Viper Club of America • Ontario Region • Volume 3 Issue 4 • August 2005

Editorial Staff: Editor in chief Sonny Stone • Graphics and Webdesign Chris Vogel

• Our Newest Club Director
• CANADIAN HOSERS IN KING TATOR'S COURT
• Upcoming Events
• Photos of the month
• Member News
• QUEBEC AND NEW YORK INVADE ONTARIO !
• You Can Buy on Ebay But
• Get Yer Red Hot Quaker Steak and Lube
• Viper Vignettes
• The Terrific Tomiks treat the troops
• Member Information

Neil Mcleod Event Coordinator tmcleod@cogeco.ca Sure, he uses his wife Trina’s email address. Does that make him a girlie man? Of course not. At least not since he dumped that sissy automatic Jag for his rock ‘n’ roll red Viper. And from the very first time you meet Neil, one thing should be abundantly clear: This is a man’s man. A cigar chompin’, sports car driving, grab life by the horns kinda guy. A natural shoe-in as an Event Coordinator, Neil just joined the club this last May, although he has been shadowing the Vipers for the last two years as a stalker! Uunnh, we mean as an active and affable participant. Most importantly, his great British humour and indomitable spirit brought warmth and sunshine to the lousy early season rainy weather we had. The point is, Neil makes a point of helping every member feel like they’re truly part of the club. Welcome aboard, Sir!

Illustration :Greg McEvoy

CANADIAN HOSERS IN KING TATOR’S COURT
The incredible journey to South Salem, New York
By Sonny Stone

Just this past May, Caroline and I found ourselves cordially invited, once again, to Chuck Tator’s ‘Annual BBQ and Heathen Rituals’ in South Salem, Westchester County, New York. Barely 40 miles from mid-town Manhattan, Westchester County is the ultimate in exo-suburban posh. It is the rural retreat of the horsey set and American royalty such as Rockefellers and Billy Joel; Tom Brokaw lives down the street. (In Westchester sense, down the street means a few horse farms over). The Tators, on the other hand, kinda live in their garage. Which sounds worse than it is. Actually, it’s freakin’ marvelous. Because if you haven’t been to Tator’s Dodge it’s worth your while to make the pilgrimage drive down, but first take a minute here to learn a little bit about this unique Viper Mecca.

Tator’s is the oldest Dodge dealership in the world. Chuck’s granddad, George, signed the franchise agreement with John and Horace Dodge and - no matter how many claims that Chuck puts through on warranty - Chrysler is still stuck with them in perpetuity. Tator’s doesn’t sell Chrysler, Jeep or Plymouth cars, but they sure fix a lot of Vipers and Dodge trucks. Chuck is the 3rd generation of Tator to run the show, and still practices a form of customer care started by his granddad but rarely found anywhere in North America today.(Our very own Ted and Mike Woods of Wellington Chrysler are a notable exception.) To start, the dealership looks like a barn. It was. Originally used to house a bustling carriage trade, it’s tucked away on a rural street, with only a few scattered neighbours in sight. Chuck's parents live in a stunning house next to the dealership, while Chuck lives upstairs of the business office in “The Inner Sanctum”.

Chuck & Nadine - Midnight in “The Inner Sanctum”, May 7, 2005 .

Last year the trip took 8 1/2 hours through awful traffic and weather. This year the trip took 7 1/2 hours through less awful traffic and weather. It’s a long drive from Toronto for a cheeseburger. So the question is: “Why go?” The Answer is: “But what a cheeseburger!” You see, about 2 1/2 years ago, there were a few bugs in my Viper that couldn’t be de-glitched. After reading about Tator’s reputation on the VCA board, I called. Took a few months to get an appointment, this dude is busy. I was one of the very few Canucks he had done business with - he was actually quite surprised that our warranties are covered in the USA . The work was performed beautifully and the non-warranty items’ prices were fair. Simply put, Chuck and his mechanic Rob diagnose and adjust things to a level I've rarely seen elsewhere. No wonder he’s called The Wizard, he tunes by sense of smell. Last year, he invited me down to the BBQ and we had a blast. Unfortunately, my Viper sprang a serious oil leak but Chuck fixed it after the Party was over. Maybe I should say fortunately, because we met Nadine, Steve Kingshott and few more Viperados from the British Viper Club as well as our beloved Jim and Debbie Runge from New York . They all stood by as my Viper bled 10W30. Well, she pulled through and we made fast friends with all of them. We are still in touch with The Brits by email - and this May - OVER A DOZEN SHOWED UP. Gotta be those cheeseburgers. Here’s a video of Chuck entertaining the crowd and a few close ups of some special Buffalonians.

