Development

The Viper was conceived as a historical take on the classic American sports car. The iconic AC Cobra was a source of inspiration, and the final version of the Viper bears this out with its powerful engine, minimalist straightforward design, muscular and aggressive styling, and high performance. Some saw claims to kinship with the Cobra as a marketing exercise, ignoring that Carroll Shelby was heavily involved in the initial design of the Viper, and subsequent design of the Viper GTS coupe. Notably, the later (1996 through 2002) Viper GTS coupe took a few design cues from the Pete Brock designed Shelby Cobra Daytona. Though the proportions seem similar at first glance, the designs are quite unique. Carroll Shelby was key in the development of the RT/10 as well as having a hand in the development of the GTS model.

The Viper was initially conceived in late 1988 at Chrysler’s Advanced Design Studios. The following February, Chrysler president Bob Lutz suggested to Tom Gale at Chrysler Design that the company should consider producing a modern Cobra, and a clay model was presented to Lutz a few months later. Produced in sheet metal by Metalcrafters, the car appeared as a concept at the North American International Auto Show in 1989. Public reaction was so enthusiastic, that chief engineer Roy Sjoberg was directed to develop it as a standard production vehicle.

Sjoberg selected 85 engineers to be “Team Viper,” with development beginning in March 1989. The team asked the then-Chrysler subsidiary Lamborghini to cast some prototype aluminum blocks based on Dodge’s V10 truck engine for sports car use in May. The production body was completed in the fall, with a chassis prototype running in December. Though a V8 was first used in the test mule, the V10, which the production car was meant to use, was ready in February 1990.

Official approval from Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca came in May 1990. One year later, Carroll Shelby piloted a pre-production car as the pace vehicle in the Indianapolis 500 race. In November 1991, the car was released to reviewers with first retail shipments beginning in January 1992.

First generation RT/10 (19921995)

First Generation Viper RT/10

Production

19921995

Body style(s)

2-door roadster

Engine(s)

7.998 L (488.1 cu in) V10

400 bhp (298 kW)

465 lbft (630 Nm)

Transmission(s)

6-speed manual

Wheelbase

96.2 in (2,440 mm)

Length

175.1 in (4,450 mm)

Width

75.7 in (1,920 mm)

Height

44.0 in (1,120 mm)

Curb weight

3,284 lb (1,490 kg)

The first prototype was tested in January 1989. It debuted in 1991 with two pre-production models as the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 when Dodge was forced to substitute it in place of the Japanese-built Stealth because of complaints from the United Auto Workers, and went on sale in January 1992 as the RT/10 Roadster.

The centerpiece of the car was its engine. It was based on the Chrysler LA design, which was a truck engine. The original configuration made it too heavy for sports car use, so Lamborghini, then owned by Chrysler Corporation, revamped Dodge’s cast-iron block V10 for the Viper by recasting the block and head in aluminum alloy. Some within Chrysler felt the pushrod two-valve design, while adequate for the truck application, was unsuitable for a performance car and suggested a more comprehensive redesign which would have included four valves per cylinder. Chrysler, however, was uncertain about the Viper’s production costs and sales potential and so declined to provide the budget for the modification.

The engine weighed 711 lb (323 kg) and produced 400 bhp (300 kW) at 4600 rpm and 465 lbft (630 Nm) at 3600 rpm, and thanks to the long-gearing allowed by the engine, provided fuel economy at a United States Environmental Protection Agency-rated 12 mpg-US (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg-imp) city and 20 mpg-US (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg-imp) highway. The body was a tubular steel frame with resin transfer molding (RTM) fiberglass panels. Some small bits of the suspension, (tie-rod ends and parts of the front wheel hubs) following the manufacturer’s “engine first” mantra, were sourced from the Dodge Dakota pickup. It had a curb weight of 3,284 lb (1,490 kg) and lacked all modern driver aids such as traction control or anti-lock brakes. Car and Driver magazine referred to this generation as “the world’s biggest Fat Boy Harley,” and likened driving it to “playing ping pong with a Louisville Slugger baseball bat.” Despite this, in straight line performance, it completed a quarter mile in 12.6 seconds and had a maximum speed of over 180 mph (290 km/h). Its large tires allowed the car to average close to 1 lateral g in corners, placing it among the elite cars of its day. However, the car proved tricky to drive at high speeds, particularly for the unskilled.

The car was spartan, although it featured inflatable lumbar support and adjustable seats. Along with the absence of exterior door handles, the vehicle lacked side windows and a roof. Although a soft top cover was available, it was designed primarily for indoor vehicle storage. Side curtains of fabric and clear plastic operated by zippers could be inserted into the door and hand-bolted when needed. All of these decisions were made to reduce weight. The battery is located in the sealed compartment over the rear wheel well to increase rear-end weight and traction. The car shipped with a tonneau cover and video tape on soft-top assembly (the soft top is removable and folds to fit in the trunk). In 1994 A/C was added as an option.

Performance

Dodge Viper first generation

0-60 mph (97 km/h): 4.6 sec

0-100 mph (160 km/h): 9.2 sec

quarter mile: 13.1 sec @ 112 mph (180 km/h)

top speed: 164 mph (264 km/h)

700 ft (210 m) slalom: over 66 mph (106 km/h)

skidpad average g: 0.96

Second generation SR (19962002)

Second Generation Viper RT/10, GTS

Production

19962002

Body style(s)

2-door roadster

2-door coupe

Engine(s)

7.998 L (488.1 cu in) V10 415 bhp (309 kW) (Viper RT/10 1996 – 1997)

450 bhp (336 kW) (Viper GTS and Viper RT/10 from 1998 – 2002)

Transmission(s)

6-speed manual

Wheelbase

96.2 in (2,440 mm)

Length

175.1 in (4,450 mm) (1996-99 RT/10)

176.4 in (4,480 mm) (2000-02 RT/10)

176.7 in (4,490 mm) (GTS)

Width

75.7 in (1,920 mm)

Height

44.0 in (1,120 mm) (RT/10)

47.0 in (1,190 mm) (GTS)

A coupe model called the GTS was introduced in 1996. Dubbed “double bubble,” the roof featured slightly raised sections above each seat to accommodate usage of helmets, a throwback to its intended purpose. Vipers can be seen participating often in drag racing, road racing and drifting. The GTS, like its predecessor, was chosen as the pace car for the 1996 Indianapolis 500.

Despite its similar outward appearance, the car was distinct enough to be considered a new generation model.[citation needed] Extensive modifications such as a reworked engine with higher power and less weight, an almost completely redesigned chassis that was made 60 lb (27 kg) lighter and 25% stiffer in torsional rigidity through meticulous computer analysis, a thoroughly redesigned suspension, and reduced braking distances; the 1996 to 2002 Viper GTS had a lighter (approximately 650 lb (290 kg)) 450 bhp (340 kW) engine, which could complete the quarter mile in 12.3 seconds, 0.3 seconds and 16 mph (26 km/h) faster than its predecessor, and increased top speed by 11 mph (18 km/h) or so. The revised suspension, stiffer chassis, and aerodynamic body raised lateral grip to 0.98 g (9.6 m/s), although other reports show the 1992 model with 1.0 g. Contemporary tires have improved upon this measure significantly. Slalom runs could often reach or exceed 70 mph (110 km/h). Brakes once again lacked ABS initially, and proved to be the car’s weakest point. The brakes hurt the car in numerous comparison tests, such as a 1997 “supercar comparison” by Motor Trend, in which the Viper GTS placed at the top against cars such as the Ferrari 550, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911, and Honda NSX in all performance exercises except braking. The car not only placed last, but had considerably longer stopping distances than other vehicles. ABS was introduced further into the production run, though braking performance was not necessarily significantly improved. In a Sports Car International comparison conducted in 2002, the Viper ACR (with ABS) was compared to the 911 GT2 at Thunderhill Raceway Park. Both cars were very capable, and quick around the test track, but the Viper proved more difficult to drive, and the braking system was blamed very specifically for the gap in lap times (approximately GT2: 2 minutes, ACR: 2:04) between the two cars.

Along with the updated performance came the inclusion of some of the “luxuries” the car did without before. Dual front airbags were added to the vehicle’s safety equipment list in 1996 on the GTS and 1997 on the RT/10 as mandated by the government. The car was also exported to Europe, where it was rebadged as a Chrysler, and sold under this marque from 1997 to 2003. European models had a detuned version of the Viper V10.

In the first six years of production almost 10,000 Vipers were sold. Minor evolutionary changes including new 18″ diameter wheels and tires were introduced in the 1999 model. Subsequent versions featured light-weight hypereutectic pistons and an improved exhaust system, side exhaust having been dropped part way through production year 1996 for the RT/10; all production GTS Viper Coupes had rear exit exhaust. 1999 saw the introduction of the Cognac Connolly leather interior package. Continuing the refinements, ABS was introduced in 2001. In 2002, the end of second generation production was celebrated with the release of 360 commemorative “Final Edition” models. These models were painted red with white stripes, paying tribute to the famous race-winning Oreca cars. The RT/10 was replaced by the SRT-10 in 2003 and the GTS was replaced in 2005 by the SRT-10 Coupe.

Performance (GTS)

Dodge Viper second generation

0-60 mph (97 km/h): 4.0 sec

0-100 mph (160 km/h): 8.6 sec[citation needed]

quarter mile: 12.2 sec @ 119 mph (192 km/h)

top speed: 187 mph (301 km/h)

slalom: 73.6 mph (118.4 km/h)

skidpad average acceleration: 1.01 g (9.9 m/s)

Third generation ZB (2003-2006)

Third Generation Viper SRT-10

Also called

Dodge SRT-10 (UK)

Production

20032006

Body style(s)

2-door roadster

2-door coupe

Engine(s)

505 cu in (8.3 L) V10

500 hp (370 kW) @ 5600 rpm

535 lbft (725 Nm) @ 4200 rpm (SRT-10 Roadster)

510 hp (380 kW) @ 5600 rpm

535 lbft (725 Nm) @ 4200 rpm (SRT-10 Coupe)

Transmission(s)

T56 Tremec 6-speed manual

Wheelbase

98.8 in (2,510 mm)

Length

175.6 in (4,460 mm)

Width

75.7 in (1,920 mm)

Height

47.6 in (1,210 mm) (coupe)

48.6 in (1,230 mm) (SRT-10)

48.6 in (1,230 mm) (convertible)

Curb weight

3,380 lb (1,530 kg)

The Dodge Viper underwent a major redesign in 2003, courtesy of DaimlerChrysler’s Street and Racing Technology group. The new Viper SRT-10, which replaced both the GTS and the RT/10 was heavily restyled with sharp, angled bodywork. The engine’s displacement was enlarged to 505 cu in (8.3 L) which, with other upgrades, combined to increase output to 500 bhp (370 kW) and 525 lbft (712 Nm). Along with the power increases, weight was reduced into the 500 lb (230 kg) range. The chassis was also improved. It became more rigid and weighed approximately 80 lb (36 kg) less than the previous model. An even lighter and stronger chassis was planned, but was abandoned because of cost (parts from the planned suspension were used in the Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo.) The initial model was a convertible. In 2004, Dodge introduced a limited edition Mamba package. Mamba edition cars featured black interiors, with red stitching and trim and saw their MSRP price rise by roughly US$3000. 200 Mambas were produced.

The Viper SRT-10 Coupe was introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show as a 2006 model. It shares many of its body panels with the convertible but takes its side and rear styling from the Competition Coupe. The coupe looks much like the previous Viper GTS and retains the “double-bubble” roof shape of the original along with the original GTS’s taillights, as well as offering the original GTS Blue with white stripes paint scheme on the initial run of First Edition cars as an added homage to the original Viper coupe. The engine is SAE certified to produce 510 bhp (380 kW) and 535 lbft (725 Nm). Unlike the original coupe, the chassis was not modified. This makes the coupe heavier than the convertible, and thus slightly slower to accelerate. Handling and high speed performance are improved by the coupe’s stiffer frame, reduced drag, and increased downforce.

No 2007 model Vipers were produced. Instead, Chrysler chose to give the 2006 model an extended run while preparing the updated 2008 model.

