The Pit

Roanoke Motor Company is hosting a special event! They are having a Viper and 2011 Drag pak Challenger Event at Roanoke Motors on May 7 2011, from 11 AM to 3 PM. Refreshments will be on hand as well as special giveaways! A Viper will be completely air brushed by 2 special painters for Chrysler (Bob Soroka & Craig Frasier) and Chip Foose painter Charlie Hutton.

Check out the drag-pak Challenger at:
http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=225180&Filter=30#indextop

Dodge will have a people there to do an article and make a video of the event which will be posted on Dodges web site. Calling all Viper Club members, let's join in!

We've officially started our 18th year as a club and our (17th) Winter Fest party kicked off the year in true IL club style! Staged at our host hotel, the Marriot in Schaumburg, we were treated to one heck of a get-together. This weekend was the usual weekend that the club hosts the party. It's Valentine's Day, which adds a special twist, many club members come in and make an entire weekend of it. It's also opening day of the Chicago Auto Show, so the next day is a great time to head out to do even more fun car stuff!

The event began with early morning setup. A team of 15 people helped put in place the elaborately decorated banquet hall. The event was slated to begin at 6:00pm, but it was evident members were eager as there were many early arrivals by 5pm.

As people arrived, they were greeted by club members who checked them in. All the ladies received a rose. In addition, everyone in attendance received the new club hat as well as a highlight DVD of the last year! Each attendee also got a free raffle ticket to one of the best raffles ever in our history. It wasn't over, the real surprise was an awesome gift of a full size door mat with all three current Viper logos - Wow! Everyone was blown away. It's something that isn't just collectible, but very practical.

As members entered the large ballroom they were overcome with one heck of a sight, the room was exquisitely adorned with lots of things to see. What better way to enjoy a winter get together than with our favorite cars! There were 5 vehicles parked within the dining room itself. The theme was rare & modified vipers. There were some interesting variations on hand to serve as eye-candy.

The raffle table had thousands of dollars of merchandise on display, ready for lucky folks to win in the free raffle. There were 8 tables full of auction items - among the most interesting items we've ever had. And all club merchandise was on display this day, 9 tables full! Over 150 items on hand and most were marked down 20-60%. Our new club shirts (with the new "Stryker" Viper logo) were also on hand for interested buyers. The stage was packed with professional audio equipment and a big screen that was running video footage of the last year we enjoyed. The place was decked out!

Members began to arrive in droves by 6pm. Appetizers were floating around the room and the energy was high. As 7pm approached, it was very difficult to get the group settled for dinner, people wanted to talk and meander around! All those months of hiding indoors and not being entrenched in Viper stuff really took its toll and it was time to blow off steam.

It wasn't long until our club President, Alex Ristanovic, began with greetings and everyone settled in for a fun night. Alex welcomed everyone and highlighted the last year and gave a preview of what's to come for 2011. He introduced the club officers and kicked off dinner.

The food was excellent, the Marriot didn't disappoint. And during dinner, the microphone crackled to life and the free raffle was conducted at different points throughout the meal.

The raffle was extravagant, filled with many neat car and Viper goodies, but also highlighted by over a dozen extremely high end items like bluray players, navigation systems, carbon fiber watch, a full IL VCA racing season, Cubs game/dinner package, and even a flat panel LCD television.

As dessert hit the tables, the raffle wound to a close and the group was given 20 minutes to take a break, wander about, and chit-chat. Then the next segment kicked off as it was time for awards and acknowledgements. Sponsors were highlighted for all the good they do for the club. Performance driving awards were handed out to the class winners of the Triple Crown. And our rookie awards were also bestowed on this year's winners. Our Rookie Performance Driver of the year was Chris Klimowicz! Our Rookie Female Performance Driver of the Year was Tammie Mather! And our Rookie Member(s) of the year were Wayne and D'Ann Rauh! The club spirit awards were also handed out, they went to the top 10 most active members in the club. Big congratulations to: Kim Peterson, Rob Buckman, Vince Cannestra, Gary Grube, Larry Catcott, Paul Krant, John Gastman, Roger Dittrich, Mark Schumann, and David Catalanello. Congrats to all of our winners. Gifts were also bestowed on all those who brought their cars in for display, as well as to all the officers in the club. All well deserved recipients and lots of neat awards to go around!

The evening progressed to the entertainment segment. A special video was whipped up which included highlights from VOI and some funny commercials made by Dodge and other Viper Club regions around the US. And there was a very special highlight reel of IL VCA events from 2010 that got the blood pumping! Hats off to Gary Grube who always manages to create an intense and exciting view of our last year. And if you've never been a target of Gary's videos - just talk to the lucky few who enjoy their finest moments caught on video - flying off the track at a race event, being pulled over by the police, and of course getting a flat tire on a cruise. It's only funny until he gets you on film... then it becomes hilarious.

Next up was the famed centerpiece giveaway. Fantastic custom etched and hand painted wine bottles were created for the event (actually a replicas since the bottles were delayed due to bad weather).

The giveaway involved everyone at the table, with the bottle being passed around depending on who satisfied the numerous criteria. At the end, the person holding the bottle, walked away with it! Congrats to all winners!

In closing, our President acknowledged all those who participated with the staging of the event, those who donated items, and to all those who were in attendance. But it wasn't over, this time the president and vice-president were in for a treat themselves. It seems the members got together for a little surprise of their own. Mark Schumann took the mic and on behalf of the members, presented Alex & Kristina Ristanovic and Gary & Kathy Grube with a wild gift that included a free cruise, hotel accommodations, and air travel! The prez and VP were shocked, speechless - a rare occurrence! It was a neat highlight to the evening!

After the entertainment segment, the evening continued with drinks, visiting with friends, shopping, and of course auctions. The silent auctions were exquisite and the bidding was the hottest in many years. The auctions were ended in stages to allow everyone to bid on the items they wanted. Members hung out until after midnight and the party was slowly brought to a close. It was an incredible gathering and the energy was high. Everyone had a smile on their face, received lots of free stuff, and enjoyed a heck of an event. As folk said goodbye, they were all reminding one-another that it's only seven weeks until we see each other again at our first club meeting of the year. We'll all wait patiently until the snakes fire up for our next gathering!