SRT will not field the Vipers in this years LeMans

"Jonathon Klein" (jonathon-klein) 03/24/2014 at 22:42 • Filed to: Vipers, Riley Technologies, LeMans

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In a sudden shakeup of this year's twice around the clock race. The SRT backed team of the two Riley Technologies Vipers will not be racing at the historical race this year. Ralph Giles President and CEO of the SRT brand stated that they would not be able to field their team this season and rather put all of their efforts into their North American racing this season.

He went on to say that he felt disappointed that they couldn't go to the race this year, but that they had informed the ACO first before announcing they would not be returning. Last year marked the return of the Vipers to LeMans after last racing it from 1996-2000. Last year the team managed 23rd and 31st overall with a class ranking of 8th and 9th which is bloody good for coming off a 14yr hiatus. Lately the team has been gathering up speed where it could here at home. At Sebring this year, the no. 93 car placed 2nd, placed a few spots behind.

Some have speculated that the reason they aren't returning to LeMans this year is that the sales of the new Viper are not hitting their mark, and that they have had to put the plant where they build the new Vipers on idle at the moment. This seems like a bit of a stretch. While it could be a factor, it's most likely only one of the many factors that were part of the variables that inevitably caused them to decline the offer of coming back.

What isn't up for discussion from Giles is his commitment to the new Tudor United Sportscar Championship where they will continue to soldier on entering the next race at the Streets of Long Beach on April 12th. With SRT pulling out of the race, only 3 teams will be American driven efforts. This is indeed sad to think those cars won't be at LeMans this year since they did a bang up job with not that much experience under their belt against some of the best teams and drivers in the world. Hopefully the team can get it together for next year and come back to the Twice Around the Clock race. Good luck chaps!

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Brian Silvestro > Jonathon Klein 03/24/2014 at 22:45

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Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jonathon Klein 03/24/2014 at 22:50

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So, I'm guessing no WRC Viper either?

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Jonathon Klein 03/24/2014 at 22:53

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I love the GTS-R. Shame it won't be returning to LM. I think after hearing and seeing that thing go round for 24hrs, a good number of people would order one.

sammyjay > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/24/2014 at 23:08

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*WEC?

but a wrc viper would be...interesting to say the least

benn454 > Jonathon Klein 03/24/2014 at 23:08

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I'm a CR fan, but still. Love seeing and hearing the Vipers roar around the track.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > sammyjay 03/24/2014 at 23:09

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No, I mean WRC Viper.

It's a sick fantasy of mine, and it would actually comply with the RGT class rules.

sammyjay > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/24/2014 at 23:11

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does Fiat have a WRC entry? because this would be a perfect time to start one if they don't

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > sammyjay 03/24/2014 at 23:14

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They don't have WRC, but they did have IRC Puntos and lower level 500's.

But the thought of a rally Panda has me tight in the pants...

sammyjay > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/24/2014 at 23:26

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They still run IVECO trucks in the Dakar right? Shouldn't be too hard to shoehorn some goodies from that into a Panda

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > sammyjay 03/24/2014 at 23:28

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Those IVECO motors are larger than Pandas

sammyjay > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/24/2014 at 23:48

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http://cumminss-10.blogspot.com/2012/05/1993-c…

This is an S10 with a Cummins 6BT and compound turbos. I don't know what the problem with chucking a medium-duty turbodiesel into a lunchbox is, but I'm sure the biggest car and truck company in Italy can handle it if some guy in his garage can do it.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > sammyjay 03/24/2014 at 23:50

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sammyjay > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/24/2014 at 23:57

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...500L factory team?

willkinton247 > Jonathon Klein 03/25/2014 at 01:14

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As a beads up, the 91 did not burn. It was the Viper Exchange GT3-R

Jonathon Klein > willkinton247 03/25/2014 at 08:04

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Really I could have sworn it was the factory team.

willkinton247 > Jonathon Klein 03/25/2014 at 08:30

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Nope, both the 91 and the 93 both finished. It was the 33 in GTD that burned.

Jonathon Klein > willkinton247 03/25/2014 at 08:35

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Gotcha I'll change it.