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[Saturday Over Night Run to SolvangApril 13-14, 2019]

Saturday Over Night Run to Solvang
April 13-14, 2019

Putting this potential  spring run up to see if there is any interest for an overnight Viper Club Run to Solvang. In the past, we ran the Los Padres Forrest as a club one day event called the "Condor Run". An alternative one night stay in Solvang would be similar to the 1st half of the "Condor Run from Ojai to Hwy 166. Then a left on 166, The Cayucas Hwy, to a very nice winding canyon run at Tepusquet Rd. > Foxen Canyon > Los Olivos > Solvang. One night accommodations in Solvang with the afternoon shopping, lunch, wine tasting and an evening in the town.  Home the following Sunday morning as individual travel.


WHAT:
- Condor Run to Solvang with overnight

WHEN:
-April 13-14, 2019

Attending:

Eric
Lance & Lori
Randy & Diane
Ben & Lisa
Jennifer & Jay
Joel & Madona
Nino & Ruth
Nick & Holly
Mike & Mary




Here is the start location meet-up.  Coffee Bean Westlake Village, off Westlake Village West from 101 North.  Meet 7:00 AM on, plan on departing to Ojai around 8:30 AM, April 13th.

[Attending:]

Hwy 395 is know as "El Camino Sierra".  We have done this before, spectacular vistas, open roads great driving, no traffic, Sierra Nevada escarpment.

July 27-29, 2018.............

2 day Run Up Hwy 395 to Mammoth Lakes and Summer in the Mountains.  Great driving roads, excellent vistas, great night life and dining.

If interested add you comment so we can get a total. There are many restaurants and bars in the Village complex. Side Door Venue for evening entertainment is the best in Mammoth Lakes.

The Village Lodge 
3.5 out of 5.0  
Top Property 
Forest Trail, Mammoth Lakes, CA   1-866-599-6674

Best Western Plus High Sierra Hotel 
3.5 out of 5.0  
Main Street, Mammoth Lakes, CA   1-866-599-6674

Saturday Eastern Sierra run out through Bentton Crossing Road east of Mammoth Lakes airport to connect with East 120 then spectacular Hwy East 120, to crest of Sierras, lunch in Lee Vining or at the Sierra Crest, Mono Lake Lookout, and back to Mammoth Lakes.  Gondola rides to the top of Mammoth are also available, great summer temperatures, excellent dining and evening camaraderie.

Plan to leave:

West side LA
Dennys, Rockford Street, Sylmar 8:30 Rendezvous Indian Wells Brewery

So Cal East and South
I-15 > Hwy 395 N to Indian Wells Brewery, 2 miles off 395 on Hwy 14

Afternoon drive up El Camino Sierra
Arrive in Mammoth on free time schedule

Congregate @ Side Door 6 PM

Attending:
The Doc Johnson
Will and Gina
Joel and Madona
Lance and Lori
Mike and Missy

http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2017/7/18/Fisker-Has-Steady-Supply-Of-Vipers-For-VLF-Force-1-Conversions-7740166/

This is pretty cool

https://youtu.be/zrehQjsz5ck

<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zrehQjsz5ck?ecver=2" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

My long time viper friend from Bern, Switzerland passed away last Tuesday from a prolonged illness.  His name was Giuseppe di Dodo.  Wife is Lesley.  They were dedicated viper owners, Giuseppe was VCA-Swizterland Club President for quite a few years.  He came to both VOI Las Vegas in 09, and VOI in SLC.

He was always enthusiastic, loved his Viper Club in Switzerland, and was great to to be around.  I have added a couple of images from VOI9 Las Vegas.

Sad day when you lose a friend.

Short notice breakfast tomorrow, Labor Day, at Flo's Airport Dinner. All invited. This is a pick-up event. Anyone free who wants some viper camaderie come on over

Meet 7:00-7:30
Breakfast 8:30.

7000 Merrill Ave Chino

Any additional cruising is pure serendipity


Hematox

Created this window sticker to summarize with icon images the So Cal Viper Club geographic location, Blue Sky with Sun, latest Gen 5 Viper logo, Bear Flag Republic flag and date of the So Cal Viper Club founding, and an image of twisty roads.


Looks best on back lower corner of window.

Dodge Viper Produciton to End with 2017 Production.
http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/viper-cease-production-2017

No apparent replacement in the pipeline for all-American sports car

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/viper-cease-production-2017#ixzz3r4H4kIoE

Have 6 years and 6000 miles on my Michelin Pilot Sport tires.  Great tires, were always a little loud at high speeds.  No complaints for sure.  Decided to pull them off and change tires, mainly because of tire age, but these tires never were exposed to outside elements, beaten, burned out, etc.  They are fine.  Was also looking for a newer tread design.

