A new green guy Where do I start

[Gen5snake]

Hello folks, I spent most of my life screwing around with drag racing, nothing serious, just for fun. I’m used to high 9 sec ¼ mile street cars that were quick in a straight line. I just got a Gen 5 SRT Viper and I’m cautiously feeling this car out. My other cars limits were easily/quickly found and I knew exactly when death was near. The Viper on the other hand, makes me kind of nervous. The limits are far past what I’m used to…and I’m thinking I’m in serious trouble if it gets away from me.

Controlled high speed corners/braking are new to me. That said, how did you guys start? Where did you guys learn the cars characteristics/limits? I can’t imagine a green guy like me tracking this thing quite yet without training.

Thanks!

[City]

First, Join the VOA NY/CT Region.

Then attend these events and you'll have a safe means to drive at the limit.

Friday and Saturday, July 12th and 13th – Annual Vipers at Lime Rock Park Road Course Day with NASA;
we’ll dedicate Saturday as day for non-racing members to partake in viper pit experience and ridealongs

Saturday, August 3rd – Annual NY/CT VOA @ Lime Rock Park AutoX – We’re are working on something
extra special for this that you’re not going to want to miss; mark your calendars!

[Mopar'er no car]

Join the VOA and do some of your local reigons events. Getting some seat time is the first step. Fill your tank up and find some twisties. After getting to know the car a bit you could pursue some Professional Driving Instruction. Id say someone familiar with Viper would best benefit a new driver.

The car will take just about everything you can throw at it, until the rear suspension unloads.

[Mopar'er no car]

First, Join the VOA NY/CT Region.

Then attend these events and you'll have a safe means to drive at the limit.

Friday and Saturday, July 12th and 13th – Annual Vipers at Lime Rock Park Road Course Day with NASA;
we’ll dedicate Saturday as day for non-racing members to partake in viper pit experience and ridealongs

Saturday, August 3rd – Annual NY/CT VOA @ Lime Rock Park AutoX – We’re are working on something
extra special for this that you’re not going to want to miss; mark your calendars!

HA! Ya beat me to it. Werent any replies a few mins ago. L0L.

[City]

HA! Ya beat me to it. Werent any replies a few mins ago. L0L.

And I never beat anyone at pretty much anything! Waahoo!

[Gen5snake]

Fantastic guys! Joined. Lime Rock sounds like it'll be a good/informative time. Thank you!

[Arizona Vipers]

I highly recommend joining NasaProRacing.com and doing as many events as you can. That's how I started and both my sons are doing it now too.
They will start you off slow and you work your way through the groups.
Look and see if there's a region close to you- https://nasaproracing.com/regions

[SilverACR]

your local club should have some hot shoes or Instructors that would be willing to do ride alongs and give you training. Take it slow ask lots of questions. Auto crossing isn’t a bad place to start and can allow you to learn car control at lower speeds. I’m certainly not saying auto crossing and road courses are the same, but you do get used to setting the car for turns and throttle control.

It’s addictive so be prepared

[FrankBarba]

Google: Lapping Days...Many different offerings....

[quickster2]

Ultimate Speed Secrets: The Complete Guide to High-Performance and Race Driving by Ross Bentley

[Gen5snake]

Thanks for all the references. All very helpful.

[City]

your local club should have some hot shoes or Instructors that would be willing to do ride alongs and give you training.

Exactly!

Feel free to contact ACR Steve who's well suited and tempered to give you driving advice. I've PM'd him to take a look in here.

This is your local forum area:
https://driveviper.com/forums/forums/41-NY-CT

This is last year's event thread:
https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...day-July-13-14

[SINIS7R]

First, Join the VOA NY/CT Region.

Then attend these events and you'll have a safe means to drive at the limit.

Friday and Saturday, July 12th and 13th – Annual Vipers at Lime Rock Park Road Course Day with NASA;
we’ll dedicate Saturday as day for non-racing members to partake in viper pit experience and ridealongs

Saturday, August 3rd – Annual NY/CT VOA @ Lime Rock Park AutoX – We’re are working on something
extra special for this that you’re not going to want to miss; mark your calendars!

Can any VOA member join this event? I will becoming a member shortly and used to live in CT.
I was planning a road trip from Detroit to CT around the July time frame and this event would be fun to add to the trip.

-Mike

[City]

Can any VOA member join this event? I will becoming a member shortly and used to live in CT.
I was planning a road trip from Detroit to CT around the July time frame and this event would be fun to add to the trip.

-Mike

Hi Mke,

I'm not sure if non-members can attend. That used to be the case if there were spaces available. I'm not sure nowadays with regard to the club's insurance. Best to send a PM to ACR Steve.

[SINIS7R]

Hi Mke,

I'm not sure if non-members can attend. That used to be the case if there were spaces available. I'm not sure nowadays with regard to the club's insurance. Best to send a PM to ACR Steve.

Yes I just became a member but my question was can an VOA member join or is just reserved for "NY/CT Region VOA members"?

-Mike

[City]

Aha. My bad. I'm almost sure that we'd fit you in. It's all still one club!

[Bill Pemberton]

Lots of great info here , and I will definitely endorse chatting with ACR Steve ( one fast dude). Arizona Vipers also listed getting in touch and joining NASA. The plus there, is considering what you want to accomplish, NASA would start you out with Instruction at each track through their ladder program in High Performance Driving. The High Performance Driving Events , are an integral part of each of their track visits , and you learn at your pace with no pressure and you will find they are a very welcoming group. Nice to be able to get the fundamentals without spending 4-5K initially that you would at a Professional Driving School, as well as hanging around with a group of like minded Machineheads! Don't get me wrong, I am a big believer in Pro Driving Schools , I just like the pace of a NASA event , and would still encourage you to eventually go to a Professional School later to really fine tune your skills ( best suggestion is the Ford Performance Driving School in Toelle , Utah with it's super safe track and tons of runoff room).

Glad you joined and there are some TrackSnakes in your area that will volunteer to help you get acclimated to your Viper!

[ACR Steve]

Thanks City and Bill for the kind words

First welcome aboard. I think you will find we are much different then other car clubs. Viper members actually love to drive there cars and we have some great driving events scheduled this year.

I would absolutely recommend our Auto X event up at Lime Rock . This is a chance for you to come out to what I feel is one of the most scenic tracks in the country. The Auto X track is located on top of the hill at Lime Rock and is surrounded by the main track. This is a chance to test the cars limits in a controlled environment with nothing to worry about should you over estimate those limits. Its really cool because its not you your typical Auto X with cones in a parking lot . This is a mini track designed with elevation and is a blast to drive. If that not enough we also have a wet skid pad set up during the event to go out on and have some fun. I am there to instruct any novices and/or individuals that wants some help. Its also a great event to bring family and friends . They are even allowed in the car and there are some great viewing spots along the track. No helmet is required for this event but feel free to wear one should you desire.

(Because this event is so much fun it fills up fast . If you decide to attend please sign up early.)

We also have a full track date (Fri/Sat) where we share the track with NASA North East. Only issue with this event is its really not set up for Novice drivers. This event is so well attended that NASA requests drivers to be at least a intermediate experience level.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me directly Steve@katzinsurance.com

I look forward to meeting you at one of our events