Click here for video requires Qicktime to play Quicktime

The 2005 BBQ Controversy

This year, largely due to a re-vitalized New York/Connecticut club, Chuck had an overwhelming response to his party announcement. In fact, an invite became a hard-to-find item. After almost running out of parking spaces last year, Chuck has had to limit space to 200 Vipers. It was ‘sold-out’ by mid-May. Dozens of late responders threatened to crash. Chuck was not amused, even though his dream of the largest Viper gathering outside of VOI wouldn’t be realized. The cops and local authorities would have thrown way too much heat if more cars had shown up. Well, it rained for about 30 seconds on Saturday morning and about 120 Viper drivers chickened out. I say chicken shit. Chuck bought hundreds, nay thousands of dollars of food and goodies and about 75 of 200 confirmed Vipers showed up. The 12 Brits showed a helluva lot more spirit than the 125 no-show New Yorkers.

Nadine’s David and Goliath Viper reenactment

Chuck put on his best oh-well face, but we all know he was disappointed as hell. He also put on a great show for everyone donning his Wizard costume. One of the highlights of the day was the mini-Viper/lawnmower/go-kart/vibrator that Nadine brought over from England (over $600 in duty, tax and bullshit to bring it in for 2 weeks! US Customs is finally matching Canada in unprecedented levels of greed.) How does it run? See the video!!

Click here for video requires Qicktime to play Quicktime

There was also one of the wildest Vipers ever created. Check out the Viper Wizard paint job in this video tour. Click here for video requires Qicktime to play Quicktime

A Night in the Inner Sanctum

Before we left for our hotel, Chuck and Nadine kindly invited Caroline and myself back to the Inner Sanctum that evening for a drink and the NASCAR Nextel Cup race on TV. We were honoured and humbled by their hospitality. Although exhausted, Chuck stayed up and hung out, although clearly he was a tad bleary. They did enjoy our Canadian peach wine and a nice mellow evening was enjoyed by all. As Caroline and I walked to my Viper parked in front, all seemed well with the world. The sweet country air, dramatic eastern night sky, ancient white stars, the soft, soft sounds of crickets... I slowly wave goodbye to Chuck and Nadine, click my key fob, and my goddamn alarm fires off! Friggin’ racket!! Panic! Finally get in - too dark, can’t find bypass switch - use sense of smell, find it - shut it down. Oh my. Chuck waves at the window. Chuck rolls his eyes to a god unknown. He’s had many better days.

We haven’t. We’re going back next year.

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Pat Chapin captures astonishing beauty on the American Side of Niagara Falls!
	Even your smartass editor has no sarcastic comment. This is one gorgeous shot. A stunning view. Thanks Pat.

Ryan Bilyk discovers substitute for Viagra on back of his GTS!

Ryan Bilyk, our favourite Windsorian Viperonian, sent me this photo with 3 simple promises: If you wanna be a legend in your own time you can use Viagra or a Viper. If you wanna strike twice in one night you can use Viagra or a GTS and an RT/10. If you wanna be an 80+ year old sports car driving, autograph signing legend, you can use Viagra or father 15,000 legendary offsprings. Viagra or Viper, ya gotta love the dedication and technology of modern tooling engineers.

OUR WARMEST HISSS AND BARING OF FANGS TO OUR NEWEST CLUB MEMBERS

Welcome Shawn Walting, Thomas Young (NY), Mardig Sevadjian, John Malatesta, Domenic Sanginiti, Walter Baker, Darren Wylie, Frank Fusillo, and Pat Difiore.

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By Mary DeFrancesco

The last weekend of July turned out to be somewhat of a reenactment of the War of 1812. About 25 ferocious Vipers were seen storming around Queenston Heights and Niagara, haunting the heroic battlegrounds of Sir Isaac Brock and the dauntless Laura Secord. The American, Quebec and Ontario Vipers fired up the region for 3 days and created a spectacle that blew away the falls fireworks.

FRIDAY

A special thanks to our Nabil and Eda for starting off the weekend with their incomparable hospitality. They hosted the road weary Quebec club with refreshments and car washing space at their residence. As well, Nabil took time out of his schedule to take a preliminary trip to Niagara to review and finalize the plans for parking, the Sunday dyno day and other bookings.