Wednesday Hemotox got new dancing shoes.  NITTO INVOs, 295x35x18 on fronts, 345x30 19s on rears.  Incredible ride, grip like nobody's business!  Hemotox and owner very happy!













http://www.nittotire.com/passenger-tires/invo-luxury-sport-ultra-high-performance-tire/

http://horsepowerkings.com/reports-are-coming-in-saying-supercharged-v10s-have-been-delivered-to-chrysler-viper-update-coming/   

Anyone up for breakfast at Flo's Diner, Saturday Dec 6?  Meet at 7:00, breakfast at 8:00?

Dec 6, Sunny and 70F

Eric
Lance
John B
Ben
Eddie A
Joel
Gary B
Mike F

[Day 1 Destination Bishop, California August 22]

Joel Larson, (OriginalRoot), and I just got back from a two day run up the Eastern Sierras with a small group of intense MINI Cooper car guys, and we had a fantastic time.  We are planning a two day run for the So Cal Viper Club Members, August 22-24, along Hwy 395.  This is one of the premier driving roads in California.  No traffic, open roads, incredible vistas, and returning home is very easy and a reverse view of the incredible landscape.   We would hope that as many club members as possible would be interested in attending this club event.

Day 1 Destination Bishop, California  August 22

The map is attached for everyone to see.  The plan is to meet up at the Denny's on Roxford off the I-5 in Sylmar, around 7:30 AM on Friday August 22.  Breakfast is available at Denny's and there is a Chevron Gas Station on the parking lot.  Our plan is to leave Roxford at 9:00 AM, take I-5 to Hwy 14, north to 395.  This is a leisurely run with incredible vistas and multiple stops along the way. There are options for lunch in Lone Pine, or the excellent outdoor Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine.  It is approximately 220 miles from Sylmar to Bishop.  We check into the Creekside Inn in Bishop in the afternoon with post check-in socializing and drinks.  Restaurants are very close to the hotel, including a bowling alley, and a Paiute Casino in town.  Great sushi, Indian, BBQ, and Mexican restaurants within walking distance.

Day 2 Destination the High Sierra, Tiioga Pass and Mammoth Lakes.  August 23

Leaving Bishop in the morning after breakfast, we drive up the 395 as it elevates to the High Sierra landscape.  We will cruise to Tioga Pass Hwy 120 and stop at the Whoa Nellie Deli.  This is a Mobile gas station with an excellent sandwich facility, drinks, ice, restrooms etc.  Once loaded up, we will head up Tioga pass to the summit of the Sierra Crest road and rendezvous at Tioga Lake.  This is a pristine alpine lake with a turnout facility, picnic tables, restrooms and a commanding view of Tioga Lake.  The mountains are spectacular at this vista point.

We then return along the high Eastern Sierra 395, with an alternative cruise around June Lake and Mountain, and then back on Hwy 395 to Mammoth Lakes Village. Check into the hotels.  The Alpenhof hotel is the preferred hotel and is directly across from the Mammoth Lakes Village. Optional gondola rides will be running to the top of Mammoth Mountain with incredible views into Yosemite Park.  Multiple restaurants are within walking distance.  A group final night social event will be planned for this evening.

Accommodations are listed as follows below

ITINERARY

August 22 -- Overnight in Bishop

August 23 -- Overnight in Mammoth Lakes

LODGING

You can start booking your rooms now. Please note that the Creekside Inn in Bishop is not set up as a "room block", as these hotels are fully occupied every weekend in the summer. Do not delay in making the reservations, they have a reasonable cancellation policy.

Bishop - August 22

Creekside Inn -  AAA/AARP discount available
725 N Main St.
Bishop
Tel. 800-273-3550

Alternative Hotels in Bishop

La Quinta Inn
651 N Main St
Bishop
760.873.6380

Holiday Inn Express Bishop
636 North Main Street, Bishop, CA 93514-2426
877.859.5095

Mammoth Lakes - August 23

Alpenhof Lodge - we are working on a rate for this hotel
6080 Minaret Rd.
Mammoth Lakes
Tel. 800.828.0371

Alternative hotels in Mammoth Lakes:

High Sierra Best Western
3228 Main Street
Mammoth Lakes, California, 93546, US
Phone: 760.924.1234

Sierra Nevada Resort
164 Old Mammoth Rd
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
760. 934.2515

Shilo Inn Suites - Mammoth Lakes   
2963 Main St, 93546 Mammoth Lakes
760. 934.4500


It is urgent and necessary that you make room reservations ASAP, as these hotels sell out for every weekend in the summer.  Either call hotel directly or use Expedia or one of the other travel web sites.

