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

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.