Performance

Dodge Viper third generation (SRT-10 roadster)

0-60 mph (97 km/h): 3.9 sec

0-100 mph (160 km/h): 8.36 sec

quarter mile: 11.77 sec @ 123.68 mph (199.04 km/h)

top speed: 190 mph (310 km/h)

slalom: 70.4 mph (113.3 km/h)

skidpad average acceleration: 1.05 g (10.3 m/s2)

100-0: 274 ft (84 m)

Dodge Viper third generation Chipa Edition Red line

0-60 mph (97 km/h): 3.5 sec

0-100 mph (160 km/h): 8.1 sec

quarter mile: 11.54 sec @ 123.68 mph (199.04 km/h)

top speed: 199 mph (320 km/h)

slalom: 70.9 mph (114.1 km/h)

skidpad average acceleration: 1.05 g (10.3 m/s2)

100-0: 274 ft (84 m)

Fourth generation ZB (2008resent)

Fourth Generation Viper SRT-10

Production

20082010

Body style(s)

2-door roadster

2-door coupe

Engine(s)

510 cu in (8.4 L) V10

600 bhp (450 kW) @ 6000 rpm

560 lbft (760 Nm) @ 5600 rpm

Transmission(s)

TR6060 6-speed manual

Wheelbase

98.8 in (2,510 mm)

Length

175.6 in (4,460 mm)

Width

75.7 in (1,920 mm)

Height

47.6 in (1,210 mm) (coupe)

48.6 in (1,230 mm) (SRT-10)

48.6 in (1,230 mm) (convertible)

Curb weight

3,460 lb (1,570 kg) (base)

3,408 lb (1,546 kg) (ACR)

In 2008, with the introduction of the 510 cu in (8.4 L) V10, the Viper produced 600 bhp (450 kW) at 6000 rpm and 560 lbft (760 Nm) at 5100 rpm, and also received better flowing heads with larger valves, Mechadyne cam-in-cam variable valve timing on the exhaust cam lobes, and dual electronic throttle bodies. The rev limit was able to be increased by 300 rpm due to the improved valve-train stability from both the new camshaft profiles and valve-springs. The development of the engine was done with some external assistance from McLaren Automotive and Ricardo Consulting Engineers. Electronic engine control is developed by Continental AG, the controller is capable of monitoring the crankshaft and cylinder position up to six times during each firing and has 10 times more processing power compared to the previous unit.

Changes outside of the engine were less extreme. The Tremec T56 transmission has been replaced with a new Tremec TR6060 which now has triple first gear synchronizers and doubles for higher gears. The Dana M44-4 rear axle from the 2003-2006 model now has a GKN ViscoLok speed-sensing limited-slip differential that greatly helps the tires in getting grip under acceleration. Another performance upgrade was the removal of run-flat tires; the new Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires have increased driver feedback as well as grip and, along with revised suspension (springs, anti-roll bars, and shock valving), has made the Viper more neutral in cornering.

The modifications made to the 2008 model year car were enough for Chrysler to make it distinct from the first SRT-10, and the 2008 model became known as Gen IV,[citation needed] just in time for release with Chevrolet’s 638 hp (476 kW) Corvette ZR1. Another notable change is the reworking of the exhaust system, previous third generation Vipers had their exhaust crossover under the seats which resulted in a large amount of heat going into the cockpit, this was done initially to help improve the cars exhaust note, since the first 2 generations of Viper, which had no crossover, were criticized for their lackluster exhaust notes. For 2008, the Viper exhaust will utilize a new exhaust system with no crossover, reducing the heat that enters the cockpit.

The electrical system has been completely revised for 2008. Changes include a 180-amp alternator, twin electric cooling fans, electronic throttles, and completely new VENOM engine management system. CAN bus architecture has been intertwined with pre-existing systems to allow for regulatory compliance. The fuel system was upgraded to include a higher capacity fuel pump and filtration system.

Car and Driver recently tested the car and got a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 3.5 seconds, a 0-100 mph (160 km/h) time of 7.6 seconds and a Quarter Mile-time of 11.5 seconds at 126 mph (203 km/h). Dodge’s claims for top speed are 197 mph (317 km/h) and 202 mph (325 km/h), for the Roadster and Coupe respectively. Car and Driver also tested the Viper’s track performance, and managed a fast sub 3 minute lap time around Virginia International Raceway. The Viper’s time, despite hot weather, was faster than the Corvette Z06, Ford GT, Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 GT3, Audi R8, and other such cars. According to Car and Driver and Motor Trend, the car’s slightly adjusted suspension setup and new differential gave it cornering ability as sharp as before with even better control, feedback, and response.

On November 4, 2009, Dodge Car Brand President and CEO, Ralph Gilles, announced that the Viper would end production in the summer of 2010. A new car will arrive in 2012 to replace the current Viper, but it is unknown whether the new car will have the Viper name.

On February 10, 2010, Dodge began accepting orders for the Viper SRT10 “Final Edition” models. Only 32 of these units will be produced. “Final Edition” cars will carry the special build code, “AXZ”, and will be the very last of the fourth generation Viper cars. “Final Edition” Vipers will be available in SRT10 Coupe and Convertible configurations. Pricing for this special, limited production offering has not been released.

Performance (2008 base model)

Dodge Viper fourth generation

060 mph (097 km/h): 3.5 sec
0100 mph (0160 km/h): 7.6 sec
quickest quarter mile: 10.92 sec @ 127.79 mph (205.66 km/h)
average quarter mile: 11.6 to 11.9 sec.

top speed: 202 mph (325 km/h)

slalom: 74.2 mph (119 km/h)+

skidpad average acceleration: 1.06 g (10.4 m/s)

1000 mph (1600 km/h): 270 ft (82 m)

Europe

The second generation Vipers were exported to Europe, where they were sold as Chryslers.

The third generation Viper was being sold in Europe during 2005-2006, the first model to be sold as a Dodge, as part of Chrysler’s new sales strategy for the European market. In the United Kingdom it is referred to as a Viper, but it is actually sold as the Dodge SRT-10, as the Viper name is a registered trademark in the UK. Prodrive currently handles the importation and modification of Vipers to meet European laws. According to 2009 research by internet company Yahoo, the Viper is the second most fuel consuming car on sale in the United Kingdom.

Variants

Viper GT2

In order to meet FIA homologation requirements as well as to celebrate Chrysler winning the 1997 FIA GT2 class championship, 100 modified Viper GT2 Championship Edition street legal cars were sold. These upgraded GTS cars were rated at 460 hp (343 kW) and 500 lbft (678 Nm) of torque. It featured bodywork aesthetically similar to the GTS-R with its paint job, aerodynamics package, and visual options in order to publicize the Viper’s achievement in the FIA GT Championship.

Viper ACR

The back of the new Dodge Viper ACR at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.

The American Club Racing (ACR) model was introduced in 1999. This model featured suspension and engine enhancements focused on maximizing performance in road racing and autocross environments. Horsepower was (by way of K&N air filters and smooth intake tubes) bumped to 460 hp (370 kW) in these models, while torque went to 500 lbft (678 Nm). Weight was reduced by over 50 pounds (23 kg) by stripping the interior and removing other non essential items such as the fog lamps. The new stiffer, adjustable suspension removed another 14 pounds (6.4 kg) Along with engine and handling mods, these models are distinguished by an “ACR” badge, along with 20 spoke BBS wheels.

A new ACR was added to the Viper line up after the 2008 model year. Its upgrades are more drastic than the original, including street legal racing tires, two piece brake rotors, adjustable suspension, and significant aerodynamic revision. No engine modifications were made, so figures remain at 600 hp (450 kW) and 560 lbft (760 Nm) as in the base car. The ACR gives an advantage of being street legal. The ACR is similar to the MOPAR Viper that Dodge displayed at various auto shows. Weight is also decreased by as much as 80 lb (36 kg) by way of the “Hardcore Package” which deletes radio, speakers, amplifier, trunk carpet, hood pad and tire inflator. Its aerodynamic upgrades produce 1000 lbf (4.4 kN) of down-force at 150 mph (240 km/h), or roughly 10 times the downforce the base Viper SRT-10 can produce at the same speed. No upgrades were given to the interior except for the addition of a professional beacon-tripped lap timer.

The Viper ACR is built alongside the standard SRT-10 at the Conner Avenue plant in Detroit. The aerodynamic components are produced and assembled to the vehicle by Prefix Corporation located in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

Viper ACR-X

To commemorate the end of the fourth generation Viper and mend the gap from the car’s production end until the release of the new car, Dodge is offering an improved version of the ACR specifically designed to run in the Dodge Viper Cup Series. The new car, dubbed Viper ACR-X, takes the basic ACR and adds 40 hp, a new set of downforce enhancing front canards, and new materials that, along with a stripped interior, reduces weight to 3300 lbs. It is a purpose built race car, and is not street legal. According to Dodge, the car beat the regular record holding ACR around Laguna Seca by about four seconds (1:33.9 to 1:31). Price has only increased by $12,000 US, bringing the total cost to $110,000. Production is slated for the spring of 2010.

Mopar Concept Coupe

“Mopar Concept Coupe” Viper at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show

A prototype 2008 Mopar Viper Coupe, with 675 hp (503 kW), appeared at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. There are currently no plans for production. This concept appears to have been a sneak peek at the Viper ACR. Performance parts from this car are for sale through Mopar.

Firepower

Main article: Chrysler Firepower

The Chrysler Firepower was a grand touring concept based on the Viper chassis that would have been equipped with the Hemi V-8. The pricing would have targeted a slightly less affluent buyer, or one desiring an automatic transmission.

Copperhead

Dodge Copperhead

Main article: Dodge Copperhead

The Dodge Copperhead was a concept car based on the Viper platform that was intended as a cheaper, more nimble car. It was powered by a V6 engine instead of the Viper’s V10. It never reached production. Dodge paid homage to this concept with the limited production Copperhead Edition Dodge Viper. Copperhead Vipers featured a copper colored paint similar to the concept, among with other unique changes.

Recognition

John Lingenfelter Memorial Trophy

2008 Most Expensive Car for Repair Costs, Bankrate.com

The 25,000th Viper is owned by Kurt Busch and the milestone was commemorated by Bob Nardelli, Chrysler LLC Chairman, in a ceremony at the Conner plant in March 2008.

Production

Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production was transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001.

It was reported that Chrysler had intended to cease production of Dodge Viper in December 2009 and to sell off the Viper brand. Originally, Devon Motor Works was the only bidder interested of the sale by bidding $5.5 million. However, following the Chrysler Group LLC’s acquisition of Viper assets, the company later announced it was no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets, and continue the production of Dodge Viper SRT10. Nevertheless, Devon Motor Works later unveiled a Dodge Viper-based Devon GTX, as 2010 model.

Motorsports

Following the release of the Viper in 1992, several North American and European teams attempted to race Viper RT/10s. Based on production cars and using an added roof for rigidity, the cars were not able to perform as hoped. Although they were never officially backed by Dodge, they got the company interested in developing a fully-backed race car by time the second generation Viper was under development.

Viper GTS-R

A Dodge Viper GTS-R used by Zakspeed in 2006 24 Hours Nrburgring

Main article: Chrysler Viper GTS-R

Based on the Viper GTS, the GTS-R was launched in late 1995 as an attempt to prove the capabilities of the Viper design worldwide, although the racing programs would mostly concentrate on Europe. Using such production engine components as the block, cylinder heads, and crankshaft, Dodge engineers were able to extract up to 750 hp (559 kW) from the normally 450 hp (336 kW) second generation 8.0 L V10 engine. The chassis was re-engineered from the ground up by British sports manufacturer Reynard Motorsport’s Special Projects Division under chief engineer Paul Brown, while Oreca would assemble and maintain the racing cars.

The car made its competition debut in the 1996 24 Hours of Daytona with Canaska Racing, followed by Oreca in the BPR Global GT Series. Oreca would go on to take most of the success with the Viper, winning the FIA GT Championship three times, 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins three times, and an overall win at the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2000.

Between 1999 and 2002, Zakspeed won the 24 Hours Nrburgring three times, with Viper chassis C15 and C36. In an attempt to outsmart the 2003 24h rules in which the GTS-R was granted special admission as “Chrysler Viper 1.350 kg 90 Liter 2 x 30,8 mm (air restrictors)”, Zakspeed entered as Dodge Viper. In pit stops, they filled in more than 90 liters of fuel, were penalized twice and finished fifth on track, with 134 laps. Afterwards, they appealed at DMSB and were disqualified altogether, with “Wertungsausschluss” (exclusion from classification) for the Chrysler Viper. As the rules limited engine capacity to 6200 cc since 2005, Zakspeed converted the engine into an V8 of that size.

Following the end of official factory support for the program in 2001, Vipers have been used by privateer teams with much success. Viper GTS-Rs continued to be used competitively even into 2007.

Viper Competition Coupe

A Viper Competition Coupe competing in the FIA GT3 European Championship

As of 2003, a special, non-street legal Viper SRT-10 Competition Coupe is available from Dodge for race car drivers, picking up where the GTS-R racing variant left off. The power and torque ratings have been improved, along with the vehicle being stripped of anything not essential for racing, such as the interior body panels, carpet, instrumentation, air conditioning, and stereo systems which lightened the car by 380 lb (170 kg). The Competition Coupe comes equipped with a full roll cage, a racing fuel cell, and other racing-related equipment. It is not sold through dealers and is purchased from Dodge directly as, essentially, a very expensive race car component. Pricing is approximately US$140,000. The Viper Competition Coupe sees action in the highly competitive SCCA Speed GT World Challenge.

In 2004 Samuel Hubinette used a Competition Coupe with a modified rear axle for the Formula D, in which he won the title before the car was barred by the end of the season (due to the fact FD would adopt D1 Grand Prix regulations from the following year which had already prohibited the car from competing) and was replaced by an SRT-10 the following season.

After a few one-off entries in the Spa 24 Hours, from 2006, the Viper Competition Coupe raced in Europe fulltime for the first time, joining the new FIA GT3 European Championship with the Italian team Racing Box. At the end of the year, Oreca announced the development of a package transforming the car to GT2 regulations in national championships.

