Send us your Club Name, Location, Web Site, Member Number to be included in our Modern Mopar Club Directory!
Email to: editor@modernmoparmagazine.com
Dodge Flexes Its Detroit Muscle at Carlisle!
The Dodge R/T convoy (complete with road grime and dead bugs spattered on the front fascias) rolled into Cumberland Valley Motors last night to be a part of the annual kick-off festivities for the All-Chrysler Nationals. Upon pulling into the jammed parking lot, we were greeted with great examples of Dodge and Plymouth muscle in all shapes and sizes. From high-winding 340 small-blocks to ground pounding big-inch Wedges and HEMIs, the black top was ablaze with high impact colored Barracudas, Challengers, Demons, Dusters, Chargers, Road Runners and much more. We even saw some “oddities” roll through like an ultra rare “Mod Top” 1970 Cuda 340. All weekend, the RLD staff will be capturing the sights and sounds from the Carlisle Fairgrounds so make sure to check back daily to see what we turn up. Now, if we could only find a way to post the smell of smoking tires from the burnout contest!
Courtesy of RLD
Contest for LX&B Attendees, by driveSRT.com
Power to the people.
It’s a popularity contest for the digital age — and you can win. Email us a photo of your car staged in its LX&B car show entry spot. We’ll post it on Facebook. Ask your friends to pile on the “Likes” by 2:00 pm Sunday to collect your award.
The winner will also receive free entry to the SRT Track Experience, an entire day of full-throttle racing instruction for SRT owners and fans. The SRT Track Experience is included with the purchase of every new SRT vehicle, and incorporates guidance by professional instructors in a safe and structured setting.
Enter Now.
- Email a photo of your vehicle in its LX&B car show space to contest@SRTevents.com. Include your name and cell phone number. You don’t have to own an SRT to win, but you must be entered as an LX&B contestant.
- We’ll post your photo to an exclusive album at facebook.com/driveSRT. Using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, forum posts, friendly persuasion or bribery, invite everyone you know to “Like” your photo on our page. The car with the most ‘Likes’ by 2 pm Sunday wins.
- The prize will be presented at the LX&B award ceremony at 3 pm on Sunday, July 17. Need not be present to win — or brag.
- Hurry. Entries must be received by Noon on Sunday, July 17.
First Issue: Ready October 2011
Modern Mopar Magazine will launch the Inaugural Issue in October 2011, not in July as originally targeted. While the delay wasn’t intended, the timing actually couldn’t be better! With all the new vehicles and the SRT brand launching, the additional content and coverage we will be bringing you will make it well worth the wait. Sneak peaks will be available on our web site over the next couple of months to tide you over until the first issue is released.
Subscribers get a bonus! If you have already subscribed and paid for your one (1) year of either a USA, Canada, International or Premier subscription, your one (1) year subscription will actually start the day we send out the first issue, not the day you paid … so no time lost! In addition, we will have some special Modern Mopar Magazine logo goodies available for you in the very near future!
We are excited to be officially licensed by MOPAR and have their support in many ways, including a full page advertisement in every printed issue and on our web site. In addition, we have a number of great companies on board and committed to advertising in our printed Modern Mopar Magazine. If you are interested in subscribing or advertising, there is still time to get in for the Inaugural Issue. Visit our web site www.modernmoparmagazine.com for subscription information and our media kit.
Greenhouse fights to the very end, takes National victory at Susquehannock Trail
Defending three-time RallyAmerica Central Region Group 2 Champion Chris Greenhouse outlasted the top 2-wheel-drive teams in the nation and took a stunning upset victory at the 2011 Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, USA. Against all odds, he and codriver Billy Mann piloted their Plymouth Neon to 1st place after coming back from a punctured tire on day 1 which dropped them all the way down to fifth place in class. They overcame an electrical problem and a damaged wheel bearing on day 2 and through their perseverance, stayed in the hunt long enough to capitalize on the misfortunes of other 2-wheel-drive teams. After fighting back and aiming for consistency all day on Saturday, Chris and Billy had risen to a 20 second lead over the Honda Civic of Brian Gottlieb and Patrick Darrow going into the final SuperSpecial Stage. Gottlieb had suffered an overheating problem for most of the event, but still pressed hard on the final stage. Unbelievably, the Honda team then suffered a broken halfshaft on the final corner of the event and feverishly pushed the car over the finish line much to the appreciation of the thousands of fans in attendance at the Tioga County Fairgrounds. But their fate was sealed as they were forced to sit back and watch Greenhouse smoothly navigate the SuperSpecial and take the win, which was the third 2WD National victory of his career.
