CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES TAKEN BY ALBERT! (http://socalviper.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=18&page=2)
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES TAKEN BY LANCE! (http://www.kouchicentral.com/)
Hey Gang,
Viper Days, aka the Performance Driving School is coming back to CA.
We'll have garage #4 for our group with drinks and snacks. Bring your favorite goody if you can, if not, just come and enjoy.
There's a test and tune day on Friday at the track with three run groups, beginner, intermediate & advanced. Registration form is attached.
There's a reception on Friday night.
Time trials / driving instruction and races where you can watch the comp coupes run (for the race group) will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
There's a neat dinner on Saturday night with the entire group.
Put this one on your calendar, you won't want to miss it.
Here's the info you need to register for the event:
This link is to the Viper Days website that will provide you with the details of this event:
http://www.viperdays.com/page.htm?id=99
This link will take you to the New Driver's Registration:
http://www.viperdays.com/driver_application.htm
This link will take you to Buttonwillow Raceway where you can see the track configuration we'll be running: We will run CLOCKWISE http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/images/race_01_config.gif
It's a good idea to become familiar with the track ahead of the event - I found that remembering all the turns (which is critical by the way) is difficult when you have so many other things to think about.
For more information go to: www.viperdays.com
See you there.
Dan 8)
Attendees:
Amplatz Curtis
Andrews David
Arguelles Eddie
Barnes Brian
Bloomer Mark
Bogan Connie
Brandt Mike
Bulow David
Carter Chuck
Coate Nate
Conklin Bruce
Cuming Lisa
Dickler Marshall
Dickler Barbara
Ekstein Chris
Everts Dan
Everts Cathy
Fuchs John
Gioco Eric
Girard Rick
Girard Randy
Green David
Greenberg Michael
Greenberg Donald
Hapner Mark
Hughes Gregg
Kawata Ben
Kouchi Lance
Loudin Steve
Mould Diane
Molnar Steve
Oasis Russ
Pena Art
Redford Rob
Roberts Fred
Schlemm Jim
Sienicki Chris
Stout Jim
Stout Kathy
Strann Tim
Szostak Michael
Szostak Adrian
Von Quilich Michael
Von Quilich Virginia
Wahl Quentin
Weber John
Weber Alex
Weigel John
Wellington Robert
Zamora Manny
I've marked the calendar and will be going for sures.
Who else is going?
LTK
Hey Lance,
You beat OGO O.
Dan
OGO was taking his nap <F
OGO O O O
I will probably be there.
Too bad they are not doing Thunderhill the following month.....
Count me in for this event, looking forward to it.
I'm definately in. This is a fun track.
We ran it twice last year ... both directions.
Hey Bruce,
Glad you're in. Maybe we can do the "follow the leader" thing again. That was a blast.
I'll likely drive up Thursday, run in the test and tune on Friday, then run Saturday and Sunday with Viper Days.
Cathy will likely be driving the white coupe and she has a girl friend coming that will be driving a black Porsche.
Let's hope for good weather.
Dan <2
ogo O O O
I have my room res >2 >2
<2 <2
I'll be arriving on Friday, can't wait <m
Hey Gang,
I've requested that Viper Days run this event "clockwise" in Race 1 configuration and they have agreed. This should be a fun weekend, weather permitting of course. Actually, Buttonwillow is kind fun when wet too ..... and we'll have a garage to hang out in between runs.
Check www.buttonwillowraceway.com for more information and a track map.
Dan
Hey Gang,
This is the info on the open track day being held on the Friday before Viper Days at Buttonwillow:
Want to experience the thrill of driving your Viper on the track? Here's an opportunity to do just that! The Brian Angen Memorial Foundation offers you the opportunity to do what Brian loved best – drive fast on the track! This event is held by the BAMF, established in memory of Brian Angen who died in a boating accident in 2001, and was the son of Viper Club members Terri and Rocky Angen.
This year's track day will be held at Buttonwillow Raceway, on February 22, 2008, 9 AM - 5 PM. It's a friendly, relaxed environment. We even have raffle prizes. Buttonwillow is a great track for drivers of all skill levels. Our event is not timed, so you can drive at your own speed and comfort level. We will have three run groups to accommodate all drivers; beginner, intermediate, and advanced. You can bring other cars besides Vipers. Viper drivers are encouraged to stay on for the Viper Days Driving School, February 23 & 24. Visit www.viperdays.com for more information. The track is located 196 miles south of San Jose, at I-5 and Lerdo Highway. Details will be sent to registrants.
