Report of Chrysler / Oreca Divorce

[George Farris]

First Lutz - now this.

We'll just have to kick their collective butts anyway!!

 

[pitviper]

where is this info coming from? i know that DC pulled it's LMP funding, but i have heard that ORECA will be back in 2003 or 2004 with the new Viper. as long as they don't run the vettes, i'll be happy. what does this mean for the future of Viper motorsports? club racing is great, but the true prestige comes from winning LeMans, and even now from winning ALMS or FIA GT titles...only time will tell i guess. any comments?

cheers,
jeff

 

[Frank Parise]

The current Autoweek magazine reports that Chrysler has abandoned further development of its Le Mans prototype. It's relationship with Team Oreca is apparently over, although Oreca will continue to race at Le Mans, presumably with a competitor. Engine builder, John Caldwell, is quoted as confirming the story.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

wow! what's up with DC? Do you think they are planning to nix the new Viper? It seems like they got thier piece when they won all the races and are afraid to try to hold on to it. I hope they get their act together. I would hate to always have a Vette owner rubbing in my face they beat us again!

 

[dmora]

If they halted production, there would be a lot of angry people out there. Wouldnt it would make all the current vipers go up in value however since they would not be in production anymore. I cant imagine Dodge would do this to all the Viper fanatics out there. Hell yall just might file a class action lawsuit

Id love to see Oreca with a Competition Coupe at LeMans in 02, 03. That'd give the vettes some serious competition. The saleens are SEVERLY problematic from what ive heard.

 

[Craig 201 MPH]

If Chrysler was going to end relations with Oreca, don't you think they wouldn't have introduced the GTS-R so soon? Oreca is probably already developing the car in a small way. Wasn't autoweek the SOURCE for the next gen viper having a V-8?

Autoweek works great for house breaking a puppy, Oprah's Magazine would be a better source for automotive news thatn autoweek.

Their show on speedvision ***** too.

Craig

 

[RoyV101621]

I had really thought that Chrysler was using Oreca, not to develop the LMP or the Viper, but further develop the M1.
Oh wait a minute. Oreca is French and Chrysler is German.
Let's hope for cooperation from friendly countries.

 

[Steve Ferguson]

I just hope that this means the Viper program can have the funding necessary to build the next version of the GTS. I would much rather have a RT10, GTS and Comp Coupe before we use those funds to support a racing series.

Hey, if we all but more Chrysler product then they should improve their bottom line. When and if that happens, we can ask DC to consider funding a Viper Racing program. All things come in time.