SRT Track Experience Fail.

[FLATOUT]

So I wanted to post this just so none of you make the same mistake I did. I purchased my new TA from Tomball about two weeks ago and was in a hurry to get registered for the MSR Houston SRT Track Experience this weekend.

Since the car was new the vin wasn't showing up in the system so I wasn't able to register until this week, but the good folks at SRT jumped on it and got me registered. I received my confirmation email and read everything over, and printed it out for the day. I get up at 4:45 am this morning to load my TA on the trailer for the 1:45 minute drive down to MSR. I get there and an SRT worker shows me were to park so I can unload and then go in and register. Get the car off the trailer and parked. Some of the other people there come over and check out the Gen V and take a few pictures.

I head on in and start signing in when they give me my credentials and a flash drive that I am going to plug into the challengers and jeeps for the days events. I asked the guy if these will work in my Viper, and he proceeds to tell me that I don't get to drive my Viper at this event, I will be driving jeeps and challengers. At first I thought he was kidding, while also thinking that I registered quickly and might have missed this ever important detail.

So I asked them then if they had a gen V Viper to drive since I wasn't allowed to drive my own vehicle. The response was no. I asked to speak to the GM or whomever was running the event to see if there was any way I could actually learn something on the $120,000 car that I just bought, or if I was really going to have to drive an SUV, and a bloated pony car all day. He said sorry sir but that's the rules.

They assured me I would have fun and to enjoy the day.

I loaded up my Viper and left.

Here's a little advice for SRT about Viper owners. Many of us have been building and racing cars for years and sometimes decades. Im not even remotely interested in driving around a dumbed down circuit in an SUV and a Pony Car, I don't care how good they are, they are in no way shape or form comparable to a brand new Gen V Viper on the track.

That being said I really wanted to learn my car with someone from SRT in the car, there's real value there. If you're not going to provide a Gen V Viper for Viper owners to drive at these events, and not allow us to take our own cars through the course than dont waste our time.

I spoke with Stephanie Reeves at length as I was pulling out of the parking lot and she was a class act and a wonderful embassador for SRT, she mentioned that everyone wants to drive the Vipers, and that it wouldn't be fair to only allow Viper Owners to drive a Viper provided by SRT. My first thought was then maybe they should pony up and buy one like I did. So then the discussion moved to a Viper only day in which she said they used to do those and were talking about doing one in Vegas or something like that.

I live in Houston and am not going to pay $1,000 to go do this in Vegas. They need to find some way to support the Viper guys at these events. I drive a Grand Cherokee to work every day and I count the hours all week until I can slip behind the wheel of my Vipers.

I ended up driving the 2 hours home unloaded the car and drove for about 3 hours. It was nice and it almost made me forget about the mess this morning.

I looked back though my confirmation email and it says absolutely nothing about having to drive their supplied vehicles. It tells you everything to bring and when to arrive but nothing about the vehicles. I went and checked back on the SRT track experience website and under the FAQ section it does say you will not be driving your car there, so I'm a dumb ass for not noticing it. Extremely frustrating but it brings up a bigger issue, in the fact that we don't get to spend anytime with anyone from SRT in a Viper learning the ins and outs that the Jeep and Challenger folks do.

Rant over, time to work on some photography.

Andy

[ViperSmith]

Beth commented to me on Twitter when I inquired there was a separate Viper event but there are no details - https://twitter.com/BethParetta/stat...19107810533376

I am unsure what is going on. This is disappointing. If it is the "drive around town" to get to know a Viper thing, thats a shame. Chevy sends you out to a driving school with their HiPo cars.

Wouldn't be fair to only let Viper owners drive the Vipers? Well, uh, we ponied up the cash.

[FLATOUT]

Maybe that's what Stephanie was talking about, but she only mentioned two maybe three tracks and an expensive entry fee.

They should have a Viper on site for new Viper owners or let us drive our own.

Beth commented to me on Twitter when I inquired there was a separate Viper event but there are no details - https://twitter.com/BethParetta/stat...19107810533376

I am unsure what is going on. This is disappointing. If it is the "drive around town" to get to know a Viper thing, thats a shame. Chevy sends you out to a driving school with their HiPo cars.

Wouldn't be fair to only let Viper owners drive the Vipers? Well, uh, we ponied up the cash.

[ViperSmith]

Maybe that's what Stephanie was talking about, but she only mentioned two maybe three tracks and an expensive entry fee.

They should have a Viper on site for new Viper owners or let us drive our own.

Yeah, you'd think a $100,000 car is a sufficient enough of an entry fee.

But that is just me.

[100]

So I wanted to post this just so none of you make the same mistake I did. I purchased my new TA from Tomball about two weeks ago and was in a hurry to get registered for the MSR Houston SRT Track Experience this weekend.

