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Hey Gang,

You have to check this out.

Cathy and I were there all day helping them with this video.

Local member David Andrews loaned them his 2008 coupe.

Go to:  www.torque.tv

Click on current channel, then click on Head 2 Head

Enjoy,

Dan

PS  I got to drive the Vette against Samuel in the drag race.

[CAR CONTROL CLINIC at Auto Club Speedway - October 4, 2008]

CAR CONTROL CLINIC at Auto Club Speedway - October 4, 2008 

THIS EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE  <Z

Do you ever feel like taking your Viper out into an empty parking lot and doing some donuts just for fun?

Wouldn't you love to go out and burn some rubber and not get a ticket?

Have you ever wanted to take some turns on the street fast enough to slide the car and exceed its limits, without the chance of hitting something or someone?

Wwould you like to explore your Viper's limits in a safe, legal environment and learn to handle your beast better?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, our first annual Viper Club Car Control Clinic is something you just won't want to miss.
 
The date is October 4, 2008 at Auto Club Speedway off Cherry Avenue and the I-10 Freeway in Fontana.  We have rented a large parking lot approximately 1000 x 1200 feet.  The club will provide lunch.
DC Performance will be there to help with the event and offer minor services to all the attendees.
Bob Blizzard, Viper Days' Chief Driving Instructor, and a host of other experienced drivers will be there to provide instruction.

We'll have four stations as follows:

STATION #1 - Is a figure 8 around cones where Bob rides with and instructs each driver and offers input / advice on how the car feels, what the car is doing and how to best control it while turning left and right.  I know this will be a long day for Bob but he should have some fun too. 

STATION #2 - Is a timed slalom course.  It starts with a short "straight", proceeds "through the cones", followed by a 180 degree left turn at speed, then back through the cones and past      the timer.  We'll see if we can rustle up some prizes for this station.

STATION #3 - Is a "0 to 60" with the driver doing a "threshold" brake after reaching 60 mph.  DC Performance's Lyle Larson spent years as a professional drag racer and went as fast 6.32 at 220.51-mph in an alcohol car.  Lyle will provide instruction at this station.  We'll have a drag racers "tree" so that we can learn how a tree works and test our reaction times.

STATION #4 - Is a "skid pad" (just like you read about in the magazines) where the driver does a left circle around a set of cones (as fast as they can until they lose traction) and on the next round they do a right circle.  Ray McIntyre, also an ex-professional racer, has offered to help here.

We plan to have a leader at each station.  We will also need a "helper" at each station to pick up/reset the cones (not that any of you will hit any cones).  Please let us know if you can help us with this event.  I will likely "ask" my sons to come and help (they will get a chance to drive later as payment). We plan to have a pop up at each station for shade and ask members to bring their own chairs and something to drink - the club will provide drinks for lunch.

Plan to arrive at 9:30AM the event will start at 10:00AM with lunch at about noon and be completed about 3:00 PM. This would give each group of drivers about an hour at each station.

For insurance reasons, we will need to limit participation to club members and their immediate family.  All participants must have a valid Driver License and current auto insurance.  Helmets are recommended but not required.

This event is being heavily subsidized by the club; cost is only $100 per car.  Participants are limited to a total of 50 cars, so sign up early; you won't want to miss this event!
Dan  <2


CLICK HERE TO PAY USING PAYPAL

OR YOU MAY USE THE ATTACHED REGISTRATION FORM.

PAID Attendees:  >b

Eddie   Arguelles
Yosi   Aronian
Bill   Bagshaw
John   Bennett
William   Beverly
Steven   Borecki
Mike   Buckingham
Diann   Buckingham
Angel   Calderon
Sean   Casey
Bruce   Conklin
Eric   DeDominic
John   Fuchs
Madoka "Mike"   Fujita
Armen   Gharagozian
Thomas   Gorny
Norman   Greitzer
Roger   Hamson
Carlos   Hernandez
Michael   Hu
Stephanie   Izard
Glenn   Izard
Ben   Kawata
Lo "Peter"   Keo
Brent   Kern
Jim   Kenehan
Jim   Kordan
Lance   Kouchi
Lawrence   Kraus
Anthony   Matranga
Darryl   McClendon
Raymond   McIntyre
Aristeo   Medina
Bill   O'Connell
Timothy   Pavloff
Scott   Pennington
Anhtuan   Pham
Eddie   Reinsma
Kala   Rexroad
Bill   Ruhlman
Khumi "Kobi"   Sial
Michael   Sinkinson
Dave   Sweeney
Nino   Valmassoi
Weston   Wellington
Kristine   Wells
Chris   Wells
Paul   Winters

Hey Guys,

NASA will be running Willow Springs on May 24 and 25.

Check their website for details:   www.nasaproracing.com

I run in HPDE 3.  They also offer HPDE 1 (entry level), HPDE 2 (intermediate) and usually a race group.