The Primetime Race Group use a Viper Competition Coupe in the American Le Mans Series in the GT2 class. They began racing in the end of the 2007 American Le Mans Series season. During the 2008 American Le Mans Series season they raced full-time with Hankook Tires. The car’s best result was a 5th place in the GT2 class at the 2008 12 Hours of Sebring. The team will continue to develop and race the viper in the 2009 American Le Mans Series season, now with Dunlop Tires.

Achievements: Viper Motorsports

2008 British GT Championship – won by J. Gornall & J. Barnes

2007 British GT Championship – won by B. Ellis & A. Mortimer

2007 Brazilian GT3 Championship

2007 24 hours of Nurburgring – SP8 Class, won by team Zakspeed

2006 Australian GT Championship – won by Greg Crick

2006 Dutch Supercar Challenge – won by Hans Ambaum

2006 Formula D – Championship – won by Samuel Hubinette

2006 24 hours of Nurburgring – SP8 Class, won by team Zakspeed

2006 Spa 24 Hours G3 – won by team Signa Racing

2005 FFSA GT Championship – won by O. Thevenin & P. Bornhauser

2005 24 hours of Nurburgring – A8 Class, won by P. Zakowski, R. Lechner & S. Bert

2004 SCCA Speed GT – Drivers Championship won by Tommy Archer

2004 FFSA GT Championship – won by P. Bornhauser

2004 Formula D – Championship, won by Samuel Hubinette

2004 Belcar Championship

2004 Italian GT Championship

2004 1000 Miles of Brazil – won by S. Zonca, A Lancellotti & F. Gollin

2003 FFSA GT Championship – won by D. Defourny & P. Goueslard

2003 Belcar Championship – won by Team GLPK

2003 Italian GT Championship – won by Team Racing Box

2003 Swedish GTR Championship – won by Team Tre Q AB

2003 EuroSeries GT Championship – won by Team Michael Martin Racing System

2002 FIA GT Championship GT1 Drivers, won by Christophe Bouchut

2002 FIA GT Championship GT1 Teams, won by Larbre Competition

2002 Belcar Championship – won by Team GLPK

2002 Swedish GTR Championship – won by Team OKA Racing

2002 24 hours of Nurburgring – Overall victory, won by Peter Zakowski, R. Lechner & P. Lamy

2002 Spa 24 Hours – won by C. Bouchut, S. Bourdais, D. Terrien & V. Vosse

2001 FIA GT Championship GT1 Drivers, won by Christophe Bouchut & Jean-Philippe Belloc

2001 FIA GT Championship GT1 Teams, won by Larbre Competition

2001 FFSA GT Championship – won by D. Dupuy & F. Fiat

2001 24 hours of Nurburgring – Overall victory, won by Peter Zakowski, M. Bartels & P. Lamy

2001 Spa 24 Hours – won by C. Bouchut, J.P. Belloc & M. Duez

2001 1000km of Fuji Endurance Race

2001 Belcar Championship – won by Team GLPK

2001 Swedish GTR Championship – won by Team OKA Racing

2000 FFSA GT Championship – won by D. Dupuy & F. Fiat

2000 Grand-Am – GT2 Class Champion

2000 24 Hours of Daytona – Overall victory

2000 American Le Mans Series – Class Champion, Team Oreca

2000 24 Hours of Le Mans – GTS Class 1st and 2nd place, won by team Oreca

1999 FIA GT Championship Drivers, won by Olivier Beretta & Karl Wendlinger

1999 FIA GT Championship Teams, won by Viper Team Oreca

1999 24 Hours of Le Mans – GTS Class 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place finishes, won by Team Oreca

1999 American Le Mans Series – Class Champion, Team Oreca

1999 VLN German Championship Series – Won every race of season (10/10), Team Zakspeed

1999 24 hours of Nurburgring – Overall victory, won by Peter Zakowski, H.J. Tiemann, K. Ludwig & M. Duez

1998 FIA GT Championship GT2 Drivers, won by Olivier Beretta & Pedro Lamy

1998 FIA GT Championship GT2 Teams, won by Viper Team Oreca

1998 24 Hours of Le Mans GT2 Class 1st and 2nd , won by Team Oreca, First series production based American car to win at Le Mans

1997 FIA GT Championship GT2 Drivers, won by Justin Bell

1997 FIA GT Championship GT2 Teams, won by Viper Team Oreca

References

^ “The American Carrozzeria”. http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/coll/sci/112metal.html. Retrieved 2009-04-17. 

^ Vehicle Table

^ a b A history of the Dodge Viper from concept to current generation

^ a b c d e “1997 Dodge Viper GTS – American Car – Motor Trend Magazine”. Motortrend.com. 1997-05-01. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/112_9705_1997_dodge_viper_gts/index.html. Retrieved 2009-11-23. 

^ a b c d e “2006 Dodge Viper Specifications” (online). http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2006/dodge/viper/specifications.html. Retrieved 2007-09-25. 

^ a b “Dodge Specs & Upgrades [2008 Viper"]. Chrysler. http://www.dodge.com/bridge/vehsuite.html?app=vehiclespecs&family=viper&model=Technical&zipcode=10101&year=2008. Retrieved 2008-05-02. 

^ “First Look: 2008 Dodge Viper Coupe and Convertible”. Motor Trend. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/exotic/112_0702_2008_dodge_viper/engine.html. Retrieved 2008-06-18. 

^ 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe and Convertible – Short Take Road Test/American Performance/High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver – Car And Driver

^ Ross, Jeffrey N. (2009-11-04). www.autotropolis.com “”Dodge Car Brand CEO Confirms End of Viper Production”". Autotropolis.com. http://www.autotropolis.com/auto-industry-news/dodge-car-brand-ceo-confirms-end-of-dodge-viper-production.html www.autotropolis.com. Retrieved 2009-11-04. 

^ a b Mark Gillies (September 2007). “2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe and Convertible – Short Take Road Test” (online). Car and Driver.com. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/american_performance/2008_dodge_viper_srt10_coupe_and_convertible_short_take_road_test. Retrieved 2009-02-19. 

^ Phillips, Drew (2009-03-25). “One Quick Snake: Stock 2008 Dodge Viper runs 10-second quarter mile”. Autoblog.com. http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/25/one-fast-snake-stock-2008-dodge-viper-runs-10-second-quarter-mi/. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 

^ Dodge SRT-10 | evo Car Reviews | Car Reviews | evo

^ “Drive Smart – Yahoo! Cars UK”. Uk.cars.yahoo.com. http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/drive-smart/articles/article/18/. Retrieved 2009-11-23. 

^ special Dodge Vipers – Viper GT2 and ACR

^ Ron Batt (2008-04-28). “04/28/2008 – Prefix Delivers First Viper ACR”. Prefix Corporation. http://www.prefix.com/Announcements/. Retrieved 2008-05-05. 

^ Ron Batt (2009-12-10). “Dodge Reveals Viper SRT10 ACR-X Turn-Key Racer; Hits Tracks Next Summer”. http://wot.motortrend.com/6584953/auto-news/dodge-reveals-viper-srt10-acr-x-turn-key-racer-hits-tracks-next-summer/index.html. Retrieved 2009-12-12. 

^ “Best 10, Worst 10 Cars for Repair Costs”. Yahoo.com. Bankrate.com. 2008-09-05. http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/105665/Best-10,-Worst-10-Cars-for-Repair-Costs. Retrieved 2008-09-06. 

^ “25,000 Vipers Loose on the Streets”. Reuters. 2008-03-12. http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS183994+12-Mar-2008+PRN20080312. Retrieved 2008-07-07. 

^ Report: Chrysler’s Viper Brand Attracts Just One Bid of $5.5 Million

^ “Viper sticks with Chrysler”. June 1, 2009. http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2009/06/viper-sticks-with-chrysler-kenosha-may-go-to-fiat/. Retrieved June 1, 2009. 

^ It ALIVE! Dodge Viper LIVES!

^ Monterey 2009: 2010 Devon GTX

^ “World Sports Racing Prototypes – Viper chassis numbers”. Wsrp.ic.cz. http://wsrp.ic.cz/chassis/chassis_viper.html. Retrieved 2009-04-29. 

^ 2003-24h-ausschreibung.pdf

^ Zakspeed legte Protest ein. Die Zakspeed-Viper (Peter Zakowski, Pedro Lamy und Robert Lechner), als Sieger der beiden vergangenen Jahre einer der Top-Favoriten auf den Gesamtsieg, wurde zweimal wegen eines zu groen Tankvolumens mit Strafen belegt. Die Lokalmatadoren beendeten das Rennen schlielich auf Rang fnf. Das Team legte gegen die Strafen Berufung ein, verlor aber vor dem Berufungsgericht des DMSB und wurde nachtrglich aus der Wertung ausgeschlossenhttp://adac.24h-rennen.de/archiv/2003/chronik-2003.html

^ http://adac.24h-rennen.de/fileadmin/24h/downloads/ergebnisse/2003/24h_korrigiertes_Klassenergebnis_A8_01-07-2003.pdf

^
Kevin Smith. “Preview Test: Dodge Viper RT/10″. Car and Driver (March 1992): 3843. 

“The Closest Thing To Having A Lola Champ Car In Your Garage” duPont Registry (June 2006) pg. 119

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dodge Viper

Dodge Viper Website – Dodge Brand Site

Internet Movie Cars Database Entry – Dodge Viper in IMCDB

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Categories: Coupes | Dodge vehicles | Flagship vehicles | Rear wheel drive vehicles | Muscle cars | Sports cars | Roadsters | 1990s automobiles | 2000s automobiles | Vehicles introduced in 1992 | Automobiles powered by 10 cylinder enginesHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from February 2009

wv.gov

West Virginia ( /wst vrdnj/ (helpinfo)) is a state in the Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, and Pennsylvania and Maryland to the northeast. The capital and largest city is Charleston.

West Virginia became a state following the Wheeling Conventions, breaking away from Virginia during the American Civil War. The new state was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, and was a key Civil War border state. West Virginia was the only state to form by seceding from a Confederate state, and was one of only two states formed during the American Civil War (the other one being Nevada, which separated from Utah Territory).

The Census Bureau considers West Virginia part of the South, as most of the state is south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The northern panhandle extends adjacent to Pennsylvania and Ohio with the West Virginia cities of Wheeling and Weirton being just across the border from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, while Bluefield is less than 70 miles from North Carolina and Harper’s Ferry is considered to be a part of the Washington metropolitan area. The unique position of West Virginia means that it is often included in a wide variety of geographical regions, including the Upland South, the Southeastern United States and even the Northeastern United States. Notably, it is the only state which entirely lies within the area served by the Appalachian Regional Commission, which is a common definition of “Appalachia”.

The state is noted for its mountains and diverse topography, its historically-significant logging and coal mining industries, and its political and labor history. It is one of the most densely karstic areas in the world, making it a choice area for recreational caving and scientific research. The karst lands contribute to much of the state’s cool trout waters. It is also known for a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and hunting.

Contents

1 Geography and environment

1.1 Climate

2 History

2.1 Prehistory

2.2 European exploration and settlement

2.3 Trans-Allegheny Virginia

2.4 Separation from Virginia

2.5 Hidden resources

3 Demographics

3.1 Religion

4 Economy

5 Transportation

6 Law and government

6.1 Legislative branch

6.2 Executive branch

6.3 Judicial branch

6.4 Politics

7 State capitals

8 Important cities and towns

8.1 Large cities

8.2 Towns and small cities

8.3 Metropolitan Statistical Areas

8.4 Micropolitan Statistical Areas

9 Education

9.1 Colleges and universities

10 Distinctions

11 Culture

11.1 Music

11.1.1 Appalachian music

11.1.2 Classical music

11.1.3 Musical innovation

11.2 Sports

11.3 In popular culture

12 See also

13 References

14 Further reading

15 External links

//

Geography and environment

Shaded relief map of the Cumberland Plateau and Ridge-and-valley Appalachians.

The summit of Spruce Knob is often covered in clouds.

Main article: Geography of West Virginia

See also: List of counties in West Virginia and List of West Virginia county seats

West Virginia is bordered by Pennsylvania to the north; by Ohio to the north and west; by Kentucky to the west; by Maryland to the north and east; and by Virginia to the east and south. The Ohio and Potomac rivers form parts of the boundaries.

West Virginia is located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range and all areas are mountainous; for this reason it is nicknamed The Mountain State and also is partially the reason why its motto is “mountaineers are always free.” About 75% of the state is within the Cumberland Plateau and Allegheny Plateau regions. Though the relief is not high, the plateau region is extremely rugged in most areas. The average elevation of West Virginia is approximately 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level, which is the highest of any US state east of the Mississippi River.

