Events

More than 550 Dodge Viper Enthusiasts Head to Detroit for a Special Open House – 20 years after the first Viper Homecoming

Lisa — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:51:48 +0000

The throaty exhaust note of the Dodge Viper’s mighty 640-horsepower V-10 engine will be roaring around the city of Detroit this weekend, as more than 550 loyal Viper enthusiasts are heading to the home of the Viper for a special Open House at several Chrysler Group facilities, where they will be able to get a behind-the-scenes look at where and how their American exotic hand-crafted vehicles are built and then put the cars through their paces.

The Dodge and SRT brands are hosting this gathering on what marks the 20th anniversary of the first Viper homecoming in Auburn Hills in 1994.

“With its 640-horsepower hand-built aluminum V-10 and hand-crafted body comprised of carbon fiber, aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel, the Viper is a one-of-a-kind American exotic vehicle that is designed to reward each owner with pure performance and a high level of exclusivity,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge and SRT Brands, Chrysler Group LLC. “This flagship American supercar has inspired loyal Viper enthusiasts for more than 20 years and continues to do so, as is evident by the more than 550 people who are coming to this Open House.”

Over the course of the weekend Open House activities, attendees will have a chance to gather for lunch and a tour of the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP) in Detroit where their cars were hand-built, visit the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, MI and also head out the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea, MI, to drive their Vipers on the test track.

Viper owners are also helping the local Detroit community by bringing a canned food item to the Conner Assembly Plant to benefit Operation Get-Down, a local crisis center supported by CAAP that provides homeless and transitional housing facilities for the Detroit area.

Dodge Brand Takes to the Road with National ‘Dodge Power Rallye Tour’

Lisa — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:22:43 +0000

Full-line Dodge product showcase features test drives and interactive consumer experiences at more than 50 ‘Dodge Power Rallye Tour’ event locations across America
Touring vehicles include the 2014 Dodge Charger, Challenger, Dart, Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey, as well as Charger SRT and Challenger SRT
‘Dodge Power Rallye Tour’ kicks off this weekend at the first major stop, March 22 in Irvine, Calif., at the ninth annual Spring Festival Tour of LX vehicles

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to hit the road, and that’s exactly what the Dodge brand is doing with a nationwide “Dodge Power Rallye Tour” kicking off this weekend in southern California, including a March 22 stop at the ninth annual Spring Festival of LX vehicles in Irvine, Calif.

Dodge is showcasing its full lineup of 2014 vehicles – Charger, Challenger, Dart, Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey – as well as special edition vehicles and the Dodge Charger SRT and Dodge Challenger SRT, at more than 50 event locations across the country. Most “Dodge Power Rallye” events will feature test drives and all will include vehicle displays, interactive games where consumers can win prizes and an opportunity to enter the 2014 Chrysler Group National Giveaway for a chance to win $45,000 toward the purchase of any eligible Chrysler Group vehicle.

“Dodge, recognized by Fast Company⁽¹⁾ as one of the ‘World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies,’ is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “What better way for consumers to experience firsthand the best-in-class features, performance, fuel economy, and technology of our 2014 Dodge lineup, than to bring the vehicles right to them.”

The “Dodge Power Rallye Tour” will crisscross the country from now through mid-September, stopping at significant events and locations, such as car club gatherings, cruise nights, outdoor concerts and festivals, state fairs, shopping centers and trendy neighborhood locations. Examples include Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender (4/17-19), Taste of Omaha (5/30-31), the Cars at Carlisle show in Carlisle, Penn., (7/1-13), Ohio State Fair (7/23-24), Michigan’s Woodward Dream Cruise (8/16) and the 10th Annual Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival (8/21), as well as select Motley Crue concert tour dates. (Dodge is presenting sponsor of Motley Crue’s “Final Tour.”)

The test drives will also feature special edition vehicles, such as the Dodge Charger R/T 100th anniversary model, Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker, Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 30th anniversary edition and Dodge Journey Crossroad.

Some events will include a Dodge 100th Heritage Wall chronicling a century of brand innovations, a technology tent, special edition Dodge vehicles and a Dragster Thrill Ride, allowing consumers to experience high-performance acceleration in a specially modified factory-built 2014 Challenger R/T outfitted with a Mopar Scat Pack 3 performance kit, giving enthusiasts the ride of their lives. The specially modified vehicle provides the perfect example of what the avid weekend warrior can do with their Dodge Challenger using factory-backed, hassle-free Mopar performance parts.

