Viper Magazine — Summer 1999

Feature article from Viper Quarterly, Summer Edition 1999

Michael Pierce, owner of the Extreme Bikini Team, has the kind of business that most men dream about. It's his job to assemble a number of the most beautiful, most physically fit women around, and arrange to have their photos taken as a promotion tool for various clients' products.

It also happens that Pierce is the proud owner of a Viper GTS. So what happens when you combine the Extreme Bikini Team with America's extreme sports car? The results are, shall we say, extreme-ly interesting.

Pierce explains his entry into this glamorous business was rather spontaneous. He says, "Shortly after selling my computer company, I was meeting with friends to discuss what to do next. I wanted a business that incorporated as much fun as it did work."

"One of my friends at the table also mentioned he was a distributor of nutritional supplements and was looking for a way to increase sales. As the night wore on, I came up with the idea of using a 'Bikini Team' to help his sales. The idea was a hit with the women who were also at our table so we started taking notes and the idea of The Extreme Bikini Team was born."

Pierce worked on a plan to use the team to attract sponsors and promote sponsor products. He recruited two highly successful sales and marketing experts, Ron Stell and Bill Kelly, to help with the corporate mission. In about a year, they had their team — a group of about 25 models from around the country. Pierce says, "We wanted a nice cross-section of people to represent our team, with the focus on physical fitness."

There were also some other requirements. "We also wanted team members who were personable, friendly and shared our desire to build a company, while having fun at the same time."

Pierce points out that the Viper has played a big role in many of the Team's activities. "One of the first gatherings of the team was at a fundraiser for the Leukemia Society at a Hooters restaurant in Chicago. As part of the promotional effort, the local VCA members showed up in force — more than 30 Vipers. I think this combination went a long way toward ensuring a successful charitable event."

After the positive reception from this, as well as other events that included Vipers, Pierce got an idea of another photo session. "One day, I was at Midlothian Dodge having my Viper checked out and I noticed the dealership had one of the GT2 models on display. I asked the dealership if it would be willing to lend us the car for the day and they jumped at the idea."

Pierce adds, "Along the way, VCA Prez Steve Ferguson got involved with some of his friends and the shoot took on new proportions. By the time the day of the shoot rolled around, we had nine Vipers, eight Bikini Team members, three assistants, two photographers and a makeup artist. We even had former VCA President Maurice Liang make the trip across country just to be at our event."

With cars, location, crew and clothing all set up, Pierce brought in his Extreme Bikini group — Team Captain Julie, along with Jessica, Wendy, Karen, Grace, Cassandra, Suzette and Rachel. David Wilks from D & D Motorsports flew up from Houston to assist in the videotaping and Joe Crane from Midlothian was there to help arrange the Vipers.

The shoot lasted about six hours and resulted in more than 600 photos being taken. Maurice Liang pointed out, "This may be the first time a GT2 gets upstaged." As the entire team lined up in front of the Viper, one model commented that the Viper could barely be seen. "Don't worry," said Steve Ferguson, "Viper owners will recognize it right away."

We're betting it will still take Viper owners a moment or two to focus on the car, but the fact that anyone would see it at all is still a major compliment for the GT2.