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Le Mans / ALMS
ALMS: Factory SRT Viper Program Unveiled
Riley Technologies to build GTE-spec SRT Viper GTS-Rs, set for ALMS GT debut this year...
The new Riley Technologies-built SRT Viper GTS-R. (Photo: SRT)
Following months of speculation, one of the most heavily guarded secrets in the American Le Mans Series was confirmed Wednesday in that the iconic Viper brand will be returning to factory GT competition.
Unveiled alongside the 2013 Viper production car, SRT took the wraps off its new ACO GTE-specification contender today at the New York International Auto Show, confirming plans of a return to the ALMS, eleven years after its highly successful Dodge Viper GTS-R program.
“Racing has been a significant part of the illustrious history of Viper not only with significant wins on the track, but also in the continued development of the street cars – and our new 2013 SRT Viper models are proof of those lessons learned,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports of Chrysler.
“Now with our new team and the launch of the GTS-R, we’re excited and proud to begin writing more chapters in the racing history of the Viper later this summer.”
Riley Technologies has partnered with SRT Motorsports to design and build the new SRT Viper GTS-R. The North Carolina-based operation is also expected to campaign the two-car factory effort in the ALMS, beginning later this year.
Pirelli World Challenge driver Kuno Wittmer has been confirmed alongside German star Dominik Farnbacher and Riley ace Marc Goossens as the first three drivers for the Viper program.
Viper’s return to the ALMS gives a massive boost to the GT ranks, which now sees factory or works-supported entries from BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari Lotus and Porsche in the highly competitive production-based ranks.
“I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the significance of the SRT Viper returning to the top level of professional sports car racing,” said ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton. “The Chrysler Group has a long, storied and very successful history of competing with the American Le Mans Series.
“We would be hard-pressed to come up with a better scenario than having the brand return with the simultaneous introduction of both the new production car and the competition version. What a great way for SRT Viper to come back to racing.”
The Viper brand no doubt holds a storied past in the ALMS history books. Hugues de Chaunac’s ORECA squad previously ran the factory effort in the ALMS in 1999-2000, earning back-to-back GTS class championships and 16 victories out of 20 races.
In addition, the French squad claimed overall victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2000, adding to the Dodge Viper GTS-R’s worldwide accolades, which included three consecutive class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Development of the new Viper GTS-R began last year. Powered by an 8.0-liter V10, the car has allegedly received a waiver by the ACO to compete in GTE-Pro/GT, as rules prohibit an engine displacement over 5.5 liters.
No word has been given on its ALMS debut, although officials stated that it will come sometime this year.
PHOTOS: Dodge Viper ALMS Retrospective
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
Unveiled alongside the 2013 Viper production car, SRT took the wraps off its new ACO GTE-specification contender today at the New York International Auto Show, confirming plans of a return to the ALMS, eleven years after its highly successful Dodge Viper GTS-R program.
“Racing has been a significant part of the illustrious history of Viper not only with significant wins on the track, but also in the continued development of the street cars – and our new 2013 SRT Viper models are proof of those lessons learned,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports of Chrysler.
“Now with our new team and the launch of the GTS-R, we’re excited and proud to begin writing more chapters in the racing history of the Viper later this summer.”
Riley Technologies has partnered with SRT Motorsports to design and build the new SRT Viper GTS-R. The North Carolina-based operation is also expected to campaign the two-car factory effort in the ALMS, beginning later this year.
Pirelli World Challenge driver Kuno Wittmer has been confirmed alongside German star Dominik Farnbacher and Riley ace Marc Goossens as the first three drivers for the Viper program.
Viper’s return to the ALMS gives a massive boost to the GT ranks, which now sees factory or works-supported entries from BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari Lotus and Porsche in the highly competitive production-based ranks.
“I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the significance of the SRT Viper returning to the top level of professional sports car racing,” said ALMS President and CEO Scott Atherton. “The Chrysler Group has a long, storied and very successful history of competing with the American Le Mans Series.
“We would be hard-pressed to come up with a better scenario than having the brand return with the simultaneous introduction of both the new production car and the competition version. What a great way for SRT Viper to come back to racing.”
The Viper brand no doubt holds a storied past in the ALMS history books. Hugues de Chaunac’s ORECA squad previously ran the factory effort in the ALMS in 1999-2000, earning back-to-back GTS class championships and 16 victories out of 20 races.
In addition, the French squad claimed overall victory in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2000, adding to the Dodge Viper GTS-R’s worldwide accolades, which included three consecutive class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Development of the new Viper GTS-R began last year. Powered by an 8.0-liter V10, the car has allegedly received a waiver by the ACO to compete in GTE-Pro/GT, as rules prohibit an engine displacement over 5.5 liters.
No word has been given on its ALMS debut, although officials stated that it will come sometime this year.
PHOTOS: Dodge Viper ALMS Retrospective
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
ALMS Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
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