The Dodge Viper has exceeded our highest goals for what an
American sports car should be. And now, as loyal Dodge owners receive their
versions of the third chapter in the car's history - the 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10
- we can't lose sight of the heritage that Viper has built. And with that, they
have developed a new generation of the Dodge Viper racing car - the Viper
Competition Coupe.
With a coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body based largely on the
Dodge Viper GTS/R concept car shown at the 2000 North American International
Auto Show, and a track-ready chassis based on the new 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10
convertible, the Viper Competition Coupe should emerge as a serious competitor
from the first lap.
Dodge expects to build about 60 cars in the first year, but have
the ability to expand production as demand grows. Plans include technical
support for competitors at all major events.
The Viper Competition Coupe makes extensive use of production
pieces to keep the estimated retail price slightly more than $100,000. With 520
horsepower and 540 lb.-ft. of torque on tap, the Viper Competition Coupe will
deliver racers an extremely high level of performance for the price.
A full complement of racing enhancements, including cage, window
net, fire-suppression system, six-point restraints, racing slicks, differential
cooler and ducted brakes ensure that the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe is
track-ready as delivered. The Viper Competition Coupe cannot be titled for
highway use.
The events in which the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe is eligible to
compete are:-
- Skip Thomas Viper Racing League - The Viper Competition Coupe will
have its own class and be the primary wheel-to-wheel event at the
Viper Days weekends
- Grand American Cup - The Viper Competition Coupe will be eligible to
compete (when homologated) in the Grand Sports Class with the
Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911
- Speedvision World Challenge - The Viper Competition Coupe will be
eligible to compete (when homologated) in these American Le Mans
Series support races
The Competition Coupe's predecessor - called the Dodge Viper GTS-R
and based on the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS Coupe - passes on one of the most
distinguished pedigrees in the modern history of endurance racing. The Viper GTS-R
earned five international GT championships including the 1999 and 2000 American
Le Mans Series GTS class titles and the 1997-1999 FIA GT Championships. The
Viper finished 1-2 in the GTS class in three consecutive years -1998-2000 - and
notched an amazing overall win at the 2000 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the first
for an American production-based car.
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