Dodge Challenger Super Stock shown from 2006 SEMA Show
Fans of going as fast as possible in a straight line, which includes some of us at Autoblog, have reason to rejoice. Chrysler has officially announced that the drag package for its upcoming Challenger, initially shown at SEMA in late 2006, will be released on an unsuspecting public. Previous rumors have the drag pack getting hi-po versions of the 5.9-liter Magnum and Hemi V8's, while jettisoning around eight-hundred pounds of dead weight unnecessary for mass-acceleration. The National Hot Rod Association is said to be going through the package as we speak in order to certify it for racing duty. After all of the necessary paperwork is complete, the Challenger is expected to race in the Stock Eliminator class. According to Chrysler spokeswoman Patricia Georgevich, Chrysler is looking at a possible introduction in July.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
geo.stewart @ May 16th 2008 1:42PM
say it isnt so.
with all the bashing of those who run in circles and what could be lamer? Drag racing! let's go really fast for a short short period of time and distance.
yawn.
i think John daly could pull that off!
fujia @ May 16th 2008 1:42PM
Bankrupt ! Detroit is financially, creatively and even morally bankrupt ! Digging into past glory of muscle cars is not the way out.....unless the american consumer is dumb enough to fall for it.
iOrange @ May 16th 2008 1:52PM
What is wrong with providing the consumer something they want? Apparently we are all dumb for wanting something other then what YOU want.
Chad @ May 16th 2008 2:26PM
Yeah, I'm really tired of the pompous crowd with their nose in the air about American cars and driving interests. I like exotics and road cars as much as the next guy but lets get real, most of use aren't getting one. But we can buy Mustangs, Challengers, etc.
Most cities don't have a legal road track or drag strips so things are settled at the stop lights like it or not.
JimBo @ May 16th 2008 1:43PM
I want one.
iOrange @ May 16th 2008 1:50PM
really really sick... me like
nissanfreak87 @ May 16th 2008 1:52PM
whatever your opinions on Drag racing are, it's still very popular all over the world. Chrysler isn't designing this car to be a mass market money maker, it's a small production niche' market car for Drag enthusiasts. It's just the same as a factory built C6R or a M3 GTR, nothing wrong with Chrysler building a purpose built race car.
Good luck to them, hopefully this will garner some more interest for their brand.
pmiddle5 @ May 16th 2008 3:04PM
All over the world aka America and Australia
Guenther @ May 16th 2008 3:09PM
this could be just the right performance halo car the Dodge brand needs after losing the Viper.
Jay Evans @ May 16th 2008 3:15PM
No....
European Dragstrips
Alastaro, Virttaa, Alastaro - Finland
Alteno, - Germany
Chambley, - France
Drachten, - Netherlands
Frøya, - Norway
Ganderkesee, - Germany
Gardermoen, - Norway
Gross Dölln, - Germany
Hockenheim, - Germany
Husum, - Germany
Johannisberg Airfield, - Sweden
Kalajoki, - Finland
Kubbe Raceway, - Sweden
Lindtorp Dragway, - Denmark
Malmi, - Finland
Mantorp Park, Mantorp - Sweden
Motopark, - Finland
Oschersleben, - Germany
Piteå Dragway, - Sweden
Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough - United Kingdom
Shakespeare County Raceway, Stratford-Upon-Avon - United Kingdom
Sindal Dragway, - Denmark
Skellefteå, - Sweden
Sundsvall Raceway, - Sweden
Thunder Valle Dragway, - Norway
Tullinge Raceway, - Sweden
Vandel Dragway, - Denmark
Wittstock, - Germany
pmiddle5 @ May 16th 2008 3:48PM
There are more then likely that many drag strips in Florida. I would also like to hear how many of those are actual drag strips. Not just closed roads with a set of timing lights set up, there is a BIG difference
Kristina @ May 16th 2008 5:55PM
"Get in, sit down and shut up!" YAAAAAHHH!!!!
BTW - I'd rather watch a 1/4 mile run any day!
http://www.azautophile.com
Borat Sagdiyev @ May 16th 2008 1:59PM
I think it is a bold move IMOP. Hey why not capitalize on what has been working for Ford (Boy Racer Mustang, Bullett, Shelby, etc).
There will aways be a market for classic looking muscle cars, but not at the volumes that they 'used' to be at.
I can't wait till the Camaro and Challenger have been fully imersed, and like to see how the mustang reacts.
No replacement for displacement. Build them and they will come!
steve @ May 16th 2008 2:02PM
please bring back the 5.9L Magnum!!! if you build it, i will buy it.
itll go nice next to my Dak R/T
tankd0g @ May 16th 2008 2:10PM
While I don't like Na$car or drag racing, that's what this car is for, I'm much rather see it decked out like this then have them try to make it a 'ring attack machine.
Borat Sagdiyev @ May 16th 2008 2:17PM
I wonder why Chrylser and Ford do vehicle proveout at the Nurburgring? GM is really the only US company that is doing vehicle development for Cadillac and Camaro, it seems to be helping them.
Both companies have resources in Germany/Europe for the most part.
havoc @ May 16th 2008 2:19PM
wait, it weighs less? you mean cars can lose weight? i thought they were just supposed to get progressively heavier?
TriShield @ May 16th 2008 2:21PM
Anyone can drive in a straight line, but not everyone can be an excellent drag racer. It requires plenty of skill, coordination and really knowing the machine you're driving.
Dissing drag racing saying that anyone can do it is as absurd as saying anyone can can drive between cones or around a bend. Any form of racing requires skill to be truly competitive at it.
Kudos to Chrysler for not only making a car people want to buy, but also for not pissing all over it's name and heritage and going all-out with it.
Chrysler has been making original cars for decades and nobody cares about them. People care about cars with heritage and that defined brands. The Challenger is one of those cars.
havoc @ May 16th 2008 2:27PM
racing in any form requires concentration and consistency from the driver. sure a 1/4 mile run is over in (roughly) 16 secs or less, but that just means you have to be more exacting in all of your actions, because there is no time or opportunity to make it up.
of course if you are racing an 89 accord with an auto, you prob have the worlds best bracket racer (as long as you have a consistent rt).
pmiddle5 @ May 16th 2008 3:06PM
High power drag cars are never going in a straight line as well, they are just trying to.