After a two-year absence, a ’11 Dodge Challenger SRT8 will compete in the Tire Rack One Lap of America competition, driven by SRT engineers Erich Heuschele and Adam Forte. The event began Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Tire Rack’s test track in South Bend, IN.

The weeklong competition features more than 70 vehicle entrants who will travel more than 3,500 miles from venue to venue in addition to running various timed events at 10 sites, including autocross at Grissom Air Force Base, time trials at Summit Point, drag and bracket racing at Gainesville Raceway and skid pad testing at the Tire Rack facility.

“The performance improvements we’ve made to the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 make it a perfect match to tackle the many challenges the One Lap competition presents both on the road and at the various tracks,” commented Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. “Both Erich and Adam have a lot of experience behind the wheel and in the development of the Challenger SRT8, so we’re looking forward to receiving some unique and real time feedback from such a grueling event.”

For Erich Heuschele, an SRT vehicle dynamics manager, this One Lap of America is actually his sixth. Heuschele has brought home three class wins previously. Adam Forte is a Challenger SRT8 vehicle integration engineer who will be on his first One Lap event this year.

The Challenger SRT8 392 that will participate bears tribute to the 1972 Challenger that event founder Brock Yates and Steve Behr raced in the inaugural event, forty years ago. The car will be decked out with Hella pencil beam spotlights in front, black vinyl strips reminiscent of the 1972 bump strips on both sides, and One Lap emblems on the rear quarter panels and hood.

Additional competition stops along the route include Carolina Motorsports Park, the BMW Performance Center, Daytona International Speedway, Circuit Grand Bayou and the Autobahn Country Club.