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New Dodge Viper hits the racetracks this summer

The street-legal Dodge Viper American Club Racer (ACR) and the safety equipment of championship-winning Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X is powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V-10 engine, equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system.

Suzanne Ashe
Suzanne Ashe has been covering technology, gadgets, video games, and cars for several years. In addition to writing features and reviews for magazines and Web sites, she has contributed to daily newspapers.
Suzanne Ashe
2 min read
Chrysler

Chrysler combines the Dodge Viper American Club Racer (ACR) and the safety equipment of championship-winning Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, to come up with the Viper ACR-X. The Viper ACR-X is powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V-10 engine, equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, that produces 640 horsepower (40 more than the production model) and 605 lb.-ft. of torque (45 more than the production model).

The new model's suspension also is tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage with unique springs, two-way adjustable shocks and adjustable sway bar links. And it has a curb weight that is a 160 pounds lighter (compared with the standard-production Viper) to take on even the most challenging road course. Additional aerodynamic upgrades including quad-dive planes and underbody ducts improve downforce, while enhancing stability and significantly improving grip in high-speed cornering.

Dodge built 25 units of the turn-key, non-street-legal race car. All of them have been purchased through Viper Race Headquarters and many will be making their on-track debuts in July 2010 as part of the newly formed Dodge Viper Cup series.

"We're continuing to work toward making this final year of production for the current-generation Dodge Viper in 2010 the most exciting year for Viper and Viper Nation alike," added Gilles. "The Viper ACR-X and the launch of the Dodge Viper Cup series will continue the momentum for years to come."

"The Dodge Viper ACR-X is simply incredible," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand. "Owners are going to be blown away by the power and acceleration, and even more surprised at how the ACR-X navigates even the most challenging road courses and how friendly it is to drive at the limit. This is a great package for someone coming out of grassroots racing with a desire to step up to GT level competition."

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. Two races per weekend for five weekends will make up the 10-race 2010 Dodge Viper Cup.

Look for the Viper SRT10 ACR-X at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Va., July 9-11; at Hallett Raceway in Jennings, Okla., Aug. 14-15; at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., Sept. 11-12; at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, Oct. 1-3; at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, in Pahrump, NV Oct. 22-24.