The 1st night will be in Bishop.  The main hotel is the Creekside Inn, just next to Schat'z bakery on Hwy 395 - Main Street.

Summer is coming soon and Fall is not far behind.  Would be great to get a nice two night run with So Cal Viper Club members.

Please indicate on this thread if you are planning on making this run.  We will keep a list of members on board.  This will be a great event! 



Participants:

1. Joel Larson
2. Eric Johnson
3. Glenn and Stephanie Izard  (Sylmar)
4. Race Copper Richard, Charlene?
5. Gary and Melissa Belvedere or mystery guest?
6. Viper Paul and Theresa Hawker
7. Bruce Conklin and ?
8. Jay M and Jennifer
9. Paul and Pam Winters
10. Dan and Mayo

[Giuseppe DiDodo]

I have a friend in the Switss Viper Club. who posted this question on the Swiss Viper Facebook page.  If anyone has an answer to this question, please post here.

   Giuseppe DiDodo

Hi all

I have a question and hope that someone can help me with it. I have an 2006 SRT-10 roadster. I have a strange phenomenon when I want to open the car with the remote. 90% of the time, if the car is locked/armed longer than about 1h, I can't open it with the remote.

As soon as I touch a door handle (doesn't matter if it's the driver door or the co-driver) and after that press the unlock button on the remote, then the cars opens up. It looks like it's 'sleeping' and then doesn't accept the remote... as soon as I press one handle it feels like it 'wakes up' and then accepts the remote :-(...

someone any idea ? would appreciate any help/suggestion

A few of us met today at Coogies, Malibu Shopping Center to see Lance's new GTS '14 viper.  Most excellent machine.

FYI,  Interesting reading

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140324/UNITEDSPORTSCAR/140329918?utm_source=Alert20140324&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=missedarticle1more&utm_content=20140324-SRT-Vipers-will-not-race-at-24-Hours-of-Le-Mans&utm_campaign=awAlert

For us California Viper owners, here is an opportuinty to put a little vintage on your snake. Deadline is January 2015 to have at least 7500 applications for one of the vintage plate designs. There are options for 1950s, 1960, and 1970s in retro vintage plate designs. Since the 1960s styled black plate with gold lettering has over 6100 applications at present, that is the most likely plate to achieve 7500 applications.

Link below opens up the application form. You can type on the form in each box the requested information, and then print out the application to be mailed in with your check. It is $50 dollars, plus you have the option of a serial numberd plate or a customized license plate in addition. Just fill in your custom entry, fill out form and mail it in. If the program does not achieve 7500 by 2015, your money will be mailed back to you.  Make suer you cehck all appropriate boxes!

http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg17L.pdf

You can also visit California DMV special interest license program to see if your customized name is okay to use.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/ipp2/initPers.do

 

Well, doesn't it seem like things have changed much over the last 3 months does it?  Yet no one knows exactly what portends in the future for our club.  This waiting period seems to be just that, waiting.  No indication what if any decisions are being made or offered to members.  I don't see really anything that resembles the old So Cal Viper Club at present.  Nothing on the event agenda except a car show near the end of the month.  It seems very weird that there is no activity, no frequent posting, nothing.

If anyone has some insight as to why we continue in such silence, that would be refreshing to hear.  If the majoirty of the club has gone to the newly formed VOA, then we should know about this and recieve a recommendation from the BoD.  I can't imagine anyone wanting two So Cal Vper clubs competeling for members and against each other.

Some news would be appreciated.

[Hello EricHope you are well. Ursi and me are touring whole January thru the States. We started in Dalles and now stay with old friends from Switzerland who live since 15 years in Texas near Morgan. Two days ago we went to Dan Everts and had a good time with him and Cathy. Till the end of January we will be in Daytona Beach for the VCA Meeting and the Rolex 24, with the Viper up front....As you know, it is Dan and me that took to challenge to bring back the VCA to normal, now with a great group of other board members. We all spend a incredible lot time to fix it all.Why I tell you all this?I felt the last days that Dan and Cathy feel very disappointed about their many friends at the Southern California Club. He is hurt deep in his heart. If think, the Everts did so much in their years in your club. And now he is even working more to save the VCA. It hurts them so much, that "his" club thinks about to join the VOA. So my request to you: is there a way to help with this? Why can't the Southern California members not keep up the friendship and be loyal. Please trust in what we all do and stay with the VCA. I would never forget if you really could help with this right now. Thanks for your help. For the fun with our Vipers and the friendshipWish you all the bestFredi]

