Snake Bit: SRT Viper Returning to ALMS’ GT Class
Factory-backed effort set to debut later this season
Intent on recapturing the form that made it sports car racing’s dominant GT force in the early days of the ALMS, SRT Viper will return to the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón this season. SRT Viper Racing is set to debut its competition-ready SRT Viper GTS-R later in 2012, Chrysler Group officials announced today at the New York Auto Show.
The company also unveiled its road-going 2013 SRT Viper at the auto show. The focus later turned to the racing version of the V10-powered snake. Two of them are set to join the ALMS’ highly competitive GT class later this season against high-performance entries from BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Lotus and Porsche, among others.
“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,” said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. “The Chrysler Group has a long, storied and very successful history of competing with the American Le Mans Series. We would be hard-pressed to come up with a better scenario than having the brand return with the simultaneous introduction of both the new production car and the competition version. What a great way for SRT Viper to come back to racing.”
SRT Motorsports partnered with Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on the design-and-build process of the new SRT Viper GTS-R. SRT Viper Racing has three drivers signed: Kuno Wittmer, Dominik Farnbacher and Marc Goossens. Farnbacher, a four-time winner in the Series, and Goossens are familiar faces to ALMS fans. SRT Viper Racing’s debut also will mark Wittmer’s first ALMS race.
“Racing has been a significant part of the illustrious history of Viper not only with significant 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 with 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.”
The book is already extensive. The Viper dominated GT racing in the ALMS and at Le Mans more than 15 years ago. Viper Team ORECA – led by Hugues de Chaunac – won the ALMS GTS team championship in 1999 and 2000 and propelled Olivier Beretta to the first two of his five ALMS titles. Dodge also won the GTS manufacturer championship in 2000.
Vipers won 12 straight races and 16 of 20 between 1999 and 2000. It also captured the GTS class at the Le Mans 24 Hours each year from 1998-2000. The original Viper GTS-R debuted in 1996 and also claimed three straight FIA GT championships.
Fuente
Viper regresa a la ALMS
Re: Viper regresa a la ALMS
Ya se anunció que el Viper GTS-R va a estar haciendo su debut durante la sexta fecha de la ALMS que se correrá en el circuito de Mid-Ohio el próximo 4 de Agosto.
SRT Viper GTS-R Races Toward Mid-Ohio Debut
Robust testing program continues for Chrysler Group’s SRT Motorsports tea
BRASELTON, Ga. (July 13, 2012) – SRT’s new Viper GTS-R sports car is coiled to strike at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The highly anticipated new GT entry will make its debut in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón during the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 4. It’s an appropriate venue – the SRT Motorsports team completed a recent SRT Viper GTS-R testing program at the circuit before officials and team members deemed the car ready for ALMS competition.
“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 SRT performance brand represents and showcases the Viper’s natural affinity for road courses. Now the time has finally come to go head-to-head with the best sports car teams from around the world.”
Two identical SRT Viper GTS-R cars will race at Mid-Ohio as part of a limited 2012 ALMS season. The factory team aims for a full GT championship run in 2013.
"The anticipation of SRT's new Viper debuting in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón continues to grow with every photo and video of the new car testing," ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton said. "I know fans around the world can't wait to see the SRT Viper GTS-R race head-to-head against BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche and Lotus in what already is the best GT class in the world. It makes Mid-Ohio even more of a can't-miss event for spectators in person and our live audience on ABC."
SRT Motorsports has partnered with Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on the design-and-build process of the new SRT Viper GTS-R race cars. Similar production-based moderately modified two-wheel drive race cars comprise the GT class. They share many styling similarities to their showroom brands and by ALMS rules must have a minimum weight of 2,745 pounds. The cars produce between 450-500 horsepower with top speeds of up to 180 mph.
“Racing has been a significant part of the illustrious history of Viper,” said Beth Paretta, Director of Marketing and Operations – SRT Brand and Motorsports. Wins on the track and continued development of our street cars along with our new 2013 SRT Viper models are proof of those lessons learned. Now with our new race 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 beginning at Mid-Ohio.”
Three full-time drivers currently are signed to drive including Dominik Farnbacher, from Ansbach, Germany; Marc Goossens from Geel, Belgium; and Kuno Wittmer from Montreal. Ryan Hunter-Reay from Dallas will join the team for the longer endurance races. Additional driver and team announcements will be forthcoming.
“The decision to make our debut at Mid-Ohio is a result of the progress made with our testing program,” said Gary Johnson, Road Racing Manager – SRT Motorsports. “The car has shown steady performance. Each test has met and more often exceeded our expectations, so we’ll see how things go at Mid-Ohio and then make a decision about the rest of the 2012 season.”
The Viper has enjoyed a successful racing heritage that began in 1996 with 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 24 Hours of Daytona in 2000 – the first for a production-based American car.
Viper finished 1-2 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 with the Series class, manufacturer’s and driver’s championships in 2000.
ALMS
SRT Viper GTS-R Races Toward Mid-Ohio Debut
Robust testing program continues for Chrysler Group’s SRT Motorsports tea
BRASELTON, Ga. (July 13, 2012) – SRT’s new Viper GTS-R sports car is coiled to strike at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The highly anticipated new GT entry will make its debut in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón during the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 4. It’s an appropriate venue – the SRT Motorsports team completed a recent SRT Viper GTS-R testing program at the circuit before officials and team members deemed the car ready for ALMS competition.
“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 SRT performance brand represents and showcases the Viper’s natural affinity for road courses. Now the time has finally come to go head-to-head with the best sports car teams from around the world.”
Two identical SRT Viper GTS-R cars will race at Mid-Ohio as part of a limited 2012 ALMS season. The factory team aims for a full GT championship run in 2013.
"The anticipation of SRT's new Viper debuting in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón continues to grow with every photo and video of the new car testing," ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton said. "I know fans around the world can't wait to see the SRT Viper GTS-R race head-to-head against BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche and Lotus in what already is the best GT class in the world. It makes Mid-Ohio even more of a can't-miss event for spectators in person and our live audience on ABC."
SRT Motorsports has partnered with Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on the design-and-build process of the new SRT Viper GTS-R race cars. Similar production-based moderately modified two-wheel drive race cars comprise the GT class. They share many styling similarities to their showroom brands and by ALMS rules must have a minimum weight of 2,745 pounds. The cars produce between 450-500 horsepower with top speeds of up to 180 mph.
“Racing has been a significant part of the illustrious history of Viper,” said Beth Paretta, Director of Marketing and Operations – SRT Brand and Motorsports. Wins on the track and continued development of our street cars along with our new 2013 SRT Viper models are proof of those lessons learned. Now with our new race 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 beginning at Mid-Ohio.”
Three full-time drivers currently are signed to drive including Dominik Farnbacher, from Ansbach, Germany; Marc Goossens from Geel, Belgium; and Kuno Wittmer from Montreal. Ryan Hunter-Reay from Dallas will join the team for the longer endurance races. Additional driver and team announcements will be forthcoming.
“The decision to make our debut at Mid-Ohio is a result of the progress made with our testing program,” said Gary Johnson, Road Racing Manager – SRT Motorsports. “The car has shown steady performance. Each test has met and more often exceeded our expectations, so we’ll see how things go at Mid-Ohio and then make a decision about the rest of the 2012 season.”
The Viper has enjoyed a successful racing heritage that began in 1996 with 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 24 Hours of Daytona in 2000 – the first for a production-based American car.
Viper finished 1-2 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 with the Series class, manufacturer’s and driver’s championships in 2000.
ALMS
Re: Viper regresa a la ALMS
El motor
