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| The Viper Competition Coupe is not street legal but what a great way to spend the weekend. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Whining aside the new Competition Coupe's body consists of carbon/Kevlar, while its chassis is based on the dramatically improved 2003 Dodge Viper SRT-10 convertible. Having spent a reasonable amount of time driving the new Viper, and then having compared it back to back with an RT/10, GTS and GTS ACR, I personally think the new coupe, which is more rigid overall and tuned specifically for the track, will become a serious competitor from its initial race.
Drivers should appreciate it more as well. The new chassis is not as harsh and much more forgiving, while producing better overall performance numbers. What does this mean at the track? Reduced driver fatigue, more opportunities for passing, better handling in slippery conditions with less of a chance of spinning off the track and hitting the wall, etc.
According to Dodge, "every effort has been made to produce an affordable yet competitive GT-class race car." For this reason Dodge expects its competition-oriented Dodge Viper owner base to keep the coupes in high demand.
"The idea for a next-generation racing version came from the Viper owner body," Fernandez said. "A large proportion of owners enjoy racing their cars in organized competition. At the same time, DaimlerChrysler received inquiries from major motorsports sanctioning bodies looking for Dodge Viper participation. With that input, we knew there was a real demand for a factory race car. And based on our customers' reactions, we were right on."