VCO Newsletter
Quarterly Edition
|
|
|
|
|
Viper Club of America • Ontario Region • Volume 3 Issue 3 •March 2005
Editorial Staff: Editor in chief Sonny Stone • Graphics and Webdesign Chris Vogel
|
|
|
Nabil
Arafat
President VCO
|
|
|
A
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Soon our Vipers will roll into our best spring and summer yet. This year's events have been prepared with every one of our wonderfully diverse members in mind. We shall start with the Dyno Day and brunch; Viper Plant Tour; and the Ian Law driving school. This refresher driving course will acquaint you with your Viper's considerable capabilities all over again - highly recommended to new owners.
A word of caution this spring: Be careful when driving your Viper, as most accidents occur early and late in the season due to cold pavement temperatures and lack of traction. We've also planned BBQs & Cruises; Car Shows; Hosting the Quebec Region Viper Club (so they think they know how to party, eh??); The Midwest Zone Rendezvous in St. Louis, Missouri; Charity drive; Track training and Drag Strip Racing. And don't forget Toronto's Molson Indy! All these events are listed on your website: http://ontario.viperclub.org for your convenience.
Other projects we are working on: Club leather jackets; Black Tie Dinner Dance and Auction, and our Christmas Party. We also have a business section in the Newsletter for advertising your business, a credit card size logo will be $ 50/year for example which also will be displayed on the website.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate your club officers, for accepting to serve you for the next two years and please give them your support.
Nabil
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
 |
Nabil Arafat and Eda Vanderveen
President and Treasurer
narafat@cogeco.ca
Where can we begin to describe the elegance and sublime class of El Presidente and The First Lady? Actually, it all starts with a pleasant recollection of these past few summers. The Ontario Viper Club has become one of North America's most vibrant clubs, with a growing membership and intense camaraderie that's the envy of so many other Ontario car clubs. So much of this success is due to Nabil's and Eda's tireless activity and willingness to act on our behalf - and their uncanny ability to always pull it off. For example: every time the cops pull 12 of us over, we always ask them, politely, to "speak to the folks in the silver GTS." We always seem to get away with it. Some say it's Nabil's inherent charm, or Eda's encompassing smile. Some say it's $100 in small unmarked bills quietly passed through the window. Either way, suffice it to say, we're in good hands.
|
 |
Paolo Rossi and Mike Buchanan: The Heroic Hiss Brothers
Event Coordinator and Vice President
paolo.rossi@sympatico.ca • buchananmike1@rogers.com
Put it this way: when most new members first meet the Hiss Brothers, they think either "Wow - these are two cool party guys!" or they think "These guys are going to kill me". Well, if you've ever been to a rock 'n'; roll bar with them, you know that anything could happen. And usually does.
But seriously, as event directors and coordinators, they give their heart, soul and precious time to the club to make events run beautifully - and ask nothing in return. Well, actually, Paolo's working on a small monthly payment plan. And Mike will help collect...
|
 |
Jason August
Event Coordinator
jason@ebox.com
To know Jason is to love Jason. Or at least weasel yourself into a discount on his lawyer's fees if your sorry speeding-ticket-ass ever gets hauled before a judge. He is equally adept in Ontario's courtrooms as he is on the track. And remember what one thought always crosses Jason's mind when he's defending his nervous, troubled clients: "Geez, I wish I was out driving my Viper..."
An enthusiastic member of our track events team, the accompanying portrait well illustrates Jason's judgment of the true heavyweight in all of cardom. He swears it under oath. Well, he swears a lot anyways.
|
 |
Kevin McDonald
Event Coordinator
kmcdonald3@cogeco.ca
Sure Kevin looks likes he has 6 hands. Only 6? How does Kevin manage a restaurant, run a media advertising sales company, practice martial arts, spend time with his girlfriend Erin, drink his daily quota of beer and still find time to remind Viper Club members that they should keep their maps to the party inside the car instead of the trunk??!!
