Vipers at the Track

[sdwpve]

Trying to get some Vipers together weather permitting at the Ridge for 6-1 lapping days with Ridge Racing http://ridgeracingschool.com/ Rich and me went to the Ridge on 5-11 and had a wonderful time the track was made for Vipers

Also Bremerton Sports Car Club http://www.bscc.net/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=eventlist&Itemid=30 has a track day at BMSP on 6-8 if anyone is interested.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[mikerae]

made it there when i was down from Canada, love the track, first time running it, had a 2.03 time mid day and did not get a time later in the day on hot laps was faster though.

 

[Richard Koch]

Nice lap time. I wish I had been there on Saturday to see you. I enjoyed my track day Friday. I really like that track and it seems like a pretty safe one compared to Pacific Raceways in that things to hit are considerably farther away.

 

[mikerae]

there was a viper there on Saturday that went off the track, was that u.

 

[Richard Koch]

I was there on Friday and a black Viper that looks an awful lot like mine made a dumb off track excursion. Very embarassing, but no damage. The driver hit the rev limiter in 3rd on the short straight prior to the corkscrew and went beyond the correct braking point. There was a lot of gravel on the track that had to be cleaned up. I am planning to go back on June 1st and I do't expect to make silly errors like that. I hate to embarass the Viper Nation.

 

[Richard Koch]

I heard from Steve O that his new wheels and tires came in. He is hoping to go to Shelton on the 1st of June. I will get registered to run then and hopefully some of the other Vipers can come down to play next Friday.

 

[Y2K10 SRT#39]

Rich- tell me more- next friday is open for me!!
PBR

 

[Richard Koch]

I am planning to go. I think the drivers meeting is at 8:30. Are you thinking about running or just coming by to watch? Steve W is planning to come, but Steve O isn''t planning to come according to his email today. He has his Hoosier R6's, but hasn't had them mounted yet. Last I heard they were predicting showers. I think we will have decent enough weather to run and riunning in the wet is always good training.

I wasn't sure if you have been there yet, so here is their website with info .http://ridgeracingschool.com/

. Hope to see you there. The more Viper people there, the more fun we can have.

 

[SmokinViperGTS]

Just got my Hoosier R6's on CCW's. These tires have less tread (*zero*) than my worn-out Kuhmo's, so practice in the rain is out for me. I'll be watching the weather forecast carefully for both 6/1 and 6/8. I'm going to try to get my new wheels/tires mounted today, but this Friday isn't looking good - 61 degrees and 30% chance of rain in Shelton.

Incidentally, that's the same forecast we had for several of the autocross days last year.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Richard Koch]

I looked at the photos of the Hoosier R6 in the Tire Rack website and they do look pretty slick. Do you think they are too slick to drive to the track on dry days? My Kumhos worked in the wet driving home from Utah, but weren't fun and I had to watch them closely. They say the R6s are DOT marked , but they don't recommend driving them on the street. Is that for legal reasons or do you think they are just too slick?

The latest I heard was showers on Friday, but who knows what it will be. I will give it a try and hopefuylly I will luck out and be able to drive.

 

[SmokinViperGTS]

The weather forecast for this Friday keeps getting worse, but at least it's improving for the 8th.

And I just got a notice that my local Audi dealer (Barrier) is hosting an open session for experienced lappers (Intermediate and Advanced only) on the 12th.

I think these R6's will be fine for road or track - as long as it's warm and dry!

Guess which one is the veteran Kuhmo, and which is the brand new Hoosier?

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Richard Koch]

I am guessing the R6 is on the right. It looks like amud and snow (kidding) tire to me. Look at all those grooves. It looks like it will be fine for road use, but wet tracks might not be fun. Thanks for the photos.

 

[sdwpve]

Rich,

I will need to pass on tomorrow the chance of rain is now 50% and my Cup tires are not good in the rain. I hope the 8th and Bremerton works out would be great to see you and Steve O at the track.

Steve W

 

[SmokinViperGTS]

Yep, I'm out too.

