Why so many single car accidents?

[Need1]

You're right Juli. You've always got to straighten us out! I kinda read the first 2 posts in this thread then skipped to the end

In all seriousness though you have to respect the power of the car. You're not invincible behind the wheel, and a lot of people think they are which leads to a lot of accidents. I would recommend driving school to anyone, even the "experienced"

Remember, we DO have to be a bit responsible here...not to be a downer...but we do try to promote GOOD Viper driving, especially to those who are fairly *new* to Viper driving.
Just to get DEVIL-DAVE back on track here!~! hee-heeeeeee....juli
AND Need1 too...though he needs a bit of levity after his near-wreck~~!

 

[xlrashn]

So am I to conclude that 140MPH is out of the acceptable range?

 

[mike & juli]

So am I to conclude that 140MPH is out of the acceptable range?

Well, let's just say ON THE FORUM, yes for the TRACK ....and leave it at that!
~juli

 

[mike & juli]

You're right Juli. You've always got to straighten us out! I kinda read the first 2 posts in this thread then skipped to the end
In all seriousness though you have to respect the power of the car. You're not invincible behind the wheel, and a lot of people think they are which leads to a lot of accidents. I would recommend driving school to anyone, even the "experienced"

Well, I certainly don't mean to rain on anyone's parade~~just being responsible...as the first post WAS someone concerned and uneasy...which is very normal. ~juli
THANK you Josh...you're a good guy...and that DevilDave is too~~~

 

[ViperTony]

Respect it and learn how to drive it because its a different beast to master. I learned a LOT attending our region's driving events. Being surrounded by great drivers and instructors at Limerock and Pocono NY/CT/NJ events this year was an incredible experience. Nothing like learning from your mistakes in a controlled environment.

 

[BOTTLEFED]

Thanks guys (and girls)
Its nice to have some reassurance and to know that it is possible to drive the car with some balls

Damn, I feel like going out and putting it through the wringer but it's raining outside

 

[mike & juli]

Thanks guys (and girls)
Its nice to have some reassurance and to know that it is possible to drive the car with some balls

Damn, I feel like going out and putting it through the wringer but it's raining outside

LOL--yeah, rain not conducive to putting the car thru the wringer, unless you mean literally... after the rain!!! OH yeah, drive it like you said (I won't repeat what you said, as I'm a gal--I don't need 'those' to drive~~ )....glad you're reassured~~~ENJOY~~~juli

 

[BOTTLEFED]

Respect it and learn how to drive it because its a different beast to master. I learned a LOT attending our region's driving events. Being surrounded by great drivers and instructors at Limerock and Pocono NY/CT/NJ events this year was an incredible experience. Nothing like learning from your mistakes in a controlled environment.

That would be great and I would love going to track events and schools but there is nothing around Idaho. I think my "local" club is in Denver(10hrs away) and I don't know of a performance driving school within 700mi.

 

[BOTTLEFED]

And I was going to go to our local autoX event but the last one of the year got snowed out

 

[Venomiss]

Thanks guys (and girls)
Its nice to have some reassurance and to know that it is possible to drive the car with some balls

Damn, I feel like going out and putting it through the wringer but it's raining outside

Didn't you know that joining the VCA protects you from all idiotic driving decisions??
Just had to throw that out there.

 

[dave6666]

LOL--yeah, rain not conducive to putting the car thru the wringer, unless you mean literally... after the rain!!! OH yeah, drive it like you said (I won't repeat what you said, as I'm a gal--I don't need 'those' to drive~~ )....glad you're reassured~~~ENJOY~~~juli

I know.

We **** here.

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[Chuck 98 RT/10]

What I want is to drive fast safely.

The only way to do that (in any car) is on the track.

If you're driving fast safely on the street then you aren't driving fast.

Maybe you mean "spirited" driving.

Track it, and drive really fast, safely.

 

[AFL in NJ]

I agree with ViperTony and Check 98 RT/10,

I'll drive my car to its limits in a controlled environment (either a closed course, or a large parking lot free of light posts, etc.) and learn a little more each time I do, but driving beyond "spirited" on the street is ludicrous....one ripple in the pavement or one person doing something stupid to get a look at your car and line between a perfect Viper and a pile of scrap might just have been crossed.

I've frankly found very, very few places where the asphalt is decent enough to provide sufficient traction, maybe it's a Jersey thing.

Regards,
Aaron

 

[steel snake]

Allright, I gotta get in here..... Find a nice windey mountain road and feel the G's, take it to 5K on the str8 aways and down shift to the next curve and feel the G's again and listen to the V10 growl. It's a ballet I never get tired of. That's where the Snake rules. The caveat is: get aquainted first. Feel 'er out. And then go look for that road

 

[big-n-italian]

i just got back from an SRT event where we did drive vipers like we stole them. lots of squeeling tires, smoke, sideways actions, etc. but it was all done in a controlled enviroment. the cars werent driven hard till the tires were warm. the area we drove in was pretty much clear of everything. obviously alot of "safety" thought had gone into the event LONG BEFORE we even started the engines.