As the Vipers arrived, check-in and parking at the fabulous Fallsview Hotel & Casino was smooth and seamless. The Viper drivers were treated respectfully and were accompanied by staff to the VIP parking. The 5 or 6 Vipers stationed in front were the talk of the town for the whole weekend. Rumour has it that VCO members were already hitting the Casino even before dinner. Well, at least we’ve got our priorities right.

SATURDAY

First off, a special thanks to John Guyitt for his Go-karting idea. Everyone had so much fun on the track on Saturday morning and I especially enjoyed waving to everyone as they speedily passed by me with a bragging grin on their face. Was that a business suit Sonny Stone was wearing in the Go-kart? Well, he probably needed it for the Mini putting – someone has to out-natty Tiger Woods on the course. By the way, Kathy Kee can golf; she blew everyone away and even scored a hole-in-one. Speaking of great moments in women’s sports, check out the photo of Eda Arafat in her Indy Go-Kart: Danica Patrick - get a life.

	Eda Andretti gets it on!!

	No way would Montreal’s Jeff Pilgrim ever ham it up for the camera.

Lunch at the Casino’s Grand Buffet. Gee, there’s never enough to eat at these places...

The afternoon’s winery tour began with the assembled snakes slithering out of the hotel in a parade line. Did you see the crowds of Niagarans and tourists grinning from ear to ear? And those hundreds of camera’s clicking shot after shot? You’d think the paparazzi found out that Mike Buchanan was in town. Wow!

Hillebrand Winery gave us the royal treatment with a great tour, great sampling and of course, ‘Ralph’, the greatest guide. Did I say the sampling was great? A wonderful white, a robust red and an incredible ice wine (international award winning ‘Trius’ marque) certainly made my day. Did you know that our side trip down to the Champagne cellar (excuse me, France: Sparkling Wine cellar) is not offered on regular tours? Ralph certainly made our group feel special.

	Candid photo of the Ontario AA meeting, a socially responsible division of VCO, in session at the Hillebrand rehab centre.

Our rumbling into Niagara-On-The-Lake also created a sensational stir. You gotta feel sorry for that brand spanking new screaming yellow Ferrari F430 sitting all alone on Main Street. Who noticed? Sorry mister, for $200 grand less, ya coulda had a real cool car. Dinner and drinks at our beloved Queen’s Landing provided an elegant and calm oasis for the evening. Although next time, we’ll call ahead and have them cook the duck breast before they serve it. But truly the meal was absolutely delicious. Toasts by Jeff Pilgrim and Nabil rounded out the après dinner, and reflected the mutual admiration that the clubs have for each other. NOTE TO SELF: Maps. Next year maps. Lots of maps. Maps for every damn spot we go to because no one can ever keep up with the lead car. Amen.

SUNDAY

A beautiful breakfast with a gorgeous falls view at The Fallsview Grand Buffet again. Quebec/Ontario friendships were cemented, casino lies were swapped, sleepy Viper drivers mainlined the coffee, and warm goodbyes were hugged and squeezed as many members began departing for home. Some Ontario members accompanied The Quebecers to the Dyno Test in Oakville to size up their HP bragging rights - and everyone eventually went home with the memories of one of the very best get togethers in VCO history. Next year, were back in Quebec and we can’t wait to join Jeff and Les Vipérateurs!

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By Maureen ‘ViperNut’ Shragie

That’s what my husband would say to anyone whose spouse is thinking about checking out EBAY! But I would say GO FOR IT!

As many of you know, I have a pretty respectable Viper collection!! (See photo to view a tiny portion thereof!) And most of it I owe to acquisitions made on EBAY or to contacts I’ve made through EBAY. I even have a friend now from Germany - whom I met on EBAY- who has visited us twice here in Canada .

It’s a great place to meet people but it’s an even better place to spend money! Lots & Lots of money!! (NOTE: 2 exclamation marks) Well, that’s where my husband comes in!

Anytime (besides and including Viper collecting) that there’s something I just can’t find in the stores, I just do a “search” on EBAY ...and VOILA!! – up pops exactly what I’m looking for!!

Some EBAY secrets!!

The most important one to know about is “sniping”. If you just bid as you go, you’ll find you constantly get outbid and the price escalates. The SELLERS love this. But if you bid at the last moment - this IS “sniping” - then often you take the other bidders off guard and win at a lower price! There’s actually an automated service that will do the sniping for you. It’s called E-SNIPE and it’s well worth its meager charge. I used to use it for auctions that ended in the middle of the night. Now I use it for ALL my auctions!!

