Who is Viper RC?

0 April 14, 2011, 6:35 a.m.

WHO is Viper-RC?

The 25th Annual Cactus Classic took place less than a month ago with big name sponsors including Team Associated, TLR, AKA, JConcepts, Tekin, Novak, and one new name in the industry that everyone is curious to find out more about, Viper RC. Viper RC Solutions is a new electronics company working to develop and produce the "next generation" of esc’s, brushless motors, and accessories. The company is coming on strong with its top name drivers such as Team Durango’s Billy Fischer, VP Pro’s Andrew Smolnik, and many more across the U.S. and overseas. As well as looking to be a top competitor in the land racing field, Viper RC also is developing air power solutions for 3D heli and fixed wing pilots.

Currently the 1/10 line up of brushless motors (the VST Series) is available, with the highly anticipated VTX10 and VTX10R esc’s due for release any day. Still in the works and heavy testing is their lineup of electric 1/8 scale motors and esc’s (the VSE Series and VTX8 esc). Viper RC has caught the eye of many with their new ProGauge. The ProGauge is their esc programmer, which simply plugs into the V-port jack on the VTX series switch housing and gives an easy to use digital LCD readout to make quick and easy adjustments, without even removing the receiver wire. Did we mention that this ProGauge esc programmer has integrated 5 tools into one? The ProGauge is not only the VTX programmer, but also a battery monitor, servo tester, signal monitor, and prop/rotor RPM tachometer. With such a universal tool to monitor all of your electronics we expected something pretty large in size, but were shocked to see the pocket size ProGauge!

Their VST lineup of sensored 1/10 brushless motors feature high precision CNC aluminum cans, re-buildable design, high current soldering tabs, high precision ball bearings, adjustable timing, factory limited warranty, and ARE ROAR legal. Viper RC takes great pride in their smooth, efficient, and quality craftsmanship that is put into the new lineup of motors, but still offers a competitive street price of only $89.99 or lower.

We know what Viper RC has to offer, and where they are headed in the industry, but that wasn’t enough for us. We took some time to sit down with Viper RC’s west coast and international team manager, Weylin Rose, for the inside scoop.

LiveRC: First of all, thank you so much Weylin for taking some time to answer our questions! To get started, the question everyone wants to know is WHO is Viper RC?

Weylin: Viper RC is a brand new American hobby company. We officially announced our main product lines to the public only late last year at the International iHobby show in Chicago. Our fundamental concepts are to introduce to the market the most forward thinking products we’re capable of that offer top of the line performance and durability, backed by top notch customer service and support. Our products are all our own original design from our own engineers being built by our own factory in Taiwan. All designs start from the ground up to try and distinguish them as much as possible.

LiveRC: Where is Viper R/C based out of?

Weylin: We operate out of the great Northwest, just outside of Seattle, WA. We are currently in process of moving from our original office location in Kirkland to a much larger facility in Bellevue, WA. We are growing very quickly and are in dire need of additional office and warehouse space!

LiveRC: We understand that Viper is taking on 1/10 and 1/8 power systems. From the looks of things, these are systems designed for serious racers as opposed to backyard bashers?

Weylin: Our systems are designed and tested to handle the rigors and competition of high level racing, and the abuse and durability required for backyard bashers. They can handle the abuse of bashing while dishing out professional level performance, which provides a truly stable and confidence inspiring race platform. At the 2011 Silver State in Las Vegas, Billy Fisher’s Viper powered 4wd Durango short course was one of the only trucks not to have any electronic issues all week running a pre-production VTX10R and prototype VST 4.5XL 550 motor.

LiveRC: Viper has put in some impressive results including Billy Fischer at the Cactus Classic, and Mike Wilder finishing 2nd to Brian Kinwald at the recent opening round of the ShortCourse Showdown Tour. Does Viper currently have drivers across the nation running and testing the new products?

Weylin: This year has been and will continue to be a huge year for Viper. It is our first year on the race circuit and our first year releasing products. We have signed many national and international level contenders already around the globe, and are excited to add more top level drivers as soon as possible! We utilize our entire race team as much as possible for all product testing and development. 98% of our product testing is done on US soil.

LiveRC: We saw that Billy Fischer was running a Viper 550 size motor in his 4wd short course at the Cactus Classic. Does Viper have plans to offer 550 motors for short course racers in the future?

Weylin: Absolutely! The 4x4 SCT scene is blowing up and we will be getting on board right away. The VST XL 550 series motors will initially be offered in 4.5t and 5.5t options. They are moving to production as you read this and will reach US hobby shop shelves very soon. The VTX10R is the perfect 4x4 SCT speed control with it’s small footprint, high current capability, and fan-less operation.

LiveRC: Viper RC has the slogan, "A Whole New RC Experience". What are some of the innovations and products that Viper have in store to give consumers "a whole new r/c experience?"

Weylin: At Viper we strive for our products to be unique and innovative as much as possible. As with any industry as the industry standard progresses it becomes exponentially difficult to create unique design options. We want every product we release to bring something new and progressive to the market. Our ProGauge electronic 5in1 tool is providing a major foundation for this concept and will be the basis for many new products to come. It’s easy to bring another charger to the market, but what can we do to improve the charger design as a whole and push the market? We want to offer forward thinking products supported by the best customer support we can provide.

LiveRC: Viper has gone full-force by picking up major name drivers as well as sponsoring some major events. Can you give us an inside to Viper’s future plans in the racing industry?

Weylin: The racing scene is a vital part of our product and company development. We already have a recognizable presence at many local, regional, national, and international level events, both nationally and internationally. I am excited to be a major part of Viper’s growth on the racing scene. We believe local racing communities to be one of the most important aspects to a healthy RC industry in any region, we want to be a supporter of all levels of racing events.

LiveRC: We were impressed with the Viper team support that was offered at the Cactus Classic. Will we see Viper at more major events across the nation this season?

Weylin: Viper wants to send our regional team managers to as many major events as possible to provide optimum team driver and customer support. Expect to see a major Viper presence at numerous events in 2011, such as the Alabama Manufactures Cup, JConcepts summer, spring, and fall nationals, ROAR 1/10 and 1/8 electric nationals, The Hot Rod Shootout, and many others!

LiveRC: We greatly appreciate you taking some time to sit down and chat with us! Do you have anything you would like to add?

Weylin: Viper is in a major state of growth and expansion with many brand new products to hit the market in the coming months. We are crazy busy and very excited to be doing what we’re doing! At this time (April 2011) our current website is experiencing a complete reconstruction. Right now the best way to track our progress and product status is through the Viper R/C Solutions Facebook and Twitter pages. Please follow us to receive our most current updates and accomplishments! Email us at technical.support@viper-rc.com for any related questions. Thank you LiveRC for your time, it was great speaking with you!

The question of "WHO is Viper RC?" is no longer a mystery! We look forward to seeing the developments of Viper RC in the near future, and would like to thank head team manager Weylin Rose for taking some time out with us. Want to find out more, or get ahold of your very own Viper RC products, visit Viper-RC.com!

Will Viper RC be the next heavy hitter in the electric scene? Share your thoughts and comments below!