IMO, most accidents happen when people dont think. they drive these big HP cars hard out of excitement when the tires are cold, or the tires are too hard due to the old age of the tire for instance. and you cant drive a high HP car like a mad man when you are surrounded by curbs, trees, grass, rain, people, oil, and other cars.

people wreck cars everyday, (not just vipers), and you can drive any car hard. but when you do, it has to be done smartly, especially when you are dealing with 500hp cars. there is always a time and a place, and unfortunately, some people always seem to pick either the wrong time and/or the wrong place, and thats when you start having problems.

 

[VPR RACR]

Do you think Gen II have a bigger problem than the Gen III's?
Is it a horsepower/torque thing?
Design flaw by Dodge?

 

[BOTTLEFED]

All of you guys are correct.
Driving fast and hard should be left at the track

And I'm not talking about using the streets as my personal playland. I'm just saying, sometimes you want to get on it in town or squeal the tires a little. Can this be done safely?
It seems like that is when things go wrong. Like in Mark's case, what do you do when the car starts to slide? hit the brakes? gas it? counter-steer?
Maybe just having some tips on how to drive "spirited" would help. Saying "just don't do it or only do it when the time is right" - that doesn't help any. It's like telling teenagers not to have sex; they are going to do it so you should just give them advise on the best, safest way, and be specific.

BTW, this is directed at those Viper owners who have had their cars for awhile and actually drive them hard and know how to handle them.

 

[big-n-italian]

personally i find some of your questions confusing. a viper is just a car. how do you not wreck any other car? you drive it smartly on the road, and like a mad man on a track. what do you do when any car slides? can you drive any car in town safely squeeling tires? i dont think it matters if it is a viper or a yugo, IMO prob not.

is it just me not understanding what answer you are looking for? your questions might be best directed at a driving school, especially if you want specifics on spirited driving techniques.

 

[Zan186]

I really think half the problem is people not correcting fast enough when they hit the point of loosing control.
I think the best preperation I have had to deal with the Viper is driving an old Trans Am with two bald tires in the snow. Every time I accelerated (even like a grandma) the back end would start to come out. I got a lot of practice driving a car that fish tailed on a regular basis. When Fish Tailing you have got to cut the throttle and start correcting.

In my Viper if I get on it too much I can feel the back wheels slipping and I reengage the clutch. I am by no means a race car driver, but I feel I have ample experience with cars lacking traction. The real trick is know your limits. Also helps to know the car, and I think that is a reason so many accidents happen.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Saying "just don't do it or only do it when the time is right" - that doesn't help any. It's like telling teenagers not to have sex;

To expand on that comparison - Nobody is telling you you can't do some spirited driving, we're telling you the track is an ****.
Viper Days Driving School *** www.ViperDays.com *** - Home : Chicago Commercial

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I really think half the problem is people not correcting fast enough when they hit the point of loosing control.

And the other half of the problem is driver error.

 

[dave6666]

Blah blah blah.

You'd think everyone is lined up anxiously awaiting their induction in to the League of Wholesome Drivers.

I'm strictly a street ****** - no track time for me. And if I have not on a daily basis done something that qualifies me for a reckless driving charge then the service engine light must be on.

I frequently check to see if my application for the Hall of Stupid Idiots has been accepted.

Shoot... I don't want to just join them, I want to be their leader.

 

[ViperTony]

And the other half of the problem is driver error.

...or stupudity. Ya just can't fix stupid.

 

[mike & juli]

All of you guys are correct.
Driving fast and hard should be left at the track
And I'm not talking about using the streets as my personal playland. I'm just saying, sometimes you want to get on it in town or squeal the tires a little. Can this be done safely?
It seems like that is when things go wrong. Like in Mark's case, what do you do when the car starts to slide? hit the brakes? gas it? counter-steer?
Maybe just having some tips on how to drive "spirited" would help. Saying "just don't do it or only do it when the time is right" - that doesn't help any. It's like telling teenagers not to have sex; they are going to do it so you should just give them advise on the best, safest way, and be specific.
BTW, this is directed at those Viper owners who have had their cars for awhile and actually drive them hard and know how to handle them.

As stated by others, the Viper is a car like many others...you do the same thing when you start to slide...you let off the throttle, keeping a grip on the steering wheel--DO NOT overcorrect....stay straight as possible....just like ANY car really...the HP/TQ has nothing to with the sliding factor...all cars can slide. Like others mentioned, I learned to drive in the wintertime (I come from snowbelt region)...with no snow tires, studded tires, ABS, power steering, power brakes, none of that...you learn as you go...same with the Viper.
We're with Dave6666, we don't track our car...though we WOULD during VCA events in our region...our car is black-flagged for being 'too loud'....we spiritedly 'street' it. Go out and get to know the car as much as possible...practice/practice/practice...get into a HUGE parking lot (no poles!)....and give it the throttle, see what happens, see how you respond.
Driving schools are a GREAT idea....we've never been, but I'd sure love to. ~juli

 

[MarkRx]

Like in Mark's case, what do you do when the car starts to slide? hit the brakes? gas it? counter-steer?
QUOTE]

This time of the year around here our days are warm, but our nights get quite cold and this often produces slightly damp driving conditions.

It was 3am when I left my buddies house.

Cold tires + damp road =

Once I started sliding I knew it was all over. I tried to counter, lifted off the gas and got back on to streighten it, but the rears wouldnt bite at all. Dont let the pictures fool you. I hit much faster than 25. I dont have any pictures of the interior, but the center console is totally uprooted from me slamming into it. Id say impact was around 40-45. The lower control arm of the car connects directly to the frame so any impact to that proceeds to push the car way out of whack and kink the frame really bad. I saw the car up on a lift on monday and after seeing it Im glad they totalled it. I would have gotten nailed on resale, bad.

That v10 makes tons of torque anywhere in the rpm range. Ive taken the car into large parking lots late at night and kicked the rear out and noticed it was much harder to bring back than other cars Ive owned/driven.

Ive read plenty of discussion on why these wreak so often- light rears, all weight up front, crazy power, etc. Theyre all true I guess, but bottom line is if you drive the car with some sanity youll most likely have it for another day. Most wreaks involve some type of "performance" driving and with no traction control or other aids these cars can very quickly exceed your driving ability.

 

[BOTTLEFED]

I really think half the problem is people not correcting fast enough when they hit the point of loosing control.
I think the best preperation I have had to deal with the Viper is driving an old Trans Am with two bald tires in the snow. Every time I accelerated (even like a grandma) the back end would start to come out. I got a lot of practice driving a car that fish tailed on a regular basis. When Fish Tailing you have got to cut the throttle and start correcting.
QUOTE]
Yes, but it seems that when these cars spin their tires that they have already passed the point of no return. Letting off the throttle seems to just make it worse and you lose all control.

 

[Viper Scot]

This time of the year around here our days are warm, but our nights get quite cold and this often produces slightly damp driving conditions.

It was 3am when I left my buddies house.

Cold tires + damp road =

Once I started sliding I knew it was all over. I tried to counter, lifted off the gas and got back on to streighten it, but the rears wouldnt bite at all.

That's exactly how it happened to me. Once it's gone, it's gone! There's very little room for making a mistake in a Viper...

 

[BOTTLEFED]

Blah blah blah.

You'd think everyone is lined up anxiously awaiting their induction in to the League of Wholesome Drivers.

I'm strictly a street ****** - no track time for me. And if I have not on a daily basis done something that qualifies me for a reckless driving charge then the service engine light must be on.

I frequently check to see if my application for the Hall of Stupid Idiots has been accepted.

Shoot... I don't want to just join them, I want to be their leader.

My thoughts EXACTLY Dave!
I want to have fun in the car everytime I take it out. That is my whole reason for having a fast car. If I wanted to putt around on sundays like grandma, then I would have bought a luxo-cruiser.
These cars were built to be driven fast and I see far too many of you just sitting on them as investments. I don't come on here criticizing your right to drive them the way you want, so don't criticize me for how I want to drive mine. I keep getting advice on WHERE to drive my car fast and not HOW to drive my car fast.

 

[BOTTLEFED]

As stated by others, the Viper is a car like many others...you do the same thing when you start to slide...you let off the throttle, keeping a grip on the steering wheel--DO NOT overcorrect....stay straight as possible....just like ANY car really...the HP/TQ has nothing to with the sliding factor...all cars can slide. Like others mentioned, I learned to drive in the wintertime (I come from snowbelt region)...with no snow tires, studded tires, ABS, power steering, power brakes, none of that...you learn as you go...same with the Viper.
We're with Dave6666, we don't track our car...though we WOULD during VCA events in our region...our car is black-flagged for being 'too loud'....we spiritedly 'street' it. Go out and get to know the car as much as possible...practice/practice/practice...get into a HUGE parking lot (no poles!)....and give it the throttle, see what happens, see how you respond.
Driving schools are a GREAT idea....we've never been, but I'd sure love to. ~juli

Thanks Juli, you seem to be the only one on here trying to give helpful info instead of telling me it should only be done on the track.
It looks like I'll just have to take your advice and practice in an empty parking lot.

 

[mike & juli]

Thanks Juli, you seem to be the only one on here trying to give helpful info instead of telling me it should only be done on the track.
It looks like I'll just have to take your advice and practice in an empty parking lot.

Well, you are very welcome...as we don't track the car either...we 'spiritedly street' it!!
I think the parking lot would be a GREAT practice place...HUGE with no poles around~~!
Good Luck and most of all---ENJOY!!! ~juli