Preview: 9th Annual Spring Festival of LXs

Lisa — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 23:04:00 +0000

Chrysler Group and hundreds of its loyal Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300 and SRT (Street and Racing Technology) enthusiasts will gather together this weekend for the ninth annual Spring Festival of LXs. This three-day annual destination event draws loyal consumers from more than 31 states, as well as Canada, Mexico and Europe, and all of whom gather to pay tribute to the modern, rear-wheel-drive Chrysler, Dodge and SRT brand vehicles. This year’s event is expected to be a record breaker for the event organizers, the SoCal LX Group, with more than 1,200 vehicles scheduled to attend.

This is not your typical “car cruise.” This is the physical manifestation of a viral hurricane that has been brewing and growing since 2005.

Agenda:

Thursday, March 20
- 6-10 p.m., Cruise-in at Beach Burger in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Friday, March 21
- Noon-midnight, Spring Festival Kickoff Party at DoubleTree Irvine in Irvine, Calif.
Saturday, March 22
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m., ninth annual Spring Festival of LXs at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, Calif. (main parking lot)
- 9-10 a.m., Dodge Challenger Acceleration Challenge with Leah Pritchett
- 10-11 a.m., Chrysler 300 SRT Charity Drives with Tommy Kendall
- 11 a.m.-noon, Dodge Challenger Acceleration Challenge with Leah Pritchett
- 12:45-1:45 p.m., Viper SRT Charity Drives with Jonathan Bomarito
- 2-5 p.m., Dodge Challenger Acceleration Challenge with Leah Pritchett

Saturday activities for owners:

Chrysler Pavilion – Central hub to multi-brand display and aftermarket vehicles
Dodge Power Rallye Tour – The Dodge Power Rallye Tour is kicking off at this year’s Spring Festival of LXs. The Dodge Power Rallye Tour is a brand immersion experience that will engage, educate and entertain consumers. This full-line tour will feature 2014 model year Chargers, Challengers and the rest of the lineup, interactive games and activities, as well as a chance for fans to ride and drive in Dodge vehicles.
Dodge Challenger Acceleration Challenge – This single “hot lane” will give attendees the chance to experience high-performance acceleration power in a specially modified Challenger, alongside a professional NHRA driver, Leah Pritchett. The Challenger will be equipped with a Scat Pack 3 engine kit among other high-performance modifications. The hot lane will include some drag strip elements, (i.e., Christmas tree starting light, barriers, finish line etc.) similar in scope to what is done at Auto Shows.
SRT Charity Drift Course – For a nominal donation ($20-40), consumers will be able to join professional drivers Jonathan Bomarito and Tommy Kendall in a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they push a Chrysler 300 SRT and the Viper SRT to their limits on this unique course. Proceeds from this event will benefit the local charity, Orangewood Foundation for Children.

Chrysler Group executives attending will include:

Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports and Senior Vice President – Product Design, Chrysler Group LLC
Mark Trostle, Head of SRT, Mopar and Motorsports Design, Chrysler Group LLC

About SoCalLX Spring Festival
What started as a small group and active community of online Chrysler and Dodge “LX” owners and forum users has grown into one of the largest “viral” owner events in the Country (LX was the original vehicle platform code for Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum). It has become somewhat of a homecoming for the owners, giving the active digital communicators a chance meet face to face.

With food, prizes, custom vehicle displays, vendor alleys, cruises, parties, and manufacturer round table discussions, the event has evolved from a single day into a three-day weekend. Part homecoming, part celebration of great American cars and part festival that has become a family destination every March.

The Spring Festival of LXs is a unique collaboration between owners, forum users, aftermarket vendors, Chrysler Group’s California Business Center and “tricked-out” vehicles from the factory.

http://www.socallx.com/SpringFestival.aspx

24 Hours of Daytona Preview

Lisa — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 18:57:02 +0000

The SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Motorsports Viper GTS-R teams return to Daytona International Speedway this week to compete in its first Rolex 24 At Daytona since 2000, when a Viper earned the overall victory in the endurance event.

After finishing third in the American Le Mans Series team point standings in 2013, the SRT teams – Dominik Farnbacher and Marc Goossens in the No. 91, as well as Jonathan Bomarito and Kuno Wittmer in the No. 93, in addition to endurance drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay and Rob Bell, respectively – enter the new IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship with renewed energy and championship aspirations in just their second full season since returning to competition.

SRT Motorsports Storylines for Daytona

Ready to Strike: Moving to a full-time schedule in 2013 after a four-race program in 2012, the SRT Motorsports teams captured one victory – a win by Farnbacher and Goossens in the No. 91 at Wisconsin’s Road America – and three pole positions during the program’s first full year of factory-backed sports car competition since 2000. In addition to the win and poles, the teams totaled five podium finishes in 2013, showing notable improvement over their results during the partial schedule in 2012.

