Start the trip in Los Angeles, entertainment capital of the world. But that doesn’t mean it has to be all glam and glitz. Indulge your inner geek at Griffith Observatory, where you can catch a show at the planetarium or check out the view through one of the free public telescopes. You’ve never seen the sky like this before! Heading southeast on Hollywood Boulevard, you’ll find the other stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Compare your hands to the stars’ cement imprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and check out the Kodak Theatre where the the Academy Awards are held each year.

Getting off the Boulevard, you can travel down Rodeo Drive to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Have lunch its restaurant, The Blvd, where many of the Hollywood elite dine. Equally popular with movie stars is the Beverly Hills Hotel just a few minutes away off of Rodeo Drive.

After you’ve had your fill of celebs, take Sunset Blvd all the way down to the Pacific Coast Highway. Head North to cruise along the water all the way to the sandy shores and blue waters of Malibu.

Stop for a bite at Coogie’s Beach Café. The SoCal Viper Club meets here for a group drive on the second Saturday of every month. When you’ve fueled up on avocado egg rolls, a pulled-pork sandwich, or just a root beer float, hit the road again in the direction of Leo Carrillo State Beach, about 15 minutes away. Many famous films have been shot there, including “The Karate Kid” and “The Usual Suspects.” Kick back amid the tide pools on the rocky shore and just soak up the last rays of California sun as it dips into the Pacific in a spectacular show of color.

You get one thing for sure: one heck of a fun day.

That’s exactly what happened recently when the annual tradition to bring together SRT Engineers with regional VCA autocross champs kicked off at the Chelsea Proving Grounds.

“This is a great tradition that we’ve had for many years now,” said Mike Shinedling Viper Program Manager and the event coordinator. “It’s not so much about the competition as it is about having a chance to connect with our customers.”

“Once again, those fine folks with SRT engineering showed up fully prepared to take on the Viper Club,” Chris Marshall, National President for the Viper Club of America said jokingly.  “Not only did those rascals design, set up, and ‘trial’ the course in advance to make sure it worked perfectly, but then we learn they had even taken driving instruction over the years to help keep that trophy in Auburn Hills!”

All jabs aside, the competitive spirit was overshadowed by the cars themselves and the teams’ combined celebration of engineering.

“Sometimes, we take it for granted how robust the Viper is,” Shinedling added. “We spent hours of hard racing with these cars and they just kept going without a single problem.  We never expect anything different. The Viper is incredibly reliable at the track. The car is underrated in that respect…at least by those who don’t have much experience with it.”

Marshall echoed the sentiment, adding: “The VCA came out the real winners by being able to spend some real quality time with the folks that design and build our cars.  We will happily take a drubbing every couple years if it means we can learn more about the people and processes that go into the Viper and the rest of the SRT product line.”

But don’t think the competitive spirit doesn’t exist between these two highly skilled teams. “Don’t be surprised to see several VCA folks honing their autocross skills more fervently in 2010,” added Marshall. “Because let’s face it — Viper owners are more accustomed to taking home the win. ”

The Viper Club of America — Illinois region, passed through Metro Detroit on Wednesday, September 16, en route to the 2009 Viper Invades Niagara Falls event. Viper owners from all over, including one from Germany, gathered in the city of Madison Heights, Mich., to talk shop and admire each other’s unique rides.

Madison Heights was the halfway point of the trip. And, this fortunate location allowed some of the folks responsible for designing the Viper to come out and meet this group of passionate owners.

One such person was Ralph Gilles, Senior Vice President-Product Design Chrysler Group LLC, who attended the event with his Viper. He spoke with club members and noted that they are relieved to know that the Viper will continue production in 2010.

With Viper, “the love affair is as strong as ever,” he said.

To read more about that special feeling and see event photographs, head over to the Chrysler Group LLC blog >>