The cost is $300.00 per driver; $125.00 is tax deductible (tax certificate will be mailed).
R.V. parking is available. Gates will be open Thursday night until midnight.
100% of all proceeds will go to the Brian Angen Memorial Foundation, to help children at Oakland's Children's Hospital.
So come experience the thrill of your Viper, hang out with fellow Viper friends, and contribute to a worthwhile cause!
BAMF CHARITY TRACK EVENT REGISTRATION FORM
Please send in your entry by February 19, 2008
Driver's Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________ State: _____________ Zip: ___________________
E-mail: _____________________________________ Phone: ___________________________
$300.00 per driver. Amount enclosed: $_____________________
I can't make it, but I would like to make a donation to the foundation $_________________
Drivers will be grouped by experience. Please check one of the following.
______I am a beginner (drivers with little experience).
______I am an intermediate driver (I have done at least 3 track events).
______I am an advanced driver (Fast like Brian! I have done many track events).
Car I will be bringing: _______________________________________________
Please mail checks to: Brian Angen Memorial Foundation (BAMF) P.O. Box 320111, Los Gatos, CA 95032
If credit card payment is preferred, you can fax entry to 408-379-1901 or e-mail to
[email protected] (Please provide a billing address if different from mailing address.)
Card type__________ Credit card #__________________________________ exp. Date______________
For additional information please contact Terri Angen at 408-594-0439 or
[email protected].
Race Ya Later! – Brian Angen
Hope to see some of you there.
Dan
Is everyone staying at the Sheraton Four Points? I thought I remember someone staying closer to the track. Anyone doing that?
Hey Dan and Lance, I just got a set of those black SSR wheels with Kumho V700's from PartsRack for this event. Can't wait to try 'em out.
see you guys there,
Ben
Hey Ben,
Your Bumble bee should look great with the SSR's.....not that anyone will notice because you'll likely be going too fast for us to focus. <1
I'm staying at the Sheraton. Are you going to run on Friday too?
I know there is a group of us that will drive out mid morning on Friday. At this point, I don't think any of us will be doing the test/tune on Friday. Let me know if you want to head out with us.
See ya soon,
Lance
Hey Lance,
I haven't decided yet whether to run Friday but if I don't then I'd like to cruise up with you guys, thanks.
Are you gonna use your SSR's or one of your other sets? Are you running Sat and Sunday?
Thanks,
Ben
Hey Guys,
My schedule just opened up so Cathy and I will both likely be running the test and tune on Friday. The Brian Angen event is a bit more money but better organized than last year's test and tune. With the three run groups, none of our entry level drivers should get "passed by a race car" and leave any deposits on their seat during the day.
We should have the garage Thursday night or Friday morning so come up early if you can.
You guys should remember to have all of your fluids changed before you go up.
Ben, you are going to love that tire / wheel combination and it should look mean on your car.
Dan
Having 3 run groups is definitely a plus. Definitely makes for a much more relaxed atmosphere for us "Sunday Drivers".
Dan, is there any word as to what time the Drivers Meeting will be on Friday morning? Last year we had to leave really early in the morning to be there in time for that. That made it a REALLY long day.
At this point, I'm on the fence for the Friday test and tune.
Ben, I'll be on the SSR's with PS2's. I've got a few little things left to do to the car and I should be ready.
Lance
Dan or anyone else, sorry a little off topic,
Do you guys have a recommendation for a gps lap timer? Anyone have the Racelogic vbox or Starlane Athon?
I'd like to get one but not sure which one. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Hey Ray McIntyre, I think I remember you talking about one you were interested in getting. Did you ever get it?
Thanks,
Ben
Hey Lance,
The drivers meeting for test and tune is normally 8:00 AM. If you call Terry Angen, you might be able to run 1/2 a day.
We're going up Thursday early to get set up and then run all day Friday.
Ben; I have a Performance Box "P-Box". I like the way it works but am not very good at using it yet. I'll get some practice this weekend at NASA (Willow). David Green has a "D-Box" and seems to like it. I think David will be at Viper Days. Both do much more than just lap times and both download data to a computer for later analysis. You can check your speed and G's at any point on the race track, compare lap times, see shift points, brake points, etc., etc.
