Richie Hearn - Race Report from Hallett
“When Cindi Lux of Lux Performance Group called me about the possibility of coming out of retirement to race a Viper, I was immediately intrigued at the idea. So I packed my racing gear and headed off to a race track that has “old character” to say the least.
I got the chance to race a new Dodge ACR-X Viper this past weekend at Hallet Motor Racing Circuit and it was some of the most fun I have had in a long time. I hadn’t raced a car in over 3 years and I had never raced a car with a top over my head either! My first tin top race car! When I finally get there after my red eye flight on Friday, the team of Cindi and Fred Lux were on their game and ready to go. Having run my own racing team in the past, I know what its like to have a multi-car team and all the behind the scenes work it takes. When I saw the red Viper for the first time, I just smiled.
That car was so tremendous to drive. To be honest, I expected the viper turn and stop slowly due to the heavier weight. But I was 100% wrong! Boy this car really shocked me. The car turned in on a dime (which I am used to from driving Indy cars) and stopped just as fast. Every time I got in the car it seemed a little smaller and let me throw the car around modestly on track. After every session, I would talk with Cindi who has a lot of experience with vipers and she knew precisely what the car needed. All the guys on the team were so easy to work with and showed so much respect towards each other. And the other Viper competitors really made me feel welcome too.
I went into the weekend with three objectives. 1) Don’t damage the car 2) try to be a fast as possible and win both races and 3) just have fun. Well I completed almost all of these tasks. This series is new and it has all the makings of a GREAT spec series. Meeting people like Gary Johnson at Dodge Motorsports and all others associated with this series are great people who know their stuff. If anybody is looking for a fresh series for 2011, I would highly recommend the Viper Cup Series.”
Richie Hearn
