“We’re looking forward to bringing Mopar Nation to Thunder Mountain,” Pietro Gorlier, MoparCEO said in a statement. “This is a premier stop on the NHRA circuit and a great place to showcase the Mopar brand and reveal our new Mopar ’10 Challenger.”

The Mopar ’10 hides a 5.7 liter Hemi V8 powerplant under its hood and comes with several unique features to set it apart from other Dodges, like black chrome finish for the grille surround and Brilliant Black paint.

As for the technical tweaks which will make the 500 units of the ’10 stand out from the crowd, they comprise hood-venting system and a cold air intake, front strut brace with shock caps and a rear strut tower brace and twenty inch forged rims.

Aside for the ’10, Mopar will display at the event the Ram 3500 Heavy Duty, a “Moparized” Dodge Challenger, Mopar Ram Runner and the Mopar Direct Connection Test Lab Vehicle.

“Bandimere Speedway is proud and honored to have Mopar call our track home,” added John Bandimere Jr., Bandimere Speedway CEO.

“Our unique venue and the forward-thinking people at Mopar make this one of the top fan experiences on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. We are eager to have our friends return to Denver for this long-running partnership.”

Besides being one of the leading manufacturers of Performance Products, CGS has also become one of the leading creators of many SEMA Show vehicles over the years and CGS has built several vehicles for the Big 3.

Once again, CGS is creating another SEMA Show vehicle for GM, which will be showcased at the 2010 SEMA Show. They will be customizing a new ’11 Chevy Camaro.

This new GM muscle car will feature custom paint, the Camaro will feature a ZR1 influenced hood, and body kit by ACS. The CGS team is also designing and building handmade chrome moldings. Custom leather from Pecca Leather, of course one of CGS’s Cat-Back Exhaust Systems, and Whipple Ind. new Camaro twin screw supercharger producing close to 500hp.

As illustrated in the rendering, 22″ wheels up front a set of 24″x15″ rear wheels by Genuine Boyds, Pirelli’s new 405/25/24″ rear tires, the rear wheels and tires will be stuffed under the back without any type fender fairing. All the rear suspension will be replaced with Chris Alston’s Fab 9 rear end with a latter bar and coil over suspension.

So be sure to check out the completed vehicle at this year SEMA show in Las Vegas, NV. www.cgsmotorsports.com

Dodge Viper Cup Series Kicks Off Inaugural Season on VERSUS

Virginia International Raceway Hosts First Two Viper Cup Races

* Ten-race spec series features new Dodge Viper ACR-X – “the” ultimate special-edition model of America’s ultimate sports car
* VERSUS to televise all 10 events in 30-minute show format
* MICHELIN signs on as official tire sponsor
* First two races of Viper Cup series celebrity driver program will feature Shaun Bailey of Road and Track magazine and Army National Guard Sergeant Mike Kohn of U.S. Olympic bobsledding fame
* Growing interest in the new series leads Dodge to produce 25 additional 2010 Viper ACR-X models

July 9, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich.

The next chapter in the racing legacy of the Dodge Viper is about to be written when 12 Dodge Viper ACR-X race cars take to the track to begin the 2010 Dodge Viper Cup series season at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, Va., July 10-11, 2010.

“The Dodge Viper ACR-X is designed and built specifically for the race track,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand. “Now with VERSUS on board, race fans will have the opportunity to see our untamed and unmatched road-racing machine along with some of our talented Viper owner/drivers compete on five of the best road courses in the county as part of the Dodge Viper Cup series.”

Event Coverage on VERSUS

VERSUS, the fastest growing sports cable network in the U.S. will televise each of the 10 series races in 30-minute shows approximately two to three weeks after each race. Viewers should check local listings for the 2010 Dodge Viper Cup series schedule on VERSUS. If fans miss a certain race, each 30-minute show also will re-air on VERSUS at various times throughout the season.
Click Read more for the full release
“We look forward to delivering coverage of the new Dodge Viper Cup series to a national audience,” said Michael Perman, Senior Director of Program Planning and Acquisitions for VERSUS. “This is a great addition to our motorsports offerings, which includes the IZOD IndyCar Series as well as NASCAR events, and we are excited for the opportunity to provide viewers with even more racing action.”

