Since the modern SRT Viper was introduced, we have been waiting for a new American Club Racer (ACR) model that would step in to reclaim some of the previous Viper’s lap records at tracks around the world. Today, the new Dodge Viper ACR Concept was introduced to a small group of media at the Chrysler Headquarters and based on what I saw today first hand, the next record setting production Viper could be right around the corner.
First off, the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR was aerodynamically superior to the competition and the new Viper ACR Concept derives much of its inspiration from the previous ACR package. This includes a massive front splitter and a pair of dive planes, all of which are made from exposed carbon fiber. The many vents of the Viper T/A hood helps to keep the engine cool on long track runs, while the new vents on the top of the fenders have been borrowed from the world of LeMans racing.
Along the sides, the new Dodge Viper ACR Concept wears a set of black lightweight 19 inch wheels wrapped in Hoosier R6 race tires. Beyond those thin spoke wheels is a monster brake package, with 15.4 inch carbon ceramic rotors under Brembo 6-piston calipers which when combined with the track tuned suspension setup, should make this the best handling of the modern Vipers. Aiding in that handling is the final external upgrade as the massive carbon fiber rear wing surely adds incredible downforce at the kinds of speed that the Viper ACR would see at the Nürburgring.
Finally, the Dodge Viper ACR Concept sheds all of the unneeded items throughout the cockpit that don’t make the car go faster. This weight reduction process does away with the carpeting, the sound insulation and the high end sound system that is standard in all new Vipers. However, it adds a suede wrapped steering wheel with a red wheel center indicator as well as 5-point racing harnesses on both seats.
Right now, the Dodge Viper ACR Concept is only a concept, but with Chrysler pointing out that they have had requests for a modern ACR, I see no reason why the company wouldn’t roll it out very soon. After all, it is really just a Viper T/A with some interior features removed, a few extra aerodynamic bits, a stiffer suspension and monster brakes…all things that are possible for a limited edition version of a production supercar.
"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.
