Messages

I will be there!

Have found the ACR suspension (2008-2010) is over sprung and under dampened in the rear. This can cause the car to unstable in bumpy situations. If a better shock is not in your budget, then a rear spring change is highly recommended.

Hi Everyone and Happy Holidays!

Our SPT track day is around the corner and all of us at SPT and the So Cal Viper Club are looking forward to seeing you.  This will be a well-attended event with Vipers from all corners of Southern California as well as exotics like the new McLaren MP4-12C. This is a driver education event and track groups are organized to reflect your driving skills (beginner, intermediate and advanced). Mild to wild, everyone in his or her comfort zone.

Beginners, we have a great program setup for you so don't feel intimidated, this is going to be fun. For you faster folks, we will have some of the fastest Vipers ever to lap the "fastest track in the west". You will be in good company.

For those who just want to watch, we have sedan laps to get to know the track, a "Budweiser Tower group" for the best view of the action, and limited advanced driver passenger sessions later in the day for those who want to see what a fast lap is like.


Here is the important stuff:

•   A sponsored BBQ at the track will follow the event (about 5:30). Registered attendees are free and guests are $5.00. Please respond if you will attend and the number of guests you will have. There will be some special guests and speakers.

•   There is an open track day on Sunday for track Prepped cars, cost is $150. Call Willow Springs Raceway for additional information.

•   All cars need to be Tech inspected, this service will be provided at the track, but we highly recommend you have your car inspected before you get to the track. SPT will be scheduling inspections and track service prior to the event.  Call 626-588-2883 to schedule your appointment. Unsafe or unmaintained vehicles will not be allowed on the track. Limited trackside service will be available. (See attached vehicle Tech Sheet and recommendation sheet for your Viper.)

We have 2 host Hotels within 10 miles of the track.


Hampton Inn & Suites Lancaster    
2300 W. Double Play Way
Lancaster, CA, 93536
661-940-9194   Homewood Suites by Hilton
2320 Double Play Way
Lancaster, CA 93536
661-723-8040

Notes for Vipers on the track

First off, everyone should have a chance to see what the Dodge Viper can do on a road course in a controlled environment. With lots of torque and some of the widest performance tires available in the market today you will never see the limits of your car on the street. Track time makes you a better driver and gives you new respect for your car.

Here are some tips to make your track experience the best. First off, the Viper engine is a "wet sump" engine. That means that all the engine oil is held in the oil pan. One some high-speed tracks the oil can move to one side of the pan and cause loss of lubrication. To keep this from happening, always make sure your engine oil level is not low. If you own a 1996-2006 model, overfill your oil level about ½ quart above the full line on your dipstick; this will give you an extra margin and peace of mind. If you track your car regularly, there is an oil pan modification to eliminate this condition. Many Viper specific companies carry these.

Tracking your Viper is just like flying an airplane. You need to do a good pre-flight inspection. Make sure your brake and clutch fluids are clear (not discolored). These fluids absorb moisture and can boil in track use and cause the brake or clutch systems to malfunction. These fluids should be changed every two years. Your car should be well maintained and properly serviced.
Tires and brakes are the most important. Your tires should be in good condition with even wear and at least 2/32" tread. The better condition your tires are in the better grip you will have. If your tires are over 6 years old they most likely are as hard as hockey pucks, not good for grip. For street tires, air them to 32psi cold for the track. This is the best starting point, to "dial in" the pressures check the tire pressures right after a few spirited laps, if they pressure go over 40 psi hot, air them down some. Your brake pads should have at least 5mm pad material remaining.

If you have a floor mat in your car, take it out for track use; it can roll up under the pedals. Make sure there are no loose items under the seat or in the trunk, these can roll around. Wear shoes that are closed toed ands do not have loose lases. If you have a convertible, put the top on. On the track run with your windows down, this is safer if you need to exit the car in event of an accident. Get a helmet, its required in most all beginner driving events. It should be a Snell 2005 or better helmet.

