Viper Speedfest at Sebring

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Thanks to Gary Lashinsky for organizing this event for VCA members. We got the Dodge Suite which had TVs tuned to the F1 USGP at Indianapolis and the NASCAR KC race, although it's tough to pay attention to those when the real thing is flying past right in front of you. Food, drink and yes beer, all included. Bill Pimperton did a great job announcing even though he didn't buy me a beer like he promised last week. I guess he figured he didn't have to since there was beer in the suite. 7 or 8 Vipers followed the Archer Prowler Pace Car for the start of Sundays Viper race. Open wheel, stock cars, trucks, legend cars also raced but the Vipers stole the show. It was great meeting everybody. I hope it turns into an annual event.

Thanks again Gary.

 

[Mike H]

Even though my roof blew off at 150 Mph+ on the front straight in Saturday qualifying.....guess the fans loved that one.....and it ruined my race weekend....It was still a blast to be there and see the Vipers steal the show!!!!!

Way to go skip!

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

The Sebring Speedfest was really alot of fun, and Jon McGuire was very much in touch with the crowd, as alot of folks were commenting on how much they enjoyed the Vipers ! I was fortunate to have the opportunity to announce for all the diverse groups running at Sebring (Pro Formula 2000, Fastruck, StockCar, NASA, and Viper Racing League ) and the crowds did seem to come out, when the V10 Slithering Beasts appeared. This is not to take anything away from the other groups, as I believe the natural curiousity of seeing so many GTSs' and RT-10s' on the track at speed, was wondrous to all ages. The SCCA Pro Formula 2000 series did run a race on Saturday and Sunday , for round 12 & 13 in their series and the National Championship was determined at Sebring. This group was very exciting to watch also, as only 2.5 seconds seperated First from 24th place. The Viper drivers definitely held their own, woth fellow drivers surprised at how fast these esentially stock cars ran. The fastest F2000 car ran a 1:09 sec lap on the revised 1.85 mile track, and the 2800 lb , 575 HP stock cars were running 1:10s'. The Viper Racing League, with crate motors and NO internal engine mods ( basically just headers, no cats, and air boxes ) were running 1:11's. Pretty amazing to have 3 extremely different cars running within 2 seconds of each other. VCA President Tony Estes was on hand, as was Zone Director Gary Lashinsky ( who also drove ), so there was a real feeling of Viper Community at the race. Gary worked his tail end off organizing a suite and other entertainment venues for the Florida Viper Clubs, and then he had to get in his car and race, so KUDOS go to Gary L. I will try and post a full race report later and the Viper Racing League put on a show that would have made all of us proud - these races never had a dull spot, with lots of passing, some minor fender rubbing, dramatic shifts in trophy placement, and some brilliant saves.Sebring wants the group back, but as well as they showed, there may be calls from many other venues to bring the Snakecharming Show to town.

 

[Gary Lashinsky]

For those of you who attended Sebring's Speedfest, thank you. For those who did not, you missed one hell of an event. Rain or shine we ran. Thanks to Skip, Linda and Tracy for this great weekend. We were the main event both days and will be back next year, same time, same place. The track loved us, best racing they have seen in a long time from our Viper Racing League and professional teams and Vipers. We were a home run! Bill Pemberton as always did a tremendous job on the P.A. Again thanks to all for supporting the VCA and Viper Days at Sebring. See you next year.

 

[LTHL-GRY]

I actually saw some drivers being asked for autographs...

Way to go guys, it was very impressive to see the Vipers race. What was more impressive was to see all the cars back on the track Sunday after Saturday afternoons carnage. I thought for sure several of those guys would be on their trailers.

Thanks to Gary for organizing the event.

Bill P., you still owe me a beer, sorry I never got to see you, although you did crack me up several times with your announcing prowess.

JT