Maybe, just maybe, GM will give us our own 'body-in-white' that's 800 lbs lighter, with an LS9 in it, just for racing only......
Hint, Hint... Fbodfather...



Dodge Challenger Super Stock Drag car to be available within weeks!

http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html

Dodge Challenger Super Stock Drag car to be available within weeks! According to oh20, a Challenger 800 pounds lighter than the production version will be available for racing. This will be a special factory package built for NHRA-sanctioned Stock Eliminator drag racing. Features will include a unique serial number sequence, variations of current Hemi and 5.9 liter Magnum engines, automatic or manual transmission, and special lightweight features including:
• Lightweight front fascia support system
• Composite lift-off hood with functional scoop
• Lightweight cooling module with electric fan
• Special modified drop-out front crossmember
• Lightweight drag race-only front brake assembly
• Seats to accommodate six-point harness
• Special Body-in-White modified for drag racing
This is one serious package that does away with such frills as windshield wipers, power windows, HVAC System, sound deadener and rear seats to create one lightweight and intense racing machine. Additional details will be available next week.

 

That's awesome, I would love to see a Camaro drag car!

 

I don't care for drag racing at all, but I still think its awesome for a manufacturer to offer such car.

But what would more incredible than that would be the LS9 in the top engine. Why play a game of "we have 10 more horsepower than you" when you could just deliver an engine that puts the smack down like a Mike Tyson upper cut?



yeah - I know - costs....

 

GM needs to do it! How awesome would it be to go down to GM and buy a brand new racecar with extensive development behind it. Pretty damn awesome I'd say. Ford is even doing a Mustang spec series.

 

Can someone explain to me how this is financially feasible for a company doing pretty bad when it was said that the much better off GM couldn't do it?

 

I would not confuse wouldn't or no business case or no unwanted liability for people potentially getting hurt in a factory built racecar with couldn't.

This shoudn't be too much of a surprise. Chrysler has a Viper ACR and had lots of performance parts for the Neon SRT4. Chrysler has just embraced racing more than GM and have since the 60's.

 

1. Chrysler isn't actually doing super-badly -- not as badly as Ford, say.

2. While the Challenger program has to meet hard cost and profitability targets, a lot of it is being driven by love, and a lot of people are going above and beyond on this one. Compare the detailing and care given to Challenger with that given to, say, the Avenger. When you have that kind of effort going on in a company, extras -- as long as they can be more or less justified financially -- happen.

 

Ever been stuck in rush hour traffic in the middle of August pretty much any place in the Southwest? That's who. lol

 

I could see "no business case", but liability doesn't seem to be an issue. These kinds of cars aren't meant for general consumption or use on public roads so liability would be pretty low, not to mention they probably sell in lower numbers than something equally or more liability prone as the upcoming ZR1.

I still say do it GM, its not like you have to set up a dedicated production line, with the exception of the last Mustang spec cars, the other FR500 cars are built out of house and I'd guess made on order rather than building up a fleet of racecars then waiting for them to sell.

It'd bee nice to see some racing with the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger competing head to head in drag and road racing using factory race cars ( a series for the cars would be even better, but I think the cars would become to diluted trying to level the playing field).

 

....and race teams will buy these . Theres a multitute of teams that already turn brand new cars into racers , from drag racing to road racing ect .

 

You would be surprised these days. Let me tell ya a story that happened in the late 90's at GM Design. The design studio had built some kind of concept and ordered those cool hand made tires with the logo's for tread. For some reason a full set ended up in the dumpster and an employee went and took them. He had them mounted on his car and ended up in an accident on the freeway. He was badly injured in the wreck and hurt some others too. Guess whom got dragged into a lawsuit because their property tires had played a part in a severe accident...

Liability is always an issue because nobody takes responsability for their own actions anymore. It's not that GM has to pay out settlements or isn't able to defend themselves but bad press and the jury of public opinion cuts far deeper.

 

Heh, when it comes to liability suits nothing surprises me... well maybe... if the truth got out how they secretly dope the water the jury drinks, that would surprise me.

Still though, I have to point back at Ford, they've got nothing less than 3 Mustang road race cars that have been out for a bit and DC is jumping into drag racing in a similar fashion it seems. Both Ford and DC are in worse shape which would make you think that they'd be a bit more prudent when it comes to doing this kind of stuff.

Anyways, fingers crossed, hopefully GM is looking at it and taking a wait and see approach before they give it more thought.

 

I disagree.