The 2010 Dodge Viper Cup series on VERSUS (subject to change) consists of two races per weekend for five weekends, including:

Race Date
Venue
Air Date / Time (Eastern)
July 10
VIR
Sat., July 24, 2 p.m.
July 11
VIR
Sat., July 31, 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 14
Hallett Raceway, Jennings, Okla.
Sun., Sept. 5, 3:30 p.m.
Aug. 15
Hallett Raceway, Jennings, Okla.
Sun., Sept. 12, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 11
Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pa.
Sun., Oct. 10, 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 12
Pocono Raceway, Long Pond, Pa.
Sun., Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 2
Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah
Sun., Oct. 24, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 3
Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah
Sun., Oct. 31, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 23
Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, Pahrump, Nev.
Sun., Nov. 7, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 24
Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, Pahrump, Nev.
Sun., Nov. 14, 3:30 p.m.

Celebrity Driver Program

As part of the 2010 Dodge Viper Cup series season, various celebrity drivers will be invited to drive in the on-track completion, and if they win, their purse will be donated to the charity of their choice. Each celebrity driver is specifically chosen by Dodge Motorsports and specially trained for all on-track competition in the series by professional racer Cindi Lux of Lux Performance Group. Lux competed successfully in a Dodge Viper Competition Coupe and brings extensive experience in management of Dodge Viper SRT10 Clubs along with various celebrity driver programs.

Shaun Bailey – competing in the No. 52 Viper ACR-X at VIR – joined Road & Track magazine in 2000 and became Associate Engineering Editor in July 2010.

Bailey, from Newport Beach, Calif., is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. As a Manufacturing Engineer intern at Parker and Hannifin, he gained experience with robotics and motion control products. At CSU Pomona he joined the Formula SAE team, and the team’s success lead to his position at Road & Track. Bailey has competed in numerous Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association races, in addition to his interests in motorcycle and kart racing.

Army National Guard Sergeant Michael Kohn – competing in the No. 53 Viper ACR-X at VIR – became a competitive athlete at an early age. In high school, he excelled at football and in track and field. He was first introduced to the bobsled in 1990 and, at age 18, he was the youngest competitor in the 1991 Olympic Trials.

After graduating from George Mason University, Kohn entered World Cup racing in 1998 and finished fifth in the 1999 World Championships. In 2002, he won the Bronze medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics in the four-man event-the first U.S. Olympic medal in men’s bobsled since 1956.

Following the 2002 Olympics, Kohn switched from push athlete to driver. Since that time, he has won multiple National Championships and a World Cup Silver medal and has had many Top-10 finishes.
Kohn grew up in northern Virginia and currently resides in Potomac Falls, Va. He received a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. He joined the Army National Guard in 1999 as an Infantry Soldier, completing his Basic and Infantry AIT training at Fort Benning, Ga.

Every vehicle that competes in the Dodge Viper Cup series must be a new 2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X. A contingency program sponsored by Dodge Motorsports and Mopar – Chrysler Group LLC’s source for all original equipment and performance parts for Dodge, Ram, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles – will pay out more than $200,000 in cash and parts. Top 5 finishers of each race will receive both a cash payout and a Parts Voucher, as credit toward purchase of Mopar parts and accessories.

Additional cash awards will be made to the top-three finishers in the final Dodge Viper Cup series standings. The 2010 champion will win $25,000, second-place will receive $10,000 and third-place will pay $5,000.

MICHELIN North America Inc.

Tires are an important component of racing and one of the most studied components during a race. The 2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X was developed using the MICHELIN Racing Slick for the traction needed to hold the ACR-X through the turns and utilize the torque of the V-10 engine.

MICHELIN will provide contingency awards along with trackside and technical support at each race.

“The” Ultimate Special-Edition Viper

Combining the best performance attributes of the record-setting, street-legal Dodge Viper American Club Racer (ACR) and the safety equipment of championship-winning Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X is powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V-10 engine, equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system that produces 640 horsepower (40 more than the production model) and 605 lb.-ft. of torque (45 more than the production model).