There are some safety items that will make your car safer for the track. Tow hooks front and rear will make your car easier to tow if you go off track, a fire extinguisher securely mounted in the car will help protect you in case of a vehicle fire. 5 and 6 point racing belts will hold you in the car better and improve your confidence level. A roll bar will give you improved rollover protection and make the car handle better. If you plan to track your car regularly, talk to a Viper tuner like Specialty Performance Team, there are numerous things that can be done to your Viper to make it safer and perform better.

For beginner drivers that want to improve, the best money spent will be to put a track specific alignment on the car and hire a driving instructor.

Owning a Viper is about having fun, live life and explore the limits.

Drive safe.

SPECIALTY PERFORMANCE TEAM

Tech inspection form

Driver:
Date:
Vehicle Model/ Year
Color:
Stock or Modified:

Note: It is important that your car is safe and defect free before it goes on the track. We strongly recommend you have your car professionally inspected before track use. If you are self-teching your car, do not assume all your lug nuts are tight or your fluid levels are correct. It is your responsibility to physically inspect all the items on this list.

WHEELS and TIRES:
Good Condition, 6 years old or less, no cording       yes/no
All lug nuts present and torqued               yes/no
Tire pressures set                     yes/no
ENGINE
Fluid levels correct                     yes/no
Leaks                                   yes/no
Radiator overflow ok                     yes/no
Fluid lines ok                        yes/no
BRAKES
Firm Pedal                           yes/no
Fluid discolored or low                          yes/no
Brake lights working                     yes/no
Pads more than 5mm                     yes/no
Rotors cracked or warped (pedal pulsates)         yes/no
STEERING
Wheel bearings no play                          yes/no
Steering tight/ no play in wheel               yes/no
BODY
Gas cap present and tight                  yes/no
Body panels secure                     yes/no
Safety Equipment
Helmet (mandatory all groups) Snell 2005 or newer   yes/no
Seats secure                        yes/no
No loose items in car or trunk               yes/no
Closed toe shoes                        yes/no
Seat Belts properly installed                       yes/no
Approved seat belts
OEM                              yes/no
5-6 point                           yes/no
4 Point (must be inspected at track tech)                 yes/no

Note: mark each item yes or no.

Print name:
Inspected by:
Signature:

For tech inspections/ service call SPT at (626) 588-2882


Specialty Performance Team
Dan Cragin
626-588-2882
[email protected]
www.specialtyperformance.com
919 So. Fremont Ave, Alhambra, Ca 91803

Hi All,
Looks like we are going to have a great turn out for the event. I am looking forward to seeing all of you!
I will be posting all the final details this week and contacting each of you personally, but first I would like to confirm everyone on the list. If you are not listed or the info is not correct, e-mail me at [email protected].

We are having a BBQ right after the event and I need to get a final head count before committing. So let me know if you plan to come!


