Viper Days decisions and newbie questions

[shifter]

Hello all,
I've decided to give Viper Days a try, wanting some good track time, under instruction, to get to know my car and it's limits. I was originally going to attend the Gingerman session later this summer, but am now thinking about Mid Ohio later this month. This way, if I get addicted, I can always hit a few more events, especially Gingerman which isn't too far from me. However, the weather at Mid-Ohio in late April can be slightly concerning. Does the Viper Days run in rain? Is it still fun in the rain? Heat/shelter areas for my wife to hang out in? She's extremely supportive, but does have her limits.

I was planning on driving there, I'd like to trailer it but I'm between trailers at the moment. Without a chase vehicle (so my wife and I can enjoy the ride together) my stowage capacity will be limited in my RT. Do I need to take a substantial toolbox, jack, and stands to work on the car (take sport shims out, change pads if necessary), or will some of the vendors there have facilities, tools, and willingness to allow me to pay them to do it for me? For brake pads, I was thinking about putting on my EBC Red fronts with Green or stock rears, but wasn't sure they would last the Viper Days weekend at Mid-Ohio, Any suggestions? Should I just put the reds on before I leave, run the event, and only worry about changing them if I can't make it home on whatever's left, and forget about the sport shims?

Is Mid-ohio a good track for a beginner, in terms of safe off course excursions? Not that I'm planning any, but it does happen.

Any other words of wisdom or advise on what to take, please let me know. I'm new, a bit nervous especially with driving my car there, but I know as soon as I hit the track, a select few will be chosen to chase me down to get me back off it. You can spare the 'just go' advise, I've already received that comment a few times and it hasn't satisfied me. I have a hard head. Thanks.

 

[RockyTop]

I have attended two Viper Days events and highly recommend them. They are not cheap, but they are done right. The Viper comeraderie is great and the food etc. are first rate.

My first event was the Finals a few years ago in Savannah at Roebling Road. I had some driving experience already at RoadAtlanta so I wasn't completely inexperienced, but I had never been to that track. I had a couple of the instructors ride with me and had one drive my car.

I attended the event at VIR last summer and had a great time. Again, I had an instructor ride with me on two ocassions and it really helped my technique and line. He had a helmet to helmet communicatiuons device that I thought was really helpful. You should absolutely take advantage of this to (i) learn the line, and (ii) get some good, hands-on instruction. Between sessions, take a ride with one of the more expereinced drivers if an instructor is not available.

I have no experience at Mid-Ohio so I cannot comment. As far as brake pads go, use racing style pads, bed them and your rotors (if new) beforehand if possible and figure on going almost completely through the pads. I'd bring some extra fronts just in case. New high temp freshly bled brake fluid is a must. I recommend AP 600 over Motul - - careful though, the AP isn't compatible with Motul and many other fluids so blow out all the old stuff. At VIR I went through a set of PFC pads and boiled fresh Motul fluid even though my car was in the "shop" a fair amount while there.

The beautiful thing about Viper Days is that vendors are there who can do work on your car (depending on your place in the inevitable line). John Archer preformed this function at VIR. John's brother's (Bobby) company brought me some Hoosiers and mounted and balanced them for me at the track. At VIR a racer blew an engine in practice and they had one flown in and had it in the car by race time !

You're gonna enjoy the experience completely. Skip and his family know how to do it right. Wish I was going to Mid-Ohio. I will be at VIR again - - the best track in the country ?

 

[Steve Ferguson]

First off, most of us have gone to track events and had a blast just by jumping in the Viper and heading down to an event. So no need to worry about all the tool and tire issues. There will be a ton of Viper owners and vendors there to make sure you have a full weekend of enjoyment.

Now lets discuss the difference between Mid-Ohio and Gingerman. Gingerman is one of the most forgiving tracks I have ever been on. Mid-Ohio is exactly the opposite. Should you take a chance and go to Mid-Ohio? Yes, and don't worry at all. When you go to a track as technically challenging as Mid-Ohio, go with the intention of enjoying YOURSELF, and pay no attention to what the others are doing. There is no need to push, but emphasize learning and you will learn the true enjoyment that track experiences offer, and you can push at a more forgiving track later down the line when you have the seat time and location that will best fit your driving skill.

Remember, high performance driving is about FUN, not trying to win a $12 trophy.

 

[SoCal Rebell]

Do the Mid-Ohio event, although I've never been there I hear it is GREAT! You and your wife will have a ball, Viperdays is a great event, you will not regret it and will learn alot.

You do not need tools or a jack, there are plenty of people with them there if you need them and will be happy to lend them to you if need be, there is alot of comradarie at these events. Also Archer Racing will be there to work on your Viper should you need it.