Chris normally competes in RallyAmerica Regional events but this year has opted to also run a limited program in selected National 2WD events. So far, his non-turbocharged, Group 2-spec Neon has climbed the podium twice this year in a class where turbocharging and engine power are unrestricted. A third-place finish at Sno*Drift Rally and a second-place finish at Rally in the 100 Acre Wood means that Chris is now in third place in the 2WD National Championship series points behind Wyatt Knox’ Mazda 3 and the Ford Fiesta of Dillon Van Way.
Chris and the Weasel RallySports team would like to thank EBC Brakes, Angry Sheep Motorsports, JayRacing, EZ Auto Accessories, and Silco Fire Protection for their continued support during the 2011 season.
Photo by Greg McCracken
Chrysler Group Brings Back SRT Brand; New Roles for Some Management
Tuesday morning, Chrysler Group announced a number of upper management changes and the rebirth of SRT — Street and Racing Technology — as its own brand once again.
First, there’s the management changes:
Fred Diaz
- Yesterday: president/CEO of Ram Brand and lead executive for U.S. sales
- Today: Still president/CEO of Ram Brand, but now also president/CEO of Chrysler de Mexico, including responsibility for Latin America. This region is now under Diaz, separate from Mike Manley, lead excutive for international operations, as well as president/CEO of Jeep® Brand.
The new Mexico/Latin America role for Diaz shows the growing importance of those markets for Chrysler Group’s future success.
Reid Bigland
- Yesterday: President/CEO of Chrysler Canada
- Today: Still president/CEO of Chrysler Canada, as well as president/CEO of Dodge Brand and head of U.S. Sales.
In related news for Chrysler Canada, David Buckingham has moved from VP of sales to a new position, chief operating officer.
Ralph Gilles
- Yesterday: President/CEO of Ddoge Brand and senior vice president of Product Design for Chrysler Group
- Today: Still senior VP of product design and now president/CEO of the newly recreated Street and Racing Technology Brand, our cross-brand performance unit. Gilles also has responsibilities for the company’s motorsports activities (same as before).
In addition, Joe ChamaSrour is reassigned to international operations and reports to Manley.
Chrysler launched the SRT Brand at the 2002 NAIAS “to create a line of industry-leading performance vehicles and parts.” While we still made SRT vehicles, there wasn’t as concerted effort in development and marketing in recent years.
With Gilles’s obvious passion for design, racing and the auto industry in general, he’s the ideal person within the company to assume leadership with the SRT Brand. Combined with his current design responsibilities, it’s really not a big change from his previous role with Dodge — just more focused on making sure customers have fun options for Chrysler Group cars.
Through the end of May, Chrysler Group had sold 2,901 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 vehicles, the only SRT in the 2011 lineup. However, starting this fall, we’ll have four members to the SRT family with 2012 models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and the Chrysler 300 SRT8 (both unveiled at the NY International Auto Show), Dodge Charger SRT8 (unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show) and the Dodge Challenger SRT8.
Press Release Courtesy of Chrysler Group, LLC
Brad Keselowski WINS at Kansas!
Congrats to Brad Keselowski and team Penske for winning at Kansas today in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series!
Win a Tricked Out Charger R/T from the Kurt Busch Foundation!
When Kurt Busch is not running his No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Sprint Cup Charger on the NASCAR high banks, he’s busy helping others in need. The Kurt Busch Foundation www.kurtbusch.com/foundation lends meaningful support for the betterment of organizations. They get involved in the areas of health care, education, career training and rehabilitation and lend support to military families going through rough times.
Kurt wanted to do something very cool to raise funds for his foundation and collaborated with us and Mopar® to customize a “one-off” 2011 Charger R/T. This awesome looking ride is painted in our new Redline Red color and features a yellow centered racing stripe. It’s also been fitted with door scoops inspired right from the 1970 Charger R/T. The rear spoiler and front fascia are also unique and tell folks this is no ordinary R/T model. Black chrome 20-inch wheels and Mopar Performance lowering kit give the Charger and even more aggressive stance. The 370 horsepower 5.7L HEMI® V8 will breathe a little easier and have an even throatier note thanks to Mopar Cat-Back exhaust system. On the inside, Mopar Katzkin® leather seats featuring Busch’s signature and number are fitted on the high-buckets.
