What a great weekend set up by VCA and the SRT folks and it was a sight to pull onto the grounds of the Barrett Jackson Auction and see all the Red/White VCA Editions lined up in a semi-circle. Folks were pulling into the site and immediately nailing their brakes to get a sight of all the Snakes and we came close to having a couple fender benders as the cameras came out in profusion. With comments ranging from a simple, " Oh my God these are gorgeous, " to the " This car looks a ton better in person," the consensus was the Coupe is a real traffic stopper. I was personally disappointed that the Chevy Suburban didn't rear end the the Cobalt that practically stood itself on end braking for a photo op - sounds a bit mean spirited , but I guess I am just that way bout Chebbies, ha. It was almost as fun to drive the cars over to the distributing Dealership, as cars slowed, kids waved, and jaws dropped as close to 50 Serpents paraded down the thoroughfare.
The Arizona Region threw a lunch at the on-site Restaurant at Barrett -Jackson and besides the great food, they , brought along some nice memorablia and clothing items for Viper Fanatics that needed to buy something after just picking up their new VCA Editions. The current Arizona President noted the weekend was the second largest VCA Gathering other than VOI, combining the Arizona members with the Raffle car recipients. The weekend was also noted for having 4 past and present Viper Presidents around during the festivities ----Steve Wedel, Tony Estes, Maurice Liang, and Gary Lashinsky. With the afternoon devoted to viewing all the vendors,cars, and the actual auction, the Barrett-Jackon event was a unique experience for all.
Sunday was pedal to the metal, and anyone who has purchased a new Viper ( or any SRT product of late ) needs to take advantage of the SRT Experience that is now provided free of charge with said purchase. Having been to quite a few driving schools in the past, I was wondering how they could put on a one day performance clinic with a widely diverse group of enthusiasts -- everything from front drive SRT4 owners to SnakeCharmers. The answer to the question, is it is done fantastically and SRT Marketing and Skip Barber should be commended for doing such a dynamic job. We had quite a few folks who have participated in Viper Days, and other track events, but the program was tailored to make sure everyone had a chance to sample the hot products from SRT, and no one was disappointed regardless of experience level. The big question is whether you get to drive the Vipers on a track and the answer is a resounding YES!!! With track time in Magnums, SRT6s, and Snakes to be followed by an Autocross in the same vehicles , the drag strip simulation was a bit different with trucks and SRT8 Jeeps thrown into the fray. The exitement of all the vehicles at the line is exhilarating, but the Jeep lauches like it was attached to a catapult on the deck of a USS Aircraft Carrier. This four pawed beast has got to be just causing Porsche fits with it's 0-60 times and quarter mile capabilities waxing the Teutonic, dethroned King, of SUV speed records! Mathmatically challenged will not be problem, as over half the price of a Cayenne, with twice the fun is this Jeep's moniker --- Cayenne may need to be retranslated as just, sort of hot!
Overall a great weekend for the new Viper owners, and when the votes were taken the SRT Experience beat out the Barrett Jackson Auction as the most fun over the three days. Someone mentioned that SRT owners are doers, not watchers, and that may just sum it all up.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Pemberton
Special Thanks to the folks at SRT:
Kendra Corman, Mike Stevens, Steve Sharples, Herb Helbig
Special Thanks to the folks at VCA:
All the officers, Presidents and Board Members, Fiona McKenna, Kim Vogt and the Arizona VCA Club.
The Arizona Region threw a lunch at the on-site Restaurant at Barrett -Jackson and besides the great food, they , brought along some nice memorablia and clothing items for Viper Fanatics that needed to buy something after just picking up their new VCA Editions. The current Arizona President noted the weekend was the second largest VCA Gathering other than VOI, combining the Arizona members with the Raffle car recipients. The weekend was also noted for having 4 past and present Viper Presidents around during the festivities ----Steve Wedel, Tony Estes, Maurice Liang, and Gary Lashinsky. With the afternoon devoted to viewing all the vendors,cars, and the actual auction, the Barrett-Jackon event was a unique experience for all.
Sunday was pedal to the metal, and anyone who has purchased a new Viper ( or any SRT product of late ) needs to take advantage of the SRT Experience that is now provided free of charge with said purchase. Having been to quite a few driving schools in the past, I was wondering how they could put on a one day performance clinic with a widely diverse group of enthusiasts -- everything from front drive SRT4 owners to SnakeCharmers. The answer to the question, is it is done fantastically and SRT Marketing and Skip Barber should be commended for doing such a dynamic job. We had quite a few folks who have participated in Viper Days, and other track events, but the program was tailored to make sure everyone had a chance to sample the hot products from SRT, and no one was disappointed regardless of experience level. The big question is whether you get to drive the Vipers on a track and the answer is a resounding YES!!! With track time in Magnums, SRT6s, and Snakes to be followed by an Autocross in the same vehicles , the drag strip simulation was a bit different with trucks and SRT8 Jeeps thrown into the fray. The exitement of all the vehicles at the line is exhilarating, but the Jeep lauches like it was attached to a catapult on the deck of a USS Aircraft Carrier. This four pawed beast has got to be just causing Porsche fits with it's 0-60 times and quarter mile capabilities waxing the Teutonic, dethroned King, of SUV speed records! Mathmatically challenged will not be problem, as over half the price of a Cayenne, with twice the fun is this Jeep's moniker --- Cayenne may need to be retranslated as just, sort of hot!
Overall a great weekend for the new Viper owners, and when the votes were taken the SRT Experience beat out the Barrett Jackson Auction as the most fun over the three days. Someone mentioned that SRT owners are doers, not watchers, and that may just sum it all up.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Pemberton
Special Thanks to the folks at SRT:
Kendra Corman, Mike Stevens, Steve Sharples, Herb Helbig
Special Thanks to the folks at VCA:
All the officers, Presidents and Board Members, Fiona McKenna, Kim Vogt and the Arizona VCA Club.
