Snakes Alive! Viper Owners Head for Vegas
22 April 1999
Snakes Alive! Viper Owners Head for Vegas LAS VEGAS, April 21 -- An uncommon car may be the only thing
that owners of the Dodge Viper have in common. But they've come together for
the ultimate rally, the Viper Owners Invitational, celebrating the ultimate
American sports car, the Dodge Viper.
A stroll of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway infield grounds, which this week
hosts the owners of more than 800 Vipers as part of the Fifth Viper Owners
Invitational (VOI 5), reveals a diverse mix of personalities and stories.
However, they have a shared passion: America's most powerful sportscar, the
Dodge Viper.
VOI 5, affectionately called "Viva Las Viper" by its organizers,
DaimlerChrysler's Dodge Division, is scheduled for April 22-26, 1999 at the
MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The event has been sold out since last October,
testimony to the intense owner loyalty and enjoyment generated by the Viper.
Among those sharing their passion are members who have gone so far as to
plan their weddings around the Viper Owners Invitational. One of several,
James Retych, will be exchanging vows at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 22 at the
Imperial Palace's "We've Only Just Begun" Wedding Chapel. Retych has not-so-
subtly included himself, soon-to-be-wife Lori and their Viper on the list of
gift recipients: "We're registered at Bon Marche, Sears and Hennessey
Motorsports."
Gary Lashinsky and his wife, Elizabeth are typical of the Viper owners who
will attend the event. Gary, the Central & North Florida Region Viper Club
President, owns a 1996 Viper GTS Coupe, while his wife owns a 1992 RT/10
Roadster. Together they share ownership of a 1998 GT2 Championship Edition
Viper.
"Dodge has been supporting an international gathering of Viper owners
since 1983. It's proof that not only have we produced an exceptional car, but
in the process created an exceptional group of enthusiastic owners," said Jim
Julow, Vice President, Dodge Car & Truck Division. "Viper owners share a
unique bond. We've developed a relationship with those owners unlike that of
any car manufacturer."
The VOI 5 agenda -- including dinners, entertainment and exclusive use of
the Las Vegas Motor Speedway -- will keep Viper owners, their families and
their guests busy over the four-day event.
Starting on Thursday, April 22, the Invitational opens with a cocktail
reception and banquet in the MGM Grand Conference Center Ballroom. The
evening's entertainment includes a swing dance band and marquee entertainment.
On Friday, the 800 Vipers on hand will be divided -- half to the Las Vegas
Motor Speedway and the other half to the open roads. At the LVMS, the Vipers
will be turned loose on a drag strip, road course and autocross track under
the watchful eye of Skip Barber Driving School instructors.
In addition, Viper owners and their guests can also give their "snakes" a
rest and test drive other popular Dodge cars and trucks. There will be an
off-road course for the truly adventurous and a Neon Challenge run to keep the
driving adrenaline at a high level. The LVMS activities will run until 5 p.m.
"Once again, we've created a diverse driving experience for our owners,"
said Julow. "We recognize that their enthusiasm extends to other products in
the Dodge line, and that Viper owners are seen as advocates and opinion
leaders among their peers."
Meanwhile, the other half of the Viper crew will be setting out on an
over-the-road adventure which will take them through some of the most scenic
highway stretches in the country, twisting and turning through the famous
Valley of Fire and other Nevada sightseeing attractions. In the spirit of Las
Vegas, participants will compete in a Viper Poker Run for valuable prizes.
During the three-hour tour, the drivers will stop at five checkpoints and
draw a playing card at random from one of the attendants. By the time they
return to the MGM Grand, the drivers will have accumulated five cards and each
day, the one with the best poker hand wins.
Later that afternoon, the poker runners will be able to attend a series of
Viper technical seminars at the MGM Grand Conference Center.
"These technical seminars are very popular among the Viper owners," added
Julow. "On one hand, they're a competitive bunch, anxious to eke out the
slightest performance gain from their cars. On the other hand, they're keen
to learn the processes and meet the people behind America's supercar."
On Saturday, the roles will be reversed, as those who did the poker run
will be scheduled for the track and vice versa. Sunday will be an optional
day with more track time available to those looking to leave more rubber
behind.
Dodge also has some special events planned for the evenings as well,
starting with a welcome reception Thursday night followed by an outdoor party
and barbecue Friday night on the tri-oval infield at the LVMS. Saturday,
attendees and their guests will be treated to a special showing of EFX,
starring Tommy Tune -- a $45 million special effects music and entertainment
stage extravaganza that has been thrilling Las Vegas visitors for the past
four years.
The festivities wrap up Sunday evening with the final Viper Club of
America banquet and recognition presentation scheduled for the MGM Grand
Conference Center Ballroom.
Past Viper Owners Invitationals have been held in Detroit; Monterey,
Calif.; Indianapolis and Orlando, Fla.
