The Chrysler Group has issues a series of short videos
discussing many of the fine details of the 2013 SRT Viper that help make it so
incredible and today, we take a look at the first video in that series.This video is a broad overview of the new
Viper, brought to us with the help of Graham Henckel – the Chief Engineer for
the 2013 SRT Viper program.
While five minutes is nowhere near enough to really give a
full overview of the 2012 SRT Viper, Henckel touches on all of the most
important areas of design and engineering. He addresses the fact that the designers did look at their new cousins
from Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo while in the early stages but in the long
run, the group made sure to capture the real look and spirit of the new
American supercar.
As the video goes on, Henckel discusses the lightweight
design of the 2013 SRT Viper thanks to the heavy use of carbon fiber for the
body and high strength steel in the chassis – as well as how this bolsters the
performance of the Viper.Finally, the
Viper program boss talks about the goal to build an amazing supercar that is
every bit as impressive on the track as it is on the street.
Anyways, without further delay, check out the first in the series
of the new 2013 SRT Viper videos!
"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.
The Chrysler Group has issues a series of short videos