Both because of the 59 degrees and 50% chance of rain, and because I snapped off a wheel stud removing my old wheels. Apparently, the tire store (the guilty shall remain nameless) that balanced my tires last week, cross-threaded a lug nut putting it back on. So, to get it off, I had to apply enough force to snap the bolt. And no Dodge dealer in Washington has any in stock. I'm over-nighting them in from Wisconsin, so I'll have them in time for next Friday, the 8th. Also had to order a custom tool from Miller Special Tools/SPX to press out the old wheel stud. At $25 per stud, plus express shipping ($ouch :-0), and $125 for the tool, I'm not replacing them all - just the ugly ones, and a couple spares.

VPL and VPoA didn't have them either (the studs or the tool). Seems like a specialty part/tool that us "older" car owners should take notice of, and stock a few....

Oh, and the forecast for the 8th just keeps getting better and better - now it's 65 degrees, sunny, and 10% chance of rain. Woo-Hoo!

 

[Richard Koch]

Thanks for the update. I emailed them to see if I can switch my track date to the 8th so I can run with you guys. If I can't switch I may put my new PS2s on the car and give it a shot. It may not be too bad tomorrow, but It would be a lot more fun if it is dry and there are other Vipers there.

 

[Richard Koch]

I just got off the phone with the people at Ridge Racing and they will let me move to the 8th for my track day. I guess you 2 are stuck with me next week. Maybe some of the other track rats in the area will join us at the Ridge next week. Steve, good luck with your wheeel stud replacement. I rarely let anyone else touch the wheels, but when they mount them up I have to make an exception. I usually hang out and watch them do the work to make sure they get it right.

It will be interesting to see how those new Hoosiers work for you. I need to do product testing for me so when I get new tires you have already evaluated them for me.

 

[sdwpve]

Rich,

Any luck working out an affordable brake upgrade for your beast?

Steve W

 

[Richard Koch]

I am looking at some optiions, but I may wait till after VOI and see what some people back there are doing. I will have to adjust my track stuff so I don't drive too deep into the corners and run out of brakes. I will use the track day to experiment and see exactly what I need to do. I may have Steve check my brake temps after I come in to see which ones are doing what. He has that pyrometer and he can do a quick check to figure out what is going on in relation to the proiportioning valve.

 

[Green Viper]

Hi Steve- I have OEM studs if you need them sooner. I replaced mine with longer and stronger ones.
Good luck with the Hoosiers R6s, they are a great tire and seem to last a little longer than the Kumhos and Toyo R888s.

 

[Green Viper]

I'll take your old Kuhmos if you haven't already disposed of them.

 

[SmokinViperGTS]

Thanks for the offer James - yesterday I ordered the OEM parts 2-day air through a local dealer. Should have them on Monday or Tuesday, and the press tool by Tuesday. Where did you get your aftermarket parts?

My plan for the Kumhos is to run one more A-X on them, and then pull them off to send the wheels out for repair. Just don't want to run hot laps on them, as they're obviously at the wear bars, and one of them has a nasty flat spot to the bottom of the DOT groove. Not sure what you plan to do with them, but it'll save me a disposal fee!

Any good local references for the wheel rash repair?

BTW - are you coming out to the Ridge on the 8th? If so, we could have 5 Vipers there that day!

 

[Green Viper]

Hi Steve- No problem, just thought I could save you a couple of days if timing was important.
I ordered the longer studs from a site recommended by one of the race teams after failing tech at the drag strip once, it is not normally a problem with closed lug nuts but I had open and they questioned the stud length.

I was going to try and use the Kuhmos for an autocross as it looks like they had at least one more good session left but sounds like you had the same plan, no worries.

Yes, there is a place in Bellevue near the BMW dealer that is excellent at repairs. Steve's custom auto aka. the weheel wizard.
http://www.stevescustom.com/

I have used him on several wheels and referred other SRT owners his direction as well with great results.

We will be in Portland on the 8th or else I would gladly join you. Really need to get some more track time in my Viper.

