Last September, the Viper SRT10 ACR made some big noise when the original American supercar set a new production car record at the fabled Nürburgring Nordschleife. A smoking fast time of 7:12 devastated the ZR1’s 7:19, and was especially impressive considering the brand new Vette featured cutting edge suspension and braking technology–along with more power. Yet the 2010 Viper ACR still managed to shatter the ZR1’s record.
One thing that SRT and Dodge failed to mention last September was that it wasn’t the only Viper at the Nürburgring that autumn day. The Chrysler Group had also brought along a weapons-grade ACR-X to see how much quicker a track-only Viper could make it around the Green Hell. And the results were stunning.
With a blistering time of just 7:03, the ACR-X placed it fifth behind only the Pagani Zonda R (6:47.5), the Radical SR8LM (6:48), the Radical SR8 (6:55), and the Ferrari 599XX (6:58.16). Luckily, when the bright red Viper ACR-X was ripping around the Nürburgring last September, the video cameras were rolling, and last week, the DriveSRT website and Viper Club of America offered up the video of that race-ready Viper doing its thing on the Ring.
The video includes a track telemetry–so you can see its location on the massive course–a gear indicator, along with a G Force and downforce meter. Unfortunately, there’s no speedometer, but based on other videos I’ve seen–such as the Corvette ZR1–on the Ring, the ACR-X likely pushed past 200MPH on the long straight which leads into the final series of turns before the finish line. Also, while it’s a bummer not being able to see how fast the Viper is going, its incredible to see how much downforce the ACR-X creates. At it’s peak the meter tops 1,370lbs!
With the introduction of the next generation SRT Viper just over a month away, videos like this one will go a long way in helping to create buzz for the upcoming 2013 models–as if any hype is really needed. The 2013 SRT Viper is expected to pack a new V10 engine measuring 8.7 liters and packing between 650 to 700 horsepower. In addition to all of that power, we can also expect traction and stability control system similar to the ones found on the Corvette Z06 and ZR1. The results of adding a high-tech suspension system to a car that has already devastated records all around the world could make it near impossible for the Corvette (and the rest of the supercar world) to keep up. The question now? How much faster could the new Viper be around this world renowned course?
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