Dan
Hey Guys,
Just got more info from Terri Angen on the test and tune day.
Sign ups at the track are 7:00 to 9:00 AM. or you can sign up in advance with the attached form.
Driver's meeting is at 8:30 AM, track goes hot at 9:00AM.
Terri says that they can accommodate
a few of us at the 1/2 day rate if we'd like to drive out in the morning and run a couple of sessions in the afternoon.
Contact Terri at:
[email protected] or 408-594-0439
Dan
Hey Lance,
Are you guys gonna do that half day on Friday? That will work out great for me so I think I will.
I have to leave Sunday morning so I will only be running the Saturday Viper Days.
Please let me know what time you guys are cruising up on Friday morning.
Thanks,
Ben
Hey Guy's >1
This is for those that don't like the extra travel time from Bakersfield to the track. >2
Red Roof Inn @ Button Willow (10 Miles South on the 5 fwy)
661-764-5121
$49.95 a nite (track Rate) >2 >2
OGO has been staying there for years ^8 ^8 ^8
It's just been remodel <x
OGO O O O
Hey Gang,
Anyone coming to Viper Days, please get your fluids checked and / or changed as necessary before you get to the track.
If your tires are older than three years, you should have them checked and changed as necessary too, no mater how much "tread" they may have.
I spoke with Dan at DC Performance and he will be in the garage next door to us to help us with minor service issues while we're at the track.
FYI, Archer Racing will also be there to support us with the larger items like wheels and tires, alignments, clutches, transmissions and even engines (hope we don't need one of these).
As of today, there are about 50 folks signed up to attend this event.
Hope to see some of you there.
Dan
Hey Everyone,
I'm sure everyone is excited about Viper Days which is coming up next weekend.
Unfortunately they are forecasting RAIN....but hopefully that will change as the week goes by.
I will be at Spaghettini's restaurant around 8:45 on Friday morning. The address is:
3005 Old Ranch Parkway,
Seal Beach, California 90740
Take the 405 fwy north and exit at Seal Beach Blvd. Spaghettini's is directly across the offramp.
So far the following have confirmed that they will be at Spaghettini's:
Lance, Bruce, Noel, Ozzie, Peter, and Eddie
We will leave at 9:00am and take the 405 to the 605 to the 5 fwy.
We will take the 5 fwy into Sylmar and get off at Roxford and meet at the Denny's.
Depending on traffic, we should be there around 10:00.
So far the only one confirmed to meet us there is Art.
Anyone else planning on joining us???
Looking forward to a great weekend !
Lance
Hey Lance,
I checked the forecast for Buttonwillow and sprinkles are projected, but the percentages are 45% chance on Friday, 40% on Saturday and 35% on Sunday. Let's hope it stays dry.
Do you happen to know if Viper Days is rain or shine?
Yep, it's rain or shine.
If it does get wet, it's a great place to practice your car control at reduced speeds.
Dan <u
Thanks for the clarification Dan. Reduced speeds and Viper just don't seem to go together, but we'll make the most of it >3
See you at Spag's at 8:45 Friday.
Quote from: ViperX on February 19, 2008, 09:23:45 AM
Yep, it's rain or shine.
If it does get wet, it's a great place to practice your car control at reduced speeds.
Dan <u
At waaaay reduced speeds :-) Should be fun. Last time I ran at Button Willow in the rain, I only had slicks and it was a mess on the track -- not even fun at that point since you cant get the car to turn. Making sure I bring some rain tires this time around.
See you guys there.
-Manny
Hey Manny ( <5),
Maybe if you stay on your oldest, worst set of slicks and I buy brand new rain tires and have my best day ever at any track, I could keep up with you for a while ..... or not. Maybe if I paid you?
Hope to see you and Carolina at the track.
Dan
Dan, you're getting real fast. That's why I want you out there racing with us.
I remember I was putting along at about 40 MPH on the wet track with the slicks, and at that speed I may have crapped myself... I dont recall because of all the stress.
I rented the Neon at Sebring 2 years ago and the track was damp from the evening rain, and it was the fastest car out there that session (faster than all the vipers in any class.) Goes to show you how bad our Vipers are in the rain. You're right about putting on non-slicks and learning car control. It's very good for that.