Since the car was new the vin wasn't showing up in the system so I wasn't able to register until this week, but the good folks at SRT jumped on it and got me registered. I received my confirmation email and read everything over, and printed it out for the day. I get up at 4:45 am this morning to load my TA on the trailer for the 1:45 minute drive down to MSR. I get there and an SRT worker shows me were to park so I can unload and then go in and register. Get the car off the trailer and parked. Some of the other people there come over and check out the Gen V and take a few pictures.

I head on in and start signing in when they give me my credentials and a flash drive that I am going to plug into the challengers and jeeps for the days events. I asked the guy if these will work in my Viper, and he proceeds to tell me that I don't get to drive my Viper at this event, I will be driving jeeps and challengers. At first I thought he was kidding, while also thinking that I registered quickly and might have missed this ever important detail.

So I asked them then if they had a gen V Viper to drive since I wasn't allowed to drive my own vehicle. The response was no. I asked to speak to the GM or whomever was running the event to see if there was any way I could actually learn something on the $120,000 car that I just bought, or if I was really going to have to drive an SUV, and a bloated pony car all day. He said sorry sir but that's the rules.

They assured me I would have fun and to enjoy the day.

I loaded up my Viper and left.

Here's a little advice for SRT about Viper owners. Many of us have been building and racing cars for years and sometimes decades. Im not even remotely interested in driving around a dumbed down circuit in an SUV and a Pony Car, I don't care how good they are, they are in no way shape or form comparable to a brand new Gen V Viper on the track.

That being said I really wanted to learn my car with someone from SRT in the car, there's real value there. If you're not going to provide a Gen V Viper for Viper owners to drive at these events, and not allow us to take our own cars through the course than dont waste our time.

I spoke with Stephanie Reeves at length as I was pulling out of the parking lot and she was a class act and a wonderful embassador for SRT, she mentioned that everyone wants to drive the Vipers, and that it wouldn't be fair to only allow Viper Owners to drive a Viper provided by SRT. My first thought was then maybe they should pony up and buy one like I did. So then the discussion moved to a Viper only day in which she said they used to do those and were talking about doing one in Vegas or something like that.

I live in Houston and am not going to pay $1,000 to go do this in Vegas. They need to find some way to support the Viper guys at these events. I drive a Grand Cherokee to work every day and I count the hours all week until I can slip behind the wheel of my Vipers.

I ended up driving the 2 hours home unloaded the car and drove for about 3 hours. It was nice and it almost made me forget about the mess this morning.

I looked back though my confirmation email and it says absolutely nothing about having to drive their supplied vehicles. It tells you everything to bring and when to arrive but nothing about the vehicles. I went and checked back on the SRT track experience website and under the FAQ section it does say you will not be driving your car there, so I'm a dumb ass for not noticing it. Extremely frustrating but it brings up a bigger issue, in the fact that we don't get to spend anytime with anyone from SRT in a Viper learning the ins and outs that the Jeep and Challenger folks do.

Rant over, time to work on some photography.

Andy

Thanks for the post -- that was a big FAIL. Sounds like someone running the events owns a "NOT FAIR" license plate. Atleast they were very courteous.

[ViperSmith]

Fairs are places you go to eat cotton candy and ride ferris wheels.

[FLATOUT]

Thanks for the post -- that was a big FAIL. Sounds like someone running the events owns a "NOT FAIR" license plate.

I'm sure it's an awesome event if you're interested in buying a challenger, or Jeep, or just bought one. For a Viper guy? Yeah not so much. Ended up costing me 75$ in fuel, 8$ in tolls, and a 4:45am alarm clock on a Sunday to drive 1:45 and turn right around and come home so that I could enjoy my Viper (which I did, but it would have been way more fun at MSR with instructors that really know the car).

[rw99]

Congrats on the new TA, what a fantastic car.

Seriously, though: it's common knowledge that you don't drive your own car at the SRTTE. And the promotional/informational info lists which vehicles are used: no Vipers.

I'd like a Viper-specific program, too, and e ZR1 school at Spring Mountain is a great example. But SRTTE has never been about serious on-track instruction.

[ViperSmith]

Congrats on the new TA, what a fantastic car.

Seriously, though: it's common knowledge that you don't drive your own car at the SRTTE. And the promotional/informational info lists which vehicles are used: no Vipers.

I'd like a Viper-specific program, too, and e ZR1 school at Spring Mountain is a great example. But SRTTE has never been about serious on-track instruction.

If 60% of new buyers are new to the brand, I doubt they know. I don't see how you can have the "SRT Track Experience" without their flagship car there.

Hell, even just a hotlap with a pro driver would be fun.

