2013-02-04
[ Chrysler Group LLC press release ]
De Retour! Viper Set for Return to 24 Heures du Mans With SRT
Motorsports
- Two factory-supported SRT Viper GTS-Rs will compete in famous 24-hour
endurance race in France in June
February 1, 2013, Auburn Hills, Mich. - It's official: Viper will return this
year to the stage of some of its most impressive past road-racing performances
-- the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans in France.
SRT Motorsports today accepted an invitation from the ACO (Automobile Club de
l'Ouest) to field two SRT Viper GTS-Rs in the LM GTE Pro class of the 2013 24
Heures du Mans, June 22-23, officially returning the Viper sports car to one
of the most prestigious automobile endurance races in the world.
The Viper finished one-two at the 24 Heures du Mans in GTS class competition
three consecutive years -- 1998 to 2000.
"Racing is truly a part of the illustrious history of Viper and a proving
ground for the SRT brand," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO -- Street and
Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. "Historically the
Viper GTS-R has enjoyed great success at Le Mans, so we couldn't be more
excited and proud to accept the challenge to return to France and continue
composing the next chapter in the history of Viper racing at such an historic
venue."
Beth Paretta, Director of Marketing and Operations -- SRT Brand and
Motorsports, and SRT Motorsports driver Marc Goossens were on hand at today's
press conference in Paris to officially accept the invitation.
"The new SRT Viper GTS-R represents a rebirth for us in road racing by
bringing an elevated level of technical sophistication to the track," Paretta
said. "The invitation to return to the 24 Heures du Mans gives SRT Motorsports
and the SRT Viper GTS-R the opportunity to compete on a stage with the best
sports car teams from around the world."
SRT Motorsports teamed with Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on
the design-and-build process of the SRT Viper GTS-R. Two identically prepared
cars returned to competition last year at Mid-Ohio, the first of four
test-and-tune races in preparation for a full 2013 schedule in the GT class in
the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patron.
In addition to Goossens, drivers returning to the SRT Motorsports lineup for
2013 will be Tommy Kendall, Kuno Wittmer, Dominik Farnbacher and Jonathan
Bomarito. Additional team announcements will be revealed at a later date.
The Viper's successful racing heritage began in 1996 with its first racing
entry, the original GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships
and the 1997 to 1999 FIA GT championships in addition to the three consecutive
one-two finishes at the 24 Heures du Mans in the GTS class.
The Viper posted an amazing overall win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in
2000 -- the first for a production-based American car. Viper also captured GTS
class and driver's championships in ALMS competition in 1999 along with the
series' class, manufacturer's and driver's championship in 2000 before
retiring from the series.
About SRT and SRT Motorsports
The Chrysler Group's SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand uses a
successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks:
awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability;
benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and
high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots.
The SRT lineup in the 2013 model year features five vehicles that are
world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies
and creature comforts. The Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge
Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 are joined by the SRT flagship Viper
and Viper GTS models, which are making their highly anticipated return to the
high-performance sports car market.
The engineering expertise within SRT extends well beyond its high-performance
street vehicles. Technical support for the Chrysler Group's various racing
programs is provided by the astute engineers at SRT Motorsports, where lessons
learned on the race track directly translate to improved vehicles for the
company's customers.
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