So Cal Viper Club Members

I received this email from Fredi Spatenstein, VCA Switzerland President several days ago.  I am a member of the VCA Switzerland and frequently travel to Switzerland with several contacts in the club.  Fredi has been part of the repair and rennovation process of the VCA following the recent negative turn of events we all know about.  He has been working with Dan Everts, our former So Cal Viper club president, and the rest of the new BoD of VCA to turn the club around and salvage it.  He sent me this unsolicited response, and it seems appropriate to me to place it hear.  He expresses his concerns that So Cal Viper has not offered support for our former President Dan and Cathy Everts, who are leading the attempt to rennovate the VCA and sincerely try to solve the problems and return the club back to the members.  We all know Dan and his love of the viper.  I am sure he is doing his utmost best effort to salvage the VCA.

There is no need to repeat all the dialogue here of what has transpired over the last year, but Dan is under a lot of pressure, and is trying his best along with the new BoD of the VCA to restructure the club for us.

I am surprised to hear that so many So Cal Viper members have lost trust in the above individuals and their efforts to save the VCA by alternatively choosing to realign with VOA.  No need to list the reasons here, I am just surprised to see the lack of support for Dan and Cathy and the current BoD of the new VCA.  Below are Fredi's comments.  They are posted here to let us think about what is important, and perhaps reflect on our apparent lack of support for our previous club leadership.

Hello Eric
Hope you are well. Ursi and me are touring whole January thru the States. We started in Dalles and now stay with old friends from Switzerland who live since 15 years in Texas near Morgan. Two days ago we went to Dan Everts and had a good time with him and Cathy. Till the end of January we will be in Daytona Beach for the VCA Meeting and the Rolex 24, with the Viper up front....
As you know, it is Dan and me that took to challenge to bring back the VCA to normal, now with a great group of other board members. We all spend a incredible lot time to fix it all.
Why I tell you all this?
I felt the last days that Dan and Cathy feel very disappointed about their many friends at the Southern California Club. He is hurt deep in his heart. If think, the Everts did so much in their years in your club. And now he is even working more to save the VCA. It hurts them so much, that "his" club thinks about to join the VOA. So my request to you: is there a way to help with this? Why can't the Southern California members not keep up the friendship and be loyal. Please trust in what we all do and stay with the VCA. I would never forget if you really could help with this right now. Thanks for your help. For the fun with our Vipers and the friendship
Wish you all the best

Fredi

Well, it has been several months now since the bomb shell about the VCA hit us, followed by shock waves of explantions, and I still have no idea what the future should be.  I have heard from Dan, Lance, Bruce and the new So Cal committee, but the answers aren't there, it is still a mystery and I don't know who to believe or what is the best course to follow.

VOA is in the works, they have most likely limited funds and are pulling away from VCA with the intent to re-estabilish ties with SRT and Chrysler. VCA has been reported to be trying to mend fences with Chrysler (a long shot by reports), get a new board of directors, make everyone happy again, but they do have the organzation and probably more money.

So what to do?  I guess pay the VCA dues and see what happens, if it costs me double.  No one knows who is involved in running this new VOA, except some names like Lang, et al.

If you can make sense of this disaser, let me know.  I would appreciate some advice.

We all realize that there is a tremendous amount of negative informaiton circulating througout the VCA at present, trickling down to our personal emails, contacts, phone calls, etc.  I even am receiving emails from Europe concerning the "disastrous course" VCA is on.  Quite frankly, I don't understand the issues very well, I hear multiple accounts of what has transpired, with diametrically opposing views and reciting of facts and issues.  It doesn't matter to me at this point, nothing I can do to change it.

I do know that the So Cal Viper Club has the most excellent people in its membership, fantastic people to hang with, and participate in runs, activities, fund raisers, holiday parties.  There are few if any clubs that compare to the Viper Club, and the So Cal Viper Club in particular.  And the very rare car club that has the quality of people that we experience when we get together.

I see the current VCA crisis as a storm, we weather storms quite well.  We  have a superb President who is working daily on the issues before this So Cal Viper Club.  He needs our support.  If the VCA implodes, then we move on to reform another Viper Club of America with new leadership.  If we become independent, then we move on and reorganize because we have the quality membership and people with a generosity of spirit that will allow us to prevail.