Friday 20th January 2017

Support a Viper 'ring lap record attempt!

Enthusiasts think the Viper ACR can beat the 918 on the Nordschleife; here's how you can help

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Now you're probably aware that the Dodge Viper is not long for this world; perhaps it's not the world's greatest sports car, but it is another manual, naturally aspirated model condemned to its fate. An 8.4-litre one at that...

Viper fans are an enthusiastic bunch though, and they have a plan to ensure the big Dodge goes out in memorable fashion. They want a Nurburgring record. You may remember back in 2011 the old Viper ACR set that ludicrous 7:12 lap at the Nordschleife; despite there now being a second-gen car (with 13 US track lap records), Dodge has seemed reluctant to attempt another production car lap record. And with the end in sight, that prospect looks even more unlikely.

What to do? Organise your own record attempt, obviously. The Viper Owners Association in the US want to take a pair of ACRs - donated by Texas Exchange - to Germany and smash the 918 Spyder's lap of 6:57. The Dodge was faster than the Porsche at Laguna Seca, don't forget, by 1.24 seconds.

But they need some funding. It's been estimated that for the track rental, driver payment, shipping and other expenses, the record attempt will cost $159,000. They're some way off that at the moment, so here is the crowd funding page.

It would be some way to go, wouldn't it? The manual, old-fashioned, big old Dodge beating the ultimate hybrid hypercar from Porsche at the Nurburgring. We'll keep you posted...

Watch the old Viper ACR lap the Nordschleife here.

[Sources: Road&Track, MotorTrend, and thanks to PHer Mark from the Viper Owner's Association for the tip-off]

[WCZ]

meh, would prefer to support Radical in a ring attempt if I was going to put any of my own money out there

[em177]

Seems a rather strange way to waste your money.

[hondansx]

I see on the donation page a Belgium owner has volunteered to use his own car. Surely makes more sense than shipping two cars from the States!

There must be at least a handful in Europe, as i believe there are at least 3 confirmed in the UK.

[rtz62]

If a private owner did risk his car at the 'ring, imagine what a USP it would be when the owner came to selll; 'this is the actual car that set a new record on (insert date).
I don't do crowdfunding, but if I did I'm fairly sure I would want to support some Brit attempt rather than reinforce that 'special friendship' that successive US Presidents have banged on about for so long.
Watching the video I have to say it certainly is impressive, and probably about 50% faster than I imagine I could do it in (having never ever visited the Nurburgring!)

[Evilex]

Can't believe that Dodge can't find $159k to pay for it themselves, given the publicity it could generate...

[Tom1312]

Evilex said:

Can't believe that Dodge can't find $159k to pay for it themselves, given the publicity it could generate...

Lot of money to spend if they failed though.

I imagine there's a reason there hasn't been an official attempt.

[olliete]

I think this is totally awesome.

But... not so awesome if the dodge turns out to be slower than the 918 - hence, i assume, why Dodge aren't putting their marketing budget into this

[havoc]

So PH is suggesting we give our money to a bunch of Americans so they can prove that their willy is bigger than some German's?!?

Really*?!?











* I mean, there's plenty of videos about this on the internet already...or so I'm told!

[99dndd]

rtz62 said:

If a private owner did risk his car at the 'ring, imagine what a USP it would be when the owner came to selll; 'this is the actual car that set a new record on (insert date).

"one careful lady owner, never tracked or thrashed."

[ikarl]

I can understand why Dodge don't want to pay for it, I mean, how many Vipers do they sell over here?!

AND, would American buyers care if it had a faster lap time than a Porsche on a racetrack in Europe?

[Dave Hedgehog]

done

can i also please pay for extra adverts on this site

[fatboy18]

hondansx said:

I see on the donation page a Belgium owner has volunteered to use his own car. Surely makes more sense than shipping two cars from the States!

There must be at least a handful in Europe, as i believe there are at least 3 confirmed in the UK.

3 Confirmed Viper ACR Extremes in the UK?
I only know of 1! Where did you find the information on the other two?

[fatboy18]

havoc said:

So PH is suggesting we give our money to a bunch of Americans so they can prove that their willy is bigger than some German's?!?

Really*?!?











* I mean, there's plenty of videos about this on the internet already...or so I'm told!

PH is not suggesting you get your money out at all. Quite simply, its a media story bought about by Viper fans.

The marketing of the Viper brand since Sergio /FCA got involved is dead, the Viper is ending production at the end of the year, so why would Dodge care and spend the money if there will be no added sales at the end of it?
We (us fans) believe there is a point to prove and thats why we want to get the cars out there and stick two fingers up to FCA saying "Told ya so"
Viper Exchange are willing to send two brand new cars out to Germany to try to do this. Viper Exchange (Tomball Dodge) also supplied the last 7:12:13 lap breaking cars straight off of their forecourt. Again this was technically private entries

[fatboy18]

olliete said:

I think this is totally awesome.

But... not so awesome if the dodge turns out to be slower than the 918 - hence, i assume, why Dodge aren't putting their marketing budget into this

Dodge marketing could not care one way or another Viper is ceasing production at the end of the year!

[fatboy18]

hondansx said:

I see on the donation page a Belgium owner has volunteered to use his own car. Surely makes more sense than shipping two cars from the States!

Not sure that owner would be happy to walk away without anything if the car span off into a wall somewhere?

[fatboy18]

em177 said:

Seems a rather strange way to waste your money.

Nice positive contrubtion

[SirSquidalot]

I'm sure the new president will fund this, he does want to make America great again

[havoc]

Ah, a thread hijack by a brand fanboy. Not seen one of those EVER before on PH...

[ZX10R NIN]

I don't see it beating the 918 but if it cracked the 7 minute marker that would really be some achievement especially when you consider the price & company it'll be keeping.

[fatboy18]

Meanwhile, how to lap a Porsche
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaNfT44FDCs