Even though the second generation Dodge Viper is killed off, its spirit lives on with the Dodge Viper Cup Series. Dodge officially announced the return of the Viper Cup for its second year after they had a great season in 2010. They also continues to sell the Viper ACR-X track car, powered by a monstrous 8.4-liter V-10 with 640 hp.
“The first season of Dodge Viper Cup series was simply awesome and a great learning experience,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Car Brand. “We’re going to keep building on that momentum in 2011 with an expanded contingency program, a reduction in entry fees and the continuation of our successful celebrity driver and charity payout programs to once again generate lots of serious excitement for all Viper enthusiasts.”
The 2011 Viper Cup Series kicks off Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla and will be including 10 races. Two races per weekend for five weekends will make up the 10-race 2011 Dodge Viper Cup series schedule, which includes:
- May 13-15 at Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, Fla.
- June 10-12 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, N.J.
- July 8-10 at Virginia International Raceway, Alton, Va.
- Sept. 2-4 at Texas World Speedway, College Station, Texas
- Oct. 21-23 at Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla.
Series Contingency Program
The series contingency program sponsored by Dodge Motorsports and Mopar® has been revamped for 2011 to expand the number of payouts to the top-10 drivers. Drivers from each race will earn the following payouts in cash and Mopar vouchers awarded as credit toward the purchase of Mopar parts and accessories.
Driver Finish Cash Awarded Mopar Voucher Total 1st $4,000 $1,000 $5,000 2nd $2,500 $500 $3,000 3rd $1,750 $250 $2,000 4th $800 $200 $1,000 5th $600 $200 $800 6th $500 $200 $700 7th $400 $200 $600 8th $300 $200 $500 9th $200 $200 $400 10th $100 $200 $300 The 2011 Dodge Viper Cup series champion will win an additional $10,000 cash award. Dodge Motorsports also is reducing the weekend entry fees for series competitors by 43 percent from $1,400 to $800 in 2011.
Celebrity Driver and Charity Payout Program
Celebrity drivers also will be back competing in the Dodge Viper Cup series in 2011. In 2010, Dodge Motorsports donated close to $50,000 to various charities as part of the program.
Dodge Motorsports selects each celebrity driver and trains them for on-track series’ competition. Similar to 2010, as many as two celebrity drivers will be invited to participate on each race weekend. Guaranteed payouts to celebrity drivers following all 10 races will be donated to their charities of choice, with the highest finishing celebrity earning $2,000 and the next highest finishing celebrity receiving $1,000 for donation.
The ‘Ultimate’ Special-Edition Viper
Unveiled at the 2010 Performance Racing Industry show, the Dodge Viper ACR-X combines the best performance attributes of the record-setting, street-legal Dodge Viper American Club Racer (ACR) and the safety equipment of championship-winning Dodge Viper Competition Coupe. Powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V-10 engine and equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, the Viper ACR-X produces 640 horsepower (40 more than the production model) and 605 lb.-ft. of torque (45 more than the production model).
The suspension also is tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage with unique springs, two-way adjustable shocks and adjustable sway bar links.
Curb weight is a full 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.
Similar to the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X contains factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fire suppression system, fuel cell and race seat. Additional racing components, including a transmission cooler, rear differential cooling system, unique front rotors with larger surface area and improved brake cooling via scoops in the front fascia, are added to meet the significant durability and reliability requirements for on-track competition.
“The Dodge Viper ACR-X is designed and built specifically for the race track,” Gilles said. “The Dodge Viper Cup series continues the racing legacy of the Dodge Viper right before our eyes, and we’re looking forward to another chapter being written in 2011.”
