Viper Show & Lunch 2025 Report
- vcotracks
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 5
This VCO Signature event was held at Hagerty Garage + Social in Burlington, Ontario June 13-14, with members attending from across Ontario, Western New York, and our Team Viper Honorary Members from Michigan. The forecast dampened attendance but thankfully changed last-minute to become a perfect sunny day for a Viper event!
The event started with a special Friday Team Viper Meet & Greet and Charity Dinner.
Photos with Team members Ken Nowak, Dick Winkles, Charlie Brown III, Sandy Emerling & Bill Adams, and members Dave Pelosini, Jay Tanti, Kim & Candice Blake, Simon Moroz, Jamie Herrington & Sue Wiseman, Daniel Schneeweiss, Dennis & Lorraine Harding, and Bruce & Deb Hadfield. Proceeds to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Vipers started rumbling in Saturday at 8:30 am for the Annual VCO Viper Show.
Enjoy this must see event video by Jon Miranda, Rochester, NY. Thanks Jon!
We had both Member's Choice Award and Team Viper Choice Award voting in Gen I-II, III-IV, and Gen V categories, with Vipers parked in those groups to facilitate easier judging. The assortment and condition of our member's Vipers is always incredible!
This stunning 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T 4-door was provided by Dodge and featured prominently. It was designed by some of the same team as the Gen V Viper!
We now have a VCO YouTube Channel to share interesting videos of this and other events for those who couldn't attend, and for other owners who may enjoy seeing what we do! YouTube links are provided that captured many parts of this outstanding event!
A short annual General Membership Meeting was held at 11 am followed by a charity auction, lunch, draws, awards, Team Viper speaker panel and Viper signings and more!
Opening Comments
Jamie Herrington, VP & Bruce Hadfield, President
Board of Director Introductions
View the presentations here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2peihPQE6l8
Treasurer's Report by Nick Sawrantschuk
Discussed strong 2024 revenues and noted the higher funding of membership benefits than dues collected thanks to our club sponsor's generous support.
Compared 2023-2024 revenues & expenses and the financial stability of the club.
A vote was taken and approved to wave an external audit of our financial statements.
Membership Report by Bruce
100+ new primary members have joined since Covid!
165 primary and 112 secondary members as of Dec. 31, 2024, a new club record!
We approved 3 "Legacy Memberships" for those who had sold their Vipers and several "Honorary Memberships", all of whom greatly contribute to our club.
180+ members participated in at least one club event in 2024, wow!
2024 Event Participation Award by Jamie
Recognizing the member who attended the most club events in 2024, Simon Moroz!
2025 Upcoming Events by Jamie
Upcoming events discussed and members asked to suggest future event ideas.
Windsor Assembly Plant Tour by Enio Parete
Enio proposed a tour similar to his highly successful Brampton Assembly Plant Tour in 2023. Minimum of 20 cars are needed, with a show of hands way beyond that!
View the proposed tour details... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osRcGyzGHVk
VCO Sponsors & Supporters by Bruce
The support and generous contributions of our sponsors was discussed, including our newest sponsor, Windsor Chrysler, who also has an experienced Viper tech!
Club Resources & Benefits by Bruce
FCA Canada "Advantage Plan" for vehicle purchase savings.
Mobil 1: "Ask The Pro" for answers to your lubricant questions.
"Viper Parts Initiative" to produce discontinued Viper parts with Mopar's assistance.
Team Viper VIP's efforts to support the Viper community and promote its legacy.
View this presentation... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGUo4Jz17rg
2025 VCO Outstanding Contribution Award by Bruce
Each year we recognize one VCO member for their outstanding contributions to our club and the Viper community. This year's recipient is Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO, for his commitment and direction to assist in having Viper parts produced again through Mopar's parts licensing agency and our Viper Parts Initiative. (Photo of Bruce welcoming Matt as a VCO Honorary Member with lead Gen V & Daytona Charger designer Scott Krugger to his left at M1 in Detroit, 9/24)
View the presentations here..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THKgMLuJgZ8
Charity Auction
Two special bottles of Jack Daniel's Whiskey were donated by Team Viper members Herb Helbig and Charlie Brown III. Herb periodically purchases a barrel of J.D. and has it bottled with special Viper plaques. These were auctioned with proceeds to the Team's choice of charity for this event, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. $725 was raised from winners Stephen Colan and Ted Woods!
