While Dodge irons out the 2013 Viper, there’s plenty of activity going on for those with prior year models. These really aren’t cars to sit around and have pretty things said about them. The 2010 Viper Cup series brought several new ideas into practice and some of them are being repeated for 2011.

“The first season of Dodge Viper Cup series was simply awesome and a great learning experience,” explained Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of Dodge. “We’re going to keep building on that momentum in 2011 with an expanded contingency program, a reduction in entry fees and the continuation of our successful celebrity driver and charity payout programs.”

Dodge Motorsports donated almost $50,000 to different charities as part of the 2010 series.

The 2011 series schedule starts with a doubleheader event at Sebring, May 13-15. Moving up the coast to New Jersey, the following two races will be held at New Jersey Motorsports Park, June 10-12. Virginia International Raceway will host the next event, July 8-10 and the series then takes the month of August off. Resuming September 2-4, the Viper Cup series moves to Texas World Speedway, College Station, TX and will finish up the season in Daytona, FL, October 21-23.

Improvements to a Contingency Program is always good news to any racer’s ears. For 2011, payouts run from first to tenth place, with a combination of cash and Mopar Vouchers. The 2011 Series champion will earn a $10,000 cash award and entry fees have been cut back by $600 per event.

While Viper production ended this year, Dodge Motorsports continues to market and sell the non-street legal 2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X for competition use. Powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V-10 engine and equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, the Viper ACR-X produces 640 horsepower and 605 lb.-ft. of torque. Race-specific aerodynamic changes include quad-dive planes and underbody ducts, to improve downforce, enhance stability and significantly improve high-speed cornering.

“The Dodge Viper ACR-X is designed and built specifically for the race track,” Gilles explained. “The Dodge Viper Cup series continues the racing legacy of the Dodge Viper right before our eyes, and we’re looking forward to another chapter being written in 2011.”

A number of North American Road Racing Association (NARRA) Viper Days events are being held simultaneously with the Vier Cup events. The 11-event NARRA schedule starts January 12-16 at Sebring International Raceway. The full schedule is available on the NARRA web site.