The suspension also is tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage with unique springs, two-way adjustable shocks and adjustable sway bar links.

Curb weight is a full 160 pounds lighter (compared with the standard-production Viper) to take on even the most challenging road course. Additional aerodynamic upgrades, including quad-dive planes and underbody ducts, improve downforce, while enhancing stability and significantly improving grip in high-speed cornering.

Following the initial production run of 25 units of the turn-key, non-street legal race car that were quickly purchased by racing enthusiasts and collectors, Dodge has built an additional 25 units, bringing the total of 2010 Viper ACR-X models to 50.

Similar to the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X contains factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fire suppression system, fuel cell and race seat.

Additional racing components, including a transmission cooler, rear differential cooling system, unique front rotors with larger surface area and improved brake cooling via scoops in the front fascia, are added to meet the significant durability and reliability requirements for on-track competition.

The Viper ACR-X is designed to compete in the Viper Racing League, Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association events.

“We’re continuing to work hard to make this final year of production for the current-generation Dodge Viper in 2010 the most exciting year for Viper and Viper Nation alike,” added Gilles. “The production of the Viper ACR-X and the launch of the Dodge Viper Cup series will continue the momentum for years to come.”

Chrysler Group LLC to Introduce Mopar® ’10 Challenger

Company Continues to Leverage, Grow Mopar Brand

- Mopar ’10 will be available in August
- Pricing starts at $38,000, which includes destination
- Five hundred special-edition cars to be built, customers may pre-order now

For the first time in its history, Chrysler Group LLC will launch a special-edition Mopar® version of one of its vehicles. The Mopar ’10, a Mopar 2010 Dodge Challenger, arrives in Dodge dealerships next month.

“Our Mopar ’10 Challenger is a collaboration of two iconic brands with tremendous heritage,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC. “Dodge put the heart into this Challenger and Mopar added the soul. The result is a unique, special-edition car that only we can offer.”

The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Mopar ’10 is $38,000 for an automatic transmission and $39,000 for a manual transmission. Both prices include $750 for destination. Customers may pre-order now.

“Mopar ’10 has a wicked, sinister appearance that will turn heads.” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of Dodge, Chrysler Group LLC. “The Mopar brand resonates with hard-core enthusiasts, and this car will too.”

Dodge and Mopar collaborated to create Mopar ’10, a “Mopar modified” 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T. Under-the-hood features include the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, a hood-venting system, a cold-air intake, a front strut-tower brace with shock caps, and a unique engine cover. Under the decklid is a rear strut-tower brace that stiffens the chassis and improves handling characteristics of the car.

Mopar ’10 will be available in Brilliant Black with a choice of three accent colors: Mopar Blue, Red or Silver. Accent colors will appear on side stripes as well as in the stitching on the steering wheel and seats. Exterior features include 20-inch forged heritage gloss-black wheels, black-chromed grille surround, and a functional, vented T/A-style hood with vintage hood pins. Mopar logos and graphics are prominent on the front fascia, hood, hood-pin caps, body-side stripes, windows and on the chromed fuel door. A special Mopar ’10 car cover also comes with the vehicle.

Interior features include Katzkin leather seating, custom leather-wrapped steering wheel with baseball-style stitching, Mopar shift handles (T-handle for automatics, Pistol Grip for manuals), a serialized dash plaque with Mopar ’10 logo and Mopar branding throughout.

Every customer who purchases a Mopar ’10 will receive a special owner kit that includes a certificate with the vehicle identification number (VIN), date of build completion, and build number. The kit also includes a limited-edition sketch of the vehicle signed by Chrysler Group design chief Mark Trostle, a book that highlights the special vehicle build, and Mopar ’10 merchandise.

Bigfoot is said to lead the monster truck public relationships, but Ford dropped its sponsorship of the team in 2007. That left Firestone tires as the main sponsor, and since the company also throws plenty of cash at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, it’s aching for some cross-promotion. Since Chevrolet also sponsors the event, Big Foot will be wearing new skin and a heart transplant. We’ll see what is going to happen now.

The muscle car war is a fact. At Cars.com are celebrating the recent success of America’s reborn muscle cars with an interactive map which show the places, color coded according to the specific car model. The bigger the circle, the larger the search disparity. However, there’s something you should know – the percentages are highest in small towns, so if you live in a big city, a substantial spike in pony car searches is unlikely. Cars.com says that the Mustang has the highest search total of the three vehicles. You should really see the map and enjoy it - http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/07/muscle-car-hot-spots.html

Dodge Celebrates the Ultimate Factory Customized Viper
July 1, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich.

A member of the Mid-South Viper Club of America, D’Ann Rauh worked exclusively with the Dodge Design team to select the personal touches she wanted on her car. The custom bronzed gold exterior paint was supplied by House of Kolor. The custom interior features various leather appointments, which were crafted by Tony Spampinito from Venzano, who has worked with the Rauhs on previous Viper projects.

Bob Soroka, from Chrysler Group LLC’s Street and Racing Technology team, airbrushed layouts of Viper-significant race tracks into the custom-painted copper stripes applied by Prefix. The five-spoke forged-aluminum wheels are custom painted in dark graphite.

Members from both the Motor City Viper Club and the Viper Club of America participated in the celebration.

Rauh’s Viper is the last of the current-generation Vipers built at the plant. Dodge has created more special-edition Viper models for the 2010 model year than all other model years combined. Production on the Dodge Viper started in 1992.

The Subway Jalapeno 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series event is set to take place at Daytona International Speedway.

“Normally, when we go to a NASCAR race, the drivers are the recognized stars as far as fans are concerned. That’s not the case this week.” said Allison. “Mustang and its debut in NASCAR is undoubtedly a huge story for fans and enthusiasts, and we want to make its debut a little more special for our drivers competing in the race. With a win, they have a chance to put their name down next to some of the Mustang racing legends.”

Friday’s event will mark the second incarnation of the 5.0 Mustang GT as a NASCAR pacecar, after the car led the pack at February’s Daytona 500.

“This week is all about celebrating Mustang in NASCAR,” said Allison. “Fans will get to see the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0-liter pacing both races, and they’ll also see the start of a new era in Mustang Racing on track,”

“Nothing would make me happier than to present one of our drivers the keys to their own 5.0 Mustang GT in Victory Lane on Friday night,” the executive concluded.

If the answer is “yes”, then we have to tell you that we haven’t forgotten our brains in a test drive car or anything like that, we’ve just taken a look in Cummins’ garden and found out that the world’s largest diesel engine maker (the adjective can be used for both “Cummins” and “engine”) has strapped a 11 tonnes, 3,500 hp oil-burner to a classic Mini. Now, that’s the kind of MINI diesel we’d drive.

The vehicle, which will be showcased at the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed, features the largest engine in the company’s offer. The QSK78 powerplant, which is also the largest oil burner in the UK, uses a V18 layout, has a 78 liter displacement and uses 12 turbochargers to deliver 3,500 hp and a maximum torque of 14,800 Nm.

The engine’s everyday job is to power mining industry dump trucks that can carry up to 360 tonnes so we’re guessing it could do a pretty good job with the MINI.

“We never like to let a challenge go by unanswered so we got to thinking maybe we could fit the QSK78 into an original Austin Mini. It proved to be a bit tricky to fit under the bonnet but our engineers came up with a more creative solution. We’re certain that the Goodwood crowd will have difficulty believing what they are seeing,” said Steve Nendick, Cummins’ Communications Director.

3500 HP Mini Cooper

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

HOUSTON, June 25 /PRNewswire/ — In late May, Pennzoil announced the start of the “Get Your Key to Clean” promotion to celebrate the launch of Pennzoil’s best cleansing portfolio of products ever. The promotional sweepstakes provides consumers the opportunity to win a VIP weekend at the Bank of America 500 in October, as well as a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, a piece of automotive history, the first vehicle produced by the newly formed RCR Street Performance Group.

The special edition 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is the first of its kind and has been up-fitted and enhanced with numerous performance upgrades that are befitting one of the most successful NASCAR teams, Richard Childress Racing, and the maker of some of the most technologically advanced motor oils available, Pennzoil®. Additions to the vehicle include a carbon fiber body kit to increase downforce and performance, a completely reupholstered interior using the iconic colors of Pennzoil® and RCR, and a completely revamped suspension and supercharged engine for NASCAR-inspired performance. Contestants can go to www.pennzoil.com to register to win it.
“The RCR Street Performance 2010 Camaro SS project is an opportunity that translates more than 40 years of RCR racing knowledge to the neighborhood garage. Only three of these high-performance street cars will ever be built, so the winner of the Pennzoil ‘Get Your Key to Clean’ sweepstakes will end up owning a piece of history,” said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. “Through the Pennzoil ‘Get Your Key to Clean’ promotion, the folks at Pennzoil have provided an exciting opportunity for one lucky race fan to win a very special street car.”

The RCR Street Performance Group was created for people with a unique appreciation for the finer – and faster – things in life. From the design and production of high-performance engines, to the precision fabrication of chassis and bodywork, to the custom design and manufacture of parts for both engines and chassis, the RCR Street Performance Group is the culmination of more than 40 years of championship racing experience at Richard Childress Racing.

Just this year, the RCR Street Performance Group has taken the years of experience and knowledge gained on some of NASCAR’s toughest tracks and begun completing performance upgrades on various Chevrolet vehicles. The 2010 Camaro SS is the first of many models to be modified by the fabled race shop and made available to consumers. Allowing the Camaro SS to be the prize for one lucky consumer is a further testament to the technological relationship that RCR and Pennzoil share.

Since the start of the Shell-Pennzoil sponsorship of the No. 29 car in 2007, Pennzoil’s technical support program with RCR has provided the race team with its most advanced motor oil technology along with the support of a team of industry leading scientists. Through excellent collaboration, Pennzoil’s team of scientists engineer motor oils that resist heat, shear and wear, while keeping the engine clean even during the most demanding race conditions. The most recent example of this collaboration is the use of the Hyper Cleansing Technology™ found in Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil in each of the engines on the track for RCR.

“Building on the success of Pennzoil Ultra™, today marks the beginning of the next generation of Pennzoil® as we have engineered our motor oils to provide consumers with the best cleansing Pennzoil® oils ever,” said Pennzoil Global Brand Manager Debbie Van Schalkwyk. “Our new portfolio of products includes five Pennzoil® motor oils that elevate cleansing and engine protection beyond industry requirements. We are happy that RCR has worked with us to celebrate this milestone by helping make ‘Get Your Key to Clean’ an exciting promotion for our consumers.”

The “Get Your Key to Clean” promotion, which runs through July 31, 2010, will treat five finalists and a guest to an RCR VIP Experience at the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway the weekend of October 16, 2010. A ceremony will be held before the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race where each of the five finalists will be presented with a key, one of which will start the engine of the RCR Street Performance Camaro SS. The finalist with the key that starts the engine will win the car and be announced the Grand Prize Winner.

The complete list of performance upgrades are as follows:

Exterior Accents:

Front Splitter: Carbon Fiber
Rear Diffuser: Carbon Fiber
Side Skirts: Carbon Fiber
Rear Spoiler: Carbon Fiber
Hood: Carbon Fiber Scoop
Custom paint and graphic
22″ Custom Wheels, Front 22×9, Rear 22×10.5
Performance Tires, Front 295/30/22, Rear 265/35/22
Black out rear light area and tail lights
Old School Grille

Interior:
Custom yellow trim piece on doors and around dash area
Custom Upholstery: Yellow and Black Hounds tooth w/Suede accents and Full Suede headliner
Customs Floor Mats

