Protect your glass

[BlueAdder]

I'm sure this has been been mentioned before but if you have an ACR-E that you track, you want to put some protection on your windscreen.
I have done just 2 track days with my ACR and the windshield is already pitted. It's not too bad but I have more dings on it than I can count with ten fingers :'(

I'll just wait for the windshield to be ruined, then I'll change it and put some whatever protection I can find. Kind sucks.

[Martin]

That does suck - and with an ACR-E, we're also bound to get chips from the rocks that get kicked up by the front tires and fly through the vents.

My insurance covers windshield damage - but it's still a $500 deductible... So, I went ahead and had a double layer of windshield wrap installed. One layer is enough to protect, but since it costs $400 to have the stuff installed, I got two layers done so that I can tear off a layer when it gets scratched and streaked. Could probably have had three or four layers done for about the same price, but that's likely overkill.

[docwviper]

That does suck - and with an ACR-E, we're also bound to get chips from the rocks that get kicked up by the front tires and fly through the vents.

My insurance covers windshield damage - but it's still a $500 deductible... So, I went ahead and had a double layer of windshield wrap installed. One layer is enough to protect, but since it costs $400 to have the stuff installed, I got two layers done so that I can tear off a layer when it gets scratched and streaked. Could probably have had three or four layers done for about the same price, but that's likely overkill.

What type of windshield wrap did you have put on? I've only heard of one or two brands with mixed results.

[BlueAdder]

With the louvers opened a ton of crap gets launched onto the windshield. That's why I mentioned the ACR-E because my guess is that non ACR-E won't have that issue.
Did you get the windshield wrap at Go Wraps?
Two layers is a good idea

The Windshield is most likely around $500 installed anyway so it might just as cheap to replace it once it's dinged enough :D
My only concern is that how long will we be able to get replacement windshield for? Would hate to have a broken windshield and go some place to get it replaced and the guy would go: "Sorry bro, we can't get that stuff anymore"

[cplabaunza]

NorCal roads suck and you don't need to be on a track or have an ACR to get chips and pits on the windshield (from driving 101). I believe a replacement Windshield goes for between $700 and $800 plus installation. I believe the Gen IV shares the same windshield with the Gen V, also hoping supply will not be an issue in the future.


With the louvers opened a ton of crap gets launched onto the windshield. That's why I mentioned the ACR-E because my guess is that non ACR-E won't have that issue.
Did you get the windshield wrap at Go Wraps?
Two layers is a good idea

The Windshield is most likely around $500 installed anyway so it might just as cheap to replace it once it's dinged enough :D
My only concern is that how long will we be able to get replacement windshield for? Would hate to have a broken windshield and go some place to get it replaced and the guy would go: "Sorry bro, we can't get that stuff anymore"

[Special Ed]

With the louvers opened a ton of crap gets launched onto the windshield. That's why I mentioned the ACR-E because my guess is that non ACR-E won't have that issue.
Did you get the windshield wrap at Go Wraps?
Two layers is a good idea

The Windshield is most likely around $500 installed anyway so it might just as cheap to replace it once it's dinged enough :D
My only concern is that how long will we be able to get replacement windshield for? Would hate to have a broken windshield and go some place to get it replaced and the guy would go: "Sorry bro, we can't get that stuff anymore"


Oh don't feel so special. It's not just the ACR E I received five very good stone bruises and more pitts, than I can count, in my in my windshield after the first weekend that I tracked my car. I have clear warped the headlights and will do the same when I replace the windshield.

[Arizona Vipers]

I tracked my '13 for over a year and never had any rock chips in the windshield, and barely track my ACR and the ACR windshield has countless rock chips, I'm guessing it must be through the hood vents. That's why we need to get Doug Shelby to make us some screens! ;)

[Special Ed]

I tracked my '13 for over a year and never had any rock chips in the windshield, and barely track my ACR and the ACR windshield has countless rock chips, I'm guessing it must be through the hood vents. That's why we need to get Doug Shelby to make us some screens! ;)


With that logic anyone that doesn't have an ACR E is wasting their time putting expel on their cars.

[ViperSRT]

With that logic anyone that doesn't have an ACR E is wasting their time putting expel on their cars.

I believe he is only speaking about windshield stone chips and not front fascia or other locations.

[Special Ed]

I believe he is only speaking about windshield stone chips and not front fascia or other locations.

I realize that. He is basically saying that you only get stone chips on an ACR E windshield. My TA is actual proof that his theory is extremely flawed.

[Bleed viper]

I realize that. He is basically saying that you only get stone chips on an ACR E windshield. My TA is actual proof that his theory is extremely flawed.

I've done 8-9 events in my GTS and have pits everywhere. I was completely brand new to racing when I bought this car, so didn't even know much about wraps or the windshield/headlight protection. Ignorance is bliss right. I think it can depend greatly on how many cars are on track, how close together they are and what tires they are running. I cringe every time someone drops a tire off in front of me and I get sprayed with debris. After this season, I plan on do some paint correction and inspecting the windshield to see if it needs replacing and then wrapping. But every time I wash it I find more. Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt the ACR-E with the hood vents compounds the issue, but I don't think that is the only reason.

