This is not how the team wanted it to be…
The crowdfunded team consisting of Dodge Viper enthusiasts set a new lap record at the Nurburgring this weekend with a lap time 7:01.3. Although it was only a fraction short of their goal of sub-seven minutes, it still beats their previous lap time of 7:03.45 and makes the ACR street-legal Dodge Viper the fastest around the Nurburgring.
However, the record-breaking run was not without its hiccups. Road & Track was present in Germany to witness the record-setting run. The Viper team lost one car due to a seized differential earlier this week and the other to a high speed tire failure after the second lap. This led to a serious accident. Both drivers were able to walk away with minor injuries. Watch the video to see the record-breaking lap. At 7:01.3, the Viper is now fifth fastest car overall on the Nurburgring lap record list, falling just behind the Lamborghini Aventador SV, which set a record of 6:59.73 in 2015, but besting competitors like the Nissan GT-R Nismo (7:08.68), and the new Mercedes-AMG GT R (7:10.92), and shattering the previous-generation’s record of 7:12.13 set back in 2011. The Viper campaign was crowdfunded and began in January. Two brand-new Viper ACRs were fully stock with a GTS-R appearance pack. A few privateers helped to fund the run through a crowdfunding campaign. Kumho was also sponsoring the tire provider. Two Vipers were used in the record attempt. They were both purchased new at the Texas Viper Exchange.
It’s unlikely we’ll ever see another Nurburgring attempt with Viper production ending. Rumours suggest that a new Viper is in the works. It’s possible it will arrive even faster around the Ring.