Got smoked by a viper!

07 GRAY BEAST · 24th June 2008, 21:42

As the headline goes last night coming home from the gym i was messing with a viper. It was me and another board member, we started on a rolling start and were kind of playing around and to my surprise we actually kept up. Now here comes the real story i lined up with the viper and did a first gear rolling start. As soon as i shifted into second the monster torque advantage of the viper sent him crusing by me to at least a 2 car lead. he shut it down at about 80 but i had noticed he was not pulling as badly. Afterward we talked and he said he only had exhaust done to his car, He was right that thing was loud especially going by me with my windows down. My question is 1. has anybody here ever raced a viper? If so what was the outcome, and 2. what would happen after 100? would he stop pulling? would i catch up?

Thanks in advance

Gustav · 24th June 2008, 22:08

Back in 2005 I raced a Viper and it was slightly faster. Say half a carlength to 160 mph:

The sixth race: M5 vs. Dodge Viper SRT-10 Roadster (MY 2003)

The Viper is a very rare car in Sweden. This car was probably the first of the new generation to arrive in Sweden. It was imported to Sweden from the USA. You can see it´s an import since it has side-pipes as well as a small numberplate frame, typical for US-imported vehicles. As with many of the other cars I had to ask if we should compare the cars and the Viper driver obviously thought a third V-10 car to join the race was an excellent idea. We also did rolling starts and my impression was that the Viper was clearly faster up to around 150 km/h but over 150 km/h the M5 seemed to gain the distance fast to almost eliminate the distance lost in lower speeds. It is my hunch that the Viper clearly has a aerodynamic disadvantage and the M5 with it's aerodynamics and 7-speed gearbox makes up for the difference in torque.

M5 Dodge Viper SR-10
507 HP 500 HP
520 Nm 710 Nm
Cw 0,3 Cw: Mail me to gustav@bmwm5.com

The Vipers top speed is 306 km/h.

Almost all of these races were filmed form within both the M5 and the competitor cars as well from outside. But in addition to this I have taken quotes from the M5 Messageboard as well as other forums (Porscheforum, RS6-forum and Mercedes forum) with members who witnessed this race, so that our impressions above can be put into light as well as in comparison. It is safe to say that the new V-10 M5 impressed all of us.

Below is from the co-organizer of the event, Erik B:

"The runway was about 950 m (had to share the other half with airplanes)

I invited some friends and their cars:

Lamborghini Gallardo...
RUF CTR... (Yellowbird, except blue)
Porsche 996 Turbo Techart... (PV996TT's)
Porsche 997 Carrera S...
BMW M5 E60...
BMW M5 E39...
Dodge Viper SRT10...
MB E55 AMG
MB E55 T AMG...
MB C32 AMG
Audi RS4 Stage 2...

The RUF is in a league of its own! Clearly the fastest car of the day. The owner was kind enough to let me go a couple of times in his car, insane!

We ran 2 cars side by side, mainly doing running starts from different speeds.
The BMW M5 is very fast! I think a stock 996 T will have big problems. PV996TT has about 520 hp in his car. He was a bit faster, but the difference is not huge. Scary!

I don't agree that the new M5 humiliated the E55 not the E55T, but it is faster. I'd say the Gallardo is faster as well, similar to PV996TT's black beast.

I drove the new M5 as well. It doesn't feel as fast as it is, I woneder how many people who will lose their license in this baby...?"

From the RS4 driver (I did not race the Audi RS4) (post number one)

We had a great day fooling around at the airstrip, the weather was perfect (we even got a suntan ).
Thank you for this arrangement!

The M5 and Gallardo were the main attraction. I think most of us were impressed by the M5 performance, (even with 4 passengers it almost ran tie with the gallardo)!!!

Post number two (he is a passenger in this actual picture):

No problems doing a controlled slide with four persons in the car. Thanks to JW for an excellent picture.

http://www.m5board.com/articles.php?id=34&page=3

07 GRAY BEAST · 24th June 2008, 22:28

Thanks Gustav,

Thats about what i thought would happen. The torque on that car is ridiculous i have driven quite a few of them and they do feel extremely fast. I guess im going to have to ask this guy for a rematch up to 170-180 and see what happens.

AlpWhiteM5Beast · 24th June 2008, 22:38

That car was wicked, I just saw it sliding out of the gym and I was like, there is no way we will be able to catch up with that guy. There is no waayyy he only has exhaust, we should approach him and tell him to drop the ball and tell us.

A very fast car nonetheless plus 2 guys and one a fat fawk... That was embarrasing

... I really thought we had a better chance... As I told you, my brother raced one just like that (black tho, always around my way to work) and he spanked the hell out of it... Even the owner acknowledged...

Oh well Turnpike next time...or better yet 836 extension... Ill scout...

m6ontheway · 24th June 2008, 22:39

Dont sweat it guys...which car would you rather be driving?? No need to answer!

Scott in Houston · 24th June 2008, 22:41

We have no chance. It has a V10 right? How can we hang w/ that?

Seriously though, they are very fast. You can occasionally catch one off guard and make it a driver's race, but the Viper definitely is the faster car.