Vipers make Mid-Ohio ALMS debut

Saturday, Aug. 4, saw the Viper make its much-anticipated return to competitive motorsports when SRT Motorsport's Team Viper successfully campaigned its pair of Viper GTS-R cars in the sixth round of the American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Not only were both cars running at the finish, but the performance improved throughout the two-hour, 45-minute timed event. As an added bonus, one of the Viper GTS-Rs had a top-10 finish.

Kuno Wittmer and Dominik Farnbacher finished 10th in the No. 91 Forza Motorsports SRT Viper GTS-R while Marc Goossens and Tommy Kendall were 12th in the No. 93 Pennzoil Ultra SRT Viper GTS-R.

Wittmer says there were more positives than just having both cars running at the finish. "We learned so much today as far as driver comfort, car handling, chassis, and motor, everything in the package," he said. "This was a great test. We have to keep working at it but a top 10 is not a bad start."

Kendall and Goossens had two minor incidents – slight contact with another car early in the race and a trek off course in one of the turns in the final minutes – but the No. 93 continued it consistent pace to the checkered flag.

"Our first goal was to get through the race without any major problems," said Gary Johnson, Road Racing Manger – SRT Motorsports. "We accomplished that. In fact, we were making progress throughout the race. The cars were getting better. Today's race gives us an opportunity to know where the issues are and where we need to focus."

The next time Team Viper competes will be at Road America Aug. 16-18. (Steve Embling photos) [8/8/2012]