DO NOT get EBC red pads, they're awful and will not stop you on the street they take too long to heat up and they wear out quick. Your stock rear brakes are fine, my recomendation is to get a set of Brakeman #3 pads on the front. Put them on before you leave home they work GREAT on the track and on the street and wear like iron. Also it would probably be a good idea to put in a high temp brake fluid, it's no fun boiling the fluid on the track.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SoCal Rebell:
DO NOT get EBC red pads, they're awful and will not stop you on the street they take too long to heat up and they wear out quick. Your stock rear brakes are fine, my recomendation is to get a set of Brakeman #3 pads on the front. Put them on before you leave home they work GREAT on the track and on the street and wear like iron. Also it would probably be a good idea to put in a high temp brake fluid, it's no fun boiling the fluid on the track.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes. DO NOT use EBC red on the track. Brakeman #3 is good.

Many use Motul fluid. I'm switching to Castrol.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I've been to the last two Viper Days events at Mid Ohio at the end of April. Weather was great, no rain and in the mid 60's at least. Although they run rain or shine, unless there is a total downpour at which the track might close it down anyway. If your on the edge for this event I would say go because. I heard this is the last year at this track for ViperDays. Won't be any easier to drive this track in the future as dates are booked up well in advance. I rate this track on the list of tracks I've been to as the second best, Road Atlanta #1, VIR #3. After that all the other tracks well ** hum. You will get some fabulous track time with limited cars out on the track. I would say by now all instructors are Very Viper qualified as either they track dive a Viper already or have been instructing at these events for many years. Your in the same shoes as many others that come to the track just by driving there Viper. The supporting vendors such as Archer racing, Autoform Development, Bobby Archer Enterprises will have all the consumables you will need if any and can perform routine jobs very easily. Plus they sell all kinds of other equipment or gadgets. Or there are many owners that bring equipment to the track that will let you borrow them if needed if your the do it yourself type. I've never been turned down when I asked to borrow a tool from someone. You will not be stranded with no vehicle to get home. Plus you don't want to miss all the other shenanigans that go on in the paddock off the track, rolling 4 wheelers, moped wipe outs, 2 wheel bar stool tricks.
The one last qualifier to get you off the fence is the Comp Coupe will be there and testing with the race group!!!!!!

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

I have run both EBC's and Brakemans, and both are great products. Tom Glenn is a superb driver and rumors are he doesn't use his brakes, so I would have to politely counter not to use Green EBCs in the rear. Whereas the reds are still not good for the fronts, and either Yellow or Blues should be used, many drivers of 2000 and back Vipers use the Reds on the rears with great success. Many of our customers have had major concerns with greens in the rear, so Tom gets by with skill ( 2001 SuperStock Champion in Viper Days ). It is kinda of a " Don't try this at home ," story, as Mr. Glenn is the exception to the rule. The Brakemans are a great pad and very progressive, and they may be coming out soon with a new pad that is somewhere between a #3 and a #4 ( I call it the Brakeman 3 1/2 ), which should be great on the front. We have two drivers who have had wonderful luck with Brakeman #3s on the rear and EBC Blues on the front, so..........obviously these are two great products.

 

[JoeB]

Shifter,

Whatever you do in your lifetime, will probably never feel as good as driving your car on the track. Once you master any one turn on a track there is a feeling of accomplishment that is like no other. And when you do it, you will know it. The thrill of track driving is so exciting and fun. Viper Days is a class event. Skip is a great guy and all the participants are a great group of guys, very helpful and all down to Earth. All the participants are there to have fun, and they do. Don't be afraid to ask questions, there are so many knowledgeable people at the events.
I was just at my first event and can't wait until the next one.
When you get an Instructor, he is local and knows the track and has driven it many times. Try different instructors because all driving styles are different, especially the type of car they have. Ask questions!! As with me, after the first day I went back to the motel and I could close my eyes and drive the track, and count how many times I shifted, braked, applied the throttle where the line was on each turn, etc. It was fantastic.

You will be surprised at all the different Vipers, colors, stripes, no stripes, and mods.
Here is a link I used for all the necessities you might need, some items apply and some don't. Its a good list.

http://wurthmotorsports.com/Track_Checklist.HTM

Once bitten, you can't wait until the next one. Have Fun!!!

Hey! BTW, Thanks Skip!!!

Joe B

 

[Tom Glenn]

Joe, I have run EBC pads in Viper Days events for over a year with excellent results. The combination I use is Yellows-front & Greens-rear. I also run this combination on the street.
Good Luck,
Tom Glenn

 

[Rich Wesorick]

Joe:

I think you'll find that Mid-Ohio has plenty of cover for your wife in the event of rain. The garages and stands on the front straight are open for people to watch. Last year it was cool in the morning, but sunny and 65 by mid-day - great for racing!

As indicated above, between Bobby Archer's crew and the Archer Racing crew, you'll have no problem getting knowledgable service done on your car.

Mid-Ohio is not the most spin-friendly track, but don't let this deter you. It is a very technical track (one of the top 2 or 3 in the country!) that will challenge you intellectually. Many people try to overdrive the track, only to post slower times than the smoother drivers. Skip's instructors will teach you how to drive your car and how to drive the track. They are so good at doing this that rookies rarely go off (it's usually the experienced drivers pushing too hard).

just my 2 cents