This commemorative 2017 Dodge Viper is #89/100, a number that’s special because ’89 was the first year a Dodge Viper debuted at the Detroit Auto Show, heralding a legacy that eventually ran for twenty-five years, from 1992 – 2017, when the Viper program was finally shut down. The 25th anniversary GTS-R styling echoes the 100 blue-striped white GTS-R models Dodge built after the Viper’s 1997 FIA GT2 championship win.
This Dodge Viper came factory configured with Carbon Ceramic Matrix Brakes, the Extreme Aero Package, which generates approximately a ton of down force at the drag-limited top speed of 177mph, GTS-R Commemorative Edition badging and decals, the ACR Package, which consists of the carbon-fiber, vented, Extreme Hood, Extreme Front Splitter, Upper Dive Planes, Extreme Rear Diffuser, Extreme Wing Spoiler, and the ACR Interior Package. It was also outfitted with the Exterior Carbon Fiber Package, which includes the Front Brake Duct Bezels, Rear Brake Duct Bezels, Rear Carbon Fiber Applique, and Header Red Seat Belts.
To that stock configuration, I’ve added only Teamtech 6-point harnesses, for safety at the track, and Forgeline GTD1-Viper racing wheels.
On April 9th, 2017, Tom O’Gorman captured a Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Pro course configuration) dual track record of 1:29.630 with this car. That was both a production car lap record and the fastest lap time ever recorded for any car on street tires. The Viper was running its Kumho Ecsta V720 ACR stock tires.
The 2017 Dodge Viper ACR’s 8.4L V-10 engine produces 645hp and 600 lb/ft of torque. The car weighs about 3400 lbs. On May 6th and 7th I had the pleasure of parking next to Ralph Gilles while at a track event at the National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park. Ralph led the Viper Design Team that put together this magnificent car. Naturally, I had to geek out and ask him to sign my car.
Many of the photos on this page are the result of the artistic talent of Javier Santiago, of OJS Design. The rest are either photos from the track or snapshots from my iPhone 7.
Sunning My Inner Lizard 