On the eastern state line with Virginia, high peaks in the Monongahela National Forest region give rise to an island of colder climate and ecosystems similar to those of northern New England and eastern Canada. The highest point in the state is atop Spruce Knob, at 4,863 ft (1,482 m), is covered in a boreal forest of dense spruce trees at altitudes above 4,000 feet (1,200 m). Spruce Knob lies within the Monongahela National Forest and is a part of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. A total of six wilderness areas can also be found within the forest. Outside the forest to the south, the New River Gorge is a 1,000 feet (300 m) deep canyon carved by the New River. The National Park Service manages a portion of the gorge and river that has been designated as the New River Gorge National River, one of only 15 rivers in the U.S. with this level of protection.

Other areas under protection and management include:

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Bluestone National Scenic River

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Gauley River National Recreation Area

George Washington National Forest

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Map of West Virginia counties

The native vegetation for most of the state was originally mixed hardwood forest of oak, chestnut, maple, beech, and white pine, with willow and American sycamore along the state’s waterways. Many of the areas are rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty, a fact that is appreciated by native West Virginians, who refer to their home as Almost Heaven (from the song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”) even though John Denver’s geography barely resembles West Virginia. Before the song, it was known as “The Cog State” (Coal, Oil, and Gas) or “The Mountain State.” Ecologically, most of West Virginia falls into the Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests ecoregion.

The underlying rock strata are sandstone, shale, bituminous coal beds, and limestone laid down in a near shore environment from sediments derived from mountains to the east, in a shallow inland sea on the west. Some beds illustrate a coastal swamp environment, some river delta, some shallow water. Sea level rose and fell many times during the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian eras, giving a variety of rock strata. The Appalachian Mountains are some of the oldest on earth, having formed over 300 million years ago.

Climate

Further information: Climate change in West Virginia

The climate of West Virginia is a humid subtropical climate (Koppen climate classification Cfa) in some of the lower elevations, primarily in the southwestern portion of the state (including Huntington and Charleston), along with parts of the Eastern Panhandle east of the Appalachians with hot, humid summers and milder winters. The rest of the state generally has a humid continental climate (Koppen climate classification Dfa, except Dfb at the higher elevations) with warm to hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters, increasing in severity with elevation. Some southern highland areas also have a mountain temperate climate (Koppen Cfb) where winter temperatures are more moderate and summer temperatures are somewhat cooler. However, the weather is subject in all parts of the state to change. The hardiness zones range from zone 5b in the central Appalachian mountains to zone 7a in the warmest parts of the lowest elevations. In the Eastern Panhandle and the Ohio River Valley temperatures are warm enough to see and grow subtropical plants such as Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Crepe Myrtle, Albizia julibrissin, American Sweetgum and even the occasional needle palm and sabal minor. These plants do not thrive as well in other parts of the state. The Eastern prickly pear grows well in many portions of the state.

Average January temperatures range from around 26F (-4C) near the Cheat River to 41F (5C) along sections of the border with Kentucky. July averages range from 67F (19C) along the North Branch Potomac River to 76F (24C) in the western part of the state. It is cooler in the mountains than in the lower sections of the state.

Annual precipitation ranges from less than 32 inches (81 cm) in the lower eastern section to more than 56 inches (140 cm) in higher parts of the Allegheny Front. Slightly more than half the rainfall occurs from April to September. Dense fogs are common in many valleys of the Kanawha section, especially the Tygart Valley. West Virginia is also one of the cloudiest states in the nation, with the cities of Elkins and Beckley ranking 9th. and 10th. in the U.S. respectively for the number of cloudy days per year (over 210). In addition to persistent cloudy skies caused by the damming of moisture by the Alleghenies, West Virginia also experiences some of the most frequent precipitation in the nation, with Snowshoe averaging nearly 200 days a year with either rain or snow. Snow usually lasts only a few days in the lower sections but may persist for weeks in the higher mountain areas. An average of 34 inches (86 cm) of snow falls annually in Charleston, although during the winter of 19951996 more than three times that amount fell as several cities in the state established new records for snowfall. Average snowfall in the Allegheny Highlands can range up to 180 inches (460 cm) per year. Severe weather is somewhat less prevalent in West Virginia than in most other eastern states, and it ranks among the least tornado-prone states east of the Rockies.

Monthly normal high and low temperatures for various West Virginia cities

City

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Beckley

39/22

43/25

52/32

62/41

71/49

77/57

80/61

79/60

73/54

63/42

52/34

43/26

Charleston

43/24

47/27

57/34

67/42

75/50

82/58

85/63

84/62

77/55

67/43

56/35

47/28

Elkins

39/18

44/20

53/27

63/35

72/44

78/53

82/58

80/57

74/50

64/37

53/29

44/22

Huntington

41/24

46/28

56/36

67/44

75/53

82/61

85/65

84/64

77/57

66/45

55/37

45/29

History

Main article: History of West Virginia

The area was a favorite hunting ground of numerous Native American peoples before the arrival of European settlers. Many ancient man-made earthen mounds from various mound builder cultures survive, especially in the areas of Moundsville, South Charleston, and Romney. Although little is known about these peoples, the artifacts uncovered in these give evidence of a complex, stratified culture that practiced metallurgy.

In more recent history the area now occupied by West Virginia was contested territory, mainly by Pennsylvania and Virginia. Some speculative land companies, such as the Vandalia Company, and later the Ohio Company and Indiana Company, tried to legitimize their claims to land in parts of West Virginia and Kentucky, but failed. With the settlement of the Pennsylvania and Virginia border dispute which resulted in the creation of Kentucky, Kentuckians “were satisfied [...], and the inhabitants of a large part of West Virginia were grateful.”

The state was originally part of the British Virginia Colony (from 1607 to 1776) and the western part of the state of Virginia (from 1776 to 1863), whose population became sharply divided over the issue of secession from the Union and in the separation from Virginia, formalized by admittance to the Union as a new state in 1863.

West Virginia’s history has been profoundly affected by its mountainous terrain, numerous and vast river valleys, and rich natural resources. These were all factors driving its economy and the lifestyles of residents, and remain so today.

Prehistory

For more details on this topic, see Prehistory of West Virginia.

In a summary to quote Dr. Robert F. Maslowski, “The Adena Indians used pipes for ceremonies. They were carved of stone and they were exceptional works of art. Pipes and the smoking of tobacco became more common during the Late Prehistoric period. They were often made of clay and rather plain.” “Nothing is known about Paleo-Indian and Archaic houses in the Kanawha Valley, but archeologists have found evidence of Woodland and Fort Ancient houses.” “Woodland Indians lived in wigwams … The Woodland Indians grew sunflowers, gourds, squash and several seeds such as lambsquarter, may grass, sumpweed, smartweed and little barley.” “Fort Ancient Indians lived in much larger square or rectangular houses … The Fort Ancient Indians can be considered true farmers. They cultivated large agricultural fields around their villages. They no longer grew such a variety of seeds but concentrated on growing corn, beans, sunflowers, gourds, and many types of squash including the pumpkin. They also grew domestic turkeys and kept dogs as pets.”

European exploration and settlement

Further information: Vandalia (colony) and Westsylvania

Thomas Lee, the first manager of the Ohio Company of Virginia.

In 1671, General Abram Wood, at the direction of Royal Governor William Berkeley of the Virginia Colony, sent a party which discovered Kanawha Falls. In 1716, Governor Alexander Spotswood with about thirty horsemen made an excursion into what is now Pendleton County. John Van Metre, an Indian trader, penetrated into the northern portion in 1725. The same year, German settlers from Pennsylvania founded New Mecklenburg, the present Shepherdstown, on the Potomac River, and others followed.

King Charles II of England, in 1661, granted to a company of gentlemen the land between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, known as the Northern Neck. The grant finally came into the possession of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, and in 1746, a stone was erected at the source of the North Branch Potomac River to mark the western limit of the grant. A considerable part of this land was surveyed by George Washington between 1748 and 1751. The diary kept by the surveyor indicates that there were already many squatters, largely of German origin, along the South Branch Potomac River. Christopher Gist, a surveyor in the employ of the first Ohio Company, which was composed chiefly of Virginians, explored the country along the Ohio River north of the mouth of the Kanawha River between 1751 and 1752. The company sought to have a fourteenth colony established with the name “Vandalia”. Many settlers crossed the mountains after 1750, though they were hindered by Native American resistance. Few Native Americans lived permanently within the present limits of the state, but the region was a common hunting ground, crossed by many trails. During the French and Indian War the scattered British settlements were almost destroyed.

In 1774, the Crown Governor of Virginia John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, led a force over the mountains, and a body of militia under then-Colonel Andrew Lewis dealt the Shawnee Indians, under Hokoleskwa (or “Cornstalk”), a crushing blow during the Battle of Point Pleasant at the junction of the Kanawha and the Ohio rivers. Native American attacks continued until after the American Revolutionary War. During the war, the settlers in western Virginia were generally active Whigs and many served in the Continental Army, however Claypool’s Rebellion of 17801781 where a group of men refused to pay Colonial taxes showed war-weariness in West Virginia.

Trans-Allegheny Virginia

For more details on this topic, see Virginia.

Social conditions in western Virginia were entirely unlike those in the eastern portion of the state. The population was not homogeneous, as a considerable part of the immigration came by way of Pennsylvania and included Germans, Protestant Ulster-Scots, and settlers from the states farther north. Counties in the east and south were settled mostly by east Virginians. During the American Revolution, the movement to create a state beyond the Alleghanies was revived and a petition for the establishment of “Westsylvania” was presented to Congress, on the grounds that the mountains made an almost impassable barrier on the east. The rugged nature of the country made slavery unprofitable, and time only increased the social, political, economic and cultural differences (see Tuckahoe-Cohee) between the two sections of Virginia.

The convention that met in 1829 to form a new constitution for Virginia, against the protest of the counties beyond the mountains, required a property qualification for suffrage and gave the slave-holding counties the benefit of three-fifths of their slave population in apportioning the state’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a result, every county beyond the Alleghenies except one voted to reject the constitution, which nevertheless passed because of eastern support.

The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 185051, the Reform Convention, addressed a number of issues important to western Virginians. The vote was extended to all white males of 21 years of age plus. The governor, lieutenant-governor, the judiciary, sheriffs and other county officers were to be elected by public vote. The composition of the General Assembly was changed, representation in the house of delegates was apportioned on the white basis of the census of 1850, but the Senate was fixed arbitrarily, the west receiving twenty, and the east thirty, senators. This was made acceptable to the west by a provision that required the General Assembly to reapportion representation on the white basis in 1865, or else put the matter to a public referendum. But the east also gave itself a tax advantage in requiring a property tax at true and actual value, except for slaves. Slaves under the age of 12 years were not taxed, and slaves over that age were taxed at only $300, a fraction of their true value. Small farmers, however, had all their assets, animals and land, taxed at full value. Despite this tax and the lack of internal improvements in the west, the vote was 75,748 for and 11,063 against the new Constitution, most of the latter being from eastern counties, which did not like the compromises made for the west.

Separation from Virginia

See also: West Virginia in the American Civil War

Francis H. Pierpont, a leader during the Second Wheeling Convention

On October 24, 1861, voters from 41 counties voted overwhelmingly to form a new state, voter turnout was 34%. The name was subsequently changed from Kanawha to West Virginia.

West Virginia is the only state in the Union to secede from a Confederate state, Virginia, during the American Civil War. In Richmond on April 17, 1861, the 49 delegates from the future state of West Virginia voted 17 in favor of the Ordinance of Secession, 30 against, and 2 abstentions. Almost immediately after the vote to proceed with secession from the Union prevailed in the Virginia General Assembly, a mass meeting at Clarksburg recommended that each county in northwestern Virginia send delegates to a convention to meet in Wheeling on May 13, 1861. When this First Wheeling Convention met, 425 delegates from 25 counties were present, though more than one-third of the delegates were from the northern panhandle area, but soon there was a division of sentiment. Some delegates favored the immediate formation of a new state, while others argued that, as Virginia’s secession had not yet been passed by the required referendum, such action would constitute revolution against the United States. It was decided that if the ordinance were adopted (of which there was little doubt), another convention including the members-elect of the legislature should meet at Wheeling in June. At the election on May 23, 1861, secession was ratified by a large majority in the state as a whole, but in the western counties 34,677 voted against and 19,121 voted for the Ordinance.

The Second Wheeling Convention met as agreed on June 11 and declared that, since the Secession Convention had been called without the consent of the people, all its acts were void, and that all who adhered to it had vacated their offices. The Wheeling Conventions, and the delegates themselves, were never actually elected by public ballot to act on behalf of western Virginia. An act for the reorganization of the government was passed on June 19. The next day Francis H. Pierpont was chosen by other delegates at the convention to be governor of Virginia, other officers were elected and the convention adjourned. The legislature was composed of 103 members, 33 of whom had been elected to the Virginia General Assembly on May 23. This number included some hold-over Senators from 1859, and as such had vacated their offices to convene in Wheeling. The other members “were chosen even more irregularly ome in mass meetings, others by county committee, and still others were seemingly self-appointed” This irregular assembly met on June 20 and appointed Unionists to hold the remainder of the state offices, organized a rival state government and elected two United States senators who were promptly recognized by the Federal government in Washington, D.C. Thus, there were two state governments in Virginia, one pledging allegiance to the United States and one to the Confederacy.

