Are we having something similar to a "VOI" in 2014?

[XSnake]

Towdawg,

And I would bet that those that want to drive at speed would be willing to pay a little extra for the privilege, just like in the past with Viper Days where those that wanted to test the limits of
the Snake were able to do for a couple of days. Realizing some might not want to do this , this system accomodates those that do not want to track their cars by not subjecting them to the
extra cost. Might even be a situation where the track portion is the last day and one beyond so it does not even cross over with the other activities?

Bill, I can help out with that aspect of a large event as I already rent out tracks and hosts events myself.

[TBSVIPER]

A lot of good ideas, thoughts here. Feedback I have heard is the cost for this is why some decide not to go. In the future it could be good to survey members and then attendees to get feedback on what they want, what worked well and what could be improved. It would also be of interest to know what percentage go viper less because of time or distance to the venue.

[HyperViper]

Without the track time it might make out to be less interesting event. I have only been to 2 VOIs and am not a track rat but did drive at Miller Motorsports (really cool track) and Charlotte Motor Speedway. I found both to be exhilarating and really the best part of either event other than the drive to or from. I traveled from San Diego to Charlotte with my car for the last one (14 day trip) and had the time of my life, so will likely go again.

It will be interesting to see what VOA comes up with.

[venomous08]

There could be a strong compromise with those that want to track their cars and those that do not. When VOI was done in Salt Lake City quite a few of us pushed for a real track day/days ( similar to
past years with Viper Days ) , and we met a wall of resistance. I pushed for a day right after the event and found out later Jon Brobst was working towards a similar idea. No one wanted to
work with anyone as they thought it would detract from the event -- which made no sense to those of us wanting a chance to wheel around Miller Motorsports Park as many previous VOIs had a
Viper Days event tied to the Invitational. Thankfully Cindi Lux realized there was a real need and she persuaded the track to open things up to those that wanted to pay for a Thursday afternoon of
real track time. I know the approximately 40-50 of us that got to run the track at speed were extremely grateful to Cindi as all the manueverings of myself or Jon B. proved fruitless.

Take those ideas to a new Viper Festival and a second portion of the entry fee could be for those who really want to do some serious track time. It could easily be broken down into Advanced and
Beginner groups ,with many of the folks in the Advanced Group likely offering to instruct -- save even more than having to hire an outside group and there are plenty of Viper Owners out there who
are currently doing this ( instructing) with various racing/track groups.

Those that did want to do parade laps in their Viper would miss out, but the individuals that wanted to test their skill would actually have a greater chance to enjoy the car. The only parameter
I would suggest would be track selection -- need to be fairly safe . Good examples would be a track like Miller Motorsports , Texas Motorsport Ranch, Hi Plains Raceway, Thunderhill, and others will
reasonable run-off.

Just a suggestion ,but really should meet the desires of both groups and the ability to actually track your Viper may actually find more folks taking their cars to the festivities?

Bill my first VOI as an owner was in Salt Lake City. Prior year to that I had been running several NARRA events, and events at our home track Hallett. Dad and I's original plan was to ship both cars to Salt Lake just for the opportunity to run the NARRA event while at VOI. How many opportunities does one get to run at one of the top premier tracks in the US at speed, especially one that is as far away from us as that one? Frankly I was drooling at that opportunity, then to find out that NARRA dropped the Viper Days portion out and just run the competition series from Miller. Needless to say I was pissed, I knew about the fight that you and Jon B were going through to re-open those discussions. I was very disappointed at how the leadership with the current regime at VCA handled the issue. Dad and I chose to leave my car at home and just take the 03 for that reason.

Plus when Marv Spatz DQ'd my autocross run I wasn't to happy.

Couldn't agree more!
I didn't make the last VOI because I was at the race track. From what I've heard from people who did go, the track portion wasn't very good. Just to clarify, people who actually tracking their cars on a regular basis said this. Those that don't, thought the track time was great.
I personally have no desire to go out on the track if I've got to drive like it's my first time on a track. Multiple groups (probably 3) are needed. One for people with competition licenses (or at least past competition experience, or a LOT of track experience), one for people who are pretty comfortable on the track and have a least a few days under their belts, and one for beginners. I don't have a problem with requiring a point in the top group (most of us will be in street cars and no sense dive-bombing a corner and causing an issue), but that should be about the only rule.

We didn't take a car due to this. I would have been seriously disappointed to drag a car out there for the "track day"... Would have been a serious waste of money.

One good thing that came from the Charlotte VOI was Mark Jorgensen and I took the WORLD RECORD for 2 man pit stop at the simulator in the NASCAR Hall of fame.

[rw99]

Having at least one true HPDE-type track day is a VOI requirement for me... I just can't justify the cost of shipping my car to a VOI without including track time at a true road course venue. I didn't attend the last VOI because the organizers ignored the opportunity to set up sessions at VIR. And that was truly disappointing... driving tracks like VIR, Sebring, Road America, and COTA are "bucket list" items for some of us.

It seems reasonable to make track days optional "add-ons" that occur immediately prior to or after 2-3 days of the core VOI event. For these dedicated track days, I agree with organizing at least three driver levels.

[slitherv10]

Maybe giving special "group" rates to regions who can put together a large group to the event. For example..15 minimum members from a region would qualify for a special rate.