Instruction is available.  They are a very well organized group.

Cathy and I will likely be there.

Dan

This event has been cancelled.

Hey Gang,

Come out to Willow Springs and run with the Touring Car Racing Association on May 3 & 4.

Check their website for details: www.touringcarclub.com -- Click "Next Event" to register.

This is a very good group to run with.  If we get enough Vipers to attend, we can get our own run group.

Hope to see you there.

Dan  <2



HOTEL INFO:

Best Western Antelope Valley Inn – Willow Springs Raceway rate $79 per night
44055 Sierra Highway, Lancaster, California, 93534-4412
Phone: 661-948-4651

    * Includes 2 cocktails/sodas each evening you stay over for you and your guest;
    * Includes hot buffet breakfast each morning  for you and your guest.



Click here for map HOTEL to TRACK

Hey Guys and Gals,

This just in from Alan, a fellow Viper owner who sets up private drag runs at Fontana.  This is a very limited run group, so you'll get lots of runs.

Dan

Hello Everyone,

Our next private rental is scheduled on March 22, 2008.  It is a Saturday, so it will be less of a hassle for most.  It is also the day before Easter. 
Gates open at 8am, and racing ends at 5pm. 

There has been an increase on the daily rental rate, so there is a slight increase for each racer.  Cost to participate per vehicle/driver is now $115. 
We need at least 80 participants by March 8th (2 weeks prior to the event). 
Otherwise, the event will be cancelled. 

Everybody will need to pre-register or pre-pay their tech card (www.alternativemotoring.com).  Space is limited to 100 vehicles only, so don't wait at the last minute to register. 

Take care, and drive safe.


Alternative Motoring
www.alternativemotoring.com

[SPEED VENTURES HOST HOTEL:]

Hey Guys,

Speed Ventures is running Button Willow on April 12 and 13.  They will be running the track clockwise, configuration 13.  Check their website for more details, pricing and to register:  http://www.speedventures.com/

I've run with Speed Ventures before and found them to be a good group to run with.  They have beginner, intermediate and advanced groups.  Instruction is available.

Cathy and I are planning to attend this one.

Hope to see some of you there.

Dan

SPEED VENTURES HOST HOTEL:

Red Roof Inn Buttonwillow  --  Speed Ventures Room Rate $49 per night

I-5 at Buttonwillow, Exit # 257
20645 Tracy Ave, Buttonwillow, CA, United States, 93206
Phone: (661) 764-5121 Fax: (661) 764-9631

This includes a Free Hot Breakfast, Free WiFi, Speed Channel, HBO, and other amenities geared towards race car drivers and people who think they're race car drivers.  When you book your room, please state that you are with "SPEED VENTURES" to get your discount.

[new SRT-10 Viper on Wednesday Wed 3/19]

Hey Gang,

I just received the following.  Please read and anyone who can make this please respond to us as time is short. 

Paul Schiefer wrote:

I am producing a TV show entitle Head2Head.  It's an Americanized Top Gear comparison show hosted by Samuel Hubinette.  We are filming at Willow  Springs and are looking for a new SRT-10 Viper on Wednesday Wed 3/19 to be compared against a new Z06 and a GTS on Tues 3/25 vs. a Superformance Coupe.  We need the two cars and would also like to get video submissions from owners talking up the Viper strengths vs the competing vehicles.  The cars will not be beaten on the track all day, no more than 4 fast laps, a few acceleration tests on the straight, then just interior and exterior beauty shots.  Please let me know if you think you have any members that might be interested.  Also, feel free to call me with any questions.

Thanks,

Paul Schiefer
Schiefer Productions


Thanks,

Dan

-------------------------------------------------------------------

So far:
David Andrews has responded that he is willing to provide his 2008 Coupe to drive
Lance Kouchi will allow them to drive his GTS.  Thanks guys. 

As they're also looking for Viper owners passionate about their cars to interview, it would be really nice if we could get a few more folks to show up and talk about their Vipers.

Hey Gang,

Come out to Willow Springs and run with the Touring Car Racing Association on March 22 & 23.

Check their website for details: www.touringcarclub.com -- Click "Next Event" to register.

This is a very good group to run with.  If we get enough Vipers to attend, we can get our own run group.

Hope to see you there.

Dan  <2



HOTEL INFO:

Best Western Antelope Valley Inn – Willow Springs Raceway rate $79 per night
44055 Sierra Highway, Lancaster, California, 93534-4412
Phone: 661-948-4651

• Includes 2 cocktails/sodas each evening you stay over for you and your guest;
• Includes hot buffet breakfast each morning  for you and your guest.

Click here for map HOTEL to TRACK

[Nascar Oval]

Many of you have asked for this, so here is your chance to drive autocross in So Cal.