The other tricks of the trade you’ll have to figure out for yourselves. Who knows? It might be that we find ourselves bidding against each other some time! Bid on!

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Over the past few years, the NY and Ohio Viper Clubs have arranged one of the nicest summer events of the season. Every year, a few more intrepid Ontarians join up. The cruise down through New York and Pennsylvania is absolutely delightful, and it’s a couple of hours. It’s all about cruisin’ and schmoozin’. Not to mention the best wings you’ve ever had at the Quaker Steak & Lube. Dig the Indy Cars hanging from the ceiling. Real ones. Pat Chapin and Dan Lesser, our great friends from the Buffalonian Vipers, are helping us get organized. The event gets great exposure - it has made it into the National Viper Mag several times. Last year we had about 25 cars, 45+ people. This year, we are hoping to get up to 40 cars.

Details, maps and meeting points for the Ontario and New York Vipers will be coming up soon.

After lunch at the Quaker Steak & Lube, Erie, PA (exit 24 off I90) we will be going to the Northeast PA Rib Festival which is 15-20 miles away from the QS&L. Pat found one hotel to accommodate our group. For anyone who stays over Sat. night (recommended) call the Super 8, exit 27 off I90, 8040 Perry Hwy., 814-864-9200. He negotiated a rate of $84.23 total w/tax. Identify yourself as a member of the Viper Club for that rate. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR RESERVATION BEFORE AUG. 20. At lunch Pat will pass out maps to the Rib Festival. The plan is to leave lunch at the QS&L exit 24 off I90 head east on I90 then stop at exit 27 to registrar at the Super 8 then continue on to the Rib Festival at Gravel Park, Northeast, PA. There is a "Cruise In" that day with hundreds of cars to view. They've spoken to the Rib Festival organizers. We will all park together at the "Cruise In". There will be numerous vendors at the Fest also. P.S. And lots of beer.

We have no doubt this year’s event will exceed all expectations. Ontario, NY, PA & Ohio Club members all in one place. Spread the word.

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FABULOUS FALLOUT FROM THE FABCO TOUR

Hey Guys - we are famous now - The Viper Club made the Dresden North Kent Reader newspaper - 'The Voice of the Farmer'! Once more an incredible thank you to John Guyitt and Ryan Bilyk for getting us there and making the VIP tour most memorable.

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Once again this year, the aristocratically amiable Jack Tomik invited the club up to his horse farm. At his own expense, he offered Off-Road Vehicle tours of the trails around the property, horses in the coral, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, and the aroma of the BBQ'd chicken and roast beef - naturally his coolers were filled with wine and beer... life can't get any better. Just consider Jack's driveway - an amazing launching pad (about 400 ft.) to test out your Michelins’ grip. And although the weather threatened, it held off to make for an extraordinary day. Jack, thanks again for hosting this event.

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MEMBER INFORMATION

President: Nabil Arafat email:narafat@cogeco.ca
Vice President: Mike Buchanan email: buchananmike1@rogers.com
Treasurer: Eda Vanderveen email: narafat@cogeco.ca
Event Coordinator. Neil McLeod email: tmcleod@cogeco.ca
Event Coordinator: Paolo Rossi email: paolo.rossi@sympatico.ca
Event Coordinator: Mary De Francesco: email: sesco@globalservice.net
Event Coordinator: Daniel Lesser email: finalgts@aol.com
Event Coordinator: Kevin McDonald email:kmcdonald3@cogeco.ca
Event Coordinator:Jason August email:jason@ebox.com

We are taking Sponsors! To run a club like the VCO requires commitment and effort from many individuals. Commitment in the form of monetary contribution is also very important and can also help to improve the club in many ways that all members will benefit from.

A credit card size logo will be provided $50/year which will be displayed on the website/newsletter. If a design and/or logo concept is required talk to Chris for details. info@vigraph.com

Contact narafat@cogeco.ca. for more information.

"Canada's Viper & SRT Purchasing Headquarters" www.wellingtonmotors.com Toll Free: 1-888-813-9999 ask for Ted or Mike Woods VCA members

Buchanan Realty Purchases & Rentals buchananmike1@rogers.com Phone: 416-447-3973

Promotional Products Fulfillment and Distribution gilbertk@ppfd.com Toll Free: 1-800-263-4678 ext 271

Manufacturers of Custom Vinyl Windows and Door Systems renso@delorwindows.com Phone: 905-660-7586

"Graphic & Printing Services " info@vigraph.com phone: 905 627-2114 ask for Chris