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SRT® Viper GTS-R Unveiled; Set for Return to American Le Mans Series
The street legal 2013 SRT® Viper unveiled to the world today at the New York International Auto Show isn't the only high-performance snake making a triumphant return in 2012.The purpose-built, non-street legal and competition-ready SRT Viper GTS-R also was revealed as part of the Chrysler Group's announcement that a factory-backed SRT Viper Racing team will return to the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2012.
'Racing has been a significant part of the illustrious history of Viper not only wîth wins on the track, but also in the continued development of the street cars – and our new 2013 SRT Viper models are proof of those lessons learned,' said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. 'Now wîth our new team and the launch of the GTS-R, we're excited and proud to begin writing more chapters in the racing history of the Viper later this summer.'
SRT Motorsports has partnered wîth Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on the design-and-build process of the new SRT Viper GTS-R.
Two identical SRT Viper GTS-Rs will compete in the production-based GT class in the series. Four drivers currently are signed to drive including Dominik Farnbacher, from Ansbach, Germany; Marc Goossens from Geel, Belgium; Ryan Hunter-Reay from Dallas and Kuno Wittmer from Montreal. Additional driver and team announcements will be forthcoming.
Both Viper GTS-Rs will race on the proven Michelin GT tires extending the successful technical partnership.
Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series, hails the SRT Viper's return to the Series as one of 2012's top announcements.
'I don't think it's possible to overstate the significance of the SRT Viper returning to the top level of professional sports car racing,' Atherton §äid. 'The Chrysler Group has a long, storied and very successful history of competing wîth the American Le Mans Series. The fact that they're coming back concurrently wîth the introduction of the new production car and doing it simultaneously, we would be hard-pressed to come up wîth a better-case scenario. What a great way for SRT Viper to come back to racing.'
All ALMS teams compete in the prestigious MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge. Entering its fourth season, the program objectively ranks the competing cars in terms of their environmental footprint, their energy efficiency and speed on the racetrack. A separate, season-long award is given by the Ú.S. Department of Energy, the Ú.S. Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International, acknowledging the vehicle manufacturer and its technology contribution to improving efficiency and reducing environmental impacts of racing. The scoring system for the program was developed by series officials and the Ú.S. Department of Energy, and it is based on a combination of on-track performance and energy consumption. The LMP and GT teams that win MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge championship will earn an entry to the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans.
'We often say it's clean, fast and efficient,' Bob Larsen, president of Obotech and a contractor for the Ú.S. Department of Energy, §äid. 'There's a lot of science that goes into the actual scoring, a very thorough and technically rigorous way to factor in the environmental footprint. We look at each car's average speed and the distance that they travel and we adjust their amount of fuel that they would have had to burn in order to go as fast and as far as the leader, and that gives us an equitable basis for comparing the performance of the vehicles.'
Viper racing heritage
The Viper has enjoyed a successful racing heritage that began in 1996 wîth the first Dodge Viper racing entry, the original GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships and the 1997-1999 FIA GT championships. It also posted an amazing overall win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 2000 – the first for a production-based American car.Viper finished one-two at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in GTS class in three consecutive years - 1998–2000 - and also captured GTS class, and driver's championships in the American Le Mans Series in 1999 along wîth the Series class, manufacturer's and driver's championships in 2000.
The Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, introduced in 2003, delivered the next chapter of that history wîth its coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body and a track-ready chassis, based on the Dodge Viper SRT10®. The Viper Competition Coupe continued the on-track prowess by capturing the 2004 SCCA Speed World Challenge GT title, championships in Formula D Drifting series in 2004 and 2006 and the British GT Championship in 2007 and 2008.
In 2010, the Dodge Viper Cup Series was founded using the limited-edition Dodge Viper ACR-X spec series cars. Now in its third year, the series has been renamed the SRT Viper Cup Series.
