Video: Ralph Gilles In His Viper ACR At VIR

Not everybody in the auto industry has a particularly exciting job. Take, for example, the guy who designs seatbelt clips. Somebody has got to do it, but it’s not exactly the most creative or technically-challenging job out there. Then there are guys like Ralph Gilles, whose job as Head of Design for Fiat-Chrysler could be better described as Performance Car Hype Man. Gilles has been present for Fiat-Chrysler’s biggest performance initiatives, and he gets to personally reap the rewards.

gilles-1On his personal YouTube channel, Gilles posted the above video of him tackling the new track-ready, street-legal Dodge Viper ACR around Virginia International Raceway. By the way he flies past other high performance cars, you can really tell that Gilles knows what he’s doing.

The last track day of the year at VIR was put on by the Audi Club of North America, which meant plenty of German sports cars were clogging up the corners. But it quickly becomes clear that the track really belongs to Gilles and his 645 horsepower Viper ACR, a car that has set track records seemingly everywhere it goes.

So much more than just another exotic V10, the $118,000 Viper ACR comes with tons of track adjustability so it can be tailored to just about any track. Even Gilles, a man who has ready access to the Dodge Viper at any time, says in the video that this car is forcing him to “…unlearn old habits and re-imagine what I believe is possible.” Reaching speeds of 161 MPH on the straightaway and cutting through sharp corners at 75+, the Viper ACR is a lot of car, but Gilles seems more than up to the challenge.

MoparWS-083

The Viper ACR has plenty of power and incredible downforce, it’s track-ready right off the showroom floor.

About the author

Chris Demorro

Christopher DeMorro is a freelance writer and journalist from Connecticut with two passions in life; writing and anything with an engine.
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