The 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas offered many show-goers a
chance to meet the 2013 SRT Viper for the first time – both in the form of the
Viper GTS Launch Edition and a “base model” 2013 Viper modified by Mopar.
The 2013 SRT Viper GTS Launch Edition (shown above) was displayed in the
Pirelli tire booth, celebrating the partnership between the SRT high performance
brand and the well known tire company in developing the extreme performance
tires found on the standard production 2013 Viper.Only 150 copies of this special Viper GTS Launch
Edition will be made and with those Vipers becoming instant collectables –
these are cars that we aren’t likely to see sitting in traffic.This means that for many people, the 2012
SEMA Show offered the only chance to see the new special edition Viper GTS in
the flesh.
More importantly, the massive indoor Mopar display played
home to a 2013 Viper “base model” that has been modified by Mopar with items
that are either currently available or they could soon be coming to the Mopar Performance
catalog if there is enough interest from owners.First off, Mopar began with a bright yellow
entry level 2013 Viper, adding the lightweight wheels from the Track Pack
wearing a unique HyperBlack paint, a red tow hook and a set of carbon fiber dive
planes.Out back, Mopar has added a
carbon fiber rear spoiler which adds more downforce while also…well…looking pretty
awesome.
Inside, the Moparized 2013 SRT Viper wears an aluminum pedal
kit, brushed aluminum sill guards, an aluminum shift know, a Katzkin leather
interior package, six point race harnesses and a carbon fiber bulkhead cover
compete with a built-in mount for a GoPro video camera.Also, furthering the improved performance of
the 2013 Viper, Mopar has added a carbon fiber x brace that lightens the car
without compromising chassis rigidity along with a performance spring package.
The high performance springs and lightweight chassis brace
applied by Mopar to the 2013 SRT Viper help to improving handling and
drivability while the exterior changes improve aerodynamics and lighten up the
car further.Best of all, these minor
changes add to the aggressive look of the new Mopar supercar – making the new
Viper even more awesome.
I would certainly expect to see all of these items for the
2013 SRT Viper available from Mopar in the near future…probably shortly after
the new Viper enters production later this month.
"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.
