DanElam
Enthusiast
Video: Viper reinforces \'image\' - saves car
Ok. Without naming names....
Some of you may know that I instruct with one of the NASA chapters. I came up through the ranks driving my Viper and always felt like I was being judged a little more harshly than the other students. When I brought a friend of mine out (ok, so it is John Beasley and those of you that know him know that he and his nitrous equipped Viper are crazy) - he ended up on the receiving end of a tongue lashing when he went off the track in his first session. It was a mistake, but the lecture was worse than typical.
When I became an instructor I brought up that I felt that some instructors were a little harsh on the Viper guys. The other instructors explained that - over and over again - they see Viper owners come out to the track with the big-ball swagger and think they can do anything. they pointed out that a lot of Viper owners have more money that sense. Sadly, I have learned that the image of the Viper owner is often well deserved. In hindsight, I was probably a little arrogant on the track too (I did have some track time.)
Which brings me to my subject at hand:
At the beginning of the year we had a guy show up for school with a monster rig and beautful GTS-R. He was working to get his competition license. When I tried to talk to him (without mentioning that I was a Viper owner, he was arrogant and dismissive). His instructors were frustated with his "I can go faster attitude". To the school he brought a professional pit crew and even a fueling rig. (Sniff: I don't have a fueling rig!) Well, he whacked the car. Most of us thought it was totaled.
Much to my surprise I see the guy roll into the track recently. He'd missed the first day of practice and qualifying and would start the race from the back of the pack. Before the race I talked to him and he was pretty typical, although he did warm up (a bit) this time when I mentioned that I was a Viper owner and suggested some minor things to help a problem he was having.
The race had mixed classes and he was going to have to work his way through some slower traffic on a very tight, technical course. He came zooming through the pack only to attempt a high speed late braking manuever less than a half lap from the start of the race. Folks, I love my Viper, but I don't try too many late brake tricks with it. I let the engine and acceleration work and I tolerate the brakes. The result was a reinforcement of the image of a 'typical Viper' owner.
I have done a little digital color change to the car so as to not embarass anyone. The driver here is nice enough - he just needs to learn to calm down.
High rez version (6 meg) http://www.elams.org/Racing/2002/Kershaw%202002%20Summer/Viper.mpg
Low rez version (1.3 meg) http://www.elams.org/Racing/2002/Kershaw%202002%20Summer/Viper_small.mpg
Make sure to paste the whole address or just come in through the main page of www.elams.org
Oh well! Just thought I would share.
Ok. Without naming names....
Some of you may know that I instruct with one of the NASA chapters. I came up through the ranks driving my Viper and always felt like I was being judged a little more harshly than the other students. When I brought a friend of mine out (ok, so it is John Beasley and those of you that know him know that he and his nitrous equipped Viper are crazy) - he ended up on the receiving end of a tongue lashing when he went off the track in his first session. It was a mistake, but the lecture was worse than typical.
When I became an instructor I brought up that I felt that some instructors were a little harsh on the Viper guys. The other instructors explained that - over and over again - they see Viper owners come out to the track with the big-ball swagger and think they can do anything. they pointed out that a lot of Viper owners have more money that sense. Sadly, I have learned that the image of the Viper owner is often well deserved. In hindsight, I was probably a little arrogant on the track too (I did have some track time.)
Which brings me to my subject at hand:
At the beginning of the year we had a guy show up for school with a monster rig and beautful GTS-R. He was working to get his competition license. When I tried to talk to him (without mentioning that I was a Viper owner, he was arrogant and dismissive). His instructors were frustated with his "I can go faster attitude". To the school he brought a professional pit crew and even a fueling rig. (Sniff: I don't have a fueling rig!) Well, he whacked the car. Most of us thought it was totaled.
Much to my surprise I see the guy roll into the track recently. He'd missed the first day of practice and qualifying and would start the race from the back of the pack. Before the race I talked to him and he was pretty typical, although he did warm up (a bit) this time when I mentioned that I was a Viper owner and suggested some minor things to help a problem he was having.
The race had mixed classes and he was going to have to work his way through some slower traffic on a very tight, technical course. He came zooming through the pack only to attempt a high speed late braking manuever less than a half lap from the start of the race. Folks, I love my Viper, but I don't try too many late brake tricks with it. I let the engine and acceleration work and I tolerate the brakes. The result was a reinforcement of the image of a 'typical Viper' owner.
I have done a little digital color change to the car so as to not embarass anyone. The driver here is nice enough - he just needs to learn to calm down.
High rez version (6 meg) http://www.elams.org/Racing/2002/Kershaw%202002%20Summer/Viper.mpg
Low rez version (1.3 meg) http://www.elams.org/Racing/2002/Kershaw%202002%20Summer/Viper_small.mpg
Make sure to paste the whole address or just come in through the main page of www.elams.org
Oh well! Just thought I would share.
