The Pit

Performance Driving:
Event Information

Gentlemen… Start your engines!!

The 2012 Performance Driving Season is in full swing, immensly improved, and ready for you to take part in an extraordinary opportunity! The driving event information and registration forms are now online. We encourage EVERYONE to try these events and take part in a unique program catered to Viper owners.

The Viper Club of Illinois prides itself on a longstanding tradition of performance driving events. Over the years, we’ve cultivated quite a comprehensive program, it’s impressive especially given the small group we have and the unique vehicles we drive. Even in recent years we’ve implemented some significant changes to make things more enjoyable, affordable, novice friendly, and convenient. The next season is at hand and we invite you to join us as we start another great year of driving.

We want to call attention to the fact that our programs are not built just for veterans. In fact one-third of our drivers are usually novices! We cater our program to allow you a safe place to learn to drive your car, with instructors who know Vipers, and surrounded by enthusiasts who own the same vehicle. It’s a recipe that works and you’ll be bitten by the race bug, everyone always does. These vehicles were BUILT for this type of driving. Street driving will never give you the sense for what these cars can do (even though you think you are). It’s more about finesse and truly controlling the car. We teach that practice in both high and low speed settings. You’re bound to not only enjoy it, but there isn’t one instance where people didn’t become MUCH better drivers on the street because of it. Too many Vipers get wrapped around poles on the streets and 95% of those cases are driver failure. This program is a value-add for members, we’re lucky we’re able to do this. Take advantage of it!!

As part of our commitment to help the Viper community learn to handle these extraordinary cars and make this program attainable to everyone, we have instituted a free program for first time participants. A huge incentive was implemented this year, we are offering rookie drivers one event FREE within EACH of the driving disciplines!!!  Doesn't matter if you've been with the club 5 years or even more, if it's your first time, you go free! That’s one road course and one autocross absolutely free.  We want you to join us because we know the value of these programs and want to further the knowledge of the Viper and how to drive them properly.

Click the links below to open and print the documents you'll need to take part in events. It really only takes minutes. Fill out the registration, it's simple and self explanatory. Use the second document below (Class Matrix) to decide what class your car goes into. The safety form outlines the safety requirements to participate in our events. It's easier than it seems:

• 2012 Performance Driving Season Registration
• 2012 Car Performance Class Matrix
• Driver & Vehicle Safety Requirements

Note: The above forms use Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you are unable to open the attachment, simply download the newest version of Adobe Acrobat reader by clicking the logo below.

2012 Racing Event Overview

You don't have to compete, nor participate in the whole series, to enjoy a driving event. Just pick the ones you want! You can enjoy any single event you choose, whether novice or veteran. For those competing, the seasonal events (Triple-cross, Triple Crown, and Longest Day) are merely competitions setup as long term goals to enjoy during the season. (note: some events are listed more than once because they are part of more than one series). You'll notice most events are listed within the series they are a part of, so they won't be in the order that they happen in the calendar year.

Our schedule and details are below. You can click on the individual events below for a complete write up on each activity the activity:

Women's Day Performance Driving Event
- Sunday June 3rd - Chrysler Belvidere Assembly Plant - Belvidere, IL (click here)

This event caters to all of our female club members of all ages. It’s main focus is to teach our ladies how to drive a stick shift, how to handle a Viper (or the car they choose to bring), and how to drive an autocross course. It caters to all novice drivers. It is not a competitive event. This event in particular will be held at a new location - the Chrysler Assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois. Gentlemen are free to come and watch/help. Due to this being an event that will likely draw spectators, we are allowing the men to also drive the course a bit so bring your cars. For those who don’t yet know how to drive stick, instruction will be on hand for them, we’ll take all the time we need. There will also be little exercises setup in the lot, we know you’ll like it.

Triple-cross Challenge (Autocross series)
- Sunday June 24th - Rockford Speedway - Loves Park, IL (click here)
- Saturday August 4th - Maywood Park - Melrose Park, IL (click here)
- Saturday September 8th - Maywood Park - Melrose Park, IL (click here)

The first event will be at Maywood Park. This is one of our favorite locations. It provides us a lot of flexibility and space to do anything we want to do. We usually won't need to shift at this location. It's also a good central spot that doesn't require much travel for most members. The second location will be Rockford Speedway. Probably one of the most unique autocrosses in the country as we use both the inside of the track and also the enbankments! It's a comfortable location for our group and an event that always creates memories. Going to be fun and a great photo opportunity! The third location will be a revisit of Maywood Park. We'll be using this location again this year but will setup a completely different autocross course. It's different everytime and will have an entirely different feel.

Longest Day Competition
- Friday August 24th - Road Course event at Gingerman Rqaceway - South Haven, MI (click here)
- Saturday August 25th - Autocross event at TireRack - South Bend, IN (click here)

The Longest Day Competition is a very special blend of two driving disciplines! This is a great chance to experience all the different driving styles! In this performance driving series you'll be challenged with an open road course and also a small autocross track - all compressed into a two day period! One fun weekend, all the driving you can handle!

Training is available for novices, this is not just a competitive event, so feel free to join. Those who want to compete are free to attend both. Autocross will be judged by lowest time. Road course time will be judged by fastest time. The Longest Day winner will be decided by the best overall score across both days events!

You can click the links above for detailed information on each event. Also, you can click the following link in case you plan on doing both events and want to caravan to the next location in a group (We'll also be having dinner at Tippecanoe Place on Friday evening after we drive to Indiana): Click Here for directions and time.

Triple Crown Challenge (Road Course Series)
- Monday June 18th - Autobahn Country Club - Joliet, IL (click here)
- Monday July 23rd - Autobahn Country Club - Joliet, IL (click here)
- Friday August 24th - Gingerman Raceway - South Haven, MI (click here)

The Triple Crown Challenge is a combination of 3 very well known road courses. The first will be Gingerman Raceway. This is a moderate speed road course designed for the nimble road course driver. Tricky transitions and fun straight-aways make this great venue to learn all typical road course skills! The second event will be held at Autobahn Country Club. Those who have driven here understand it's a sought after venue. Autobahn is a challenging and a very safe course. We'll be driving the combined North & South tracks. It's also very rhythmic and enjoyable to drive. The last event will also be held at Autobahn Country Club. We will once again be driving the combined North & South tracks. One of the largest tracks in the area! This is a world class track catering to the elite. As always, driver training is available to all novices. There will be plenty of track time for all. Drivers will be arranged in run groups based on skill and car capability. Highly recommended for anyone owning a Viper, it teaches you proper car control and gives you a safe venue to hit the gas! You can click the links above for detailed information on each event.

Your Performance Driving Director is Mark Schumann. Never hesitate to contact him directly with any questions or special needs. He can be reached via telephone at (920) 344-6178 or via e-mail at: MarkS@illinoisvipers.com.

Viper Club of Illinois Hot-line: (630) 415-3642