Driver biographies
Dominik Farnbacher
Born Sept. 26, 1984, in Ansbach, Germany, where he currently resides
Competed in 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona wîth TRG Motorsports
Has seven career starts in the Rolex 24 at Daytona (2009-2012, 2005-2007)
Won 2005 Rolex 24 at Daytona GT class alongside co-drivers Wolf Henzler, Shawn Price and Pierre Ehret
Grew up in an auto racing family watching father Horst Farnbacher compete in Europe
Is a four-time winner in the ALMS' GT class
On Sept. 14, 2011, Farnbacher established a new production-car lap record at the famous Nurburging Nordschleife by covering the 12.9-mile course in 7:12.13 seconds in a Dodge Viper ACR – shattering the previous lap record by more than two seconds
Marc Goossens
Born Nov. 30, 1969, in Geel, Belgium
Has 11 starts in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1996-2003, 2008, 2010-2011)
Competed in Formula 3000 from 1994 to 1996 and part-time in the series from 1999 through 2001
Won 24 Hours of Zolder four times (1997, 1998, 2005 and 2007) wîth co-drivers Vincent Dupont and Anthony Kumpen. The event is yearly sports car and touring car endurance race held at Circuit Zolder in Belgium
Competed in FIA GT series from 2002 through 2005
Scored a ninth-place finish in first NASCAR Nationwide Series start at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in 2006 driving for Robert Yates Racing
Made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in 2006
Ryan Hunter-Reay
Born Dec. 17, 1980 in Dallas and resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Drives for Andretti Autosport in the IZOD IndyCar Series
Has competed full-time in the IndyCar Series since 2008
Most recent IndyCar Series victory came in 2011 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Won IndyCar Rookie of the Year in 2007 (despite a limited schedule) and captured the same honor in the 2008 Indianapolis 500
Secured first career victory at Surfers Paradise, Australia in 2003, becoming first American rookie in more than 20 years to win a Champ Car race
Has four starts in ALMS, all in the 12 Hours of Sebring, wîth one win in 2011 in the LMP2 Class
Has 16 previous starts in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series where he scored one win and three podium finishes. Victory came in 2007 at Miller Motorsports Park in Toole, Útah where he teamed wîth Jim Matthews and Marc Goossens to score the victory
Has six starts in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, all coming in the last six consecutive races. His best finish came in 2010 when he placed third
Competed in the Toyota Atlantic Series in 2002 where he won three races and led the series in laps led and poles
Was the 1999 Skip Barber Formula Dodge National Champion
Kuno Wittmer
Born Sept. 6, 1982, in Pointe Claire, Canada
In 2000, he became the youngest driver to compete in the Toyota Atlantic Championship when he was just 17 years old
Scored six victories while competing in the SCCA World Challenge GT class in the Únited States from 2008-2010
Broke the timed single-lap record at Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Útah, in a 2010 Dodge Viper ACR on April 11, 2011. Wittmer ran a record lap of 1:59.995 (91.444 mph average), eclipsing the 2-minute mark for the first time in a production car on the 3.048-mile road course and shattering the previous track record by close to 4 full seconds. Wittmer has also driven the same Dodge Viper ACR to single-lap production car records at Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Fla.; Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Mich.; Monticello Motor Club, Monticello, N.Y.; New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, N.J.; Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Texas World Speedway, College Station, Texas and Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Va.
About SRT Motorsports
The engineering expertise within SRT extends well beyond our street vehicles. It is a little known fact, but technical support for the Chrysler Group's motorsports programs is provided by the astute engineers at SRT. Lessons learned on the track directly translate to improved vehicles for our customers. SRT Motorsports is expanding its racing presence this year, so follow us throughout the 2012 season for more news from pit lane.About SRT
The Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand uses a successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks: awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots.
The expansion of the SRT vehicle lineup in the 2012 model year features four new products that are world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. These products include the Chrysler 300 SRT8®, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.
Making its highly anticipated return to the high-performance sports car market in late 2012 is the new 2013 SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS. The SRT flagship performance machines arrive wîth more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts.Source - Dodge
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From this conversation, the Viper was born. The finished concept car was unveiled at the 1989 North American International Autoshow to much public enthusiasm. So much enthusiasm in fact, that it was decided that the Viper would become a production reality.
In 1992, this V12 powered beast took to the streets in production form. Production of the car continued until 2010, except for the 2007 model year which was skipped as the next generation of the car was prepared. With the completion of the 2010 model year, it was still open to speculation as to whether the new Chrysler, now part of the Fiat Group, would continue with this American monster. Concerns were that it may be viewed as infringing on another of Fiat Group's companies, Ferrari.
However, Viper fans need not have worried as the SRT division was preparing the 2013 Viper with more improvements than the most optimistic Viper fan could have anticipated. The massive 8.4L V10 engine produces 640 horsepower and an axle-twisting 600 ft-lbs of torque. (The most torque offered on a naturally aspirated production car.) This provides an amazing 0-60mph time of only 3.3 seconds.
De Retour! Viper Set for Return to 24 Heures du Mans With SRT Motorsports
• Two factory-supported SRT Viper GTS-Rs will compete in famous 24-hour endurance race in France in JuneFebruary 1, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - It's official: Viper will return this year to the stage of some of its most impressive past road-racing performances – the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.
SRT Motorsports today accepted an invitation from the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) to field two SRT Viper GTS-Rs in the LM GTE Pro class of the 2013 24 Heures du Mans, June 22-23, officially returning the Viper sports car to one of the most prestigious automobile endurance races in the world.
The Viper finished one-two at the 24 Heures du Mans in GTS class competition three consecutive years – 1998 to 2000. 'Racing is truly a part of the illustrious history of Viper and a proving ground for the SRT brand,' said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. 'Historically the Viper GTS-R has enjoyed great success at Le Mans, so we couldn't be more excited and proud to accept the challenge to return to France and continue composing the next chapter in the history of Viper racing at such an historic venue.'