It's true that Kevin's boundless energy has had an incredible effect on our club's success, but one of these days he's got to find a few hours of sleep. Just not on a Viper weekend spent with Dan, Ryan and the boys!
|
 |
Mary de Francesco
Social Director
sesco@globalservice.net
It's Mary's first round as social director, and every member of the club is counting on her to prevent direct socialism from raising gas taxes. And perhaps to advise members on how to directly prevent social diseases. As the mother of teenagers, she's more than qualified.
Mary's task is to bring some real panache to our coming events like The Black Tie Dinner Dance and Christmas Party, and hopefully to help plan even more get-togethers. Although a little shy about taking on this position, we know she'll shine. Party on Mary!
|
 |
Daniel Lesser
Technical Advisor
finalgts@aol.com
Just because Dan is barely 20; has made a ton of money in business; owned a new Viper at 18 - now on his second; has a brilliant engineering career ahead; has legions of gorgeous women who desire him - just because of all this: it would be truly reprehensible to run him over in your speeding Viper - you jealous fools! One of our favourite Buffalonians - from our large gang of favourite Buffalonians - Dan is great addition to our club and always willing to lend a hand to get our tech problems sorted out. Ahh Dan, to be young and wild and good with a wrench!
|
 |
Ryan Horses
Event Coordinator
ryan_mpower@yahoo.com
Talk softly and drive a fast Viper. Ryan is one of our newest club directors, and we're scared. Ah, we mean glad. With several years of pro racing behind him, Ryan will offer some wonderful advice to novices and seasoned track rats alike. And although he brings devilishly fast reflexes, brilliant maneuvers and lightning-quick decision making to this dangerous sport, perhaps his greatest contribution to the club may be his karaoke singing. Hmmmm - maybe not. Welcome to your directorship Ryan, it's going to be a wild ride.
|
Illustrations :Greg McEvoy |
|
|
|
Bruno Buso Breaks Business Barriers!
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Bruno Buso, and I joined the club last year. I attended only a couple of events, and have not had the opportunity to meet very many of the members, but the members that I have met seem just as enthusiastic and passionate about their cars as I am...that's great! I am a motor sport enthusiast who has been involved in racing for over 20 years. I have a Dodge Viper GTS [Blue/White Stripes] that I road race. I look forward to trying a couple of track days with the Viper Club, so we can all spend some time driving these powerful cars the way they are meant to be driven [with instructors available].
Traditionally, auto racing sponsors have been the automotive companies or businesses offering related products and services. However, in recent years, the sport has been attracting a new breed of sponsor.
They are using auto racing:
• to market a variety of products ranging from beverages and cigarettes to vacuum cleaners, pizzas, computers, department stores, petroleum products, toys, barbecue charcoal and consumer services.
• to build positive corporate image awareness.
• to entertain clients, employees and customers.
• to drive sales and increase retail traffic.
• to create brand loyalty among a specific and select audience of individuals regarded as a target market.
Many companies are discovering that racing sponsorship is simply good business. BB Racing offers a dynamic, high-impact and cost-effective means of achieving your advertising goals. BB Racing is a team with a winning profile.Our program can be integrated and designed to accommodate the varying needs of individual sponsors. These programs can be specifically tailored for consumer product companies and corporations where public recognition and identification are critically important.
Sponsors of BB Racing's cars will have certain guaranteed use of the cars for exhibitions within trade shows, various retail malls and supermarkets, with merchandise giveaways and active participation in remote broadcasts for retail items.In racing, the ultimate objective is to take the checkered flag. In business, the objectives and goals are complex and more difficult to accomplish. BB Racing is committed to providing the support that helps businesses reach their specific marketing goals through motor racing.Your corporate spirit and team participation are invaluable to BB Racing's future success in one of the greatest spectator sports in North America today...
