Viper Dream Festival Brings Snake Pride to M1 Concourse

This week, I had the chance to attend part of the Viper Dream Festival at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan — a four-day gathering of Dodge Viper owners that took over Woodward Dream Cruise week with horsepower, history, and plenty of tire smoke. Even though my schedule didn’t allow me to make it to everything, the events I did attend were nothing short of incredible.

The festival was a Viper enthusiast’s dream come true. Over the four days, owners took part in private tours, exclusive panels, and group drives. Stops included Prefix Corporation — a shop known for prototype builds and custom automotive work — and Stellantis’ Conner Center, the former home of Viper production and now the vault for the company’s entire historical collection. Attendees also enjoyed a fireside chat with Ralph Gilles, Stellantis Chief of Design, and Tom Gale, the man who helped shape some of Chrysler’s most iconic vehicles. M1 Concourse itself hosted garage tours, giving enthusiasts a peek into Viper team garages and some of the rarest snakes around.

While I couldn’t make it to every event, I did get to be part of the Viper group photo and sit in on one of the most fascinating discussions of the week — a Team Viper panel focusing on the development of the Viper GTS-R race car. This wasn’t just a casual talk; it was an insider’s deep dive into how the Viper went from an American muscle-bound oddity in GT racing to a world-class endurance racer that dominated the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The panel lineup was stacked: Neil Hannemann (Program Manager, 1995–1997), Gene Martindale (Suspension, Braking, and the first to drive the GTS-R in testing), Ken Nowak (Bodywork and Lighting), Dick Myers (Chassis, Program Manager, 1997–1999), Ray Schilling (Drafting, CFD, Fabrication), and Tommy Archer (development driver and race-winning Viper Team ORECA driver). The conversation was hosted by Shawn Romig from ViperRacingHistory.com, who has made it his mission to document every generation of Viper race cars.

For me, the biggest takeaway from the festival wasn’t just the cars — it was the passion. Over 50 Vipers were on hand during my time there, coming from across the U.S. and Canada, all driven by owners who see the Viper as more than a car. Even though Dodge no longer builds it, the community and pride surrounding this hand-built American supercar is alive and thriving.

And the excitement isn’t over yet. This morning, the Vipers in attendance will gather and parade down Woodward Avenue, leaving the M1 Concourse grounds at 10:00 a.m. for a cruise that’s sure to turn heads. For anyone in Metro Detroit who wants to see one of America’s purest sports cars in motion, this is your chance. The Viper may be out of production, but its presence on the street is still as commanding as ever.

Viper Dream Festival at M1 Concourse Image Gallery: