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Chrysler Applies Viper Success to Le Mans Prototype

19 April 2000

Chrysler Applies Viper Success to Le Mans Prototype

    PARIS, April 18 DaimlerChrysler motorsports officials are
looking to translate the success of the Viper GTS-R/T endurance racer into a
winning program at the highest level of sports car racing with the new
Chrysler Le Mans Prototype sports car.
    The Viper GTS-R/T is unbeaten in endurance racing in more than a year.
Its trophy case holds reminders from the 1997, '98 and '99 FIA GT2/GTS World
Championships, awards from class wins at Le Mans in 1998 and '99 and the
inaugural 1999 American Le Mans Series title for GTS.  Biggest and brightest,
though, stands the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona overall winner's trophy.
    These are only the beginning of what Chrysler and its factory-backed Team
ORECA hope will be an even greater and more successful worldwide endurance
racing presence.
    Chrysler, Team ORECA and sponsor partner Sony PlayStation today announced
that they will field two Mopar V-8-powered prototype sports cars at the most
important endurance race in the world -- the Le Mans 24 Hours.
    "Le Mans has become the battleground of the world's leading
manufacturers," said Lou Patane, Vice President, Motorsports Operations and
Mopar Performance Parts at DaimlerChrysler.  "Simply put, every time our
products beat those of another brand, it's another reason to be driving one of
our cars, trucks or minivans, or buying a Mopar part to enhance their function
or performance.
    "In 2000, it is our goal to be competitive, learn at the fastest pace
possible, then return in 2001 with the sole intent of winning the Le Mans 24
Hours," Patane added.
    The Chrysler brand's growing presence at Le Mans is part of a strategy of
international growth.  The Chrysler 300M has established itself as the
worldwide flagship for the brand, and triggered a complete transformation of
Chrysler's passenger vehicle lineup.  This includes the all-new Voyager
minivan, the all-new Sebring sedan and the PT Cruiser, which is turning heads,
drawing rave reviews and putting our very American stamp on the product lineup
around the world.
    All of these products are attracting consumers worldwide who are in search
of performance and luxury in an American way.
    "We have enjoyed tremendous success with Viper since we started our
Chrysler racing program," said Hugues de Chaunac, Director, Team ORECA.  "This
year we are facing some tough competition in our class and this has increased
the challenge for our team.  But we have the experience and the best drivers
and crew in place to not only defend our titles, but build a competitive
Chrysler prototype program as well."
    DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills, Michigan-based engineers have worked with
Viper Team ORECA to develop the Viper GTS-R/T into a race winner on both sides
of the Atlantic.
    The manufacturer uses its racing programs as a platform on which to train
its young engineers, develop component parts for the race track and for the
road and increase brand awareness.
    "Racing has become an extension of the production Viper program," said
Patane.  "We wanted to develop some of our young people as well as experienced
ones in a fast-paced environment where they have to make quick decisions."
    Engineers who have worked on the Viper GTS-R/T team are rotating to other
engineering disciplines with the specific intent of bringing their expertise
and understanding of advanced techniques and technologies to major Dodge
production models.
    The Viper GTS-R/T has been used on both sides of the ocean as a testing
ground for the engine blocks, cylinder heads, transmissions, suspensions,
exhaust systems and other key vehicle components.  All have been tested in the
toughest environments -- on the track competing in 24-hour endurance races.