BE PART OF THE ACTION...BE PART OF THE TEAM!I have attached a cool photo of our blue and white GTS racecar. There are more on our website. If anyone is interested in sponsoring my team, or has any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Bruno Buso
416 616-7537
E-mail:bruno_77@bbracin.com |
 click photo for our website
|
|
INDONESIAN TSUNAMI
A sad story of one long forgotten island
By ZARA ZSEMBA We all have the greatest concerns about the Tsunami disaster that killed thousands and thousands of people overnight. Most of us also sent contributions through various charities that are aiding the relief effort. As an Indonesian living in Canada, I thank you all for that. God bless you. Sadly, the world's attention has been better than the attention from our own Indonesian government. I've written this article so that we all might have better perceptions about Indonesia, its people and serious problems since the Tsunami struck. Indonesia is a very diverse country. If you travel to the middle part of Java Island you will see why. Geographically categorized as "Asian", Javanese people have strong classic oriental features - notable by a darker complexion. Moving up to Borneo, you will see people who look and live like native Indians. Moving east, you'd be surprised to see how many people of African descent you'll find in Ambon or east Timor. If you go west, young man, you may find yourself in a typical Spanish village. The people, the culture, the traditions, the languages are as diverse as the myriad of religions. Unfortunately, like everywhere else, people see 'ethnic differences' as a reason to hate. Too bad that now, when we should join together to help victims, there are still certain groups who are against helping brothers and sisters who've suffered unspeakable losses. Lack of action from the government makes it worst. if you go to Aceh, in Belawan Port, you'll see the part of Indonesia that got hit the hardest. This is where most of the help has arrived, but there are hundreds of containers full of donations, just sitting there. The government says that there aren't enough people to help distribute those donations. Perhaps they forgot that it's the most densely populated country with more than 350 million people. Not enough people to help? Indonesia is also one of the most corrupt countries in the world. But I thought it would improve in times of trouble. The stories about the military stealing contents of charity containers are true. They sell it to stores instead of distributing it to needy people. Racketeering, profiteering, greed, chronic poverty, sweat wages all play in to it. About my Nias Island
Outside of Aceh, it seems that everybody else is crying. Have you ever heard about Nias Island? They've also suffered great loss from the Tsunami, but it is such a relatively small island. Not even the media has mentioned it. Sadly, no exposure means no help. They're forced to help themselves. And we can help them a little. The Viper Club can help
Together with a few friends and family, we are collecting donations to be sent to the Nias Tsunami victims. We are working long distance with a Catholic Covenant House to distribute the donations. But I hope we are not the only ones. With this article, we hope that we can get more support for the forgotten Nias people. With your assistance, our efforts to help directly - minimizing the risk of corruption - will be more successful.
Myself and my husband Zsolt will hosting a BBQ/cruise day on August 6th at our farm in Caledon. Looking forward to seeing every one of you. You can reach me at 1 416 616 6776 or email: zara@netwave.ca
|
|
|
| http://ontario.viperclub.org/events.html
The Magnificent McLeods: They bought a Viper, they will host a Viper Party and are raising dough for Children's Miracle Network.
Click for larger image
Our new members, Neil and Trina McLeod, (former, ahem, Jaguar owners) now drive a stunning '04 red Viper. As head honcho of Costco in Burlington, Neil is requesting we do an encore charity drive there on Saturday, 14 May 2005.
They have also graciously offered to host a Pool Party at their stunning home on June 26th. Check out the photos. Nice crib!
The event is 'Viper Day' in support of the Children's Miracle Network. The good news is that monies collected will now be shared between Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and McMaster University Hospital in Hamilton. The suggested timing will be for 3 hours between 11am & 2pm. This year, Neil will cordon off an area closer to the building to maximize the Viper Corral's impact and add to the crowd's excitement. They will sell hotdogs and cotton candy and ask people to make donations when they take photos of the cars.
Last year, they raised over $35,000 in Burlington alone - with the Viper Club's help.
Providing the weather cooperates this year (maybe Paolo and his connections can arrange for sunny skies ....) we plan to exceed that total.
Everyone - get your snake down to Costco. No excuses, the kids need us!
Everyone - Show up and you will receive a suprise gift!!
Lube, Oil and Cheeseburgers on Aug. 27th
Join the Quaker Steak & Lube event, US and Canadian Vipers.
Last year's Pennsylvania trek was an absolute blast with VCA members from New York, Ontario, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania hangin' out together. After a beautiful convoy cruise down, about 24 Vipers parked at The Quaker Steak & Lube near Eerie, PA. A great lunch was enjoyed by all - this is fast-food better than anything you'll find around here in pre-frozen, pre-chopped, pre-microwaved Ontario foodland!! Great burgers and incredible wings - anyway you like them. And yes, Virginia, they do have real Indy cars and NASCAR bruisers hanging from the ceiling!