“This is one fabulous Dodge,” said Kurt. “I’m delighted with what Dodge and Mopar have done and how they’ve helped the Foundation. They’ve done a stand-out job on this car. Someone is going to be very happy driving this amazing Dodge around town.”
This is the second time the Kurt Busch Foundation has conducted a car raffle as in 2009, a lucky winner laid some rubber in a Challenger SRT8. So don’t be left at the curb and put in gear as only 5,000 raffle tickets will be sold for this head turning Charger R/T. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kurtbusch.com for $100.00 each. Additional photos of the Charger along with a schedule of events to see this muscle machine in person can also be found on the website.
Article Courtesy of RedLetterDodge
Next-Gen Dodge Viper in Training
April 15, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The long, cold and snowy winter presented a perfect environment for the ultimate American-built sports car and icon of the Dodge brand’s performance car lineup to prepare for its imminent return. Using a 2010 chassis as a test subject, SRT engineers expanded the development scope for the next generation Dodge Viper to include stability control tuning for the first time. The development comes just in time for the next-generation snake to hit the streets and tracks late in 2012.
Press Release Courtesy of Chrysler Group, LLC
Dave Thomas Sets NHRA AA/SA ET, MPH Records in Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak
Dave Thomas Sets NHRA AA/SA ET, MPH Records in Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak
- Thomas sets record with a 9.43/143.90 pass in his 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak
- Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak built for sanctioned NHRA Stock and Super Stock configurations
- Mopar offers the only factory-built, V-10 powered race-ready package car
April 8, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Less than one month after making its competition debut, the 2011 Mopar® Challenger V-10 Drag Pak is already rewriting the NHRA record books.
Dave Thomas, of Westchester, Pa., powered his 2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak to a record-setting 9.43-second elapsed time (ET) at 143.90 mph during a test session on Thursday, April 7 at the NHRA Division 1 National Open event at Atco (N.J.) Raceway (the test session allowed for record attempts). Thomas captured both the ET and mph records in the AA/SA class just two weeks after taking ownership of his Mopar Drag Pak, and with only a few passes under his belt in the new V-10-powered beast.
“In less than one month of competition, our 2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak has made its presence known in the NHRA Sportsman ranks,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “Mopar is the only source for racers who want to purchase a factory-built, V-10-powered race-ready package car.”
“The first run we made in the car was last Sunday,” said Thomas, who backed up his record with a 9.46 ET run. “We only had eight passes in the car prior to our first run down the track yesterday, which was the record-setter. I know I could have gone quicker. On the second run, the car left good but I let off at the end of the pass.”
“It’s a spectacular car,” added Thomas, who has been racing since 1971, in vehicles including a HEMI® Plymouth Barracuda. “We basically added weight bars to make minimum weight, and that was it. On its first-ever run, the car went a 9.79 at 137 mph. It’s a turn-key operation. There are no headaches involved in setting it up at all. You just get in there and drive it. It’s neat that the factory can make something like this.”
The 2011 Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak, the first and only 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag race package car, was unveiled at the Dodge Viper Owners Invitational in October 2010. Based on the 2011 Dodge Challenger and finished in a Stock Eliminator and Super Stock configuration, the vehicle features competition wheels and tires, a Mopar solid rear axle with performance gear ratio, a 2-speed drag race transmission with integrated roll control, a complete competition fuel system with fuel cell, and a complete interior with gauge package.
The race-ready package car made its competition debut when Frank Teuton Jr. entered his Mopar V-10 Drag Pak at the NHRA Gatornationals less than a month ago. Frank’s brother, Joseph Teuton, took the car to its first class (AA/SA) win at the JEGS Cajun SPORTSnationals on March 18.
For complete information on the Mopar Challenger V-10 Drag Pak, including ordering information, visit http://www.mopar.com or your local Dodge dealer.
Mopar-First Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:
Camper trailers: first to introduce off-road camper trailers
Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with consumers
Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format
Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with a new interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak: first to introduce a 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car
Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
WiTECH: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network
About the Mopar Brand
Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand.
Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source for all original-equipment parts for Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram vehicles. Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles — a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at http://www.mopar.com.
More than 70 Years of Mopar
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It also was widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s — the muscle-car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “special parts” for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.
On the Internet
Visit Chrysler’s Media Services Web site at http://www.media.chrysler.com for additional Chrysler and Mopar news. For additional information about Mopar, log on to http://www.mopar.com or http://www.moparspeed.com.
Press Release Courtesy of Chrysler Group, LLC