We re going to nurburgring

[ellowviper]

I didn't think the profit margin was why it was cancelled. It was a profitable car. So what? And so what with over 8 ltrs of displacement...what does THAT in and of itself signify or infer? "Relatively long wheelbase"....again, WTF does THAT signify when it comes to RIng performance. "Give ANY CAR" these basics and WTF does that mean? Obviously not one of Germany's best and brightest. Probably voted for Merkel too.

[Martin]

Hahahahahaha - like the old Dodge Daytona was a boy racer aero car. That guy is just a douche, plain and simple. I'd put his opinions in the circular file right away - worthless drivel from someone who probably drives a Hyundai with fart boxes on the tail pipes and wishes he had a corvette, let alone a Viper. I know lots of people like that - they typically troll any brand of car that they can't have, and they super-troll the ones that are of real historical value. Just a wind-bag that needs to stay in his own miserable bag.

[My98RT10]

I didn't think the profit margin was why it was cancelled. It was a profitable car....

I am afraid you are wrong... it was no longer a profitable car with the comparatively empty order books. Unfortunately, demand catched up too late to save it (and likely only because its discontinuation was decided).

[Snakebit10]

I know it was not a sales success initially but I thought it was cancelled because of the upcoming airbag regulation that it couldn't meet. Maybe both issues conspired against its survival. Really sad they couldn't find a way to save it.

[SharpMan]

I didn't think the profit margin was why it was cancelled.

Very expensive car to build by modern standards. At the plant the manager walked us through fitting the forward structure (dash / firewall support)...what a PITA! Fiddly, imprecise and if they get it wrong the roof, doors, rear fenders and everything is out of alignment! Completely different to a oder unit-body that is robotically welded and everything can only fit just right.

Mostly had assembled, expensive hand made / laid CF and paint.

This type of assembly is now only with Koennigsegg and Pagani (albeit done with much much better materials and at insane price points).

Combine all that with poor sales performance (last year of ACR-E notwithstanding) and the writing was on the wall years ago...

Also, the Viper is a complete misfit with Dodge product line-up...or at least it was until very recently when there weren't $100K Demons and Jeep Trackhawks flying off the showroom floor!

[Terminator02]

Automatic options, verts, more hp and marketing similar to the Demon likely would have been sufficient to save the car. One of the worst things one can do in business is mess with branding and people didnt know if the viper even existed with poor pr coupled with "I want an SRT Viper..er um...wait what is it called now??" But thats a whole nother topic.

Overall it was a success. Pondering tires, conditions, budgets will only muddy the accomplishments made from the venture. It is now ranked 7th overall, 4th with production cars and number 1 with manual trans. That last will likely "stick" at the top spot. New vettes, GTR And many upcoming cars will beat the 657. It is the evolution of tech and inevitability. However our cars offer that level of performance but also an ummatched driving experience the huracans, nissans and most cars will never match.

Congrats to all involved. Amazing job

[F2V]

[QUOTE=... "I want an SRT Viper..er um...wait what is it called now??" ......Congrats to all involved. Amazing job[/QUOTE]

I'm still shaking my head 5 years later, over that brain fart...especially seeing my title and reg says Dodge Viper, no mention anywhere of SRT. Ditto on the congrats...

[ClayR]

Way to go Russ and the entire Viper team. It was a blast to be involved and I am proud of the teams accomplishments!

Let's see how long those 13 NA track records last. Probably for a long time!

[Fatboy 18]

Is there onboard camera footage of the car losing control and hitting the barriers? Or is that being kept for a film?

[Bossing]

And even Dale was certainly smitten....



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72Luk8fjvWc

[Snakebit10]

Nice vid just wish he had a proper mic setup. Other than that great video. Really wish they could have broken at least the 7 min barrier with the beast.

As an aside. I really don't see how anyone can hate the Vipers exhaust note. Its the definition of angry, aggressive. It fits its personality and gives it a bit of an alive feel imho. I love it.