Kevin MacDonald has led the charge from Ontario the last 2 years, hopefully he'll do the same. After all, you just might catch him doing honky-tonk karaoke at the bar at night. Most of us stayed overnight and cruised with Pat Chapin to a cool wildlife refuge and fish hatchery, where, once again, believe it or not Virginia, the fish are so thick that the ducks walk on their backs.
This year, let's get more Ontario members going down for a Steak & Lube. (NOTE TO EDITOR: Does "going down for a Steak & Lube" have any possible unwholesome prurient inferences???)
Run For Beaver (A Great Canadian Pastime comes to the USA)
The Ontario Viper Club has been invited to a wonderful track event at BeaveRun Road Course in Big Beaver, Pennsylvania. It runs on Friday, July 1, 2005. That's a holiday weekend for us. The event is called VIPER PLAY DAY - so come join the party!
The invite comes at the personal behest of the affable John Wojnar of the Ohio club. It sounds like a fabulous event - as Skip Thomas of VIPER DAYS fame and Archer Racing are involved. It's a full course day to improve your skills. The entry fee is $300 US per car. We are urged to sign up early as attendance is limited to 30. It's not far to Pennsylvania, and arrangements for good accommodations are being made for the VCA.
Call John Wojnar at 330-351-3515 (cell) 330-493-6529 home or email: john.wojnar@lmco.com
|
|
|
|
Debbie & Jim Runge strike oil in Buffalo!
And it ain't in the bottom of a bowl of wings neither!
Ever wonder if Viper Club member Jim Runge (almost rhymes with bungee, NOT grunge!) ever gets his head out of the engine bay? As Jim's wife Debbie frantically explains, "He was putting a plug in Pat Chapin's Viper when he struck oil." Well, no wonder you guys can afford a Viper and a Lambo. In a recent Viper Club poll, newsletter editor Sonny Stone asked the question: "What would happen to you if you put a plug in Pat's Viper?" Apparently, none of the answers are printable in a family publication.
Click on photo to see Jim's gusher!
|
|
|
Mike Buchanan bears his Slick Ass in Public!
In a shocking display of public indecency, VCO Vice president Mike "Happyfoot" Buchanan was caught baring the back end of his not insubstantial white snake. Stunned criminal psychologists are trying to piece together the puzzling sequence of events that led to this. Apparently, it seems that every early spring, Mr. Buchanan has been prone to extreme fits of yearning for the open highways of the great golden days of halcyon summers past. And, (after looking up halcyon in the dictionary) Mike decided that risking one gorgeous, full-rear butt shot photo would be an acceptable risk - considering the pay-off: every Viper driver in Ontario would be cheered up by the sight of soon to be gotten thrills. It worked beautifully Mike - less than a couple of weeks! Thanks for the photo, and we'll see you on the road.
Click on photo to see Mike Buchanan's rear license plate!
If any members have any interesting ideas for newsletter stories or would like to post some cool photos, just email to sonnystone@shorecreative.com. |
|
|
oVCO Proposed Jacket Designs are in!! |
|
|
|
|
|
Design Notes:
- The armband bars signify the V10 designation
- The ladies jacket do not have elastic in the sleeves or waist.
- The ladies jacket will also feature a "Trillium" design on the sleeve.
- The Viper logo can be the "Fang "version or the older "Sneaky Pete" version
- All jackets will be personalized by having the owners name embroidered on the inside.
|
| |
|
|
oToronto Auto Show 2005 - Missed the show? |
|
|
|
Click for larger image - photo credit -Canadian Driver.com
|
|
|
| |
|
oThe Viper Pit - Where does your Hisser sleep? |
|
|
Submit pictures of your "Snake Pit" and we'll post them here.
Nabil's "Snake Pit" |
|
|
Car Trailer, new tires and panels. Asking $7000.00
 
Call Mike Adams at 519 763-8473
Contact Nabil at narafat@cogeco.ca
for information regarding placing an ad. |
|
| |
| |
|
| |
|
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 |
|
|
VCO
2005 |
