Download Print Chrysler Group 24 Hours of Le Mans Fact Sheet The SRT Viper GTS-R is a North American-built, premium production sports car with a racing heritage of championships earned in both American (American Le Mans Series) and European (FIA GT) series. Introduced in 1996 with then European partner Oreca, Viper GTS-Rs competed in a limited schedule in the GT-1 class in Europe and the BPR Global Series in Asia as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Canaska Southwinds would also run a limited schedule in the North American IMSA GT Championship, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. In 1997, Team Oreca finished 12that the 24 Hours of Daytona racing in the IMSA GT Series. Oreca also ran in Europe in the FIA GT Championship Series. Moving to the GT-2 class, the Vipers won seven of 11 races on their way to winning the series championship. Highlights: 1997 FIA GT Championship – GT2 Drivers, won by Justin Bell 1997 FIA GT Championship – GT2 Team, won by Viper Team Oreca In 1998, Vipers continued their domination in FIA GT racing by winning 9 of the 10 races during the season including a first in class win at Le Mans finishing eleventh overall. This was the second year in a row that the team won the FIA GT championship. Highlights: 1998 FIA GT Championship – GT2 Drivers, won by Olivier Beretta and Pedro Lamy 1998 FIA GT Championship – GT2 Teams, won by Viper Team Oreca 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans – GT2 Class 1st – Viper Team Oreca In 1999, Vipers placed 1st through 6th in the GTS Class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Oreca Vipers winning the class. Vipers also won the 24 Hours of Nurburgring, American Le Mans Series GTS class championship and nine of 10 races in the FIA GT series to capture the championship. Highlights: 1999 FIA GT Championship – Drivers, won by Olivier Beretta and Karl Wendlinger 1999 FIA GT Championship – Teams, won by Viper Team Oreca 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans – GTS Class 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place finishes, won by Team Oreca 1999 American Le Mans Series – Class Champion, Team Oreca 1999 VLN German Championship Series – Won every race of season (10/10), Team Zakspeed 1999 24 Hours of Nurburgring – Overall victory, won by Peter Zakowski, H.J. Tiemann, K. Ludwig and M. Duez In 2000, Team Oreca Vipers won their third straight class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Vipers also won the 24 Hours of Daytona and nine of 10 races in capturing the American Le Mans Series GTS class championship. Highlights: 2000 24 Hours of Daytona – Overall victory 2000 American Le Mans Series – Class Champion, Team Oreca 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans – GTS Class 1st and 2nd place, won by Team Oreca 2000 Final year of factory support Team: SRT Motorsports Owner: Chrysler Group LLC, Auburn Hills, Mich. Race Cars: No. 53 SRT Viper GTS-R and No. 93 SRT Viper GTS-R Key Team Personnel: SRT Racing Manager: Gary Johnson, SRT Motorsports Team Manager: Bill Riley, Riley Technologies Lead Engineer: Matt Bejnarowicz, SRT Motorsports Driver Roster: 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013: No. 53 SRT Viper GTS-R: Dominik Farnbacher, Marc Goossens and Ryan Dalziel No. 93 SRT Viper GTS-R: Jonathan Bomarito, Kuno Wittmer and Tommy Kendall 24 Hours of Le Mans Viper GTS-R Factory-Backed Team Highlights (1998-2000) First 24 Hour of Le Mans entry: 1997 (No. 63 Viper Team Oreca finished fifth in GT2 class with drivers Justin Bell, Pierre Yver and John Morton) First 24 Hour of Le Mans GT class win: 1998 (No. 52 Viper Team Oreca with drivers Justin Bell, David Donohue and Luca Drudi) Last 24 Hour of Le Mans GTS class win: 2000 (No. 51 Viper Team Oreca with drivers Oliver Beretta, Dominique Dupuy and Karl Wendlinger) 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins: Three (1998-2000) 24 Hours of Le Mans class 1-2 finish: Three (1998-2000) 1998 1st Place: Justin Bell, David Donohue and Luca Drudi 2nd Place: Olivier Beretta, Pedro Lamy and Tommy Archer 1999 1st Place: Olivier Beretta, Karl Wendlinger and Dominique Dupuy 2nd Place: Tommy Archer, Justin Bell and Marc Duez 2000 1st Place: Dominique Dupuy, Olivier Beretta and Karl Wendlinger 2nd Place: David Donohue, Ni Amorim and Anthony Beltoise ALMS Viper GTS-R Factory-Backed Race Wins: 16 (1999-2000) 1-2 finishes: 10 (1999-2000) First GTS class win: Mosport International Raceway, Aug. 27, 1999; drivers Olivier Beretta and David Donohue Last GTS class win: Adelaide Street Circuit, Dec. 31, 2000; drivers Olivier Beretta, Karl Wendlinger and Dominique Dupoy About SRT and SRT Motorsports The Chrysler Group’s SRT (Street and Racing Technology) brand uses a successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks: awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots. The SRT lineup in the 2013 model year features five vehicles that are world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. The Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 are joined by the SRT flagship Viper and Viper GTS models, which are making their highly anticipated return to the high-performance sports car market. The engineering expertise within SRT extends well beyond its high-performance street vehicles. Technical support for the Chrysler Group's various racing programs is provided by the astute engineers at SRT Motorsports, where lessons learned on the race track directly translate to improved vehicles for the company’s customers. 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