Viper Owner’s Invitationals

[I_Got_Bit]

New member to the Forums and I was just curious if the Viper Owners Invitationals are still happening or if it has gone by the way side.

I finally achieved my my childhood dream of getting my first Viper and now I want to get together with other Viper owners so this VOI sounds like it would be a lot of fun!

 

[Bonkers]

Wayside. VOIs are funded through membership dues,
and right now the funds are way down because people
would simple rather not pay memberships to clubs
anymore.

The ******** at the other site got us booted from our
last VOI venue because they thought it would be funny.
It ended up being a disaster because it had to be built
in a few days (as opposed to the months it took to
set up the original locale.) Since then its all been local
cruises and gatherings.

We're trying to get things re-organized, but with lingering
COVID protocols, and high risk lodging issues currently
plaguing the the US, it will probably be a while before we
see another proper VOI.

 

[I_Got_Bit]

Well that *****. Childhood dream come true and now I can’t share it with fellow Viper enthusiasts. I appreciate the help though!

 

[MoparMap]

There is an event coming up this year that is being put on by Bob Woodhouse in Indy that will be akin to the old VOIs in a way. There should have been a post on the Facebook page about it and more info coming once pricing and stuff got sorted out. Basically a long weekend thing with some banquets, watching a race, and possibly some track time for those interested. Looks like it's going to be a pretty cool event!

To tag on what Bonkers said, the big problem is membership and just how the dynamics have changed over the years. In theory putting on a big event could be done independently of membership numbers. By that I mean that the cost of the event for everyone attending would cover the total cost when all things get added up. Really I think that's the way any event should be anyway. That way people that pay dues but don't attend events aren't effectively paying for other people to attend. Where things get difficult is when most large venues and things want some amount of money put down up front to hold things. When we had thousands of members we could use money from dues to cover that, then the cost of the even for everyone attending would essentially refund the club the money we had to put down up front. Nowadays with Facebook and so many other ways to keep in touch and connect with other owners, people aren't as reliant on an organization to keep communication going. I have some ideas of what I'd like to do with the club to make it more worth it to people and less about just managing members, but it's been a long rebuilding process to even get where we are.

 

[Bonkers]

Well that *****. Childhood dream come true and now I can’t share it with fellow Viper enthusiasts. I appreciate the help though!

Im sorry, thats not what i meant at all - i was referring
specifically to VOIs, which are national events that require
HUGE amount of time, resources, and connections to
organize. You can hang out with fellow members on a local
level literally anytime you want, especially if you want to
personally set up the event. There are also numerous
regional, and quasi-national, Mopar events that pull in
large Viper turn-outs, but arent Viper-Specific persay.

 

[I_Got_Bit]

I am heading to one in Pittsburgh at the end of June. There is a vintage car racing event that is spotlighting the Viper this year. This sounds like the closest thing I’ll come to an actual Viper centric show. It sounds like I’ll have to get a Facebook page then to join the more local groups. I’ve never really been a fan of Facebook or social media. I joined once just to sell a set of aftermarket rims that came on the Viper that I just wanted to get rid of because 1.) they weren’t the stick rims/tires and 2.) I had limited space in my garage. I priced them rather low apparently, but the backlash I got from other Viper owners for not selling the set to them for a higher price, really turned me off to the whole Facebook thing. Maybe I should give it another try though, I know not all Viper owners are like those few.

 

[I_Got_Bit]

***end of July not June. July 14th-24th*** there’s a bunch of events throughout the week. If I am allowed to post the link to the show it’s down below.

2022 Spotlight On Dodge Viper | PVGP

Dodge Vipers have been a staple at the PVGP Historic Races since Jim and Kathy Stout purchased the track in 2011. They have been racing their SRT Vipers there

pvgp.org

 

[MoparMap]

I am heading to one in Pittsburgh at the end of June. There is a vintage car racing event that is spotlighting the Viper this year. This sounds like the closest thing I’ll come to an actual Viper centric show. It sounds like I’ll have to get a Facebook page then to join the more local groups. I’ve never really been a fan of Facebook or social media. I joined once just to sell a set of aftermarket rims that came on the Viper that I just wanted to get rid of because 1.) they weren’t the stick rims/tires and 2.) I had limited space in my garage. I priced them rather low apparently, but the backlash I got from other Viper owners for not selling the set to them for a higher price, really turned me off to the whole Facebook thing. Maybe I should give it another try though, I know not all Viper owners are like those few.

Honestly I'm kind of similar. I have an account, but I pretty much never really use the site. I just have it to see events and invitations for groups that I'm a part of. I never really post anything or even read through posts that often. The fact of the matter though is still that Facebook and other social media sites have really become the go-to location for setting up events and other stuff like that.

And yeah, there are always going to be a few sour apples in any group unfortunately. I've had pretty good luck with Viper owners as the majority of them seem to be really car centric people that enjoy driving them, not just owning them. They are a very unique car in the automotive spectrum and tend to attract a different kind of person. Hopefully you can find some locals around you to get your own little group going. That was another issue with the idea of a national club as a whole. We can have all the chapters we want, but in the long run not everyone lives near everyone else, so even if you try to pick the more populous spots in regions, that still makes it a long drive for people who just want to meet up and have lunch or go on a drive together. Social media lets anyone post up that they are going out for anyone else to join, so it does help to promote more spontaneous get togethers.

 

[I_Got_Bit]

That sounds like the route I will have to go then. Like I mentioned before I freaking love this car and want to share that enthusiasm with others that love this car too. I’ve been able to meet two other Viper owners and both guys have been really cool but only one of them goes with me to car shows. I can’t wait for the show in Pittsburgh. It should be an awesome time!

 

[MoparMap]

There is some info on that Indy event I was talking about at the site below. I'm planning to go to that one and sounds like it should be a good time and similar to VOIs of old to some degree.

Resources/News/Events – Viper Club of America

viperclubamerica.org

 

[str5010]

Congratulations on your Viper! Since you're in Ohio you should check out Complete Performance Motorsports in Sebring. They service a fleet of track prepared and racing Vipers. Each year in September they host an event at Pittsburgh International Raceway called Track Time and Tacos. Basically they tag along with another organization that has rented the track for the weekend and invite Vipers to either register for the HPDE that weekend or just hang out in the paddock. On Saturday evening they put on a dinner in the paddock and in the last few years there have been 25-30 Vipers in attendance. It's been a great time and I definitely recommend it.

They are also associated with the aforementioned Viper Showdown that is happening at Indy in October. It's sort of a follow up to the Viper Days Reunion which took place at Road America last August and was one of the best Viper events I've been to. Here are a couple photos from Track Time and Tacos.

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[JonB]

Bonkers bonked it on the head.


I attended first 11 VOIs and helped sponsor 5 - 11. Also Viper reunion last Fall. I say this:

GO TO VIPER SHOWDOWN!

INDY OCTOBER 2022

VOI-LIKE VIPER DNA.

SAME TEAM-V CELEBS.

C U THERE

 

[I_Got_Bit]

Haha ok this is what I wanted!! This is all great information!! I really appreciate it thank you all!! And keep those events coming!