[dadeuce]

They got a few ACR shots in this video too. Even a cameo by a forum member I believe.

https://youtu.be/6_JSGzr0QlI

[Russ Oasis]

Guys, the damage to the ring and track time we were required to purchase (from the group that let us into their runtime) after the accident has put us over budget. Dominik Farnbacher autographed his Kumho driver's suit and gave it to me to auction off to help with the expenses. While we are approximately $14,000 over budget, someone who wants to own the most significant piece of memorabilia, next to the actual car, could really help. I'd also give that person a picture of Dom wearing the suit. How about someone stepping up with $9000 to help with the expenses and they'd get the suit. Can we get some help?

[stradman]

Guys, the damage to the ring and track time we were required to purchase (from the group that let us into their runtime) after the accident has put us over budget. Dominik Farnbacher autographed his Kumho driver's suit and gave it to me to auction off to help with the expenses. While we are approximately $14,000 over budget, someone who wants to own the most significant piece of memorabilia, next to the actual car, could really help. I'd also give that person a picture of Dom wearing the suit. How about someone stepping up with $9000 to help with the expenses and they'd get the suit. Can we get some help?

Hi Russ,
Wasn't it Lance that had he crash? And also wasn't Lance the one that posted the faster time? Perhaps if his signed suit was offered maybe it would be of more interest?

[Scott_in_fl]

I am afraid you are wrong... it was no longer a profitable car with the comparatively empty order books. Unfortunately, demand catched up too late to save it (and likely only because its discontinuation was decided).

This month's Road and Track has a back page article that Bob Lutz does every month and it discusses the Viper and how it was a massive loss generator for Dodge.

[Fatboy 18]

Why not start auctioning off the broken bits from the record run car, You American guys like a souvenir or two on the garage wall.

[str5010]

Early report from bridge to Gantry mentions typically impressive Porsche resources being used at the Ring for GT2RS record laps this evening including tire warmers. Allegedly they have already gone well under 7 minutes.

[BrianACR]

Early report from bridge to Gantry mentions typically impressive Porsche resources being used at the Ring for GT2RS record laps this evening including tire warmers. Allegedly they have already gone well under 7 minutes.

Must be nice to have no budget limits....
Wonder how that new GT2RS would do with just 3 hot laps and severely limited budget. Just sayin

[Snakebit10]

No surprise there. I knew it would easily break 7 minutes. The Vipers whole life was hampered by a shoestring budget compared to every other car in its performance class. The fact that it has competed toe to toe with them for its entire life cycle despite a meager budget really does speak volumes. Its a shame none of the owners over its course of life felt the need to truly knock it out the park. The G5 was great but it was still not a full blown effort a la Vette, Porsche etc.

[stradman]

Early report from bridge to Gantry mentions typically impressive Porsche resources being used at the Ring for GT2RS record laps this evening including tire warmers. Allegedly they have already gone well under 7 minutes.

Did anyone have any doubt about that?

[stradman]

Must be nice to have no budget limits....
Wonder how that new GT2RS would do with just 3 hot laps and severely limited budget. Just sayin

I hereby vote that any ring record can only be declared with the best out 3 hot laps. And that's it! However I fear no one will play by those rules....

[Russ Oasis]

Stradman, Lance was invited to drive when our schedule changed and Dom couldn't return on the dates we got time, due to his own racing schedule. Lance did not have one of the original Kumho suits and after the incident, things were happening too fast to even think about autographs, etc. There are only two drivers suits in existence and Luca has one of them. This is the last piece shy of the car.

[TrackAire]

Early report from bridge to Gantry mentions typically impressive Porsche resources being used at the Ring for GT2RS record laps this evening including tire warmers. Allegedly they have already gone well under 7 minutes.

Damn, I knew the car would be in the 6's but I was hoping they'd have a tougher go of it. The GT2RS will be the Huracans time when all is said and done.

The only other "real" production car that will be in the low 7's or even dip into the 6's will be the new Vette ZR1. Those new R-compound Goodyear tires seem to be the real deal....I'm assuming the ZR1 will be running them.

[Ghazdall]

Tire warmers and probably different r-compounds to match the road temperature.

[dewilmoth]

Damn, I knew the car would be in the 6's but I was hoping they'd have a tougher go of it. The GT2RS will be the Huracans time when all is said and done.

The only other "real" production car that will be in the low 7's or even dip into the 6's will be the new Vette ZR1. Those new R-compound Goodyear tires seem to be the real deal....I'm assuming the ZR1 will be running them.

What tires are you referring to? Curious if they'll make a size we can use on the ACR.