The Wheeling Convention, which had taken a recess until August 6, reassembled on August 20, and called for a popular vote on the formation of a new state and for a convention to frame a constitution if the vote should be favorable. At the October 24, 1861 election, 18,408 votes were cast for the new state and only 781 against. The honesty of these election results have been questioned, since the Union army then occupied the area and Union troops were stationed at many of the polls to prevent Confederate sympathizers from voting. Most of the affirmative votes came from 16 counties around the Northern panhandle. Over 50,000 votes had been cast on the Ordinance of Secession, yet the vote on statehood gathered little more than 19,000.

Statehood vote of Oct. 24, 1861

In Ohio County, home to Wheeling, only about one-quarter of the registered voters cast votes. At the Constitutional Convention in November 1861, Mr. Lamb of Ohio County and Mr. Carskadon said that in Hampshire County, out of 195 votes only 39 were cast by citizens of the state; the rest were cast illegally by Union soldiers. In most of what would become West Virginia, there was no vote at all as two-thirds of the territory of West Virginia had voted for secession and county officers were still loyal to Richmond. Votes recorded from pro-secession counties were mostly cast elsewhere by Unionist refugees from these counties. The convention began on November 26, 1861, and finished its work on February 18, 1862; the instrument was ratified (18,162 for and 514 against) on April 11, 1862.

Harpers Ferry (as it appears today) changed hands a dozen times during the American Civil War and was annexed by West Virginia.

On May 13 the state legislature of the reorganized government approved the formation of the new state. An application for admission to the Union was made to Congress, and on December 31, 1862, an enabling act was approved by Pres. Abraham Lincoln admitting West Virginia, on the condition that a provision for the gradual abolition of slavery be inserted in its constitution. While many felt that West Virginia’s admission as a state was both illegal and unconstitutional, Lincoln issued his Opinion on the Admission of West Virginia finding that “the body which consents to the admission of West Virginia, is the Legislature of Virginia,” and that its admission was therefore both constitutional and expedient. The convention was reconvened on February 12, 1863, and the demand was met. The revised constitution was adopted on March 26, 1863, and on April 20, 1863, Pres. Lincoln issued a proclamation admitting the state at the end of 60 days (June 20, 1863). Meanwhile, officers for the new state were chosen and Gov. Pierpont moved his capital to Union-occupied Alexandria, where he asserted jurisdiction over all of the Virginia counties within the Federal lines.

The question of the constitutionality of the formation of the new state was brought before the Supreme Court of the United States in the following manner: Berkeley and Jefferson counties lying on the Potomac east of the mountains, in 1863, with the consent of the reorganized government of Virginia voted in favor of annexation to West Virginia. Many voters of the strongly pro-secessionist counties were absent in the Confederate Army when the vote was taken and refused to acknowledge the transfer upon their return. The Virginia General Assembly repealed the act of secession and in 1866 brought suit against West Virginia, asking the court to declare the counties a part of Virginia which would have declared West Virginia’s admission as a state unconstitutional. Meanwhile, on March 10, 1866, Congress passed a joint resolution recognizing the transfer. The Supreme Court, in 1870, decided in favor of West Virginia.

During the American Civil War, West Virginia suffered comparatively little. George B. McClellan’s forces gained possession of the greater part of the territory in the summer of 1861, culminating at the Battle of Rich Mountain, and Union control was never again seriously threatened, despite of the attempt by Robert E. Lee in the same year. In 1863, General John D. Imboden, with 5,000 Confederates, overran a considerable portion of the state. Bands of guerrillas burned and plundered in some sections, and were not entirely suppressed until after the war ended. The Eastern Panhandle counties were more affected by the war, with military control of the area repeatedly changing hands.

The area which became West Virginia actually furnished about an equal number of soldiers to the Federal and Confederate armies, approximately 22,00025,000 each. The Wheeling government found it necessary in 1865 to strip voting rights from returning Confederates in order to retain control. James Ferguson, who proposed the law, said that if it was not enacted he would lose election by 500 votes. The property of Confederates might also be confiscated, and in 1866 a constitutional amendment disfranchising all who had given aid and comfort to the Confederacy was adopted. The addition of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution caused a reaction. The Democratic party secured control in 1870, and in 1871, the constitutional amendment of 1866 was abrogated. The first steps toward this change had been taken, however, by the Republicans in 1870. On August 22, 1872, an entirely new constitution was adopted.

Beginning in Reconstruction, and for several decades thereafter, the two states disputed the new state’s share of the pre-war Virginia government’s debts, which had mostly been incurred to finance public infrastructure improvements, such as canals, roads, and railroads under the Virginia Board of Public Works. Virginians, led by former Confederate General William Mahone, formed a political coalition which was based upon this, the Readjuster Party. Although West Virginia’s first constitution provided for the assumption of a part of the Virginia debt, negotiations opened by Virginia in 1870 were fruitless, and in 1871, Virginia funded two-thirds of the debt and arbitrarily assigned the remainder to West Virginia. The issue was finally settled in 1915, when the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that West Virginia owed Virginia $12,393,929.50. The final installment of this sum was paid in 1939.

Hidden resources

After Reconstruction, the new 35th state benefited from development of its mineral resources more than any other single economic activity.

Saltpeter caves had been employed throughout Appalachia for munitions; the border between West Virginia and Virginia includes the “Saltpetre Trail,” a string of limestone caverns containing rich deposits of calcium nitrate that were rendered and sold to the government. The trail stretched from Pendleton County to the western terminus of the route in the town of Union, Monroe County. Nearly half of these caves are on the West Virginia side, including Organ Cave and Haynes Cave. In the late 18th-century, saltpetre miners in Haynes Cave found large animal bones in the deposits. These were sent by a local historian and frontier soldier Colonel John Stuart to Thomas Jefferson. The bones were named Megalonyx jeffersonii or great-claw and became known as Jefferson’s Three-toed Sloth. It was declared the official State fossil of West Virginia in 2008. The West Virginia official State rock is bituminous coal, and the official State gemstone is silicified Mississippian fossil Lithostrotionella coral.

The limestone also produced a useful quarry industry, usually small, and softer, high-calcium seams were burned to produce industrial lime. This lime was used for agricultural and construction purposes; for many years a specific portion of the C & O Railroad carried limestone rock to Clifton Forge, Virginia as an industrial flux.

Salt mining had been underway since the 18th century, though it had largely played out by the time of the American Civil War, when the red salt of Kanawha County was a valued commodity of first Confederate, and later Union forces. Later, more sophisticated mining methods would restore West Virginia’s role as a major producer of salt.

However, in the second half of the 19th century, there was an even greater treasure not yet developed, bituminous coal. It would fuel much of the Industrial Revolution in the U.S. and the steamships of many of the world’s navies.

The residents (both Native Americans and early European settlers) had long known of the underlying coal, and that it could be used for heating and fuel. However, for a long time, very small “personal” mines were the only practical development. After the War, with the new railroads came a practical method to transport large quantities of coal to expanding U.S. and export markets. As the anthracite mines of northwestern New Jersey and Pennsylvania began to play out during this same time period, investors and industrialists focused new interest in West Virginia. Geologists such as Dr. David T. Ansted surveyed potential coal fields and invested in land and early mining projects.

The completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) across the state to the new city of Huntington on the Ohio River in 1872 opened access to the New River Coal Field. Soon, the C&O was building its huge coal pier at Newport News, Virginia on the large harbor of Hampton Roads. In 1881, the new Philadelphia-based owners of the former Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad (AM&O), which stretched across Virginia’s southern tier from Norfolk, had sights clearly set on the Mountain State, where the owners had large land holdings. Their railroad was renamed Norfolk and Western (N&W), and a new railroad city was developed at Roanoke to handle planned expansion. After its new president Frederick J. Kimball and a small party journeyed by horseback and saw firsthand the rich bituminous coal seam which his wife named “Pocahontas”, the N&W redirected its planned westward expansion to reach it. Soon, the N&W was also shipping from new coal piers at Hampton Roads.

In 1889, in the southern part of the state, along the Norfolk and Western rail lines, the important coal center of Bluefield, West Virginia was founded. The “capital” of the Pocahontas coalfield, this city would remain the largest city in the southern portion of the state for several decades. It shares a sister city with the same name, Bluefield, in Virginia.

In the northern portion of the state and elsewhere, the older Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) and other lines also expanded to take advantage of coal opportunities. The B&O developed coal piers in Baltimore and at several points on the Great Lakes. Other significant rail carriers of coal were the Western Maryland Railway (WM), Southern Railway (SOU), and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N).

Particularly notable was a latecomer, the Virginian Railway (VGN). By 1900, only a large area of the most rugged terrain of southern West Virginia was any distance from the existing railroads and mining activity. Within this area west of the New River Coalfield in Raleigh and Wyoming counties lay the Winding Gulf Coalfield, later promoted as the “Billion Dollar Coalfield.”

A protg of Dr. Ansted was William Nelson Page (18541932), a civil engineer and mining manager in Fayette County. Former West Virginia Governor William A. MacCorkle described him as a man who knew the land “as a farmer knows a field.” Beginning in 1898, Page teamed with northern and European-based investors to take advantage of the undeveloped area. They acquired large tracts of land in the area, and Page began the Deepwater Railway, a short-line railroad which was chartered to stretch between the C&O at its line along the Kanawha River and the N&W at Matoaka, a distance of about 80 miles (130 km).

Although the Deepwater plan should have provided a competitive shipping market via either railroad, leaders of the two large railroads did not appreciate the scheme. In secret collusion, each declined to negotiate favorable rates with Page, nor did they offer to purchase his railroad, as they had many other short-lines. However, if the C&O and N&W presidents thought they could thus kill the Page project, they were to be proved mistaken. One of the silent partner investors Page had enlisted was millionaire industrialist Henry Huttleston Rogers, a principal in John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Trust and an old hand at developing natural resources, transportation. A master at competitive “warfare”, Henry Rogers did not like to lose in his endeavors and also had “deep pockets”.

Instead of giving up, Page (and Rogers) quietly planned and then built their tracks all the way east across Virginia, using Rogers’ private fortune to finance the $40-million cost. When the renamed Virginian Railway (VGN) was completed in 1909, no fewer than three railroads were shipping ever-increasing volumes of coal to export from Hampton Roads. West Virginia coal was also under high demand at Great Lakes ports. The VGN and the N&W ultimately became parts of the modern Norfolk Southern system, and the VGN’s well-engineered 21st-century tracks continue to offer a favorable gradient to Hampton Roads.

As coal mining and related work became major employment activities in the state, there was considerable labor strife as working conditions, safety issues and economic concerns arose. Even in the 21st century, mining safety and ecological concerns is still challenging to the state whose coal continues to power electrical generating plants in many other states.

Coal is not the only valuable mineral found in West Virginia, as the state was the site of the 1928 discovery of the 34.48 carat (6.896 g) Jones Diamond.

Demographics

West Virginia population density map.

Historical populations

Census

Pop.

 %

1790

55,873

1800

78,592

40.7%

1810

105,469

34.2%

1820

136,808

29.7%

1830

176,924

29.3%

1840

224,537

26.9%

1850

302,313

34.6%

1860

376,688

24.6%

1870

442,014

17.3%

1880

618,457

39.9%

1890

762,794

23.3%

1900

958,800

25.7%

1910

1,221,119

27.4%

1920

1,463,701

19.9%

1930

1,729,205

18.1%

1940

1,901,974

10.0%

1950

2,005,552

5.4%

1960

1,860,421

7.2%

1970

1,744,237

6.2%

1980

1,949,644

11.8%

1990

1,793,477

8.0%

2000

1,808,344

0.8%

Est. 2009

1,819,777

0.6%

The center of population of West Virginia is located in Braxton County, in the town of Gassaway.

As of 2005, West Virginia has an estimated population of 1,816,856, which is an increase of 4,308, or 0.2%, from the prior year and an increase of 8,506, or 0.5%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural decrease since the last census of 3,296 people (that is 108,292 births minus 111,588 deaths) and an increase from net migration of 14,209 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 3,691 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 10,518 people.

Only 1.1% of the state’s residents were foreign-born, placing West Virginia last among the 50 states in that statistic. It also has the lowest percentage of residents that speak a language other than English in the home (2.7%).

The five largest ancestry groups in West Virginia are: American (23.2%), German (17.2%), Irish (13.5%), English (12%), Italian (4.8%).

Large numbers of people of German ancestry are present in the northeastern counties of the state.

5.6% of West Virginia’s population were reported as under 5, 22.3% under 18, and 15.3% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 51.4% of the population.

There were 20,928 births in 2006. Of these, 19,757 (94.40% of the births, 95.19% of the population) were to Non-Hispanic Whites. There were 22 births to American Indians (0.11% of the births and 0.54% of the population), 177 births to Asians (0.85% of the births and 0.68% of the population), 219 births to Hispanics (1.05% of the births and 0.88% of the population) and 753 births to Blacks and others (3.60% of the births and 3.56% of the population).