Speed Ventures, a local track outfit also puts on an Auto X every time they put on a track event at California Speedway.  They set up a course with cones and run this event in the speedway parking lot with timing.  The specifics of these events have not yet been posted on their website but should be there soon.  Dates in 2008 should be as follows: 

May 3,4

June 14,15

July 26,27

September 13,14

November 21,22,23.  We could also drive on 1/2 of the Nascar Oval that day, the other 1/2 of the track is the infield.  I did this last year and it was a blast.

Costs last year for AutoX were $100.00 for the day, all the runs that you want.

See their website for more info:  www.speedventures.com

I would really like to try and set up a Viper Club event at one of these.  Please give me some feedback on this.

Thanks,

Dan

I thought you guys might find this interesting:

"The popularity of SRT vehicles was proven once again last weekend when the first production Dodge Challenger SRT8 was sold at the Barrett- Jackson Auction for $400,000. The winning bid was placed by the chairman and CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, Craig Jackson, who obviously knows value when he sees it.

Over the past few years, numerous Dodge Viper SRT10s, GTSs and RT/10s have been the objects of spirited bidding by the knowledgeable Barrett-Jackson crowd, but this year, it was a HEMI-powered V8 that took center stage. After placing the winning bid, Jackson said, "The great American muscle cars are back. During the 1960s and early '70s, Detroit demonstrated its stronghold on automotive performance and power with cars like these. We're thrilled that Barrett-Jackson provided the stage for the rebirth of these amazing vehicles. When the new Challenger crossed the block, we decided it was a great opportunity for the Barrett-Jackson team to jump in and show our support for a deserving local charity."

And, as the saying goes, although you can't be the first to own a Dodge Challenger SRT8, you can be next. Dodge is going to build only 6,400 Challenger SRT8s in 2008 and there's still time to get your order in for one of these destined-to-be-classic muscle cars. To get your hands on one, contact your local Dodge dealer."

Hey Guys,

It looks like our Speed Ventures Track Event is going to be rained out this coming Saturday and Sunday, Jan 26 and 27.

I found another event at Willow Springs on Feb 9 & 10 with NASA.

Prices are very reasonable and NASA events are very well organized with driving instructors for beginners and run groups from beginner to advanced along with a race group.

After talking with NASA head honcho Ryan Flaherty, I signed up for HPDE 3 (high perfromance driving event level 3).

For more info, go to: http://socal.drivenasa.com/

Let's hope for good weather.

See some of you at the track,

Dan <2

To all VCA Members,

We thought you'd like to know how the national president's meeting held last weekend in Scottsdale, AZ went, so here are some impressions, thoughts and info:

1 - The 25,000th Viper will be made this year, likely in Feb or March.

2 - VOI-10 has not been approved yet ..... but will likely be in Detroit if it is approved.  If approved, expect it to happen on the last or second to last weekend in August.  If it is approved, (I know, Detroit is not our favorite travel destination) we should all try and attend.  Part of VOI-10 may be a tour of the Connor Ave Assembly Plant where Vipers are made and we may get to tour Prefix, where some other Viper parts are painted / made.  It is important that we show the new owners of Chrysler that we aren't just involved with Viper, we're committed!

3 - 2008 Vipers are selling well.  Order yours now if you want one.  Production will likely reach only about 1,500 units this year.

4 - The VCA national officers have met with Chrysler's new owners and everything seems to be looking good at this time, i.e. the new owners understand the importance of the Viper to their overall corporate marketing strategy.

5 -  We discussed a Western Regional Event to be partly sponsored by the National VCA in Las Vegas on the last Friday, Saturday and Sunday of March, 2008 (due to VOI-10 likely being held in Detroit).  If approved, this event would be held in conjunction with the "Mopars at the Strip" event and an SRT driving experience event.  This would be one big party with drag racing for us (we would get our own time slots), autocross, perhaps a road course driving event, a car show and vendors exhibits.  We would also be able to watch some really fast Mopars drag race too.  For more information on Mopars at the Strip go to:  www.moparsatthestrip.com .  A 200 car "Hot Rod" caravan leaves from Glendora on Thursday morning.  This cruise could be fun in and of itself. More information to follow.

6 - The National VCA is sponsoring Viper Days Driving School again this year.  If you haven't attended one yet, you really should.  If you have attended, you should plan to attend again this year.

7 - The current VCA raffle, the 2008 Viper ACR, has sold about 1,500 tickets.  This is where our National Club gets most of its revenue.  Tickets are still available (the limit is 2700) so please support our club and buy a ticket if you have not already done so.  If you've already bought one, buy another ticket!

See you soon,

Dan  8)

Hey Guys and Gals,

The first 2008 Viper was delivered to VCA member David Andrews in San Diego yesterday.  It's a red coupe.

Hey said he may make the Ford / Irvine car show tomorrow, Saturday.