 

[Richard Koch]

I just got a phone call from Fred at Ridge Racing and due to construction at the track they have cancelled Friday's Track day. They are building a permanent concrete pit wall next to the front straightaway. They apparently figured we didn't want to have to swerve around cement mixers on the straightawayso he decided to postpone our track time. He has openings on Sunday June, the 10th, so I rescheduled my track day for then.

He said it isn't a huge run group, so if any other Vipers want to come down and play they should contact them to schedule track time. Hope to see some of you there. By the way the weather is looking much better on Sunday.

 

[sdwpve]

Rich,

Is there anyone else going on the 10th I will be bringing my 2010 Porsche GT3 the Viper is resting up for its fun time at Laguna Seca on 6-29, 6-30 and 7-1 I beleive Speed Ventures still has some openings if anyone is interested in tackling the "Cork Screw"

Steve W

 

[SmokinViperGTS]

Unfortunately, I will be taking relatives to the airport on Sunday, so cannot make it on the 10th. But I'll keep looking for a combination of availability and weather.

 

[Longdaddy]

had a good time at the Ridge today (wish I saw this thread earlier) with our friends from Canada (Mike&Drew). I only did a half day since my front tires were about done and drove home on cords showing in a few spots, as expected. Hopefully the rest of you are still having a good time out there, I am a little jealous that I am home already - but I have burned through 2 sets of tires since April, mostly at the Ridge, and it's time to catch up on other things in life, at least for the next couple of weeks!

looking at the data logs, looks like I did 53.8 lap while chasing the Nascar car, just before the front tire corded. Makes me think there is A LOT more in the car on fresh rubber.


in a random order, to the points mentioned in the thread:

half used cups are OK in the wet IF you can put heat into them. if it is so wet you cannot maintain a good slip angle and just slide all over the place, the cups are useless. if you can get at least 10-15 minute run with decent grip, you can warm them up to last for hours in the wet (once you gain grip, you can maintain the temps).

fresh ones do not have this problem as they do not need to be hot to have decent traction, this is also why street tire compounds work better in the wet than r comps.

hoosier R6/A6 tire are OK to drive to/from the track. to try to avoid driving over road debris as they are pretty thin and do not take much to puncture

i'll be at the ridge on June30th/Jul1st weekend instructing with hooked on driving. I liked Ridge Racing they put on good events.

in a pinch, auto parts stores will sell you a generic wheel stud that fits. it's a crappy soft metal one but it saved me from missing out on track time twice already so I'm good. do you know if anyone makes studs/nuts that do not deform and crossthread as bad as stock ones? This is insane - in less than 2 months I replaced 2 and there are 2 more that will go soon.

 

[Longdaddy]

btw, here's a video I made last week. it never rained, btw, ya'all missed out on running pretty much an empty track for 2 days!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY5jGs9ErB0

 

[sdwpve]

Rich,

How did your track day at Pacific go on the 13th I assume good since 13 is your lucky number?

I plan on going out to the Ridge on the 8-9th and the 23rd. The 8th is with Bullet Racing and the other dates are with Ridge Racing hope you and some of the other guys can make it.

Talked to Fred at Ridge Racing about camping out at the track before or between track days and he said no problem just let your organizer know so they can inform the track.


Steve W

 

[05Commemorative]

a particular day a bunch of you guys are going to be going out to the Ridge again. I have not been yet.

 

[Richard Koch]

Steve, my Pacific Raceways track evening went OK. I had to use the number they assigned which was 69. I guess it brought more luck then 13. I enjoyed running there, but compared to Shelton it is a lot harder on the car. They made me take an instructor again even though I had run there before, and it made a lot longer day of it. I have gotten comfortable running solo and I think I would have done better on my own. Sometimes an instructor gets involved in making you drive exactly like they do and it throws you off.

I think my track will be Shelton as far as local track days.

I am not sure if I will be able to run soon. I am on the hook for jury duty at Tacoma Federal District Court from the 9th through the 23rd of July. I may not get called, but it keeps me from scheduling very many things. I hope that you can get a bunch of Vipers down there for the 8th and 9th as it is a lot more fun comparing notes.