The state’s Northern Panhandle, and North-Central region feel an affinity for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Also, those in the Eastern Panhandle feel a connection with the Washington, D.C. suburbs in Maryland and Virginia, and southern West Virginians often consider themselves Southerners. Finally, the towns and farms along the mid-Ohio River have an appearance and culture somewhat resembling the Midwest.

Demographics of West Virginia (csv)

By race

White

Black

AIAN*

Asian

NHPI*

2000 (total population)

96.01%

3.49%

0.59%

0.66%

0.05%

2000 (Hispanic only)

0.63%

0.04%

0.02%

0.01%

0.01%

2005 (total population)

95.99%

3.56%

0.56%

0.69%

0.05%

2005 (Hispanic only)

0.80%

0.04%

0.02%

0.01%

0.01%

Growth 200005 (total population)

0.46%

2.49%

-3.96%

5.57%

-2.80%

Growth 200005 (non-Hispanic only)

0.28%

2.30%

-4.24%

5.96%

-0.52%

Growth 200005 (Hispanic only)

27.74%

21.51%

5.56%

-20.22%

-16.67%

* AIAN is American Indian or Alaskan Native; NHPI is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Religion

Responses to a 2001 religious survey were:

Christian (75%)

Protestant (60%)

Baptist (30%)

Methodist (15%)

Other Protestant/General Protestant (15%)

Non-denominational Christian (7%)

Roman Catholic (8%)

Not religious (13%)

A non-Christian religion (4%)

6% refused to answer.

Economy

Main article: Economy of West Virginia

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, West Virginia is the third lowest in per capita income, ahead of only Arkansas and Mississippi. It also ranks last in median household income. The proportion of West Virginia’s adult population with a bachelor’s degree is the lowest in the U.S. at 17.3%.

West Virginia’s GDP was $55.6B in 2006, which was a 0.6% increase from 2005. This makes growth rate for the state the 2nd lowest in the nation, ahead of only Michigan. However, by 2008, West Virginia was one of only four U.S. states to have a surplus state budget, indicating renewed economic growth.

One of the major resources in West Virginia’s economy is coal. According to the Energy Information Administration, West Virginia is a top coal-producer in the United States, second only to Wyoming. West Virginia produces minimal oil and natural gas. Nearly all of the electricity generated in West Virginia is from coal-fired power plants. West Virginia produces a surplus of electricity and leads the Nation in net interstate electricity exports. Farming is also practiced in West Virginia, but on a limited basis because of the mountainous terrain over much of the state.

Bituminous coal seam in southwestern West Virginia

West Virginia personal income tax is based on federal adjusted gross income (not taxable income), as modified by specific items in West Virginia law. Citizens are taxed within five income brackets, which range from 3.0 percent to 6.5 percent. The state’s consumer sales tax is levied at 6 percent. Effective January 1, 2004, calculation of WV consumer sales tax has been converted to a calculated figure from the bracket system, and remains at 6 percent for most goods (food goods are now taxable at 3 percent). The computation of tax is carried out to the third decimal place and rounded up when the third decimal place is five (.005) or higher; and similarly rounded down if the third place is four (.004) or lower. By virtue of this method, sales totaling $0.08 and below would not have a sales tax associated with them.

West Virginia counties administer and collect property taxes, although property tax rates reflect levies for state government, county governments, county boards of education and municipalities. Counties may also impose a hotel occupancy tax on lodging places not located within the city limits of any municipality that levies such a tax. Municipalities may levy license and gross receipts taxes on businesses located within the city limits and a hotel occupancy tax on lodging places in the city. Although the Department of Tax and Revenue plays a major role in the administration of this tax, less than one-half of 1 percent of the property tax collected goes to state government. The primary beneficiaries of the property tax are county boards of education. Property taxes are paid to the sheriff of each of the state’s 55 counties. Each county and municipality can impose its own rates of property taxation within the limits set by the West Virginia Constitution. The West Virginia legislature sets the rate of tax of county boards of education. This rate is used by all county boards of education statewide. However, the total tax rate for county boards of education may differ from county to county because of excess levies. The Department of Tax and Revenue supervises and otherwise assists counties and municipalities in their work of assessment and tax rate determination. The total tax rate is a combination of the tax levies from four state taxing authorities: state, county, schools and municipal. This total tax rate varies for each of the four classes of property, which consists of personal, real and intangible properties. Property is assessed according to its use, location and value as of July 1. All property is reappraised every three years; annual adjustments are made to assessments for property with a change of value. West Virginia does not impose an inheritance tax. Because of the phase-out of the federal estate tax credit, West Virginia’s estate tax is not imposed on estates of persons who died on or after January 1, 2005.

Transportation

A toll plaza West Virginia Turnpike.

The New River Gorge Bridge.

The Veterans Memorial Bridge, the new (Weirton-Steubenville Bridge) carries US 22 and is similar design of the new connecting bridge of Proctorville, Ohio (Ohio Rt 7) with Huntington, West Virginia thoroughfare US 60.

Main article: Transportation in West Virginia

Highways form the backbone of transportation systems in West Virginia, with over 37,300 miles of public roads in the state. Airports, railroads, and rivers complete the commercial transportation modes for West Virginia. Commercial air travel is facilitated by airports in Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Beckley, Bluefield, Lewisburg, Bridgeport, Martinsburg, Wheeling, and Parkersburg. Cities like Charleston, Huntington, Clarksburg, Fairmont, Bluefield, and Logan have bus-based public transit systems. Charleston also has a limited number of trolley cars that run primarily through the downtown area. West Virginia University in Morgantown boasts the PRT (personal rapid transit) system, the state’s only single rail public transit system. Developed by Boeing, the WVU School of Engineering and the Department of Transportation, it was a model for low-capacity light transport designed for smaller cities. It was also the model for Disney World’s tram system. Recreational transportation opportunities abound in West Virginia, including hiking trails, rail trails, ATV off road trails, white water rafting rivers, and two tourist railroads (Cass Scenic Railroad, and the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad).

West Virginia is crossed by several interstate highways. I-64 enters the state near White Sulphur Springs in the mountainous east, and exits for Kentucky in the west, near Huntington. I-77 enters from Virginia in the south, near Bluefield. It runs north past Parkersburg before it crosses into Ohio. I-64 and I-77 are merged in a stretch of toll road known as the West Virginia Turnpike, on which construction began in 1952. It runs from just east of Charleston south to the exit for Princeton. I-68′s western terminus is in Morgantown. From there it runs east into Maryland. At the I-68 terminus in Morgantown, it meets I-79, which enters from Pennsylvania and runs through the state to its southern terminus in Charleston. I-70 briefly runs through West Virginia, crossing the northern panhandle through Wheeling. I-81 also briefly runs in West Virginia through the Eastern Panhandle where it goes through Martinsburg.

An interstate quality road is currently being built that will eventually stretch from I-79 near Weston, WV to at least Wardensville, WV. The western stretch is complete to Kerens, West Virginia but is incomplete from there to Moorefield, WV. It is not certain whether the highway will eventually continue east past Wardensville to the Virginia state line and ultimately connect to I-81 just south of Winchester, VA.

Rail lines in the state used to be more prevalent, but many lines have been discontinued because of increased automobile traffic. Many old tracks have been converted to rail trails for recreational use, and the state is still served by a few commercial lines for hauling coal and by Amtrak. In 2006 Norfolk Southern along with the West Virginia and U.S. Government approved a plan to modify many of the rail tunnels in West Virginia, especially in the southern half of the state, to allow for double stacked cars (see inter-modal freight). This is expected to also help bring economic growth to the southern half of the state.

Because of the mountainous nature of the entire state, West Virginia has several notable tunnels and bridges. The most famous of these is the New River Gorge Bridge, which was at a time the longest steel single-arch bridge in the world with a 3,031-foot (924 m) span. The bridge is also pictured on the West Virginia state quarter. The Fort Steuben Bridge (Weirton-Steubenville Bridge) was at its time of construction one of only three cable-stayed steel girder trusses in the United States. “The Veterans Memorial Bridge was designed to handle traffic from the Fort Steuben Bridge as well as its own traffic load,” to quote the Wierton Daily Times news paper. The 80-year-old Fort Steuben Bridge (Weirton-Steubenville Bridge) was permanently closed on January 8, 2009.

In March 2008, The American State Litter Scorecard, presented at the American Society for Public Administration national conference, rated West Virginia as a nationally Worst state for removing litter/debris from highways and public properties. The state has an above average fatality rate from litter/debris-caused vehicle accidents In fact, deer insurance claims frequency is highest in West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia according to an Erie Insurance report concerning single car accidents.

Law and government

Main article: Law and government of West Virginia

West Virginia’s capital and seat of government is the city of Charleston, located in the southwest area of the state.

Legislative branch

Further information: West Virginia Legislature

The West Virginia Legislature is bicameral, consisting of the House of Delegates and the Senate. It is a citizen’s legislature, meaning that legislative office is not a full-time occupation, but rather a part-time position. Consequently, the legislators often hold a full-time job in their community of residence.

Typically, the legislature is in session for 60 days between January and early April. The final day of the regular session ends in a bewildering fury of last-minute legislation in order to meet a constitutionally imposed deadline of midnight. During the remainder of the year, monthly interim sessions are held in preparation for the regular session. Legislators also gather periodically for ‘special’ sessions when called by the governor.

Executive branch

Further information: List of Governors of West Virginia

The governor, elected every four years on the same day as the U.S. Presidential election, is sworn in during the following January.

Governors of West Virginia can serve two consecutive terms but must sit out a term before serving a third term in office.

Judicial branch

Further information: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

West Virginia is one of thirteen states that does not have a death penalty.

For the purpose of courts of general jurisdiction, the state is divided into 31 judicial circuits. Each circuit is made up of one or more counties. Circuit judges are elected in partisan elections to serve eight-year terms.

West Virginia highest court is the Supreme Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is the busiest appellate court of its type in the United States. West Virginia is one of 11 states with a single appellate court. The state constitution allows for the creation of an intermediate court of appeals, but the Legislature has never created one. The Supreme Court is made up of five justices, elected in partisan elections to 12-year terms.

West Virginia is an alcoholic beverage control state. However, unlike most such states, it does not operate retail outlets, having exited that business in 1990. It retains a monopoly on wholesaling of distilled spirits only.

Politics

The West Virginia State Capitol.

Main article: Politics of West Virginia

At the state level, West Virginia’s politics are largely dominated by the Democratic Party, with Democrats currently holding the governorship, both senate seats, two of three house seats and both houses of the state legislature. West Virginia also has a very strong tradition of union membership.

Evangelical Christians comprised 52 percent of the state’s voters in 2008. A poll in 2005 showed that 53 percent of West Virginia voters are pro-life, the seventh highest in the country. In 2006, 16 percent favored gay marriage. In 2008 58 percent favored troop withdrawal from Iraq while just 32 percent wanted troops to remain. On fiscal policy in 2008, 52 percent said raising taxes on the wealthier individuals would benefit the economy, while 45 percent disagreed.

Democratic politicians are typically more conservative than the national party. Senator Robert Byrd opposes affirmative action and same-sex marriage. Governor Joe Manchin and Congressmen Alan Mollohan and Nick Rahall are pro-life on the issue of abortion. Although, Junior Senator and former Governor Jay Rockefeller continues to enjoy popularity in the state, having been reelected in 2008 with 63.7% of the vote despite the fact that his political views are well to the left of many of his statewide colleagues.

In the Republican landslide of 1988, it was one of only ten states, and the only southern state (as defined by the US Census), to give its electoral votes to Michael Dukakis; it was one of only six states to support Jimmy Carter over Ronald Reagan in 1980; and it supported Bill Clinton by large margins in both 1992 and 1996. Furthermore, the state has trended increasingly Republican in Presidential elections; despite the earlier Democratic wins in Presidential matchups mentioned, it narrowly elected George W. Bush over Al Gore in 2000, then re-elected Bush by a much larger margin in 2004 and voted for John McCain in 2008 by a similar margin to 2004.

The most consistent support for Democrats is found in the coal fields of southern West Virginia (especially McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Wyoming, and Boone Counties), while Republicans are most numerous to the east of the Allegheny Mountains, especially in the state’s Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands. The Northern Panhandle and North-Central West Virginia regions usually split right down the middle in terms of being Republican or Democratic. Since 1996, coal interests have contributed more than $4 million to candidates for governor, the state Supreme Court and the West Virginia Legislature. The 2004 election was a record-setter for the coal industry. Gov. Joe Manchin received $571,214 from coal interests for his campaign and $174,500 for his inaugural. West Virginians for Coal, the West Virginia Coal Association’s political action committee, contributed more money than any other coal industry donor.

Further information: Political party strength in West Virginia

State capitals

Originally, the state capital was in Wheeling (1863 to 1870). It was then moved to Charleston, a more central city (1870 to 1875). However it was returned to Wheeling in 1875, until the capitol burned down in 1885. It was moved back to Charleston in 1885, and it has been there since.

