> Viper for a Track car or something else? John, you reading this ? <

[MannyC]

Guys,

I am sort of in a dilemna about what to do. I have the fever now for Road coursing, and have done it now a handful of times. I started off doing it in a C5 Vette (twice) than once in my newer C5 Z06, and then sold that and took out the 94 RT/10 (highly modded) to Button Willow, Willow Springs and the Pahrump track in Nevada.

In this time, I have had the misfortune of going off track 3 times, once in the vette and twice in the Viper, for various reasons (one of them being a wheel breaking off on me.) Luckily, I have had no major damage to my car as of yet.

John Dearing took me out in my own car at my last event over at Willow Springs, and showed me what the car could do. Holy crap, I couldn't believe my car was doing what it was doing -- that boy can drive! Anyway, he commented that the car felt VERY loose in the back end compared to even a stock Gen 2, and my car has Penske suspension and tons of other mods. He said I should sell it and get a Gen 2. West Coast Viper suggested the same thing.

Now, I have a supercharged Gen 2 for the street (and occasional drags) and I have an SRT-10 Viper that will be here this weekend. So, if I get rid of the Gen 1 and replace it with another Viper, I will have 3 of them.

My question (and concern) is about damaging a Viper at the track. A hood replacement is many thousands of dollars. In fact everything on the car is pretty expensive to replace or fix. I am considering scrapping the whole Viper idea for a track car and going with something cheaper or more dedicated for track use. Thing is, I don't want to lose too much performance. John Dearing was passing Radicals in the corners with my Gen I (and yes, I almost shiit my pants when he did this.)

What kind of options are out there that you think make sense? I would love to continue running a Viper, and if so wouldn't mind using it as an occasional street car (like an RT/10 with roll bar.) I know I will start to miss my RT/10 if I get rid of it, even though I have the SRT-10.

Thoughts anybody? I want to start road coursing at least once per month.

Manny C.

PS: John (REDSLED) what kind of race car did you end up getting? Pics??/

 

[Janni]

Some of the best delas out there are Viper Days GT1 cars. they are solid, safe and sorted out. Granted, they are dedicated track cars, but once you start doing more track events, you'll drive the car less and less on the street. And, you'll want to get licensed (SCCA / NASA, etc.) and then do wheel to wheel racing. Buying a good used race car is always a bargain. Recently, an Archer and McCann prepared Viper Days GT1 car sold for the low $50Ks. The aero package alone is over $6500. Then you add for lightweight hood, doors, cage, triple adjustable shocks, wheels, etc. Well, you get where I am going.

A well prepared Viper is a solid and reliable track car. It's robust and easy to work on. Yes, parts can be expensive, but, there are reasonable aftermarket parts available.

My guess is that after driving a Viper on track, it'd be hard to go back to a track vehicle with less on demand torque - it's addicting. 'cause if we were all smart, we'd be racing Miatas - and if you *** one up, you go get a new one and move all the go fast parts over to it. You could do that several times over before getting into Viper price territory. But - either we're not that smart, or the Miata is missing that addictive torque.....

It's a slippery slope, but if you thnk you want to do it - don't waste time and money doing it half-arsed. You'll spend 3X as much and take longer to get there.

 

[Bugeater]

What Janni said. I did exactly that...sold the car in my Avatar pic (Black 2000 ACR) and bought John Grieco's 96 GT-1 spec car.

I posted a pic of it in the members area, my first SCCA race weeked. Get one Superbar, its well worth the price of admission, considering that price dropped *significantly* since the Comp Coupe came out. Cars that were advertised last year for 80,000+ are going for around half of that today.

 

[sun diego]

Comp Coupe. Comp Coupe, comp Coupe.

 

[CHAD]

What about the SRT with a rollbar, comp coupe suspension and dedicated track wheels? Unless you start racing instead of just enjoying track days, why not? Reports are that the car is EXCELLENT at this.

Chad

 

[99t1]

how about the best of BOTH worlds
http://65.110.65.208/job8/sellacr.htm

 

[Doc.]

