2010 Laguna Seca Dodge Viper ACR

On November 24th, Dodge took the revised 2010 Dodge Viper ACR to Laguna Seca to try and set the lap record for production cars.

On just the sixth lap of the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course, the Viper ACR’s Motec telemetry recorded a 1:33.915 lap time (the Laguna trackside clock recorded an unofficial 1:33.944) which made the 2010 Viper ACR the quickest production car in the world around Laguna Seca.

However, it seems there was more behind the story, because  not long after the record was broken, Dodge announced that a special Laguna Seca version would be offered.

Back on November 4th when Chrysler outlined its 5 year business plan, Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles spoke of running a “final 500″ special edition of the Viper before the completely new car rolls out in 2012.

Will all 500 be Laguna Seca editions?  Most likely, and the official Laguna Seca Edition will be shown at the LA Auto Show next month.

Record Breaking Lap

2011 Dodge Charger rendering

2011 Dodge Charger

Thanks again to Allpar.com member JackRatchet, we have an updated and the best (in my opinion) 2011 Dodge Charger rendering yet.

The drawing incorporates the “for-sure-happening” side scallops that were shown by Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles at the Chrysler 5-year business plan event, as well as some “maybe-happening ” (most likely now) 1969/1970 retro inspired Dodge Charger tail lights.

Expect the actual version to debut sometime in mid 2010 as the production schedule is set to begin in November.

While GM CEO Fritz Henderson has stated that he “is not a fan of re-badging cars” and that the Pontiac G8 would die with Pontiac, a recent posting on a G8 forum may suggest otherwise-

“My dealer had sent off pictures to GM of the cable portion of the front seats belts rubbing against the plastic on the side of the front seats. In an email sent back to the dealer, GM says that they have no plans to solve what has already been built but going forward a correction is planned. The email continues: …a fix is planned for MY11.5 Chevy Police Program and MY12 Chevy SS. The fix will involve a protective sleeve that covers the buckle and section of the buckle stem that rubs on the plastic trim.”

Up until now, the Holden-based sedan was supposedly only going to come back here as a Chevy Caprice branded cop-car in 2011.  The Pontiac G8 was to be lower buck BMW 3-series and Mercedes C-class competitor but it seems GM has their sights set on competing directly with the Dodge Charger, which is also available as a Cop car and as a 425 horsepower muscle car.

Fiat Doblo

Fiat Ducato

Meet the Doblo and the Ducato, two new vans that will be sold in North America under the newly formed Ram brand at Chrysler.

The smaller of the two, the Doblo, will go head-on against the Ford Transit Connect.  A van for contractors, delivery businesses, locksmiths and whoever requires space but does not need something the size of a school bus.

The second of the two, the Ducato, will fill the void left by the Mercedes-sourced Dodge Sprinter van that has headed back to be sold under the Benz umbrella.

The Ducato will fill the void nicely as it is basically the same size and is already a direct competitor to the Sprinter.  Fiat will supply both vans and they will both be built and imported from Europe starting in 2011.  It is unclear whether either van will retain their Euro-grown names.

Joe Newsham aka “New Jersey Joe” is one of few front running 10.5″ Outlaw racers that sets records and w1ns without drastic support from an employing engine builder or chassis builder like so many front running 10.5 Outlaw cars.

Unfortunately, at last weekends Englishtown raceway held “Shakedown at E-town” extravaganza, Joe ran into some unfortunate top end luck after riding the rear wheelie bars well past the 330′ mark.

Joe, albeit banged up, lived to see another day.  Watch the video’s and see the reason why NHRA’s new mandated SFI chassis rules are indeed working.

Thanks to John Fore for the leading pic, you the man.

Newsham Crash Angle 1

Newsham Crash Angle 2