Club Lunch
The Hagerty culinary team prepared a delicious lunch served at 12
Lunch was complimentary for all members
Draws for Donated Sponsor Prizes
Cases of Mobil 1 oil - Sue Wiseman, Kim Blake,
Oil Change service with Mobil 1 donated oil:
Raceway Chrysler - Norm Jackson
Wellington Motors - Ian McDaniel
Windsor Chrysler - for Windsor event draw
ILR Car Control Schools Performance Driving School - Dan Pesant
Performance Driving Coaching by Bakspeed - Mike Yarek
VCO 2026 Membership - Richard Clark
VCO Travel Bag - Joshua Petrolo
VCO Hats - Dave & Krista Gorelle
Member's Choice Award Presentations by Nick
These member's Vipers received the most member votes in the 3 categories:
Gen I-II...Chris Bowden, 2001 GEN II R/T 10, Sapphire Blue with white stripe (left)
Gen III-IV...Nabil Arafat, 2008 GEN IV ACR, red with black stripe (center)
Gen V...Mike Yarek,2016 GEN V ACR-E, Silver with black/red stripe (right)
Team Viper VIP Speaker Panel Discussions, moderated by Daniel Schneeweiss
It was a pleasure to hear these gentlemen recall their experiences. Ken Nowak, Dick Winkles, Charlie Brown III, Bill Adams and Sandy Emerling were all inducted into the VOA's "Spirit of Viper" Hall Of Fame. They're identified in an award photo below.
Our panel members all received VCO etched club glasses as a thank you gift!
You won't want to miss this fascinating discussion... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWqoLMTBH85fo_eds_SpmqM808L6VUZ-5
Roy H. Sjoberg Tributes
Team Viper reminisced about their long-time friend and "Spirit of Viper" Legend.
Roy had really wanted to join the event as a Team Viper judge, but sadly passed.
They created a decal and suggested it be affixed across the Viper's front emblem as Viper Nation's version of a "Mourning Band" to commemorate this fallen legend.
Team Viper Choice Awards
These member's Vipers were chosen by our Team Viper VIP's:
Gen I-II...Stephen Colan, 2000 GEN II R/T 10, Black with silver stripes (left)
Gen III-IV...Nabil Arafat, 2008 GEN IV ACR Red with black stripe (bottom photo)
Gen V... Paul Vassallo with son, 2015 GENV TA 2.0, Black (right, behind son)
Nabil with his award, Team Viper VIP's behind him, from right to left, Bill Adams, Sandy Emerling, Dick Winkles, Ken Nowak, Charlie Brown III, and Director Daniel Schneeweiss.
Closing Comments by Jamie & Bruce
Focused on our club's membership support, value and inclusivity, friendships with each other, and our valued sponsor relationships that support our club and the Viper community through our club initiatives.
Meeting Adjourned at 2 pm.
Team Viper Posters were autographed and member's Vipers signed for charity.
Jamie Herrington designed and created some very beautiful club charcuterie boards. He donated several which were sold with all proceeds to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
VCO donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation totaled $2,657 USD (~$3,650 CDN)! We're all so appreciative of everyone's support of this charity and our 2025 Annual VCO Viper Show & Lunch. Special thanks to Team Viper for their incredible support!
We thank our directors, members and sponsors for their support and help with this event...and Victoria Sawrantschuk & Jon Miranda for contributing many photos & videos!
Bruce Hadfield
VCO President
Viper Club of Ontario is dedicated to the Preservation & Legacy of the Dodge/SRT Viper
Supporting VCO members and the Viper community since 1997!
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