post again. Note that it ends in LOL. Must be all that Christmas food clogging up the neurons tonight.

Ok, not everyone understands your sarchastic sense of humor?

 

[Paul Hawker]

Guys.

You've been snookered.

Ralph is such a company guy I think he let you win just to sell another Viper : >)

Congratulations to everyone who got the opportunity to spend some time with Ralph. He is a fantastic car guy that flat out "gets it".

 

[TrackAire]

Congrats on your win!!

I think what everyone should be asking themselves is does the CEO of General Motors or Ford go carting or even meet with its Corvette or Mustang owners group???

As a teenager I remember Lee Iacocca pimping mini vans on TV commercials when he was trying to convince Americans to buy Chrysler products. Why Chrysler doesn't have Ralph as the figure head of the Chrysler line is beyond me. As my wife pointed out, sales to women would definately go up if Ralph was used in the commercials

Cheers,
George

 

[DodgeViper01]

Congratulations Ivan! Mind if I ask why the 10th? Were 1-9 press cars or spoken for within Chrysler?

 

[ivanrho]

Congrats on your win!!

I think what everyone should be asking themselves is does the CEO of General Motors or Ford go carting or even meet with its Corvette or Mustang owners group???

As a teenager I remember Lee Iacocca pimping mini vans on TV commercials when he was trying to convince Americans to buy Chrysler products. Why Chrysler doesn't have Ralph as the figure head of the Chrysler line is beyond me. As my wife pointed out, sales to women would definately go up if Ralph was used in the commercials

Cheers,
George

George, you hit the exact point of my message. And yes, I think I got dupped! LOL.

 

[ivanrho]

Congratulations Ivan! Mind if I ask why the 10th? Were 1-9 press cars or spoken for within Chrysler?

Thank you! Idk, why the 10th. Was just a number that came off the top of his head, or mine. The 10th car MAY NOT be anything significant, other than it's the 10th car. The 1st car offered to the public could be an earlier number.

 

[J&R3xV10]

So does that mean that you won't be able to choose color or options and just stuck with whatever the 10th car produced is? Still fun and awesome of Ralph!

 

[V1PERMAN]

Just to add my perspective on the situation since I was there competing against Ralph also. This was a simple carting event challenge cooked up between Ivan and Ralph about a month ago. The challenge was open to all paid up members of the south Fla VCA. In fact, we used this event to help push our members to renew their 2011 VCA dues in order to compete in the event. It was Ralphs idea to throw in the prize of whoever gets the fastest lap of the day gets the right to purchase the 10th 2012 Viper made. This was a really nice gesture by Ralph to make the challenge more interesting as well as he is an excellent racer who would be difficult to beat. The winner would still have to buy the Viper, but he would be moved way up the list to 10th spot. As it turned out, the 2 fastest times for the day were Ivan and Ralph's, not just between the Viper guys but everyone who raced carts for the day, which were over 100 people! In the end, each race was so close that Ivan won by a .05 and .06 margin each time. The challenge was very fair and nobody had any advantage. Just a great time between Viper enthusiasts. This is why the Viper is such a great car, it's the people like CEO Ralph and club presidents like Ivan who make owning this awesome machine all the more fun. In the end, you can be sure that all VCA club members who want to purchase the new 2012 Viper will get one.

Happy holidays to all,

David Ivler
S. Fla VCA V.P

 

[Bobpantax]

Dave. You obviously do not know that the time keeper's name was **. There's no way an old person like Ivan beat a young person like Ralph.

 

[Kevan]

Usually I'm pretty quiet, but the excitement has me too ecstatic to be as such...

Fantastic story!!!
Ralph = da man!
(I still have Corey Vetzsuk as my profile pic on FB....heh heh)

If that post is serious bob, you're an ass.

It ends in LOL. But thank you for the thoughtful, perceptive and Forum Rule violating post the day after Christmas.

All you said was that you were biased to ralph. Just a stupid post.

Thank you again for your perceptive and thoughtful comment.

PANTAX PWN

Love it.

 

[utahviper]

Your just lucky me and tony dont live by you! Congrats on the win! Sounds like you have some fun events. Keep up the good work. Nice to meet you at VOI. Those were some intense kart sessions at the end of VOI.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

**, **, ** ...............way to be your own Santa Claus, Ivan. Ralph is a class driver and would never want anything given to him. Sounds by your statements he gave you the accolades, and that just makes Viper owners, Viper Racers, and Viper faithful respect him even more.

You may need to change our name now to , I Von **..........sounds besser mit a liddle Chermann aksent !

 

[BPAG]

Congrats!!!

 

[viperdrummer]

Congrats and great job but 2012 or 2013?

 

[ivanrho]

So does that mean that you won't be able to choose color or options and just stuck with whatever the 10th car produced is? Still fun and awesome of Ralph!

According to Ralph, all options will be available when the Viper is released. The ACR however will be released at a later date just it has in the past. As far as HP is concerned, it will make at least 1hp more than 600. Yes, that was his answer. LOL

 

[ivanrho]

Your just lucky me and tony dont live by you! Congrats on the win! Sounds like you have some fun events. Keep up the good work. Nice to meet you at VOI. Those were some intense kart sessions at the end of VOI.

Hey Todd, I know I'm lucky you and Tony don't live here. I'd have my hands full. Great meeting you too in Utah and thanks for being a great host. Your car is sick fast and I won't lie but after that ride in your Viper, I had to check my undergarments to see if they needed changing. Hope to see you soon.