Friday 16th January 2004

GT: Viper is Back

V10 to thunder around UK circuits once again

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2004 will see a Viper returning to the British GT series. The car now owned by Tony Rodgers and Rob Croydon last saw action in the GTO class a couple of seasons back under the care of Hugh Chamberlain.

It's not been used since 2001 and is currently undergoing upgrades to make it conform to 2004 regulations.

The team that will run the car is yet to be finalised.

[DustyC]

Lovely.

Wish that silver Espirit would come back too.

[Racefan_uk]

DustyC said:

Lovely. Wish that silver Espirit would come back too.

It was a GT1 class car, not a GT2 (or modern day 'GT' class car) so it doesn't fit any of the rules.

[Ockside]

Im afraid that ur wrong there m8. The Esprit is a GT2 car and it is legal to race in the top class with the Listers and Saleens. Mike Hains was the one ur thinking of DustyC. Thank you

>> Edited by Ockside on Friday 16th January 11:32

[Ahonen]

To be fair the V8 Esprit was - like the current Lister and the Viper - originally a GT1 car that was allowed back into GT2 via a homologation loophole. It was in GT1 in the '96 BPR series, then went to the GT2 class in Britain.

So, er, you're all right, in a way.

[viperman]

brilliant! good to see tony in a viper, after the porsche that went a bit pair shaped, glad to see him in a viper, looking forward to this years GT's a whole lot more now.

[Viper]

www.ukviperclub.org/page28.html

got a few pics here, before decals

[VENOM500]

Well at last a Viper is back in Brit GT,might get along to a few races this year,(unlike last years TVR/Brit GT championship...Yawn!)I just hope the drivers can handle it and have allowed enough track time to get themselfs and the car set up correctly.In the past this has been the main reason why Vipers have beenbadly let down ,when on paper it should be a great formula.FINGERS CROSSED

[wookie]

Gents, in line with this thread does anybody know what happened to the GT Class Hayles Racing Viper driven by Tim Harvey and I think Rob Schirle is the car still in the UK? Standing to be corrected?!

[GrahamG]

Varied reports

I believe though that it is still in the UK - At least one UK team is interested in buying it but without a curent race budget. there is also apparently a potential buyer overseas

[Guru]

Hi Speedy,

Has John75 got anything to do with this team?

guru

[Speedy7]

Thanks for the support and the to answer a few questions -

Viperman - thanks and when we did the deal on this car about a month ago I was driving home and thought to myself you would be impressed. The Porsche has gone to Sweden and I learnt a leason that you do not have to be the quickest driver before the season starts.

Viper - Thanks for the support from ukviperclub.org and we will have a couple of good weekends when you and some of the members join me and Rob at the race weekends.

wookie - The other Viper is still sat at Peter Cook's as Graham says with no buyer yet.

VEENOM500 - I think you are very right and me and Rob need miles in the car so testing starts the end of Feb and if you are planning to come to a couple of races please drop in on us for a drink and we can show you or anyone else who is interested around the car.

GrahamG - Without people like David and Graham spending a lot of time granted on topics they enjoy. There would be no websites for boring pertrol heads like me I MUST START GOING OUT MORE ? THANKS

Guru - John75 or his real name John Cowen without the help from this man and the support he has shown to both me and Rob over the last 3 months this car would not be racing and I would not have a quailty driver like Rob Croydon as my team. I have been in contact with John for over 12 months and he introduced me to Rob about 3 months ago, we was going to run my Porsche in GT cup until we came across the VIPER. The car is being funded by myself and Rob's personal money and some exsiting sponsors we both have. But we are hard at work trying to find some more money to do more races. Again thanks John

Rob if you have anything to add please feel free ?


>> Edited by Speedy7 on Saturday 17th January 15:54

[Guru]

Looks very good Speedy; are you still running with Tech9 and will sponsorship come from GruppM?

[stiggy baddos]

Hello James,come out to play again?

[VENOM500]

Hi Speedy,very much look forward to meeting you and the car,also wish you all the best for the season and with testing.Where will the testing be done?Silverstone?

[jamesc]

Looks a good project Tony; I am working on getting Mark Johnston into F3 and running a FF1600 team. Saw John Cowan at the show and he told me he was working on something.

Stiggy,

Yes we will be back this year with more than just a Tuscan; not sure about your motives but as I have said before you are welcome to come and see my team at any of the meetings.

kind regards

James

[stiggy baddos]

jamesc said:

Stiggy, Yes we will be back this year with more than just a Tuscan; not sure about your motives but as I have said before you are welcome to come and see my team at any of the meetings. kind regards James

Erm,sorry JC.Was I talking to you?

[jamesc]

Hi Stiggy,

The original post was removed!

regards

James

[stiggy baddos]

Ok mate,whatever you say.

To the Viper boys(and girls),really looking forward to seeing,and more importantly,HEARING that car next season.Best of luck to you!

[Viper]

thanks for the invite, I'm postive VENOM500 and I can
arrange something, we had 20 or so vipers out to the first GT race at Rockingham and we all got to drive the track before the race when the surface was only 3 weeks old, supporting Hayles in the old days.

[john75]

Thanks guys

The deal was an easy one thanks to the professionalism of Rob and Tony.

For the record I still have seats going in other cars I am involved with a Porsche GT3 Cup car, Marcos Mantis 5 Litre.

Serious Sponsor enquires welcome.