Performance:
Cold Air Intake
Performance based coil over kit with new bushings
Custom six caliper big brake kit by Wilwood
Stainless steel exhaust
Magnusson Super Charger
Stage 4+ clutch w/ billet steel flywheel
Custom ground cam shaft
Performance based dual valve springs
Hardened push rod set
ARP LS cam retainer plate
Kevlar spark plug wire booties
Custom headers
Billet aluminum valve covers

About Pennzoil®

Pennzoil® is the #1-selling motor oil and one of the most trusted brands in America. The Pennzoil line of quality products meets or exceeds industry specifications to offer exceptional engine protection, and includes Pennzoil Ultra™ motor oil with Hyper Cleansing Technology™, Pennzoil Platinum® Full Synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil® Advanced Protection motor oil, Pennzoil Gold™ motor oil, Pennzoil® High Mileage Vehicle® motor oil, and Pennzoil Marine® engine oil. For more information about Pennzoil products, please visit www.pennzoil.com

Pennzoil is produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants. The term ‘Shell Lubricants’ collectively refers to the companies of Royal Dutch Shell plc that are engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies lead the lubricants industry, supplying 13% of global lubricants volume.(a) The companies manufacture and blend products for use in applications ranging from consumer motor oil and food processing oils to heavy industrial lubricants and commercial transport oils. The Shell Lubricants portfolio of top-quality brands includes Pennzoil®, Quaker State®, FormulaShell®, Shell TELLUS®, Shell CASSIDA®, Shell RIMULA®, Shell ROTELLA® T, Shell SPIRAX®, Jiffy Lube® and a portfolio of leading car care brands.

(a) Kline & Company, “Competitive Intelligence for the Global Lubricants Industry, 2008 – 2018.”

SOURCE Pennzoil

Beginning with a donated 1970 Chevelle, the latest design components from Detroit Speed & Engineering were used for both front and rear suspensions and were combined with Baer Brakes’ new “6P” brake system. Power from the GM Performance Parts LSA intercooled and supercharged engine with computer management power is delivered through a TCI Automotive 6x 6-speed 4L80E transmission to an Inland Empire driveshaft that connects to the Strange Engineering rear end. Additional parts needed to complete this combination were Aeromotive fuel components, a K&N air filtration system, Autorad radiator system, Lucas Oil Products synthetic lubricants, Edelbrock LS package of headers, exhaust and motor mounts. Rounding out the driveline components are Toyo Tires USA high performance tires wrapped around specially designed one-off Boze Alloy custom 6-spoke wheels that have the insignia of each branch of the military etched in place.

National Parts Depot supplied all the replacement body panels to allow Route 66 Motorsports’ artisans to paint this car with PPG Industries black. Additional exterior trim parts were supplied by National Parts Depot, along with taillight and exterior accent components from Fesser Built. Route 66 Parts also supplied additional exterior parts while the final finish was treated to the full array of Route 66 Exotic Coatings wax products for superior gloss and protection. Vos Upholstery craftsmen combined Legendary Auto Interiors and National Parts Depot products into a custom interior. Flaming River steering column and wheel along with Clayton Machine pedal assembly and TCI Automotive floor and paddle shifters round out the controls. Painless Performance supplied a complete wiring harness and classic Dash insert with Specialty Instruments custom PAH logo embossed gauge pack provide full engine data. Thermo Tech insulation and heat absorption products and Soffseal weatherstripping products work with Old Air Productions air condition system to provide superior climate control. Added driver comfort is provided with power windows from Specialty Power Windows, while an extreme sound system from Sony Xplod delivers unlimited road tunes. Proceeds from the sale of this car developed by Super Chevy Magazine will go to support veterans in need through the efforts of the Armed Forces Foundation charity. **ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE ARMED FORCES FOUNDATION**

Armed Forces Foundation Chevelle

MUSTANG V-6 AVERAGES 48.5 MPG; RUNS 1,457 LAPS AT BRISTOL ON A SINGLE TANK OF GAS

* The 2011 Ford Mustang V-6 sets a new record by averaging 48.5 mpg on a track while completing 1,457 laps with an average speed of 43.9 mph
* Mustang is powered by a new 3.7-liter V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering and technology to deliver great performance and fuel economy
* More than 51,000 entries were received for the Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge with 22 entries guessing the winning number of laps
* A team of five drivers, including four Ford Mustang engineers and Ford NASCAR star David Ragan, drove the Mustang during its record run

Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge

BRISTOL, TN., June 24, 2010 – The 2011 Ford Mustang, which made history when it became the first car ever to deliver more than 30 mpg and 305 horsepower, has set a new record by running 1,457 laps at Bristol Motor Speedway while averaging 48.5 mpg.

The Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge was designed to demonstrate that a stock production Mustang V-6 could run 1,000 laps and 533 miles on a single of tank of fuel. With the aid of fuel efficient driving techniques by Ford engineers, the Mustang far surpassed its goal of 1,000 laps.

“To see a Mustang post average fuel economy of 48.5 mpg while running at Bristol is impressive,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The new V-6 engine along with the advanced six-speed transmission in the car is a key element in delivering both fuel economy and performance for Mustang.”

Ford is committed to being a fuel economy leader in every segment it competes in and Mustang’s leads in its class along with other Ford fuel economy leaders like the Ford Fiesta, Fusion Hybrid and new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, America’s most fuel efficient luxury sedan.

The Challenge team, which included NASCAR star David Ragan and four Ford Mustang engineers, completed the challenge in 17 hours and 40 minutes, showing off the 2011 Mustang V-6′s class-leading fuel economy by averaging 48.5 mpg over the course of the 776.5 miles logged during the Challenge. That distance is more than the two complete NASCAR Sprint Cup events that take place in Bristol every year.

Ragan pushed the Mustang past the 1,000-lap mark at 7:26 p.m., 12 hours and 26 minutes into the Challenge, but the car wasn’t close to being out of fuel. Mustang engineer Seong Park was behind the wheel when it finally came to a halt (on the backstretch) of the famed NASCAR track at 12:41 a.m. local time.

Other Mustang Challenge team drivers included Tom Barnes, Jonathan Mehl and Carl Ek, who along with Park, rotated through one-hour driving stints during the event, which took place at the world’s fastest half-mile track.

“When we hit 1,000 laps we still had a quarter of a tank of gas left,” said David Ragan, driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford Fusion for Roush Fenway Racing, and the man who drove the 2011 V-6 Mustang past the 1,000 lap mark. “The last driving stint before I passed 1,000 laps I was averaging 43.7 miles a gallon and that is unbelievable. These guys have run the distance of more than two Sprint Cup races at Bristol and they still have fuel left. Congratulations to everyone behind the Mustang and to everyone at Ford, because this 2011 Mustang V-6 is really something special.”

A team of Ford engineers prepared for the challenge by implementing fuel efficient driving tips like minimizing the use of air conditioning, steady and consistent driving, avoiding sudden stops/starts and by keeping the RPMs low. The engine in the Mustang is powered by a lightweight, all-aluminum 3.7-liter dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-6 engine that uses advanced engineering to deliver its combination of power and economy. Twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) adjusts the valve train in microseconds depending on driver inputs, further contributing to the engine’s overall efficiency. The Mustang used in the challenge is a stock production vehicle that can be purchased through a Ford dealer.

“This is beyond our wildest dreams,” said Tom Barnes, the lead engineer for the Ford Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge. “There have been a lot of people who have done a lot of things in preparing this 2011 Mustang V-6 to run the Mustang 1,000 Lap Challenge and have the success we have had today. It was great when we went past the 1,000 lap mark with David, but nobody could ever imagine that we still had five hours ahead of us. This is a fantastic feeling and it shows again what a great car the 2011 Mustang V-6 is.”

More than 51,000 consumers registered their guesses for the event at www.mustang1000lapchallenge.com. One lucky consumer that correctly guessed 1,457 laps will be randomly drawn from all correct entries and will win their own 2011 Mustang V-6.

Musclevehicles.com – The Ultimate Blog for American Muscle Cars and Muscle Vehicles

The car in question is, in fact, based on a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle, which will go under the hammer on June 26 at a Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction.

