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storied racing history
performance attributes of Viper ACR with Viper Competition Coupe
performance and safety
Dodge today pulled the cover off the newest special-edition model of the
2010 Viper SRT10 lineup. The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is a turn-key,
non-street legal race car that is slated to make its on-track debut in the
summer of 2010.
“The Dodge Viper ACR-X takes the performance attributes of Viper to an
even higher level for a wide range of drivers starting with the grassroots
racer all the way up to the professional,” said Ralph Gilles, President and
CEO, Dodge Brand. “This project is a result of many years of performance
engineering expertise from our SRT team, combined with the passion and
dedication of Viper Nation, to keep the Viper racing tradition going strong
on tracks around the country and the world.”
Combining the best performance attributes of the record-setting,
street-legal Dodge Viper ACR (American Club Racer) and the safety equipment
of championship-winning Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X is powered
by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V10, equipped with factory headers and a
low-restriction exhaust system, that produces 640 horsepower (40 more than
production model).
The suspension also is tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track
usage, while the weight is lightened by a full 160 pounds (versus the
standard production Viper) to take on even the most challenging road course.
Additional aerodynamic upgrades improve downforce, while enhancing stability
and significantly improving grip in high-speed cornering.
Similar to the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X contains
factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage,
fuel cell and race seat. Additional racing components are added to meet the
significant durability and reliability requirements for on-track
competition.
In what will be the final year of production for the current generation
Viper, the ACR-X is the third limited, special-edition model to be
introduced by Dodge. ““We’re going to make 2010 the most exciting year for
Viper yet with specially developed cars for the street and the track,” added
Gilles. “The ACR-X is targeted at road-racing enthusiasts who want to
successfully compete in our ultimate American sports car.”
Last month, the SRT team used a testing session at Laguna Seca raceway to
shake down the Viper ACR-X for the first time. Behind the wheel was
professional driver Kuno Wittmer from the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World
Challenge Touring Car Championship series, who was able to run consistent
1:31.00 lap times around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course. Wittmer’s lap times
were more than 3 seconds faster than the street-legal Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR
that holds the production car track record at Laguna Seca raceway.
"The Dodge Viper ACR-X is incredible,” said Wittmer. “After a short warm
up, I was running lap times as quick as exotic GT race cars. I was blown
away by the power and acceleration, and even more surprised at how the ACR-X
navigated the challenging Laguna Seca corners and how friendly it was to
drive at the limit.
“All aspects of the car work together perfectly to plant all that
horsepower and torque without issue,” Wittmer added. “This will be a great
package for someone coming out of grassroots racing with a desire to step-up
to GT level competition. Dodge nailed it with this one!"
The Viper SRT10 ACR-X is designed to compete in the Viper Racing League,
Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association events.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail
Price (MSRP) for the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will be approximately
$110,000. Production is slated to begin in Spring 2010.
For more information on the Dodge Viper ACR-X, call Viper Race
Headquarters at (888) 960-3333 or visit
www.viperheadquarters.com
Dodge Viper Cup:
The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will make its on-track debut in July 2010 in
a newly developed spec series called the Dodge Viper Cup, which will be
sanctioned by the existing Viper Racing League. Each vehicle in the new
series must be the new Viper ACR-X.
Two races per weekend for five weekends will make up the 10-race 2010
Dodge Viper Cup schedule which includes July 9-11 at Virginia International
Raceway; August 14-15 at Hallett Raceway; September 11-12 at Pocono Raceway;
October 1-3 at Miller Motorsports Park and October 22-24 at Daytona
International Speedway.
A contingency program sponsored by Dodge Motorsports and Mopar will pay
out more than $200,000 during 2010. Payouts for each race are in cash and
Mopar vouchers come as credit toward purchase of Mopar parts and accessories.
Per Race Cash MoparVoucher Total
1st $6,500 $1,000 $7,500
2nd $4,500 $500 $5,000
3rd $2,500 $250 $2,750
4th $1,250 $150 $1,400
5th $500 $100 $600
Additional cash awards will be made to the top-3 finishers in the Dodge Viper Cup. The 2010 champion will win $25,000, second-place will receive
$10,000 and third-place will pay $5,000.
Viper Racing Heritage:
The Dodge Viper has enjoyed a successful racing heritage that began in
1996 with the original Viper racing entry, the 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 1999
– the first for a production-based American car.
The Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, introduced in 2003, delivered the next
chapter with its coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body and a track-ready chassis,
based on the Dodge Viper SRT10. The Viper Competition Coupe has 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.
viperheadquarters.com:
Dodge has created a new website designed to showcase the Dodge Viper
SRT10 both on the street and on the track. Check out the new online home for
all things Viper at
www.viperheadquarters.com
Viper Racing League:
The Viper Racing League is one race series within the group of three
(including Challenge Series and Driving School) sanctioned by Viper Days.
The series has 11-weekend events scheduled for the 2010 season at some of
the country’s most prestigious race tracks. For more information including
the 2010 race schedule, visit
www.viperdays.com
About Dodge:
Dodge is a full line of cars, SUVs and MPVs that are agile, daring,
sensible and inventive. The product line includes the Dodge Caliber, Dodge
Avenger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge
Journey, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Viper SRT10.
Dodge introduced two
new vehicles last year: the all-new 2009 Dodge Journey, the brand's
first crossover vehicle and the 2009 Dodge Challenger, a modern-day American
muscle car. Dodge also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the minivan during
the 2009 model year. With more than 65 minivan-firsts introduced since 1983
and more than 12 million Dodge and Chrysler minivans sold, Chrysler Group
LLC has solidified its leadership in the segment. J.D. Power and Associates
further acknowledged this leadership by naming the Dodge Grand Caravan the
Most Dependable Van for 2009. The 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan continues to set
the mark in the minivan segment with unsurpassed fuel economy of 17 city /
25 highway mpg and minivan-first innovations including the segment's only
Stow 'n Go® and Swivel 'n Go™ seating and storage systems. The 2010 Dodge
Avenger, with ESC, also earned the 2009 Top Safety Pick rating from the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Also in 2008, the Dodge Journey entered key volume markets outside North
America, joining the Dodge Avenger, Nitro and Caliber. Dodge Caliber was the
highest sales volume vehicle for the company outside North America in 2008.
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