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'The new SRT Viper GTS-R represents a rebirth for us in road racing by bringing an elevated level of technical sophistication to the track,' Paretta §äid. 'The invitation to return to the 24 Heures du Mans gives SRT Motorsports and the SRT Viper GTS-R the opportunity to compete on a stage wîth the best sports car teams from around the world.' SRT Motorsports teamed wîth Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on the design-and-build process of the SRT Viper GTS-R. Two identically prepared cars returned to competition last year at Mid-Ohio, the first of four test-and-tune races in preparation for a full 2013 schedule in the GT class in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patrón.
In addition to Goossens, drivers returning to the SRT Motorsports lineup for 2013 will be Tommy Kendall, Kuno Wittmer, Dominik Farnbacher and Jonathan Bomarito. Additional team announcements will be revealed at a later date.
The Viper's successful racing heritage began in 1996 wîth its first racing entry, the original GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships and the 1997 to 1999 FIA GT championships in addition to the three consecutive one-two finishes at the 24 Heures du Mans in the GTS class. The Viper posted an amazing overall win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 2000 – the first for a production-based American car. Viper also captured GTS class and driver's championships in ALMS competition in 1999 along wîth the series' class, manufacturer's and driver's championship in 2000 before retiring from the series.
About SRT and SRT Motorsports
The Chrysler Group's SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand uses a successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks: awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots.
The SRT lineup in the 2013 model year features five vehicles that are world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. The Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 are joined by the SRT flagship Viper and Viper GTS models, which are making their highly anticipated return to the high-performance sports car market.The engineering expertise within SRT extends well beyond its high-performance street vehicles. Technical support for the Chrysler Group's various racing programs is provided by the astute engineers at SRT Motorsports, where lessons learned on the race track directly translate to improved vehicles for the company's customers.Source - Dodge
| De Retour! Viper Set for Return to 24 Heures du Mans With SRT Motorsports | |
 | • Two factory-supported SRT Viper GTS-Rs will compete in famous 24-hour endurance race in France in June February 1, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - It's official: Viper will return this year to the stage of some of its most impressive past road-racing performances – the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. SRT Motorsports today accepted an invitation from the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) to field two SRT Viper GTS-Rs in the LM GTE Pro class of the 2013 24 Heures du Mans,...[Read more...] |
| 2013 SRT VIPER GTS-R DOCUMENTARY TO AIR ON SPEED TV | |
 | In advance of Saturday's Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, the season-opening event of the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patron, the SRT Viper GTS-R will be featured in a one-hour documentary entitled, 'SRT Viper: Soul Survivor,' airing on Speed TV this Friday. The behind the scenes television feature follows SRT Viper events during the past year, beginning with its unveiling at the New York International Auto Show last April, as well as events at Conner Avenue Assembly...[Read more...] |
| A MAD MARCH FOR MAZDA MOTORSPORTS | |
| -- 15 Races in Seven Series at Three Race Tracks in Two States in One Month -- March 1, 2013 (IRVINE, Calif.) Mazda is ramping up the 2013 professional racing season with their usual hectic month of March, starting with races on March 1st in Austin, Texas, before two busy weekends in Florida. For Mazda, racing is not just a single series, but the majority of all sports car and open wheel road-racing classes in North America. 2013 highlights on the professional level will include: ...[Read more...] | |
| THE VIPER GTS-R IS BACK IN 2012 | |
 | •Two identical SRT Viper GTS-R race cars will compete in this weekend's American Le Mans Series event at the 2.54-mile Road Atlanta circuit. •The driver lineup for Petit Le Mans: Tommy Kendall and Marc Goossens will be joined by Jonathan Bomarito in the No. 93 Pennzoil Ultra Viper GTS-R. Dominik Farnbacher and Kuno Wittmer will share driving duties with Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No. 91 Hewlett Packard Viper GTS-R. •This is the first on-track, factory-based participation for the SRT Viper GTS-R...[Read more...] |
| Honda, Acura Racers Claim Titles at SCCA Runoffs | |
| Honda and Acura racers won four Sports Car Club of America national titles and claimed a 1-2 finish in the inaugural B-Spec category, run as a exhibition class, in last weekend's SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America. More than three dozen Honda and Acura racers traveled to the classic Road America road course in Wisconsin for this year's 49th annual Runoffs, September 17-23, taking part in 13 of the 30 competition classes. Five drivers used the Honda L15A7 engine in Formula...[Read more...] | |
| 2013 SRT Viper GTS-R Set to Return to American Le Mans Series Competition at Mid-Ohio | |
 | The 2013 SRT Viper GTS-R will make its first on-track race appearance Aug. 4 at the Mid-Ohio (Lexington, Ohio) Sports Car Course, SRT Motorsports officials announced today. 'We're thrilled to return to the world-class competition in the American Le Mans Series with our flagship American supercar,' said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. 'The new SRT Viper GTS-R represents a rebirth for us on the race track. It epitomizes the best of what our new ...[Read more...] |
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