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| Recognize the Michigan plate? It was a little out of place amid the sunshine and palm trees of Santa Barbara, California. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Taking a breather I notice a hopped-up Honda slicing up the curves in my rearview. Normally, if he's like most import-tuner Californians, he would be looking for a rat racing companion to test out his latest hardware on. But unfortunately my import friend doesn't take the bait and backs off as soon as he sees the intimidating Viper - smart move.
Winding down I rumble up the long, twisting driveway through picturesque ranchland, part of an acreage Dodge has rented for this very occasion. It's too soon after the fact for my emotions to be letting down, but my heart slows its thumping as I meditate on my first experience behind the wheel of a true racecar.
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| While much more civilized, the 2003 Viper SRT-10 delivers even better performance than the ACR, especially in city and highway driving. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Yes the American Club Racer is a racing car, tame just enough to be acceptable on the street under sober, sensible operation. This 2002 model is the last of a rare, and for the time being, dying breed of which 1,800 have been hand-built for each of its three years.
I've already driven the all-new 2003 SRT-10 roadster, equipped with even more horsepower and torque and much greater comfort and convenience. Still, there won't be a GTS model from the start, and thus there won't be an ACR. That said about 30 Competition Coupes of the new model will be made for serious competition purposes only, not for the street.