New King of the Ring

[TonyM]

Well not really "new", but returned.

Chrysler, with the assistance of Tomball Dodge (supplied two showroom stock 2010 ACRs) went back to the Nurburgring to go after the title the lost to the ZR1 and Lexus LFA.

The Viper ACR whooped on the LFA by 2.5 seconds, setting a new production car record of 7:12.13. Take that Lexus, the crown returns to Detroit!

Just for fun, Chrysler brought along an ACR-X to see what it would. It ripped off a stunning 7:03 around the ring. Putting it 3rd to the Pagani Zonda R and Ferrari 599XX.

Pretty damned impressive for a car with no electronic nannies, fancy paddle shifters, or boost of any kind. Way to go team Viper, excellent news!

As you know, the Viper Club of America and VIPER magazine have long enjoyed a special relationship with Dodge, the manufacturer of our beloved Vipers. We are very pleased to provide the unofficial results of a long sought-after event: The return of the Viper to the Nordschleife at Nürburgring in Germany - AKA, the Ring.

In 2008 the Dodge Viper ACR, supported by a small team of dedicated engineers, came to the Ring and established a production car one lap record time of 7:22.1, a record that stood through much of 2011. This summer the Corvette ZR1 came to the Ring with new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires and beat the Viper record with a 7:19.6. Even more recently, the $400,000 Lexus LF-A, with a special Nürburgring Edition, set down a blazing time of 7:14.6.

Undaunted, the SRT // team returned to Nürburgring with not only a bigger team, but more prep time and help from two very important partners: Tomball Dodge and Mintgen Motorsport. With no 2011 model year Vipers being built, SRT turned to Tomball who graciously supplied two brand-new 2010 Dodge Viper ACR's off of their showroom floor. Mintgen Motorsport, a well-known automotive shop based just a few miles from Nürburgring and very committed to the Dodge Viper, regularly racing two Competition Coupes in various Grand Prix events around Europe, were ideal for local logistics and garage support.

While the official results will be posted here along with the full video footage, SRT was kind enough to share today's very, very exciting results: The 2010 Dodge Viper ACR set a new production car record of just 7:12 and change. What that "change" is will have to wait until the results are made official, but it is most definitely one for the record books. We might also add that SRT brought along a Dodge Viper ACR-X (the spec race car version of the ACR), which simply tore up the track with a stunning 7:03..XX.

Look for the full story in the next issue of VIPER magazine, as well as the in-car and exterior footage of the runs themselves here on these forums. On behalf of the Viper Club of America and Viper owners everywhere, I simply can't tell you how proud I am to be associated with not only an amazing car like the Dodge Viper, but the incredible people that build, sell, race, and service these cars. It is an honor and a pleasure. Keep the Faith!

Marv Spatz,
National President
Viper Club of America

[TonyM]

Chrysler also had a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 on hand with a chase copter recording footage. Maybe a new commercial?

[futurevr4man]

wow. so impressive

[IPD]

so the 2nd viper doesn't count for this "title"? what "title" are we talking about?

[dbest671]

so the 2nd viper doesn't count for this "title"? what "title" are we talking about?

The second Viper ACR-X= spec race car version of the ACR. Probably not considered to be in the same class as the ZR1 or LFA.

[IPD]

i don't see a viper anywhere in BBC top gear's top 50 lap times...

[TonyM]

i don't see a viper anywhere in BBC top gear's top 50 lap times...

Top 50 lap times for what? Certainly not the Nurburgring, which is the de facto standard all OEMs use for testing.

And as posted, the ACR-X does not qualify for the production street car record as it's not a street car.

[UTRacerX9]

Top Gear's lap times are from their own track, not the Ring. And I don't watch the show that frequently anymore, but I don't recall the last time they even had a Viper on the show. Pretty sure they tested one back in the early 2000's, but I don't know of any Vipers they've tested since, and they might not have had the stig drive it around the track, sometimes they just have Jeremy or the other guys drive, and those results don't count on the board.

[TonyM]

Top Gear's lap times are from their own track, not the Ring. And I don't watch the show that frequently anymore, but I don't recall the last time they even had a Viper on the show. Pretty sure they tested one back in the early 2000's, but I don't know of any Vipers they've tested since, and they might not have had the stig drive it around the track, sometimes they just have Jeremy or the other guys drive, and those results don't count on the board.

Exactly, I don't see the Top Gear times having anything to do with the Nurburgring. I remember Jeremy driving around a black Gen III SRT years ago, but he never drove a Gen IV - regular or ACR. But regardless, the times are incredible and I'm glad the crown is back where it belongs.

Still love hearing people say the Viper is nothing but a straightline car, hahaha . . .

[CoreyB]

Bad ass. I remember Vipers being in a race and winning like all top 6 spots or something. I cant remember what race it was.