The Project American Heroes Chevelle is powered by a GM Performance 550 hp supercharged LSA engine and TCI 6-speed automatic transmission and is equipped with custom Boze billet aluminum wheels and high performance suspension system from Detroit Speed Engineering.

However, the vehicle also includes a selection of components that have been donated by National Parts Depot, Edelbrock, Fesler Billet, Baer Brakes, Sony, Strange Engineering, Legendary Auto Interiors, Specialty Power Windows, Thermo Tec, PPG Paints, K&N Engineering, Painless Performance, AutoRad Radiators, Inland Empire Driveline, Soffseal, and Old Air Products.

“I can’t think of a more fantastic way to raise awareness of our mission and highlight the talents of everyone involved in this project,” Patricia Driscoll, President of the Armed Forces Foundation, said in a release. “The dedication of all our partners really shines through in the finished product, and we are confident that this year’s auction will be just as successful as the last.”

As said, this is the third year that a Project American Heroes is used to raise funds for the Armed Forces Foundation. According to the AFF, the first car, which was a 1957 Chevy, raised $130,000. The second one managed to achieve more than twice that amount, raising no less than $500,000.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Corvette Racing at Le Mans, integral team members of the past and present define the meaning of the historic 24 Hour race.

Corvette Racing and Green Racing: As part of the Michelin Green X Challenge, the team explains the greener aspects of the Corvette Z06 racing models.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Dodge Announces Dealer Exclusive Program Offering Unique 2010 Viper SRT10s
06.07.2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich.

The 2010 model year just got even more exclusive for the Dodge Viper. The Dodge brand is unveiling three new unique 2010 Viper SRT10 vehicles as part of its “Dealer Exclusive Program.”

Dealers who sold sufficient Viper volume to qualify were given the opportunity to create their own special editions that best meet the dreams of their most loyal customers. A total of 50 cars are being built under this program, and specific combinations were determined by each Dodge dealer who volunteered to participate.

Shown here (from left to right) are the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR Roadster, developed specifically with Woodhouse Dodge in Blair, Neb., featuring a Race Yellow Clear Coat exterior with yellow driver’s stripe; the “Reverse SRT10 ACR” developed with Tomball Dodge in Tomball, Texas, featuring the reverse color combination of the Snakeskin Green Special Edition introduced earlier this model year; and the Black SRT10 Coupe with Plum Crazy dual racing stripes developed with Roanoke Dodge in Roanoke, Ill.

To find all of the Dodge dealers who have 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10s on order including the various special-edition models, check out the new dealer locator function at the Viper Headquarters website: http://www.viperheadquarters.com/viper_nation/dealer_locator

With this being the last model year for the current-generation Dodge Viper, 2010 continues to be the most special year of production for the 600 horsepower V-10 powered “ultimate American sports car.” Approximately 500 cars will make up the 2010 model year production run, and each one is more exclusive than ever before with more than 7,000 different possible appearance combinations.

View body-off frame strength test at Ford Proving grounds. I know it’s old, but it’s still good.

“We’ve taken high performance vehicles to the next level with this S302 Saleen,” Michael Timarac, Brand Manager, Saleen Performance Vehicles, said in a release. “The S302 is being built now and will be in dealerships in the coming weeks. I’m proud of this product and those who value performance vehicles will agree that the S302 is one of the best American exotic vehicles available on the market.”

The S302 is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 425 hp and 395 lb.-ft. of torque (535 Nm), mated to a six-speed manual transmission and features a limited-slip differential with 3.73:1 final drive ratio. Refined exterior elements include a new grille and front fascia, an extended rear fascia and trunk lid with an integrated wing. Additional exterior highlights include 20-inch, 7-spoke alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero high-performance tires, and Saleen S302 fender badging. Inside the S302, there are leather sport seats with Ultrasuede inserts, highlighted by chevron-like Ultrasuede red tabs in the seatback bolsters, and unique treatments of the gauges, steering wheel, center console and shifter. There also are contrasting Saleen logos in the door panels, and Saleen logos in the door sill plates that illuminate when the door is opened.

2011 Saleen S302