Eddie Arguelles      2009SRTC         Saturday      Track
Atwood, Carl            Instruct   Saturday      Attend
Randy Begin      1995 RT/10         Saturday      Track
Magnus Beseth      2003 SRT         Saturday      Track
Bob Blizzard            Instruct   Saturday      Track
Brobst, John      2008 Challenger      Saturday      Track
Deb Blizzard                           Attend
Mike Buckingham      2008 SRTC   Instruct   Saturday/ SundayTrack
Rob  Bucoltz           1997 GTS              Saturday      Track
John Campos      1994 RT/10              Saturday      Attend
Matt Chapman      2012 Lexus IS-F      Saturday      Track
Raj Champaneri      2008 SRTC         Saturday      Track
John Cheseny      2003 SRT10         Saturday      Track
Angel Calderon      2006 SRTC         Saturday      Track
Bruce Conklin      2003 SRT10         Saturday      Track
Steve Dana         2006 Comp Coupe   Saturday/Sunday   Track
George Dauphine      2006 SRTC         Saturday      Track
Richard Duncan      1963 Can Am Racer   Saturday/Sunday   Track
Dan Everts         2010 ACR      Instruct   Saturday/Sunday   Track
Mike Fugita         2006 SRT         Saturday      Track
Justin Fujita         2000GTS         Saturday      Track
Larry Goldman      2000 RT/10         Saturday      Track
Garry Grant      2010 ACR         Saturday/Sunday   Track
Mike Greenberg      1997 Viper GTSR      Saturday      Track
Hugh Hoard         2008 SRTC         Saturday      Attend
Roger Hamson      2000 GTS         Saturday      Track
Peter Hausher      2001 GTS AC      Saturday/ SundayTrack
Paul Hawker      2008 ACR         Saturday      Track
Scott Hirko         2004 SRT10         Saturday      Track
Rick Hollis         2000RT10         Saturday/Sunday   Track
Glen Izard         2010ACR              Saturday      Track
Jerry Jacobson      2010 McLaren      Saturday      Track
Ben Kawata         1999 GTS Racer InstructSaturday      Track
Jim Kenehan      2004 SRT                  Track
Brent Kern         2004 SRT         Saturday      Track
Lance Kouchi      2008 ACR         Saturday      Track
Lyle Larson         1999 Corvette      Saturday      Attend
Joel Larson         1997 GTS         Saturday/Sunday   Track
Maurice Liang      1993 RT/10         Saturday      Attend
Larry Nemetz      2012 McLaren      Saturday      Attend
Leo McCafrey                  Saturday      Track
Linstun Lee         2010 ACR         Saturday      Attend
Nigel Olsen         2008300C         Saturday/Sunday   Track
Auto Peterson      2008 Mustang      Saturday      Attend
Pete Martin         2008 ACR         Saturday      Track
Jonathon Martinez   1997 GTS         Saturday/ SundayTrack
Anthony Matranga               Saturday
Eric Messley      1997 GTS         Saturday/Sunday   Attend
Ron Miller         2000 ACR         Saturday       Track
Ray McIntyre      2003 SRT              Saturday      Track
Jay Morisette      2004 SRT              Saturday      Track
Randy Noble      1994 RT/10              Saturday      Attend
John Payne         2005 SRT Ram      Saturday/Sunday   Attend
Anhtuam Pham      2006 SRTC         Saturday      Track
Scott Pennington      2008 SRTC         Saturday/Sunday   Track
Chris Pennington      2008 SRTC         Saturday/Sunday   Track
Otto Peterson      2009 Mustang      Saturday
Reinsma Eddie      2006 SRTC         Saturday
Mark Rhoads      1996 RT10         Saturday      Track
Grant Roberts      2003 SRT         Saturday      Attend
Richard Rosenberg   2003 SRT         Saturday      Track
Lance Sandman      2010 Challenger      Saturday      Track
Greg Schilley      2008ACRX         Saturday/Sunday   Track
Bob Spencer      2003 SRT10         Saturday      Attend
Gerard St. Germain   1996 RT/10         Saturday      Track
Richard Shehadey   2008 ACR         Saturday      Track
Derek Short      2006 SRTC         Saturday      Track
Mike Sinkenson      2005 SRT         Saturday      Track
Don Smith         2000 RT/10         Saturday      Track
Adrien Szostak      2006 SRTC         Saturday      Track
John Tookey      1997 GTS         Saturday      Attend
Randy Tribulet      1993 RT/10         Saturday      Track
William Toppi      1999 RT10         Saturday      Attend
Bernard Thouanel      1997 GTS         Saturday      Track
Donn V         2009 SRTC         Saturday      Track
Nino Valmassoi      2003 SRT          Saturday      Track
Michael von Quilich   2008ACRX         Saturday      Track
Garry Wong      2010 McLaren      Saturday      Track

Hi All,
No worries I will be submitting an updated list to the Viper Club, if you are not on the current list you will most likely be on the new one. Everyone is welcome but there are only a few track spots remaining.

Any questions or concerns feel free to call me: 310-597-6295 Dan Cragin/ Specialty Performance Team

Hey Folks,

For those of you who would like a track car fully prepared for NASA or SCCA wheel to wheel racing at a great price, here is the car for you. It's a 2000 GTS and is like new with only 1083 original miles.  It's fully prepared, all safety equipment with current certification, new tires and wheels (one practice session). This car is turn key and needs nothing.

It was bought new and driven 500 miles on the street before being made into a race car. The car was originally prepared for T1 by Exoticraft when new, competed in two races, then was completely rebuilt for SCCA/ Viper Challenge wheel to wheel specs by Archer Racing.

The car was stored inside, unused for numerous years. I went through the entire car and prepared it for current competition. The engine has perfect leakdown and all the driveline works perfectly.