Superbar,

I wrestled with this exact question last November. If money is a concern, there are many ways to race much cheaper
than campaigning a Viper. My problem was that I love the Viper and that is THE car that I wanted to drive. I had many of the experienced racers advise me to get a dedicated track car rather than trying to mod my existing GTS. They were EXACTLY right. Many of the things you need to do to a car to make it both safe and competitive ruin it for street driving. If my street car gets a swirl mark on it, I work all weekend to remove it.(I like taking it to car shows) I couldn't care less about paint chips and such on my track car.

I can also concur that buying a prepped and sorted car is much cheaper than doing a car from scratch. I like to spend my track time learning how to drive faster not trying to figure out modifications to get the car to perform correctly. I take a driving clinic from Bobby Archer once a month. EVERY month there will be someone there who has spent a huge amount of money on their car (not always a Viper)and their car either handles terribly, won't brake straight or has some other malady. I have seen the look on these peoples faces when Bobby tells them they would have to spend thousands of dollars just to get their car to outperform a stock Viper. I routinely lap cars that cost two-three times more money than my Viper just because it is set up properly. I can assure you that it is not because I am a good driver. If you have the experience to know exactly how to set the car up you may be fine. I do not have the know-how to do it myself.

You also need to consider what class you would like to race in. My car can run in Viper Days Challenge Series, VRL, SCCA T-1, and NASA. Try to get a car that will let you compete at many different venues and you will have many more opportunities to go racing. Lastly, a GT-1 car will generally be more expensive to run and maintain than a GT-2 car. If you do go off track the aero parts are very expensive as Janni has already pointed out. Remember that even routine maintenance is expensive on a track car. Each month I go through at least one set of tires, one-two sets of pads,replace all fluids, and have a nut and bolt done on the car.

The good new is that "I'm having the time of my life."
Each time I get into my car it is like going to Disneyland for the first time. My big problem now is that I have been awakened in the middle of the night three times this month with the cold sweats. I have been dreaming about a new Competition Coupe.( I sure hope Nascar Dave sells his soon so I can quit looking at it). I just don't think I could part with my current car at this point and I don't need both. So, I say buy a good track car and go get em.

Doc

 

[MannyC]

Thanks for the comments guys! I think I will stick with a Viper -- just deciding what to do. I'm fairly certain my Gen 1 should go and I'll get a Gen 2.

 

[99t1]

Viper ACR back up on ebay...reduced price...NO RESERVE!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&amp;item=2484451305&amp;sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ALC%3AMT%3A1

Morgan Reese
914-629-6938
[email protected]

 

[Janni]

Manny,
The cheapest thing to do is to get a race car that's already been sorted out - you should SERIOUSLY consider Morgan's car - it has all the good stuff -

killer suspension work
Quaiffe differential
ABS

You can run in ViperDays GT-T1 and then go to any SCCA race - regional or National and run it in T1. Lots of places to race and good competition.

Let us know what you decide???

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Not to get personal but it seems to me I heard something about money not being an obstacle for you. If that is the case get a Comp Coupe. You won't regret it. CC owns.

And keep the other Vipers.

I would sell my wife and kids for a Comp Coupe.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

I would sell my wife and kids for a Comp Coupe.

At least the ones you know about...

One of our local guys has decided to sell his race-prepared GTS. This one has a nice pedigree too: Previously owned by Bobby Archer and also Bob Woodhouse:

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I think he wants all of $49,995 on it. Would also sell his enclosed race trailer with it (extra bucks, of course). Nice car with all the upgrades!

 

[GTS234]

Janni is correct about buying an existing car.

I've made my living for the past several years in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series as a track GM (now "retired") and I've told more people than I can remember that if they are seriously interested in starting out, they will save time, money and frustration by going with a car that is proven.

Along with the car being ready to go, you will usually get the bonus of having the previous owner being available to answer questions and give you tips. Makes for alot easier learning curve.

Amantoby sounds like me. I want to go to the track too, but I'm the same way about my GTS (too particular, but the car is REALLY nice and I'd like to keep it that way). A second (track) car may be in my future. I did sort of the same thing with my Harleys. Two don't see rain, etc. ever, while the third one I got for the express purpose of riding whenever. Works great.

I guess if you like both garage queens and drivers (or track cars), you just have to figure out how come up with the money to have one (or more) of each! Guess I'll have to keep working on the Viper situation!