When are you two leaving? We're going to head out of here Thursday evening some time after traffic dies down a bit.
Hey Manny,
Cathy and I are trying to head out on Thursday morning. We were both planning to drive in the test and tune on Friday, but if it's wet, we won't. I was hoping to help get her started on this track so she would feel more comfortable running with the rest of our group. She's never run Buttonwillow clockwise before and only ran a couple of sessions a few years ago counter clockwise.
I am having Archer adjust the "bump steer" in our 06 coupe (Cathy will drive this one), check the alignment and corner weight, so hopefully they'll get that done before Saturday's track event.
We'll be in garage 4, across from where you usually park.
See you at the track.
Dan
Cathy should have a blast. If you two come out to the NASA event at ButtonWillow in April, and if I still have the one Honda Terry Rossi was driving, Cathy should take it out and see what she thinks. I know she'll have a blast in it.
I love Button Willow because of all the various configuration. Not sure if I like Clockwise or CCW. Do you know why Willow Springs never runs CCW? I think that would be a blast.
I checked out the roster you posted -- looks like a good number of comp coupe racers will be there. Should be interesting to see how the old gen viper fares against the factory cars. At least this time I will be on the same tires. Last year I was on Toyos while they were on slicks. Didn't matter though since the motor grenaded. Ouch.
Does anybody have a garage rental they would be willing to split with me? I have Valaya racing coming down to support my race car, but there were no garages available back when I called. Now the forecast calls for rain, so a garage would certainly be helpful in the case of any work needing to be done on the car.
THanks,
Manny
We'll have two cars in our garage or I'd split it with you.
I know this may or may not work, but DC Performance has the garage next to us and I don't think they have any cars that they are supporting that weekend, but they may.
Not sure how you feel about asking Dan but he may be willing to help you out. He's really a good guy.
Dan
Well I will be heading up in the morning to spectate again this year... since I dont have my Viper. But I will be heading in with my new Grand Cherokee SRT-8. That all wheel drive might work pretty well out there. ^8
Wow.... what a weekend!!! <2
It was a great time to say the very least. The track conditions were constantly changing and it made for some really "exciting" laps.
Thanks Dan and Cathy for getting the garage for us to have as a home base. It was really nice having a place to gather and hang out.
Amidst all the activities, I managed to click off over 450 pictures ! I'll get them all posted very soon.
Here are just a few......................
(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/08%20viperdays%20bw/IMG_9463.JPG)
(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/08%20viperdays%20bw/IMG_9395.JPG)
Ben and David drag racing down the front straightway !!!
(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/08%20viperdays%20bw/IMG_9494.JPG)
A few more !
(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/08%20viperdays%20bw/IMG_9514.JPG)
Eddie getting a pump fist ride with Dan
(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/08%20viperdays%20bw/IMG_9601.JPG)
(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/08%20viperdays%20bw/IMG_9621.JPG)
Albert's smile says it all
(http://www.kouchicentral.com/images/08%20viperdays%20bw/IMG_9543.JPG)
Wow,
Nice pics Lance.
Viper Days Pics!!!
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES TAKEN BY ALBERT! (http://socalviper.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=18&page=2) >2
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES TAKEN BY LANCE! (http://www.kouchicentral.com/) >2
Awesome pics Lance and Albert! Thanks for sharing them.
Also, Thank you Dan and Cathy for providing the garage to hang out in and for everything else you guys do.
I had a great time Saturday and was bummed that I could not stay for Sunday too. Sounds like everyone had a fun time.
I'm going to the Pantera event this weekend at Willowsprings. Anyone else going?
Ben
Great pictures Lance and Albert.
Many thanks to Dan and Cathy for their incredible hospitality and priceless advice.
Extra big thanks to Ben for taking me on a ride on Friday and David Andrews for letting me take his '08 Venom Red Viper for a spin. <u
It was good to see you all this past weekend.
Dan hit is 2:15, David got faster, and everybody seemed to have a good time.
I wish I could join you guys at the Pantera event, but we have to send my shocks in to get fixed in time for the Cal Speedway event next month.
See you guys soon.
Manny
Hey Lance, i am always looking forward to your pictures - your the best at capturing everybody!