1996 Dodge Viper GTS
During the early nineties America saw a resurgence in high-performance cars.Chevrolet has its King-of-the-Hill ZR-1 Corvette and a hot new Camaro Z28, Ford had the Mustang Cobra, and Dodge showcased their brutal Viper roadster in the 11991 500.
A short five years later, Dodge again paced the 8Oth running of the 500 with a Viper, but this time it was the striped, spoilered, and couped GTS.The GTS was the next step in the evolution of the original Viper concept. With the addition of a roof, power windows, and dual air bags, the CTS is a more civilized version of the Viper. The dual side pipes were replaced by a less restrictive and better sounding dual pipe system that exited in the center of the rear bumper.
Don’t get the idea that the CTS was not up to the same performance level as the roadster. Under the hood is an even more powerful 450-horsepower 8.0-liter V-10, and through extensive use of lightweight aluminum, the CTS is nearly 100 pounds lighter than the roadster model.
Specifications
Body Style: 2-door coupe
Engine: 488-cid ohv V-1
Bore X Stroke: 4.00 X 3.880
Horsepower: 450 (SAE net)
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Driver: Bobv Lutz
The GTS is so highly tuned that it didn’t require any powertrain or chassis
modifications. The roof was altered for better rearward view, and Dodge also
added the USAC-mandated safety equipment.
Because the GTS is a limited production model, only four were available at the speedway Two served as pace cars, one went to the race winner, and one was reserved for use by IMS officials. Dodge also supplied the official truck for the 500 a blue with white stripes Ram pickup.
The Driver: Chrysler president Robert Lutz is, first and
foremost, a car guy Since taking over the CEO job at Chrysler in 1993,
Lutz has been credited with the original Dodge Viper RT/10, the new GTS Coupe,
the Ram pickup, the LH sedans, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Though this was his first time in the pace car, Lutz has met race car program requirements in the U.S., France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In addition, he is a pilot and a collector of vintage automobiles.
The Race: In a May filled with controversy over the split between the new Indy Racing League and CART (Indy Car), many said that the 500 would be a second-rate race. It was anything but. In fact, the CART drivers were the ones who looked like rookies in their spectacular pace-lap crash in the competing Michigan 500.
As for the Indy 500, Buddy Lazier pulled off a late pass of Davy Jones on lap 193 and cruised to victory in the Hemelgarn Racing Ford-powered ‘95 Reynard.
Winner
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