The Dodge Dart Slingshot at SEMA

My favorite of the three Moparized Dodge Dart sedans at the
recent 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas was the Dart Slingshot – the raced-up
looking sedan shown in the images above and below.  This customized 2013 Dart has been modified
for the purpose of racing in the SCCA showroom stock racing ranks (similar to
the B Spec Series recently won by Jonathon Smart’s Fiat 500) with a combination
of stock features and higher performance mods; including some items currently
available from Mopar along with others that are currently prototype pieces that
could arrive in the near future.

First off, like all good showroom stock race cars, the 2013
Dodge Dart Slingshot by Mopar features an interior that has been stripped of
all items that arent needed for driving and racing purposes – most notably the
rear seat portions and a bunch of carpeting/insulation.  The standard front bucket seats have also
been removed to make room for a set of lightweight Sparco race seats complete
with approved 6 point racing harnesses for the driver and passenger.  Finally, a competition approved roll cage has
been added to comply with the rules of various racing leagues around the country
(while also making the interior look that much cooler).

The Dodge Dart Slingshot is powered by the standard 1.4L
MultiAir Turbo 4-cylinder engine that is found in the normal production Dart,
offering 160 horsepower and 184lb-ft of torque in stock form although the free
flowing side-exit exhaust featured on the Dart Slingshot might add a touch more
power.  Mopar has also added a high
performance suspension package that will allow the Dart to handle better while
also giving the race-ready sedan a sportier stance.

The exterior of the 2013 Dodge Dart sedan was converted into
the Dart Slingshot with a bunch of items that are currently available from Mopar
along with some newer prototype items. 
Mopar started by adding a carbon fiber hood with a front mounted air
inlet (PN 82213263), a front chin spoiler (PN 82213090), longer side sills (PN
82213092), a rear lower diffuser (PN 82213091) and a low profile rear spoiler
(PN 82213127) – all of which lighten the car up, improve aerodynamics and give
the car a sportier look.  All of those
items are currently available from Mopar. 
Next, the Slingshot got a Bright White paint job, a carbon fiber decklid
wrap, massive Mopar decals along the sides, a Mopar windshield banner, a set of
red tow hooks and the 17″ OZ race wheels wrapped in high performance Michelin
rubber.

There has been a great deal of speculation as to what the
upcoming Dodge Dart SRT4 might look like and one has to wonder if we might not
see some (or all) of these aftermarket items offered as standard body bits when
the high performance Dart arrives in the next year.  These components do a great job of giving the
new Dart sedan an even sportier look but you have to wonder if Mopar doesn’t have
something up their sleeves in showing off so many performance themed Dart image
vehicles ahead of the Dart SRT4 debut.

Patrick Rall

"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.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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