Important cities and towns

See also: List of cities in West Virginia, List of towns in West Virginia, List of villages in West Virginia, List of census-designated places in West Virginia

Charleston is West Virginia’s most populous city

Huntington

Parkersburg

Morgantown

Wheeling

Large cities

Charleston, 53,421 (2008 estimate: 50,302)

Huntington, 51,475 (2008 estimate: 49,185)

Parkersburg, 33,099 (2008 estimate: 31,611)

Morgantown, 26,809 (2008 estimate: 29,642)

Wheeling, 31,419 (2008 estimate: 28,913)

Fairmont, 19,097 (2008 estimate: 19,024)

Weirton, 20,411 (2008 estimate: 18,748)

Martinsburg, 14,972 (2008 estimate: 17,020)

Beckley, 17,254 (2008 estimate: 16,832)

Clarksburg, 16,743 (2008 estimate: 16,441)

South Charleston, 13,390 (2008 estimate: 12,427)

Teays Valley, 12,704 (2008 estimate: N/A)

Bluefield, 11,451 (2008 estimate: 11,093)

St. Albans, 11,567 (2008 estimate: 10,996)

Vienna, 10,861 (2008 estimate: 10,536)

Cross Lanes, 10,353 (2008 estimate: N/A)

Towns and small cities

Barboursville

Berkeley Springs

Bridgeport

Bruceton Mills

Buckhannon

Charles Town

Darkesville

Dunbar

Elkins

Falling Waters

Fayetteville

Farmington

Follansbee

Fort Gay

Grafton

Hamlin

Harpers Ferry

Hedgesville

Hinton

Inwood

Kenova

Keyser

Kingwood

Lewisburg

Logan

Madison

Mannington

Marlinton

Milton

Moorefield

Moundsville

Mount Hope

Mullens

New Martinsville

Nitro

Oak Hill

Paden City

Paw Paw

Petersburg

Philippi

Pleasant Valley

Point Pleasant

Princeton

Ranson

Ravenswood

Richwood

Ripley

Romney

Salem

Shepherdstown

Shinnston

Summersville

Wayne

Webster Springs

Welch

Wellsburg

Weirton

Weston

Westover

White Sulphur Springs

Williamson

Williamstown

Metropolitan Statistical Areas

Charleston, WV MSA

Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH MSA

Morgantown, WV MSA

Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna, WV-OH MSA

Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH MSA

Wheeling, WV-OH MSA

Cumberland, MD-WV MSA

Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV MSA

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA

Winchester, VA-WV MSA

Micropolitan Statistical Areas

Beckley, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Bluefield, WV-VA MSA

Clarksburg, WV MSA

Fairmont, WV MSA

Oak Hill, WV MSA

Point Pleasant, WV-OH MSA

Education

Main article: Education in West Virginia

Fairmont

Martinsburg

West Virginia has received low marks for reading and math skills at the eighth-grade level and ranked 51st in college education rates.

Colleges and universities

Further information: List of colleges and universities in West Virginia

Alderson-Broaddus College

Appalachian Bible College

Bethany College

Bluefield State College

Concord University

Davis and Elkins College

Fairmont State University

Glenville State College

Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College

Marshall University

Mountain State University

Ohio Valley University

Salem International University

Shepherd University

University of Charleston

West Liberty University

West Virginia Northern Community College

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

West Virginia State University

West Virginia University

Potomac State College of West Virginia University

West Virginia University Institute of Technology

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Wheeling Jesuit University

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Distinctions

West Virginia state insignia

Motto

Montani semper liberi (Latin, “Mountaineers are Always Free”)

Slogan

“Wild and Wonderful”

“Open for Business” (former)

“Almost Heaven” (former)

Bird

Northern Cardinal

(Cardinalis cardinalis)

Animal

Black Bear

(Ursus americanus)

Fish

Brook Trout

(Salvelinus fontinalis)

Insect

European Honey Bee

(Apis mellifera)

Flower

Rhododendron

(Rhododendron maximum)

Tree

Sugar Maple

(Acer saccharum)

Song

“The West Virginia Hills”

“This Is My West Virginia”

“West Virginia, My Home Sweet Home”

Quarter

Released in 2005

Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly

(Danaus plexippus)

Reptile

Timber Rattler

(Crotalus horridus)

Wildflower

Fringed Gentian

(Gentiana crinita)

Colors

Old Gold and Blue

Gemstone

Silicified Mississippian Fossil Coral

(Lithostrotionella)

Rock

Coal

Soil

Monongahela Silt Loam

Fruit

Golden Delicious Apple

(Malus domestica)

The state has a rich, lush beauty reflecting its temperate topography. Tourist sites include the New River Gorge Bridge, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and many state parks. The Greenbrier hotel and resort, originally built in 1778, has long been considered a premier hotel frequented by numerous world leaders and U.S. Presidents over the years. West Virginia is also home to the Green Bank Telescope at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.

A common story told about West Virginia is the folktale about how it got the nickname “West, By God, Virginia”. According to the legend, a West Virginia native who was being inducted into the US Army during the First World War (some versions make it as early as the Spanish-American War), was repeatedly asked by his induction officer, “What part of Virginia?” And the soldier, finally getting fed up with the confusion, said “Not Virginia! West Virginia! West, by God, Virginia!”. This story, whether true or not, has entered American folklore, and it is not unusual to hear not only West Virginians themselves, but other Americans, refer to the state as “West, By God, Virginia”;, or often as “West By-God”, or sometimes simply as “By-God”. Many West Virginians, when travelling outside the state, or when abroad, enjoy paying homage to the legend by referring to their home state in this manner.

Culture

See also: Category:West Virginia culture

Music

Main article: Music of West Virginia

Appalachian music

West Virginia’s folk heritage is a part of the Appalachian folk music tradition, and includes styles of fiddling, ballad singing, and other styles that draw on Scots-Irish music. Camp Washington-Carver, a Mountain Cultural Arts Center located at Clifftop in Fayette County, hosts an annual Appalachian String Band Festival. The Capitol Complex in Charleston hosts The Vandalia Gathering, where traditional Appalachian musicians compete in contests and play in impromptu jam sessions and evening concerts over the course of the weekend. The Augusta Heritage Center sponsored by Davis & Elkins College in Elkins in Randolph County produces the annual Augusta Heritage Festival which includes intensive week-long workshops that are in the summer that help preserve Appalachian heritage and traditions.

Classical music

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1939, as the Charleston Civic Orchestra, before becoming the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in 1943. The first conductor was William R. Wiant, followed by the prominent conductor Antonio Modarelli, who was written about in the November 7, 1949 Time Magazine for his composition of the River Saga, a six-section program piece about the Kanawha River according to the Charleston Gazette’s November 6, 1999 photo essay, “Snapshots of the 20th Century”. Prior to coming to Charleston, Modarelli had conducted the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra, according to the orchestra’s website.

The Pulitzer Prize winning 20th century composer George Crumb was born in Charleston and earned his Bachelor’s Degree there before moving outside the state. There had also been a series of operatic style concerts performed in Wheeling during mid-century as well.

Musical innovation

The West Virginia Cultural Center in Charleston is home to the West Virginia Division of Culture and History which helps underwrite and coordinate a large number of musical activities. The Center is also home to Mountain Stage, the internationally broadcast live-performance music radio program established in 1983. The program also travels to other venues in the state such as the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center in Morgantown.

The Center hosts concerts sponsored by the Friends of Old Time Music and Dance, which brings an assortment of acoustic roots music to West Virginians. The Center also hosts the West Virginia Dance Festival, which features classical and modern dance.

Huntington’s historic Keith-Albee Theatre, built by brothers A.B. and S.J. Hyman, was originally opened to the public on May 7, 1928, and hosts a variety of performing arts and music attractions. The theatre was eventually gifted to Marshall University and is currently going through renovation to restore it to its original splendor.

Every summer Elkins hosts the Augusta Heritage Festival, which brings folk musicians from around the world. The town of Glenville has long been home to the annual West Virginia State Folk Festival.

The Mountaineer Opera House in Milton hosts a variety of musical acts.

John Denver’s song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” describes the experience of driving through West Virginia. The Boston, Massachusetts band Big Wreck wrote a song titled “West Virginia”.

The Daily Mail Kanawha County Majorette and Band Festival is West Virginia’s longest running music festival. It is for the eight public high schools in Kanawha County. The festival began in 1947. It is held at the University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field in downtown Charleston.

History

The U.S. Air Force’s own Afterburner performing at Monster Jam in Las Vegas

In the late 1970s, modified pickup trucks were becoming popular and the sports of mud bogging and truck pulling were gaining in popularity. Several truck owners had created lifted trucks to compete in such events, and soon competition to hold the title of “biggest truck” developed. The trucks which garnered the most national attention were Bob Chandler’s Bigfoot, Fred Shafer and Jack Willman Sr.’s Bear Foot, and Jeff Dane’s King Kong. At the time, the largest tires the trucks were running were 48 inches in diameter.

On June 14, 1974, Bob Chandler drove over cars in a field making what is often believed to be the first monster truck to crush cars. Chandler drove Bigfoot over a pair of cars in a field as a test of the truck’s ability, and filmed it to use as a promotional tool in his four wheel drive performance shop. An event promoter saw the video of the car crush and asked Chandler to do it in front of a crowd. Initially hesitant, Chandler eventually caved in. After some smaller shows, Chandler performed the feat in the Pontiac Silverdome in 1982. At this show, Chandler also debuted a new version of Bigfoot with 66 inch (1.7 m) diameter tires. At a prior event in the early 80′s when BIGFOOT was still running 48 terra tires, Bob George, one of the owners of a motorsport promotion company named Truck-a-rama, is said to have coined the phrase “monster truck” when referring to BIGFOOT. The term “monster truck” became the generic name for all trucks with oversized terra tires.

Debate of who did the first car crush is often discussed. During the late 1970s and early 1980s stated that King Kong had done car crushing at Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Another truck, known as High Roller, was also documented as doing car crushes in Washington State before Bigfoot ever did his. Arizona tractor tired mud truck Cyclops, then owned by the Dykman Brothers, is too known for crushing burning cars before Bigfoot.

King Kong, Spot Horn Action, and Bear Foot each followed Bigfoot to 66 inch diameter tires, and soon other monster trucks, such as King Krunch, USA-1, and Virginia Giant were being constructed. These early trucks were built off of stock chassis which were heavily reinforced, used leaf spring suspension, a stock body, and heavy military axles to support the tires. As a result, the trucks were incredibly heavy (usually 13,000 to 20,000 lb.) and most times had to crawl up onto the cars.

For most of the early 1980s, monster trucks performed primarily exhibitions as a side show to truck pulling or mud bogging events. In 1985, major promoters, such as the USHRA and TNT Motorsports, began racing monster trucks on a regular basis. The races, as they are today, were in the form of single elimination drag races, held over a course littered with obstacles. The change to racing eventually led truck owners to begin building lighter trucks, with more power. The establishment of TNT’s first-ever monster truck points championship in 1988 expedited the process and found teams beginning to use straight-rail frames, fiberglass bodies, and lighter axle components to shave weight and gain speed.

In 1988, to standardize rules for truck construction and safety, Bob Chandler, Braden, and George Carpenter formed the Monster Truck Racing Association (MTRA). The MTRA created standard safety rules to govern monster trucks. The organization still plays a major role in the sport’s development in the USA and EU.

Batman truck

With racing taking precedence, several teams began to think in new ways as to how the trucks could be built. Towards the end of 1988, Gary Cook and David Morris debuted Equalizer, a truck with a combination of coil springs and shock absorbers as the main source of suspension rather than the standard of leaf springs and shock absorbers. In 1989, Jack Willman Sr., now with his own truck, Taurus, debuted a new truck which used a four-link suspension system and large coilover shock absorbers, and that weighed in at close to 9,000 lb. The ultimate coup de grce, however, came from Chandler, also in 1989, whose Bigfoot VIII featured a full tubular chassis and a long-travel suspension using cantilevers and nitrogen shock absorbers to control the suspension. The truck revolutionized how monster trucks were built, and within a few years most top level teams built similar vehicles.

In 1991, TNT was purchased by USHRA and their points series were merged. The Special Events championship began to grow in popularity with teams as it had open qualifying spots which the invite-only USHRA championship did not have. The Special Events series lost its Pendaliner sponsorship in 1996, but the series is still running. The short-lived ProMT series started in 2000.

Although racing was dominant as a competition, USHRA events began having freestyle exhibitions as early as 1993. These exhibitions were developed as drivers, notably Dennis Anderson of the extremely popular Grave Digger, began asking for time to come out and perform if they lost in early rounds of racing. Promoters began to notice the popularity of freestyle among fans, and in 2000 USHRA began holding freestyle as a judged competition at events, and now even awards a freestyle championship.

Braden Smith, driver of Spot Horn Action, and president of the Snohomish County Monster Truck Drivers League, plans to lobby congress in August of 2010 to make Monster Truck Driving and Olympic Event.

A typical track for arena monster truck shows. The cars have ramps on one side for racing and are left bare on the other side for freestyle. The jumps around the perimeter are for ATV races.

Monster Jam is currently the largest and premeir monster truck event promotor, touring not only through the United States, but Canada and select regions of Europe. Other promoters of monster truck events include Checkered Flag Productions, AMP Tour, Special Events 4 Wheel & Off Road Jamboree, Major League of Monster Trucks, Extreme Monster Truck Nationals, MTRSS, Monster Truck Challenge and Monster Nationals.