[FLATOUT]

This is my first new SRT purchase and I have been in and around Vipers for the last 5 years and on my third Viper. Wasn't common knowledge to me.

And I was aware that they wouldn't have a Viper there but I had know idea I couldn't drive my own. Why the hell would I go if I couldn't drive a Viper? If I wanted to lap an SUV around the track I would have unhitched my tow vehicle.

Congrats on the new TA, what a fantastic car.

Seriously, though: it's common knowledge that you don't drive your own car at the SRTTE. And the promotional/informational info lists which vehicles are used: no Vipers.

I'd like a Viper-specific program, too, and e ZR1 school at Spring Mountain is a great example. But SRTTE has never been about serious on-track instruction.

[FrgMstr]

I looked at purchasing that SRT Experience a few weeks ago so I go into all the fine print of what goes on and found that no Vipers were on the menu. Don't use personal cars.....Closed the website, never looked back.

The bottom line is that this "Experience" is not for the Viper owner or ones thinking about being a Viper owner. SRT marketing does not cater to that crowd, which is us.

[Boba Fett]

"It wouldn't be fair to only let the viper owners drive the vipers".....Are they fckn serious!?!?! Who's running SRT (or this event), the obama administration...? Im sorry and not trying to offend any1 but that some serious bullshit and sounds like liberal logic!!!

I attended the ZR1 school which was topnotch but even there due to this "fairness" bullshit, they wanted all participants (meaning non ZR1 owners) to get a chance to drive the ZR1. I bought a ZR1 and had absolutely no interest in driving Z06's or bullshit Grand Sports!!! And now this...

Andy, I agree wholeheartedly with you about this whole thing. Who goes out and spends 100K plus on a car such as a Viper, then wants to drive an SUV or whatever else around...then to top it off, they wont even let you bring your own Viper....SHAME ON YOU SRT!!!

[FLATOUT]

The event is what it is, and the SRT folks that I spoke with were very nice, and it was clear that its just not set up well for Viper owners. I would like to see this improved.

My solution: If you are a new Viper owner and register with a valid Viper VIN, than you can drive a Viper there. If they don't want to provide one, than you should be allowed to drive your own.

If someone cries about not getting to drive a Viper at the event then sack up and buy one.

[Photog1]

I have done a couple SRT track experience the first one we got to drive the gen 4 around a small track at low speeds. The second time we did not get to drive the vipers but some of us were able to ride in some hot laps with SRT drivers. They said we don't get to drive vipers anymore because they were getting wrecked . Probably by non viper owners. Just like everything else always a small number screws it up for the rest of us .

[FLATOUT]

Another reason they should let us drive our own Vipers

[Leslie]

This is very disappointing to read! "Everyone else would want to drive a Viper"?....uhhh, OK! Gee, maybe someone might actually BUY one after the track experience haha!

At MINIMUM they should have put an experienced GenV instructor in YOUR car.

I just came from the track in my "new to me ACR"...seat time was invaluable!

I would have packed up my Viper and left too.

[johniew398]

Sorry you feel that way.

I've done two of the SRT Track Experiences. The first time it was paid for because I had bought an 08 ACR. When I registered it was no secret you couldn't drive your own car. Additionally, the question about which cars you drive was the second q&a on the FAQ.

"Frequently Asked Questions
May I register for free if I own a non-US-market vehicle? Do I drive my own car? No, you will be driving Chrysler Group LLC supplied SRT® vehicles."

At the end of each track experience we were given hot laps in a Viper with a pro driver. They made sure the Viper owners had priority.

As far as the ZR1 track course, I've done that too, a two day session at Spring Mountain paid for because I had purchased a ZR1. Did I learn more during those two days? Yes, but there were only six or eight guys on those sessions so they had plenty of time with each driver. There are 20 - 30 drivers during each SRT Track Experience. They even let my wife ride with an instructor as we followed an instructor on the course. We also had to assume the first $8,000 in liability for the ZR1 we were driving.

[slitherv10]

I think I know what happen...

SRT is getting confused. You drive a TA...they were having an " SRT Experience". yours is not an SRT. I think that is what they were confused with. Find out when Chrysler is having the TA experience and you should be fine.

Also you have to spend under 60K in order to be special. over 100K and your like everyone else.

No really...I can see how they would not want someone driving their own vehicle but, not supplying the halo SRT to an SRT experience, especially when the car is having troubles selling, is just another negative marketing tool that they have put together.

[FLATOUT]

I said I noticed the fine print after the fact, but it doesn't change the fact that the entire thing is a waste of time if you're a Viper owner. I was traveling a lot on business last week and wasn't sitting on the drive srt.com page. When my confirmation was emailed to me I read it over and printed it out. It was very thorough on what to bring and what not to bring, including instructions for the day and nowhere on the confirmation did it say anything about not driving your Viper. I re read it while I was there before I left just to make sure. And yes when I got home I saw that it was listed under the frequently asked questions. Still sucks.