[texasram]

I tracked my '13 for over a year and never had any rock chips in the windshield, and barely track my ACR and the ACR windshield has countless rock chips, I'm guessing it must be through the hood vents. That's why we need to get Doug Shelby to make us some screens! ;)

The TVR tasmin did this as well, but was known for flicking debri large enough to crack windshield, TVR noticed this before releasing the car and still sold it

[SSGNRDZ_28]

That's why we need to get Doug Shelby to make us some screens! ;) I about have the street version dialed in, working on the track version now.

[Martin]

What type of windshield wrap did you have put on? I've only heard of one or two brands with mixed results.

I actually don't know the brand - the wrap installer at Go Wraps in Milpitas had that subbed out to another vendor. I can say that it's clear and seems to be pretty tough - although I hadn't put it through its paces yet. One strange phenomena I notice is a rainbow like effect when I'm wearing polarized sunglasses. It's barely noticeable, but it's definitely there.

Apparently, the Viper windows are a pain to wrap because they're asymmetrical and very curved. The passenger's side is shorter than the driver's side due to the cabin air vent intake, and the windshield has just enough curve to it to make the installation of the film an absolute bitch. Mine was pulling up at the top corner of the driver's side because they had to stretch it so much. Apparently, this is common, so definitely ask the installer about how they minimize that.

[The_Ruski_Driver]

I don't even track my GTS and have a massive chip from street driving. Going to wait to get one or two more before calling in a replacement but yea, these seem weak to me. Never had a problem and I've lived/driven in the same area for the last 10+ years.

[BlueAdder]

Oh don't feel so special. It's not just the ACR E I received five very good stone bruises and more pitts, than I can count, in my in my windshield after the first weekend that I tracked my car. I have clear warped the headlights and will do the same when I replace the windshield.

I don't feel particularly special despite what the ladies say :D
Joking aside, I thought (wrongly apparently) that the ACR-E vents were causing the issue because the car only has 2100 miles and before the first track day, I didn't see any damages on the windshield at all. I do remember that Todd told me that his GTS' (which he tracked a lot) windshield is pitted pretty badly. I guessed incorrectly, but the point is that the glass seems to be pretty fragile and I might be a good investment to get it wrapped.

[CarolinaViper]

Oh don't feel so special. It's not just the ACR E I received five very good stone bruises and more pitts, than I can count, in my in my windshield after the first weekend that I tracked my car. I have clear warped the headlights and will do the same when I replace the windshield.

Sorry Ed, if you are following another Viper or a car with sticky tires, you are bound to get windshield damage. The track Ed's referring to is in SC, I ran it three times (no Vipers) without damage and then ED and I ran it for two days and caused each others windshield damage. The track has a lot of sand and grit, which was picked up by the rear tires. Apparently, we were following each other to close.

[ek1]

My windshield is somewhat pitted. I recently tried to find a local Clearplex dealer. Called one listed on the web site, they never heard of Clearplex. Contacted another one via web site, got an email back from someone saying they no longer do Clearplex, but they offer Bray film instead - http://www.braygroup.com/windshieldskin/. I never heard of Bray before, but they wanted $1,100 (ridiculous!).

Did anyone on the East Coast find a reputable windshield protection installer? I would rather protect my windshield than have it replaced.

[stradman]

I don't like the windscreen films as they cause funny starbursts effect with the sun at certain angles. And its not cheap. I figure best to just change windscreen when time comes. I can live with a few pits here and there....

[ek1]

I am one of those people where a nick in a windshield directly at my eye level will drive me insane. I already have one a few inches to the right and I hate seeing it. Seeing as this is my track car, things are going to get worse with every outing. I'd rather live with the little haze effect that the film produces.

What most people dont realize about windshield replacement is that it will never be done as well as it's done at the plant. I've been there and I've seen them do it. The adhesive will be different, you won't get laser-based glass alignment checking, the seal will not be as good, etc. You may get creaks in the interior after the replacement. If the person installing it is also sloppy, you will get dirt on interior parts.

I just had a windshield replaced in my Land Rover. It was done at the dealership by a professional glass replacement company that the dealership uses exclusively. Visually everything looked perfect, but I immediately noticed more wind noise at highway speeds. Then I tried to use the window washer and discovered that fluid was coming out of the bottom of the car behind the front left wheel. Then I discovered that the plastic cowl cover on the bottom of the windshield is no longer sealing against the glass, so when it rains, all the water is pouring inside. So now they are replacing the cover and some parts for the window washer.

So....if anyone wants to take their chances with windshield replacement down the road, best of luck to them. I'll do my best to postpone it/avoid it as much as possible.

[ACR Steve]

Wrapped mine with the same stuff as on my race car windshield. Its a lot thicker the regular wrap and you can use your windshield wiper a little before it scratches it

[mcmasad]

Steve - what did you use and where did you get it done. Thinking of getting it done before the limerock track day in august.

[ek1]

Steve, I need this info too. Have an HOD event at Pocono coming up in a few weeks.