Dan

Hey Gang,

Just spoke with Buttonwillow (Viper Days will be there on Feb 22, 23 & 24) and they're having an open test and tune day on Jan 5, 2008.  This is a Saturday only event, $200.00 for the day and likely 4+ hours of track time.  Unless there are open wheel cars, you can likely go out any time that you want during the day.  We could do some lead / follows if you'd like.  There will be 4 or 5 racing GTS and at least one comp coupe there running that day.

As a minimum, you must have a helmet and three point seat belts (stock), long sleeve shirts, pants and shoes.  Convertibles must have a roll bar or a hard top.

This will be a good opportunity to get familiar with the track and get a little practice in before Viper Days, at a very low price.

Cathy and I are planning to go, weather permitting, and you can sign up at the track, no prior comittment is required.

Let us know if you're interested.

Dan 

Hey Gang,

I thought it might be fun to get a little practice in before Viper days comes to Buttonwillow in February.

Speed Ventures is scheduled to be at Willow Springs the last weekend of January 2008.

I ran with this group at Ontario Motor Speedway a couple of weekends ago and found them to be a good group.

Passengers are allowed and prices were very reasonable.

Cathy and I plan to attend.  Anyone else interested?

For more info see their website at:  www.speedventures.com

Hope to some of you there.

Dan  <u 

[CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES TAKEN BY ALBERT!]

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES TAKEN BY ALBERT!

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES TAKEN BY LANCE!




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

Track guys and gals,

Green Flag Racing does an event at Buttonwillow the weekend after Thanksgiving every year.  I found out about it too late last year from the Nor Cal Viper Club.  So, I'm posting it here to see if there is any interest.  Cathy and I will likely go to this one.  Buttonwillow is a very good track to learn at and is also fun for more experienced drivers.  You can drive one day or two.  For more info visit:  www.greenflagdriving.com

Dan

Hey Track Guys and Gals,

The Alpha Romeo Club is holding an open track event at Willow Springs on the weekend of October 13 and 14, 2007.  The Alpha Club is known for holding well organized, fun and safe track events.  They offer a driving school for beginners, in car driving instruction, time trials and a race group.  See their web site for more details:  www.arosc.org

Dan <2

Hey Track Guys and Gals,

Viper Days is coming back "out West" for the last time this year.  Viper Days is the premier driving school for Viper Owners and is sponsored by the Viper Club of America.  You've read about Viper Days Events in our local club magazine as well as the national VCA magazine. 

Skip and his team of professionals including Archer Racing will be at the new Reno Racetrack the weekend of September 29 and 30, 2007.  They will likely also provide a test and tune day on Friday, September 28.

See Viper Days Website for details @ www.viperdays.com

I can't make this one due to a work commitment but past president and super experienced (and successful) Viper racer Doug Dye will be on hand to offer advice and help to rookie drivers.

Regards,

Dan

[HOTEL INFORMATION]

To all Viper owners interested in tracking their cars;

The Pantera Club is holding their annual fall track event at Willow Springs on November 3 and 4, 2007.  I have attended this event the last two years and it is very well run with safety and fun being the top priorities.  It is organized much like Viper days with runs groups based upon driving experience and skill level.  Run groups are organized from Green (novice) to Yellow (some track experience) to Blue (driving school, passing experience) to Red (this is really a race group).

Tech requirements are very basic and passengers over 18 are allowed to ride with you on the track with basic safety equipment (helmet, cotton pants, shirt and closed shoes). 

See attached flyer for complete details and registration forms.

"In car" instructors are available for those of us that would like them and are highly recommended for Green group participants.  I believe our own Ray McIntyre will be instructing at this event. 

There is also a race on Saturday afternoon that is fun to watch.

Most of the cars running are Panteras, Ferraris, Porsches, BMW's, Corvettes and perhaps a Mustang, Evo or Subaru.  It's fun passing them.  Last year Cathy blew by a guy driving a Ferrari in the front straight, embarrassed him in front of his buddies and we're still talking about it.

One of the best parts of this event is the price, it's only $225.00 for the entire weekend for one driver if you sign up before October 16th, you can add another driver for only $25.00.  Cathy and I will both be attending and driving this one.

If you are interested in going, sign up early as this event has sold out early the last two years.

If we get enough Viper folks to commit to this event early, we'll rent a garage and get some drinks and snacks together for the group.  We could also set up a group dinner on Saturday night.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Dan <2

HOTEL INFORMATION

Best Western Antelope Valley Inn - WSRaceway rate $79 per night (other rates begin at $109)
44055 Sierra Highway
Lancaster, CA 93534-4412
Phone: 661-948-4651 - tell them you're going to Willow Springs Raceway

Included in rate, raceway guests receive:
  Free buffet breakfast
  Two free happy-hour drinks

Click here for LINK to Hotel.


Click here for MAP from Hotel to Track.