Sorry you feel that way.

I've done two of the SRT Track Experiences. The first time it was paid for because I had bought an 08 ACR. When I registered it was no secret you couldn't drive your own car. Additionally, the question about which cars you drive was the second q&a on the FAQ.

"Frequently Asked Questions
May I register for free if I own a non-US-market vehicle? Do I drive my own car? No, you will be driving Chrysler Group LLC supplied SRT® vehicles."

At the end of each track experience we were given hot laps in a Viper with a pro driver. They made sure the Viper owners had priority.

As far as the ZR1 track course, I've done that too, a two day session at Spring Mountain paid for because I had purchased a ZR1. Did I learn more during those two days? Yes, but there were only six or eight guys on those sessions so they had plenty of time with each driver. There are 20 - 30 drivers during each SRT Track Experience. They even let my wife ride with an instructor as we followed an instructor on the course. We also had to assume the first $8,000 in liability for the ZR1 we were driving.

[99RT10]

After I bought my 2008, I did the experience. They DID have Vipers and although we couldn't drive them, they did do hot laps. It was a great time.

[Viper vince]

In 2007 I did a track experience and it was great they only did hot laps with SRT drivers in GEN 4 cars. There should be GEN 5 cars at these events especially since they cannot sell them. Maybe other SRT owners would get seat time and trade up!

[swexlin]

In 2007 I did a track experience and it was great they only did hot laps with SRT drivers in GEN 4 cars. There should be GEN 5 cars at these events especially since they cannot sell them. Maybe other SRT owners would get seat time and trade up!

I did the SRT experience in Pocono in April 07, as after I bought my SRT8. And the Vipers were Gen 3s in 07 (in fact they were all 06s) remember, the Gen 4 wasn't out. We only drove the Vipers on the infield course, and got hot laps. A couple years after that, no Vipers at all.

I'm sorry you were disappointed, but SRT has never allowed personal vehicles to be drive at the experience, always have used theirs. I know I had a great time at mine, and really learned what the LX cars (and the Vipers) are capable of in the hands of a good driver.

[Nine Ball]

I still think you should have run. Seat time on a track and auto-x, is still seat time. The Jeep impressed the shit out of me. Ask Alex, he had a great time on Sat. This course is to introduce people to road racing, not for seasoned racers. There were some very good drivers (other Viper owners) on Sat, beating on the cars and having fun.

Agreed a Viper specific day like ZR1 is needed, and would travel for it.

[SlateEd]

...Seat time on a track and auto-x, is still seat time. The Jeep impressed the shit out of me. ... This course is to introduce people to road racing, not for seasoned racers...

Agreed a Viper specific day like ZR1 is needed, and would travel for it.

Agree! the event has changed a lot over the years along with the production of the Viper. It's never been an advanced course but there have been hot laps that could certainly inspire an occasional Viper purchase down the line.

the value there is in having fun beating on Chrysler's cars... I went with my wife right after she bought her SRT Jeep and I was relieved to think she wasn't burning her own brakes etc. to get that seat time. It was fun playtime for me also, but certainly nothing like a NARRA or NASA day.

an idea to make it feasible for cost: What if SRT created a pool of "certified" Viper track instructors around the country? (figure out the specs of "certification" later) Then when a new Viper is purchased, SRT can reach out to that pool to make a match-up for a local track day within a road racing association's schedule? (IE: I buy a Viper in NY, SRT reaches out to a guy like ACR Steve and compensates him to go out to NJMP or Lime Rock with me for some date this summer with NARRA or NASA)

It's something they could scale as needed, make the locations work for the owners and the instructors. They could pay the instructor a few hundred bucks (or trade in track time for him/her) but they don't need to be running an entire event that might only draw a few owners depending on location

[shine]

Been an SRT owner since '06 and have bought 4 new since then. Have been to a couple of the SRT TEs but stopped going and just sold my VIN registration online on the rest.

Back in 07 or so, you could drive the Vipers on very tight, controlled auto-x type courses, and they did do hot laps at the end of the day. They stopped doing the Vipers around 08 or 09 though, as they were just getting banged up too much.

If you've done any kind of drag racing, auto-x, or road courses, it's a fun day but probably really beneath your skill level. I owned the 1/16th drag racing the last time I went.

It's not marketed as such, but the SRT TE is really a tool for promotion of the brand, not a true "learn and drive" type school. It will get your feet wet in various challenges and you'll see some good examples of car control, but it's not meant to really do anything other than excite you about the brand.

Sorry they didn't tell you that beforehand.