This past weekend our photographer, Brandon Connelly, was at Daytona International Speedway for NARRA Viper Days. With it being Viper days there was quite the abundance of ACRs, ACR-Xs as well as a small number of Competition Coupes on hand. Each day at about 4pm there was a Viper Cup race as well for the actual race series, some of you may have seen it on Speed in the past.

This event also had PBOC along with it as well so it brought out some regular track day drivers as well. Flat Out Motorsports was on hand for this event logging some solid track time in at the speedway with the 99 Viper GTS, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera 560-4, and a Supercharged Viper SRT-10. On the track as well was an Orange Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera 570-4 which was driven by Viper Cup driver Jim Booth. Jim was pushing the Lamborghini to the limits as he ran a lap time of 1:59 in it and even at one point lifted a tire off the track.

Stay tuned to the site as in two weeks time we will have coverage from Brandon as he heads out to Daytona once more for the exotic car event of the year, Italian Cars at Daytona. This event tracks cars like Enzos, Veyrons, all sorts of Lamborghinis and other Ferraris. It is bound to be spectacular and we’re sure Brandon is going to bring back some amazing photos.

Here are a few of Brandon’s photos from the event. Be sure to check out the rest via his Flickr feed.

As promised, we are bringing you the official Viper ACR Nurburgring record setting video.

The 7:12.13 time set by a Dodge Viper ACR holds the record as the fastest production vehicle around the Green Hell and we have the video to prove it below. Enjoy!

[sources: Viperclub, DriveSRT]

This week seemed dry, and I was nervous about the continuation of this very new segment.  Like the proverbial knight in shining armor, TYC Photography released these shots of a stunning, white, Dodge Viper GTS.  My jaw hit the floor and my mind played the melody of that 10 cylinder engine.  I often overlook the Viper when recollecting sports cars and these shots further the proof that I should not.  Thank you TYC and keep up the good work.

Many automotive enthusiasts may have forgotten about the infamous Dodge Viper. It has always been around and with a new introduction of a “road racing” prepped Viper SRT10 ACR-X, it shows that the bad-ass American muscle car named after a mean snake is still in the game, stronger than ever and here to stay.

Racing enthusiasts will be happy to see Dodge pull the covers off of the new 2010 Viper SRT10 ACR-X that boasts 640 horsepower from a 8.4-liter V10. That’s about 40 more horses to add to the stable from previous versions of the ACR but this one will cost you about $110,000. Is it worth it? Well, here is a video, several images and full press release below to help you decide. Enjoy!

PRESS RELEASE

Dodge Targets Road Racing Enthusiasts With 2010 Viper SRT10 ACR-X

• Turn-key, spec-series racer aimed at continuing Dodge Viper’s storied racing history
• Dodge and Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team combine best performance attributes of Viper ACR with Viper Competition Coupe
• Latest special-edition Viper ACR offers improved on-track performance and safety
• Dodge Viper Cup spec series will debut in July 2010

Orlando, Fla., Dec 10, 2009 – 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 Mopar Voucher 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

Supercars are now part of a new club in my opinion. Whether you agree with me or not, a new benchmark as has been set for performance cars to be called a “supercar”. The 200mph mark seems almost like a standard if a car wants to be in the once-sacred “supercar status”. I realize many supercars only reach speeds just shy of 200mph but when you consider the over-all performance of some vehicles and the astonishing capabilities, you might as-well welcome them to the 200mph club. With a few (pricy) bolt-ons or ECU programming you may be able to add another 10 to 20 mph to the top speed of many supercars anyway.

Our good friend, Chris Grosser, set out to Ochopee, Florida at a rented 2 mile long aviation runway just recently. The goal was to achieve top speed (in a supercar) during a series of runs in a controlled environment. I am not sure of anything that is more fun other than blasting down flat-out on a runway in a supercar. Below is the excerpt from Chris’s new blog. I encourage you to check out some of his professional photography shots if you have the time.

Image Gallery and excerpt from Chris Grosser’s site below…

Location: Ochopee, Florida – at a rented 2 mile long aviation runway

Date: 2/23/2009

Time: 7am-7pm

Goal: Super car top speed runs in a controlled environment

The sounds of cars flying by like rocket jets in excess of 200mph was nothing short of astonishing at yesterday’s 2 mile open runway event located at Ochopee, Florida.

The super car lineup consisted of cars that most people can only dream of, me included. Twin turbo Lamborghini Murcielagos and Gallardos filled the arena early in the morning when being unloaded from trailers at the venue.

A Saleen S7 brought massive amounts of attention from the fans. It’s not an everyday occurrence to view such cars in the wild, much less out on an endlessly long runway being pushed to its limits. It’s a thing of sheer beauty to view a car like the S7 being run to its full potential and not just sitting behind a glass showcase or velvet ropes like a coveted piece of art.

Two Robinson R44 helicopters even made brief appearances. Other visits from curious planes in the area made fly- bys to view the tens of millions of dollars in super cars from around the country.

Having been fortunate enough to take a quick ride in my good friend’s Bentley Continental GT and quickly surpassing the 175mph mark – the 200mph barrier in cars such as the Saleen S7, Twin turbo Murcielago, 1300 horsepower, LP640, Ford GT, or Twin Turbo “Underground Racing” Gallardo seem shockingly feasible.

Feasible is merely an understatement as new speed records were approached and surpassed throughout the day. 200 miles per hour quickly became the new standard for the super cars to strive for and many did just that.