[venomous08]

Having at least one true HPDE-type track day is a VOI requirement for me... I just can't justify the cost of shipping my car to a VOI without including track time at a true road course venue. I didn't attend the last VOI because the organizers ignored the opportunity to set up sessions at VIR. And that was truly disappointing... driving tracks like VIR, Sebring, Road America, and COTA are "bucket list" items for some of us.

It seems reasonable to make track days optional "add-ons" that occur immediately prior to or after 2-3 days of the core VOI event. For these dedicated track days, I agree with organizing at least three driver levels.

COTA is definitely on my list as well. I am sorta hoping Austin would be in consideration for that reason lol.

[XSnake]

COTA is definitely on my list as well. I am sorta hoping Austin would be in consideration for that reason lol.

COTA is EXTREMELY expensive to rent as they have raised the prices again this year to $50/k day. They have made it cost prohibitive for almost everyone. I only know of a couple of groups holding track days there this year as they've raised the price $15k/DAY over last year. Most are telling the track no thanks.

[Viper Girl]

COTA is EXTREMELY expensive to rent as they have raised the prices again this year to $50/k day. They have made it cost prohibitive for almost everyone. I only know of a couple of groups holding track days there this year as they've raised the price $15k/DAY over last year. Most are telling the track no thanks.

Reading this thread I wondered how tiered pricing could work if we had a split group... Track HPDE, some track novice group, and no track social group..

Some of these track rates have to be expensive...

[J TNT]

Maybe doing a pre event survey as to options ie , track time for both spouses or one , or just social event, for both spouses, or an option for a tier system . Would help to achieve high attendance and keep costs inline . imho

[Fatboy 18]

From an international point of view, there is no way we can get our cars there to partake in the fun

So having never been to one of these events, apart from looking at all you guys cars, I'm not sure it would be as much fun?

The evening stuff would be fine

[SmoknTires]

We do indeed plan on having a VOI type of event, they might be named differently simply because we do want to break stigma from the past. They will also be a little different as there are things that need some freshening based on what you always hear.

This is all really helpful. The age old question with planning a VOI type of event is what duration is appropriate, what events must be the foundation of the event, what costs seem acceptable to the majority, how important is the goodie bag, etc... etc.. It's also possible to consider to forgo one of the dinner nights (people often complain that they don't have much personal time, or time to do what they want). A single dinner night is very expensive, that is huge money that could be applied to other things.

Often part of the fun of being in a new area is exploring and not just doing Viper stuff, but doing regional stuff with your Viper. You're bringing your Viper all the way out there, might as well use it. This is why perhaps adding a day to a VOI might be a good thing and offer people a free day to just have fun, and perhaps plan several things around tat city to suggest to folks - and everyone can just use it as a day to do what they want. For this reason, my region always planned a pretrip, so that we actually had some fun exploring the area with our cars and going to things that aren't just canned Viper events. And frankly, it was usually the high point of the trip!

I've long pushed for a VOI Committee, we will surely have one as the VOA plans the event. And a survey is a great idea. We've been talking about a general survey we'll be making for our members, but one specific to VOI would also be very helpful. Planning a VOI without member input (and members not even knowing where they're going, but are hearing "we're working on it...) is strange. Needs to be a concerted effort leveraging all who have abilities and connections. And I can say with all the people who volunteered time as part of the new club (financial help, legal help, marketing help, etc.. etc...), there are a lot of people who could be pivotal in a VOI if they knew what was being planned. We'll certainly do so.

We're planning something special in Detroit this year, as part of our "rebirth" with SRT. It's won't be a VOI, it'll be something more casual. However when a VOI type event begins planning, we'll be asking for volunteers to help, we'll have a committee, and we'll reveal what venues we're exploring. Can't wait.

[Viper67wife]

Sign me up for the planning committee.

Diane

[XSnake]

Reading this thread I wondered how tiered pricing could work if we had a split group... Track HPDE, some track novice group, and no track social group..

Some of these track rates have to be expensive...

I think a package including an HPDE and one not including one would work.

[venomous08]

COTA is EXTREMELY expensive to rent as they have raised the prices again this year to $50/k day. They have made it cost prohibitive for almost everyone. I only know of a couple of groups holding track days there this year as they've raised the price $15k/DAY over last year. Most are telling the track no thanks.

I know but you are crushing my dreams here....

[XSnake]

I know but you are crushing my dreams here....

Hopefully they come back to reality in a year or 2.

[rw99]

Understanding the costs of each potential activity is really helpful, and it will allow us to weigh expenses when answering the VOI survey.

And while it's complicated to do a la carte events and pricing, this seems to be the best way to achieve fair costs for each participant.

Full track rental may not be necessary; sharing track days with other groups may be possible. Kinda depends on how many drivers we'd have...

[Newport Viper]

I like the a la carte track thought.

[Viper vince]

They need to set a date really soon. I would like to attend and I need to schedule my vacation at work .

[J TNT]

Are there any tentative dates , I would hate to miss this event ,due to work related scheduling issues .

[SmoknTires]

We're working with SRT to nail that down - we're targeting July.

[J TNT]

Thanks !

[99RT10]

We're working with SRT to nail that down - we're targeting July.

If that is the case, it will have to be in the North. Anything south of the Mason-Dixon line will be brutally hot. There is the Mopar Nats Aug 8-10 in Columbus. Maybe tie it in with that event?

[J TNT]

Woodward Dream Cruise is also a Great option In Detroit

[LittleCobra]

How about doing a Viper version of this and have Guinness make it official?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38hlxUuzx2o