Viper fans are at the Nurburgring to reclaim production-car speed record

Mook

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This is fucking awesome. I hope they pull it off. I think they raised something like 170,000 dollars to get this done.

Viper fans are at the Nurburgring to reclaim production-car speed record - Autoblog

With the outgoing generation of the Viper, Dodge missed a fabulous opportunity to set another NĂĽrburgring lap record. The company did it, twice, with the previous-generation Viper ACR, but never went back with the latest ACR, and it definitely won't now that the car is being discontinued. This is why a group of Viper fans began fundraising back in January to take ACRs to the 'Ring for one more shot at glory. And, right now, that group is in Germany preparing for the attempt.

The team made it thanks to support from GoFundMe donors, and sponsorship from Kumho Tires and Prefix, a design and prototype company based in Michigan. They're using two Viper ACR GTS-R commemorative-edition cars, which are appropriate for competing track cars since they have the same white-with-blue-stripes color scheme as Dodge's old Viper GTS-R racecars. The cars are supplied from ViperExchange and BJ Motors and equipped with Kumho Ecsta V720 tires.

According to the group's Facebook page, the team has been practicing since Wednesday, July 19. A video posted today highlighted that the only mechanical issue so far has been an overheating problem that was solved with a new thermostat. Each car is running a different suspension setup for practice - one soft, the other hard - and they'll adjust them as needed. The plan is that both cars will use the same setup on the record attempt. To claim the record without any argument will require beating the 6:45.9 time set by the Nio EP9 electric car. Right behind it is the Radical SR8LM, which is technically street-legal, but not really a street car. It set a time of 6:48. As for true street cars with gasoline engines, the target the Viper team will really want to beat is the Lamborghini Huracan Performante, which pulled off a time of 6:52. You can track the team's progress at its Facebook page.

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Mook

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More info:

The people involved are not being paid, but are volunteering their time and skills to retake the record. This includes Russ Oasis, who organized the effort and the GoFundMe, as well as drivers Dominik Farnbacher—who set the previous Viper record of 7:12:13 in 2011—and Luka Stolz, who has qualified in pole position for the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. These drivers know the Viper and know the Nurburgring. If anyone can help the Viper claim the record, it's them.
 

Thirdgen89GTA

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:tear: Hellpigs killed the Viper.

Entirely different market segment.

The Viper was just too niche and badass for most people, so poor sales. But it was never a sales monster anyways.

I hope they smash the record, but I'm not sure they will. The Nio EP9 is ungodly fast. Way more power, and the AWD acceleration is blinding. Electric motors can respond to throttle and traction requests way faster so they maintain grip better.

Ever see a Tesla spin the tires when trying to actually accelerate? The electric motor responds so fast to traction control requests that it stops spinning before humans realize the tire lost grip.
 

Rent Free

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Entirely different market segment.

The Viper was just too niche and badass for most people, so poor sales. But it was never a sales monster anyways.

I hope they smash the record, but I'm not sure they will. The Nio EP9 is ungodly fast. Way more power, and the AWD acceleration is blinding. Electric motors can respond to throttle and traction requests way faster so they maintain grip better.

Ever see a Tesla spin the tires when trying to actually accelerate? The electric motor responds so fast to traction control requests that it stops spinning before humans realize the tire lost grip.

pretty sure ive posted articles on here before about hellpigs poaching buyers from the viper.

if you dont think a 700hp challenger or charger would make a potential viper buyer start second guessing you are out of your mind different segment car or not.

considering the hellpigs cost alot less and offered more HP.
 

Mook

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First attempt in the books - 7:03.45

Dodge Viper Nurburgring Lap - Viper Ring Record

With professional racer Dominik Farnbacher at the wheel, a brand-new, bone-stock Viper GTS-R just set a 7:03.45 lap time at the famed German track.

It wasn't easy: the privateers originally scheduled one hour of closed-track lap time on Monday, July 24th, to attempt to set a lap time. But heavy rains all day scuttled those plans, leaving the team only able to practice during open lapping sessions with significant traffic, often under wet, rainy conditions. When a brief window of track time became available this afternoon, the team scrambled into action.

Will try another attempt later this week.
 
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