Mopar(R) Reveals Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Cars at the 29th Annual
Mopar Mile-High Nationals
- Mopar(R) is bringing the iconic Dodge Challenger muscle car to National Hot
Road Association (NHRA) drag-racing competition
CENTER LINE, Mich., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Mopar(R) is bringing the
iconic Dodge Challenger muscle car to National Hot Road Association (NHRA)
drag-racing competition. Mopar revealed two Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package
Cars at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High Nationals today before thrilled fans
at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, Colo. Mopar Mile-High Nationals is the
longest-running NHRA sponsorship.
"Big Daddy" Don Garlits and Judy "Miss Mighty Mopar" Lilly were behind the
wheels for their inaugural track run. Garlits drove the car featuring the
Stone White paint scheme. Lilly was behind the wheel of the "Mopar Liquid
Metal" prototype. NHRA named Garlits the #1 driver of the Top 50 drivers from
its first 50 years. His victories and accomplishments are virtually unmatched
in drag-racing history. "Miss Mighty Mopar" is one of the female pioneers in
drag racing. Spending 12 years on the NHRA circuit, Lilly is the only female
driver to win two NHRA national events in one year.
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(R), 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 1/2 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."
New Dodge Challenger Drag Race Package Car Program by Mopar
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(R)-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(R) 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.
70 Years of Mopar
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.
Today, Chrysler LLC's Global Service & Parts division is responsible for
the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar
replacement parts, components, restoration parts, accessories and performance
parts for Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles sold around the world. To
assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and accessories
are designed in strict adherence to Chrysler engineering standards.
SOURCE Chrysler LLC
Patricia Georgevich, +1-248-512-4889 (office), +1-248-514-1313 (cell),
pg572@chrysler.com