Truck design

Jurassic Attack, based on a triceratops

A modern monster truck is more of a scaled up, four wheel drive dune buggy. As such, they generally aren’t actual “trucks” and only maintain their name due to the common style of fiberglass bodies used on the vehicles. Trucks now have custom built tubular chassis, with four-link suspensions to provide up to four feet of clearance. Mounted just behind the driver on most trucks are the engines, which are typically supercharged, run on alcohol, and have displacement up to 575 cubic inches (9.42 L). Axles are typically out of either heavy-duty military trucks or road vehicles like school buses, and are modified to have a planetary gear reduction at the hub to help turn the tires. All trucks have hydraulic steering in both the front and the rear (four wheel steering), with the front wheels controlled by the steering wheel and the rear wheels by a toggle switch. The tires are typically “Terra” tires used on fertilizer spreaders, and have measurements of 664325 (1.71.10.6 m). Most trucks utilize a modified and/or custom designed automatic transmission, such as a Turbo 400, Powerglide, Ford C6 transmission, or a Torque-flite 727. A limited number of trucks utilize a Lenco transmission, which traces its roots to drag racing. Most of the automatic transmissions are heavily modified with transbrakes, manual valve bodies, and heavy duty gear sets. Trucks running a Lenco use a centrifugal clutch as opposed to a torque converter, which are used in automatic transmissions. Lenco transmissions are usually found in two-speed or three speed configurations, and are commonly shifted using compressed CO2.

The trucks have many safety features, several required just to run in the small arenas that the trucks frequent. The aforementioned RII is one of three kill switches on each truck, the other two being one within the driver’s reach in the cab, and another at the rear of the truck so that all electrical power may be shut off in the event of a rollover. Many trucks are constructed with the driver sitting in the center of the cab for visibility. Most cabs are shielded with Lexan (or comparable polycarbonate), which not only protects the driver from track debris, but also allows for increased visibility. Drivers are required to wear firesuits, safety harnesses, helmets, and head and neck restraints. Most moving parts on the truck are also shielded, and high pressure components have restraining straps, both in case of an explosion.

Popular culture

Monster trucks are possibly often portrayed as being a form of motorized professional wrestling. Commonly cited evidence is the use of names for the trucks, rather than numbers and sponsors (some trucks are now named for their sponsor, and in 2008, the Major League of Monster Trucks, before their eventual downturn, planned to mandate truck numbers), and often accusations of rigged races, as some trucks (including Bigfoot and Grave Digger) are seen as winning more often in order to please the crowd. However, promoters have widely denied rigging races, and many shows often feature evidence to the contrary when the unpredictable happens. Perhaps more than the redneck stereotype, the pro-wrestling stereotype is hated among drivers and teams, who feel they are regarded with disrespect despite their work to compete at a high level. Likewise, many fans would like to see the sport treated by the media as NASCAR is currently. However, as monster truck events do feature a considerably more show-like atmosphere than most other motorsports, competitions are often considered a form of “sports entertainment”.

The advertising of monster truck events has also become a part of popular culture. A familiar 1980s series of radio commercials for various monster truck races featured a screaming announcer (most famously, Larry “Supermouth” Huffman), blaring rock background music, and heavy use of reverb. These spots began with “Sunday!!! Sunday!!! Sunday!!!”, and ended with an emphatic “BE THERE!!!!!!”. Although commonly associated with monster trucks, the ads were conceived in the 1960s for funny car match races at drag strips. Chicago-area drag racing promoter Jan Gabriel, who produced three television specials about monster trucks in 1985 and 1986, is generally credited as coining the Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! catchphrase. As some promoters of those events also became promoters for monster truck events, the ads were retooled to fit the monster trucks. The ads have been frequently parodied in other advertisements.

A truck competition in the film Take This Job and Shove It features Bigfoot and USA-1, probably the earliest appearance of monster trucks in a major film.[citation needed]

See also

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Monster Truck Madness video game

Pro Arena Trucks

Slap wheelie trick move

List of monster trucks

Radio-control monster trucks

Firestarter Mini Monster Truck

Mini monster truck

v  d  e

Monster Jam Series

Trucks

Grave Digger  Maximum Destruction  Bigfoot  Bear Foot  Monster Mutt  Towasaurus Wrex  Captain’s Curse  Avenger  Dalmatian Mutt  Aracnaphobia  Batman  Black Stallion  Blue Thunder  Bulldozer  Clydesdale  Cyborg  Donkey Kong  El Toro Loco  Heavy Metal  Hummer Time  Maniac  Predator  Raminator  Reptoid  Sudden Impact  Swamp Thing  USA-1  WCW Nitro  Wild Hair

People

Dennis Anderson  Tom Meents

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Off-roading Topics

Types of off-roading

Off-road racing  Green laning  Desert racing  Dune bashing  Enduro  Mud bogging  Motocross  Observed trials Rally raid  Rock crawling

Off-road vehicles

All-terrain vehicle  Dirt Bike  Dual-sport motorcycle  Dune buggy  Enduro motorcycle  Four-wheel drive  Monster truck  Rock crawler  Sandrail  Trials motorcycle  Trophy Truck  Truggy  UTV

Off-road Related

Off road park  Xtreme 4×4  Trucks!

Categories: Monster trucks | Sports entertainmentHidden categories: Articles lacking sources from December 2009 | All articles lacking sources | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from October 2009 | Spoken articles

Mini RC Tank are great fun for everyone and mini RC tanks have advanced a lot over the last few years. Mini radio controlled tanks come in small mini desktop size to over 2 feet long. Also most hobby grade tanks have movable turrets or can do a 360 degree turn, up and down movements. Have BB firing plastic ammo, headlights, engine and machine gun sound effects. Most have smoke effects from exhaust or turret to make these awesome tank models realistic, Mini RC tanks move by radio control and go forwards, backwards and can climb steep terrains and slopes. Mini RC tanks are made of plastic with metal parts throughout and are reasonable tough, most PRO version tanks have upgraded metal tracks with rubber treads attached to them and give a great pull and look so real. Every detail on these mini RC tanks make them so cool like, a commander figure in tank hatch and lights, sounds markings, guns and even a metal gearbox is now very common. Mini RC tanks can do battle together or with other tanks, if you have pre select channels you select a different channel to other tank and you’re ready to roll. These normally run on 27mhz to 40mhz and most have pre select channels on the radio controller. Heng long is a great radio controlled tank manufacture and make a large range of model tanks from a beginner to pro level and have features like a built in smoke generator or metal gearbox’s and metal tracks +much more make these more reliable and tougher. The realism of these pro versions is unlimited with quality specifications and all the war tanks like the German panzer tank or bulldog tank, panther tiger tanks are available with all the fine details to make model RC Tank real-like. A good to remember when buying a mini RC tank is to make sure parts or accessories are available, so getting smoke pellets or BBs will not be a problem. You can also paint your mini RC tank to suit or personalize your own design and heng long make quality pro RC tanks with all these great features. Either way you’re going to have totally awesome fun with a radio controlled tank and some guys build there own battle ground and add some army figures and create a battle zone. If you are looking for quality mini RC Tanks then check out Online Marketplace as they sell a range of mini radio controlled tanks from beginner to pro models and have the lowest prices. Also we have nitro mini RC cars and nitro buggies + radio controlled jets and radio controlled helicopters from brand name manufacturers and low prices. Source by http://blog.topons.com/index.php/2010/08/the-rock-mini-rc-tanks/

Airsoft is a very popular game and lots of people are getting interested in this game. It can be called a hobby or a sport. Airsoft is a game with replica firearms, and the participants eliminate each other by shooting non-metallic pellets from these replica firearms like guns and rifles. These replicas are made from plastic and only the external size and shape are like the real firearms. Airsoft games are becoming popular sport in US, UK and Europe.

The Airsoft guns, which are replicas of real guns, shoot small plastic balls at velicity ranging from 30 to 260 m/s. You should be above 18 years if you are interested in buying a Airsoft gun and these guns come with an orange tip, which should not be removed. People enjoy playing the game ‘Airsoft’ with these Airsoft guns, which are safe and harmless, but it should be handled properly and not be misused. These guns are also called BB guns or Pellet Guns.

An Airsoft Gun can be operated by gas, spring or electric motor. Depending on the quality and the type of Airsoft guns, there is variation in prices. Spring operated Airsoft guns are less in price compared to gas operated Airsoft guns.A Spring Airsoft Gun is readily available and less expensive. They are manually operated and therefore cannot be automatic and semi automatic. Before you fire a shot you have to reload by re-cocking the spring. You can use it anytime as these guns don’t depend on battery or gas.

Another type of Airsoft gun is the Electric Airsoft Gun. These guns are powered by an electric motor. A rechargeable battery is used to power this motor, which makes the gun shoot the pellets. Originally developed in Japan, these guns can shoot around 750 rounds per minute, fully automatically. They are widely used in competitions as they need not be recharged very often.

The third type of Airsoft gun is the Gas Airsoft Gun. Gases like HFC-134a or Green gas are used to operate these guns. When shooting, the slide moves back and forth, and there is a gas chamber where the gas is re-loaded after several shots. These guns can be fully automatic or semi-automatic.

Airsoft Pistols and Airsoft Rifles are used in Airsoft games and this game offers relaxation and lot of thrill away from your routine life and work. If you are interested in playing the game, you can get yourself an Airsoft Sniper Rifle, for distance firing, with accuracy. They are available in the price range you want and in different camouflage colors to suit the terrain.

Another interesting game is the racing game with radio control vehicles. Many people consider it as a hobby. Children nowadays prefer and demand for RC toys like RC cars and RC trucks. RC vehicles are vehicles that are operated and controlled by radio signals from hand-held transmitters. The RC helicopter comes in four types; electric, gas, nitro and petrol/gas. The RC airplanes are also very interesting. If you like water sports get a RC boat and during winter, you can get a RC hovercraft to race on the snow or ice. The RC buggie is also a very versatile vehicle.

Remote controlled monster trucks are a wonderful hobby that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.  It makes no difference if you want to just drive them around your yard or get involved in competitive racing, there is an RC monster truck for you.  There are many choices of radio controlled monster trucks out there.  On thise site, you will learn about some of the choices that you have and what they will mean for your r/c monster truck.

Nitro/Gas or Electric Power?

The Nitro/Gas powered monster trucks are the fastest trucks you can buy.  These trucks can travel up to 50 mph!  If you are looking for speed or to get involved with r/c monster truck racing, you’ll need to go this route.  Gas powered engines can be finicky at not want to start at times just like your pesky lawnmower.  Gas powered trucks are also more noisy than electric.

Electrical powered trucks are great for beginners that are just becoming involved in the hobby. These trucks are simple to use.  Just charge the battery and away you go.  They are also quieter than gas powered trucks.  What you make up for in ease of use you pay for in speed. If you want these trucks to approach the speed of a gas powered truck you will need expensive motors and batteries.

Scale

Scale refers to the size of the truck.  An example scale would be 1/24.  What this means is that the truck is 24 times smaller than the real deal.  Therefore, the lower the second number is, the bigger the r/c truck is.  So a 1/10 scale truck is bigger than a 1/24 scale.

One of the inventions of our time is remote controlled vehicles which 
are a product of the advancement in technology. It is no doubt that 
vehicles have made life better for man and ways to improve them to 
become more efficient are encouraged. Remote controlled vehicles are 
mobile devices that use radio control, infrared controller or a cable 
that connects the vehicle to the control in order to control its       
motion. They are also known as radio controlled devices. It should be 
noted that though a remote controlled vehicle moves independently, its 
movement is controlled externally by a person. Are remote controlled 
vehicles a good invention? Are they competitive in this time? Well, 
the answer is yes in both cases.
Remote controlled vehicles have many varied uses in our world today, 
which include; in the military, as a recreational hobby and for 
scientific purposes. As a recreational hobby, we find some remote 
controlled vehicles that are toys are designed specifically for 
children that in the beginning came in small sizes with a remote 
control that the child used to control its motion, now they come in 
bigger sizes and are quite popular with young children. There are also 
hobbyists who collect radio controlled models of these cars. These 
types of remote controlled vehicles are sophisticated and have varied 
prices. They may include boats and planes. They are either off road or 
on road and are found in many consumer shops.
In the scientific world remote controlled vehicles have been used in 
space exploration and for working underwater. The remote controlled 
vehicles used here are more sophisticated or technical in nature. Some 
are electrically powered or use gas. Notably, most of the devices used 
for orbiting our solar system and gathering data that has assisted in 
understanding our universe better have been remote controlled devices. 
This has led to big discoveries in this field.
In the military, remote controlled vehicles have also been a big help 
when working in environments that are considered harsh. During the 
World War 2 they were used to control teletanks during the winter war. 
They have also been used experimentally in planes. The use of these 
cars can also be seen in the police department specifically the bomb 
squad, who have used remote controlled cars to detonate explosives.
Remote controlled vehicles have been a great help and will continue to 
do so because of the many improvements that are being made on them as 
technology advances.

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