Viperdays in May

[Red94Roadster]

This spring will begin my 2nd season as a Viper owner, and I can't wait!

I figured why not start it off right with a trip to Mid-Ohio for the Viperdays performance driving school. I've read some of posts for track events, and it seems that changing the brake fluid is the most common maintenance item performed in preparation of the event. Is there anything else I need to know, or any advice from the veterans?

Thanks

 

[ryan94rt10]

i'm not sure, but i think you need to have a hard top too! thats keeping me away at this time

 

[0260in3]

You need a hard top or roll bar. If you don't have one call Courtney at ViperDays to see if they have a spare you could rent/borrow. After that make sure all your fluids/oils are not too old. I've not been to Mid-Ohio so I don't know how hard it is on brakes but clean brake fluid is always important. Make sure your brake pads and rotors can handle a full weekend - and no EBC Greens for the track - brake dust is good when tracking. Tires shouldn't be overlooked either. Someone brought a '94 to an event last year and was bragging that everything on it was original including the tires. That is just plain nuts for the driver and everyone else on the track with them. If this will be your first event, make sure you attend all the classroom sessions. Skip is a great instructor and makes Viper-physics understandable. Have fun

Terry

 

[ryan94rt10]

hey 0260in3,

mid-ohio is a very brake demanding course...lots of corners, if you really wanted to know!

 

[FinalEd357]

Good luck, be prepared and enjoy your Viper to its fullest potential!

 

[Leslie]

hey 0260in3,

mid-ohio is a very brake demanding course...lots of corners, if you really wanted to know!

it's my 'home' track, I'll be there, but in my Z06

it's a very technical course, so you WILL be using your brakes a lot. if you go to the mid ohio web site, you can download an 'in car' video and check it out.

I would consider track pads, depends on what you have on your Viper now and what run group you will be in.

I have a hard top, but my understanding on open vehicles is that your helmet has to clear and be under the roll cage/bars by a certain measurement. I also believe you need arm restraints if you have an open vehicle. I would definitely check with Courtney.

Here's a list of the rules, check out rule 1.6 for SRT/10's and RT/10's

http://www.viperdays.com/rules_general.htm

 

[bloose]

Red,

I was a newbie at Mid-Ohio last year after buying my ACR in Febrary and only having a month of seat time in it before the event. If you have any questions about what to expect, PM me. I should be there again this year.

My tires were 1/2 gone and looked to be about 4 years old, but I didn't know the history on them so I went with new tires for the event for safety reasons. I also had new racing brake pads and fluid put in. If you do go with an aggressive brake fluid, you will probably want to remove it before you put your car away for the winter as it can be harsh on the braking system to leave it in that long.

Make sure you have a helmet that meets the spec in plenty of time before the event and don't underestimate the importance of a fresh set of brake pads. There's a good chance you'll go most of them in the 2 days of driving.

You'll have a blast.

 

[Leslie]

It's your first HPDE? Do a search, there have been some checklists posted, here are a few items-

Tech group at the track will check:
minimum SA2000 helmet or better
min 50% wear left on your brake pads (I run Carbotech's and bring a 2nd set)
no signs of cracks on rotors (I use stock rotors, always bring a back up set)
lug nuts torqued
brake fluid checked (I run a Dot 4)
battery secure
tread wear left on tires (for streets) -I keep a log of tire pressures btwn runs
everything out of your Viper-EVERYTHING, no floor mats, nothing in center compartment, everything must be bolted down or part of the car if it's left in ( I typically just leave all that stuff at home)
bring a trash bag or tarp in case it rains (to put all your stuff under) or hang with someone with a trailer
wear long sleeves/long pants, driving shoes if you have them and gloves
belt restraints needed for both driver and passenger

Mid OH has garages, some you can share with another car-with high speed hook up, air compressor access, electrical and a good way to be covered from the sun/rain

Be careful when you hit town, all the cops know the events schedules and they sit right outside the track trying to nab people

Enter Gate 3, sign in before you enter track
Quality Inn and Comfort Inn in Bellville, OH are the usually host hotels for MO events and where almost everyone stays, both about 15 min from the track.

MO is a beautiful track, lots of wooded areas and bench seating right IN the center of the track for people to watch you run

There is also a concession stand for breakfast and lunch, food is welll TRACK food, haha, it works.
Gas is available at the track for a premium $$$


During the event:

Listen to your instructor and go to all the classes
Drink lots of water
slow in/fast out, everything's SMOoooth, NOTHING jerky on your movements
either be on the brake or the throttle, never 'coast'
shift/brake on straights
throttle steering, heal/toe shifting, trail braking will all come later-if you don't know how to do it already
look where you want to go, always looking AHEAD, if someone goes off track, obey the flags
check your mirrors at all times, ESPECIALLY when entering/exiting a hot track
obey the flags and know where the workers are located
speed will come later, get the line down FIRST
ignore the guy in front of you, just work on YOUR line and what your instructor is teaching you
There's a skid pad there too that they wet down, they might give us a chance to go play on it and practice oversteering/understeering



I am sure there's more and some of the other track junkies will chime in

Have fun and be safe, hope to see you there in my ****** car, I just love MO

 

[Rich Wesorick]

Mid-Ohio is among the top 5 tracks in the country and is VERY technical. Take it slow and build-up your speed over the weekend. The ViperDays crew and crowd will teach all you need to know... Warning though - it's as addictive as crack!