Overview

VIPER is a national center for ground vehicle performance testing, engineering & research services specializing in racing, advance technology and performance vehicles. Located near Danville, Virginia at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR), VIPER maintains a unique status as non-profit organization affiliated with Virginia Tech -- a leading academic & research institution targeting performance engineering -- and a leading vehicle performance center – Virginia International Raceway. These two relationships help position VIPER with leading facilities, experimentation capabilities, and expertise related to motorsports vehicle performance engineering and data gathering.

History

VIPER was formed initially in 2004 through the partnership between Virginia Tech and The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) with support from various federal, state and local funding sources. Other strategic partners such as Old Dominion University (ODU), state and local government entities, and private companies joined the effort to create a national center for ground vehicle performance research and engineering.

Institute for Advanced Learning & Research 

VIPER is a division of The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (www.ialr.org). Located in Danville, Virginia, IALR is a catalyst for economic and community transformation focused on bringing advanced technology and recruiting top-notch talent to the Southside Virginia region. In addition to VIPER, IALR has a number of other technical and research services enterprises covering robotics, polymer processing, horticulture, and other fields.

Virginia Tech (www.vt.edu) provides faculty, graduate students, intellectual property, and other critical resources to VIPER. Virginia Tech operates the Advanced Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory (www.avdl.me.vt.edu ) and Center for Vehicle Systems and Safety. Virginia Tech is a leading public academic and research university located in Blacksburg Virginia. 

Old Dominion University (www.odu.edu) works with VIPER to provide wind tunnel testing and engineering services. ODU operates the Langley Full-Scale Tunnel, recognized as the largest university-operated wind tunnel in the world (www.lfst.com). ODU is a leading public academic and research university located in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Virginia International Raceway

Virginia International Raceway (www.virclub.com) operates a 1200 acre complex containing multiple race courses, including a 3.27 mile road course. VIR hosts amateur and professional automobile and motorcycle events, driving schools, club days, and private test rentals.