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Mopar is bringing the iconic Dodge
Challenger muscle car to National Hot Road Association (NHRA)
drag-racing competition. Mopar built the first two Challenger Drag
Race Package Cars for development and testing for its new Challenger
Package Car program. Based on the Challenger SRT8, the prototypes
were finished in Stock Eliminator configuration. They ran
successfully in June 2008 as proof-of-concept and for NHRA
certification. Mopar dropped approximately 1,000 lbs. off the
production Challenger SRT8 by eliminating major production
components and systems. To accentuate the weight savings, they also
feature added composite, polycarbonate and lightweight components
designed for drag racing that will be part of the new Package Car
program.
The engine was repositioned to improve driveline angle and weight
distribution. The 116-inch wheelbase was shortened by ½ inch. They
also feature a front cradle with bolt-in crossmember and solid
engine mounts. “Today is a great day for Mopar, Dodge, SRT, drag
racers and motorsports enthusiasts everywhere. Not made for the
streets, our drag-race-only Challengers will be running soon in NHRA
competition—the best grassroots racing series in the world,” said
Sunil Lahoti, Mopar Marketing and Brand Manager, Chrysler LLC. “And
who better to drive our new Challenger Package Cars on their
inaugural track run than ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Miss Mighty Mopar'—the
greatest drag racer of all time and a female pioneer of the sport.”
The first drag-race, factory-prepped package cars built in 40 years,
the new Challenger Drag Race Package Car by Mopar builds on the
heritage of the limited-edition 1968 HEMI powered Package Cars.
Those '68 Dodge Darts and Plymouth Barracudas solidified the Mopar
brand as a quarter-mile force.
Mopar will build a minimum of 100 Challenger Drag Race Package Cars
to meet NHRA requirements. Based on the production Dodge Challenger
SRT8, Mopar’s modern factory-prepped Challenger Drag Race Package
Car will begin as a special Body-in-White (BIW) from Chrysler’s
Brampton, Ontario, Canada, assembly plant. The body sealer, sound
deadener and undercoat will be eliminated. To reduce vehicle weight,
major production component and systems will also be eliminated
including: windshield wiper assembly, complete HVAC system, all
airbag components, rear seats, power steering system, exhaust system
and underbody heat shields, cross-car and side impact door beams,
rear bumper beam and rear deck lid spoiler.
The drag racer has three engine options—6.1-liter or 5.7-liter HEMI
or 5.9-liter Magnum® Wedge—as well as manual or automatic
transmission. A build book/owner’s manual will be provided to
document the modifications made to the Challenger SRT8 as well as
provide recommendations to finish the Package Car for Stock
Eliminator competition. To accentuate weight savings, there are
unique drag-race components in the Package Car program including:
composite lift-off hood with functional scoop, Viper-style front
seats, polycarbonate door windows, lightweight cooling module with
electric fan, manual rack and pinion steering, special
cable-operated deck lid release, special lightweight front brake
assembly and special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal
assembly.
The Challenger Drag Race Package Car will be eligible to run in
three Eliminator categories Comp, Super Stock and Stock and
potentially 40 classes. Depending upon the configuration selected,
the U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the
Challenger Drag Race Package Car program will range from the low to
mid $30s. Each car will carry an identification plate with
sequential serial number.
The Challenger Drag Race Package Car will be available for order in
late August to early September. A toll-free number will be
designated for ordering. Details will be posted on
www.mopar.com.
Now in its fifth decade, NHRA is the world's largest motorsports
sanctioning body with 80,000 members, 140 member tracks, more than
35,000 licensed competitors and more than 5,000 member-track events.
NHRA is second only to NASCAR in terms of fan attendance.
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts
manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the
growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts
Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.
Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the
words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze
products in 1937. It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC.
The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s—the muscle car era. The
Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package
cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a
line of “Special Parts” for super stock drag racers and developed
its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance
speed and handling for both road and racing use. |