Production engine has full race preparation/ race headers and exhaust/ Mopar Performance Race controller/ Dyno tuned, race wiring harness, race battery relocated to front, Race Trans, Differential, trans and diff coolers, Motons, adjustable bar links, full cage, race seats, fuel cell, race fuel system, fire system, cool suit, new paint, ground effects, wing splitter, graphics and car cover. Too much to list, must see it if interested, email [email protected] for pics.  The customer has 150k invested.



$42,000

Dan Cragin
310-597-6295

Many Viper owners have found the benefit of "Gearing Down" for better performance. A gear change will get your engine up in the power band quicker and apply more torque to the rear wheels. This makes your car feel faster without changing its HP. A gear change is by far your biggest performance gain for the dollar. For about $1200 you can make your car feel like its gained 50-70hp. Gearing down gives you quicker acceleration by allowing your existing HP to get to the rear wheels faster. Vipers were built with a high 3.07 gear, this was done to keep the Gas Guzzler tax down, This gear in combination with the 1-4 skip shift allows 20mpg during 6th gear cruising. The 3.07 gear may be good for mileage but it makes 5th and 6th gears hardly useable for passing acceleration. A lower gear makes 6th gear) more usable and makes the car a real performer in the lower gears. Lower gears give better off throttle braking as well.
So what gears should you use? The most popular it the 3.55 ratio, for the street and canyon driver this gear provides great seat of the pants acceleration. The Drag Race and Road racer like the 3.33 ratio. The 3.33 gear helps with taller drag race tires and still lets the car pull good mph in 4th gear. The road racers like it as it lets them really hang it out in high-speed corners without getting stuck shifting into a higher gear. For those who just like to burn rubber from stoplight to stoplight the 3.73 is very popular. Lower gearing does create more heat, so 12,000-mile fluid changes are recommended. 1992-2002 Vipers require a speedometer calibration box to correct the speedometer. 2003-2010 models do not.
All ring and pinion sets are not the same, most of our gears are manufactured in America and are shot-peened at the factory. They are designed for quiet operation and high torque. For those who road race, drag race or have very high hp engines we offer shot-peening (on the sets that are not pre shot-peened) and "REM" Super Finishing polishing to strengthen the gears and allow them to run cooler.

I have a set of "lowering caps" that will lower the car about a 1/2 inch will keeping the stock springs. Its a great trade off for those who do not want the stiff ride of an aftermarket spring rate.

Hi all,
I was wondering who was shipping a car to VOI. I will be launching my new business there in the vendor area and figured if I could send some of my promotional products up with a car I could help with your transportation charges.
It would save me the worry about shipping and could help you with the expense.

Also, if anyone needs someone to drive a truck and trailer up to the event I know of someone who is available.

I am real excited to see many of you there and talk to you about my new adventure!

Dan Cragin

Sounds like fun, Teresa and I will be there.

I will be there---sounds like a lot of fun!

Dan

Wow,
This really was a great event. Not only did we get to hang out with 42 other viper owners but we all became a part of history. This is the kind of car lifestyle stuff you live for, what an awesome club to be part of. Thanks to SRT, Lance all who put it on!

Hi All,
All is moving well with my new venture, we will be having a hearing with the city in the next few weeks for our proposed location, I will let you know the specifics as soon as it is approved. I think everyone will be suprised to see how the new shop will be setup.

We will be able to do everything DC did before, but with better pricing and more options. We will now be manufacturing many of our own performance parts and doing in-house fabrication.

For those of you who need advice or help. I am still available and can service your car from my Santa Monica workshop during the changeover.

Dan Cragin
310-597-6295

I'll be there, count me in for 2

Thanks everyone,
We are checking on two locations and both are about right in the middle of the customer map, that way it will be about the same for everyone. We are purchasing a truck and trailer and will be providing pickup and/or delivery of all Viper club members for our cost! This will represent a cost but it will be a fraction of what the tow companies charge. We will also be open on Saturdays, to make it easier to get to us.

We have lots of plans and some great things to share once we are up and running. If anyone needs help, I am available anytime.

Dan Cragin
310-597-6295