Chrysler Discontinues Factory Viper GTLM Program

Photo: IMSA

Chrysler Group LLC announced Monday that it has terminated its factory SRT Motorsports program in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

The two-car works program, run by Riley Technologies, fielded Dodge Viper SRT GTS-Rs for the last three seasons between the American Le Mans Series and new-for-2014 TUDOR Championship.

According to a statement from the Detroit manufacturer, the Dodge brand will redirect its focus and efforts on its product lineup.

“Our company has made a business decision to discontinue the SRT Motorsports Dodge Viper GTS-R racing program,” said Ralph Gilles, Senior Vice President of Product Design, Chrysler Group LLC.

“We are very proud of the amazing achievements our fantastic teams, drivers and partners have achieved on track the last few seasons. We thank them for their hard work, effort and commitment to SRT Motorsports.

“It’s been an honor to be a part of the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season and we wish them every success in the future.”

The team concluded its racing program on Saturday by winning the GTLM driver and team championships, with Kuno Wittmer scoring his first top-level championship.

“Since returning to a factory-backed sports car program midseason in 2012, the Chrysler Group was an ardent supporter of IMSA with a two-car team that competed most recently in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans category alongside a robust off-track marketing program,” said IMSA President and COO Scott Atherton in a statement.

“On behalf of IMSA, I’d like to congratulate the SRT Motorsports team and drivers – including 2014 GTLM champion Kuno Wittmer – and everybody involved with building a winning Dodge Viper SRT GTS-R program.

“We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments together next Monday at our TUDOR Night of Champions in New York. Our door always will remain open should they wish to return to top-level sports car racing in the future.”

A Chrysler spokesperson told Sportscar365 that they will look into the continuation of customer-based programs but there is nothing to announce as of today.

Riley Motorsports fielded the No. 33 ViperExchange.com Dodge Viper SRT GT3-R in the GT Daytona class this year for drivers Ben Keating and Jeroen Bleekemolen.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John