Endurance Entries: In addition to the regular rotations in the No. 91 and 93 SRT Motorsports Viper GTS-Rs, champion drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay and Rob Bell will join each team, respectively. Hunter-Reay, the 2012 IndyCar champion, has two podium finishes in seven appearances in the 24-hour race, including an overall runner-up placing last year. Bell, a two-time European Le Mans Series champion in the GT2 class, finished second in the GT class in the 2011 Rolex 24 and has two starts in the race.

24 Hour Tallies: Two drivers on the SRT Motorsports teams have captured GT class victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona – Bomarito (2010) and Farnbacher (2005). Among the six Viper GTS-R drivers, the group has tallied seven total podium finishes in 31 combined starts in the endurance event. In addition to the Rolex 24, the group has a combined 26 starts with five podium finishes in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

When Last in Daytona: The SRT Motorsports entries in this year’s Rolex 24 At Daytona mark the first appearance of factory Vipers in the event since they last won an overall victory in 2000. The win, which was captured by drivers Oliver Beretta, Karl Wendlinger and Dominique Dupuy, marked the first-ever overall victory by a production-based American automobile in the 24-hour event. The margin of victory for the V10-powered racer – a little more than half a minute – was the closest finish in the race’s history at the time and another Viper completed the overall podium in third place. In addition to the win, all three Vipers entered in the event led the race at some point.

Riley Dynasty at Daytona: Bill Riley, the team director for SRT Motorsports and vice president and chief engineer for Riley Technologies, has had incredible success in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, including 15 wins in more than 20 years competing in the event since 1987. Riley’s prototype chassis have nine-consecutive victories in the 24-hour event streak that started in 2005. He was also involved in team prototype wins in 1997 and 1999 and a class victory in 2000, as well as three GT triumphs in the 1990s. In addition to Bill Riley’s recent success, his father, Bob Riley, designed two victorious vehicles with Roush Racing in 1984 and 1985.

SRT Motorsports Driver and Team Quotes

Gary Johnson, SRT racing manager
How important is this event for SRT?
“We’re excited to bring SRT Motorsports to Daytona and return factory-backed Viper GTS-Rs to this historic event. The Rolex 24 At Daytona is the pinnacle of sports car racing in America and it’s very important to us to have the SRT brand contending for the wins in this event. When we began discussing our return to sports car racing back in 2011, success in the premier endurance events was a goal for our group and we have put in considerable effort to get to this point. We are looking forward to a successful weekend of competition.”

Dominik Farnbacher, driver, No. 91 SRT Viper GTS-R
What makes endurance racing special?
“Twenty-four hour races are usually prestige races. They are well known in the sports car community and if you win a 24-hour race it’s a great team effort because it’s a big challenge for the machines and the drivers. I think from the manufacturer standpoint, it really shows what kind of potential a product has, especially for us – we show how reliable a Viper can be, how quick a Viper can be in a 24-hour race and we are displaying a product SRT is selling, so this is a very important race for the manufacturers. For the driver’s, if you win a 24-hour race – especially the 24 Hours of Daytona because it’s a very old race with tradition – if you win such a race, it’s a good thing in your record books.”

Marc Goossens, driver, No. 91 SRT Viper GTS-R
Does your team have championship aspirations?
“I think we do and even if you look at the driver lineups and look around in the paddock I think it’s one of the strongest ones in all cars – not just one car, but in both Vipers. We’ve said it so many times before, Bill Riley (team director) is really good at finding the right people and putting them all together, making them gel together. If we don’t run into trouble – and that’s a big question mark on this track with 67 cars – but I can’t see any reason we can’t be on top.”

Ryan Hunter-Reay, driver, No. 91 SRT Viper GTS-R
What do you most enjoy about this event?
“I enjoy this event – everything about it. It’s the right way to kick off the year. I’m just so glad that both series are here together now. It’s really cool to see the ALMS (American Le Mans Series) GT category and the DPs (Daytona Prototypes) out there and the ALMS prototypes all together – this is how it should have been many years ago.”

Jonathan Bomarito, driver, No. 93 SRT Viper GTS-R
What are the biggest obstacles in a 24-hour race?
“Probably the biggest challenge any team faces in a 24-hour race is the unknown. You try to have a plan for every scenario that could happen on and off the track, but it never seems to happen exactly as planned. A great team can adapt quickly to what needs to be done to get the car back on track as quickly as possible. To win this race at this level of competition, the car, team and drivers need to be flawless for 24 hours straight.”

How important is this event and the new series for the sports car community?
“The 24 Hours of Daytona is our major race of the year and it’s the first for the new merged series. I think it’s a huge deal that it starts with a bang to keep the existing fans and make many more sports car fans for the future.”

Kuno Wittmer, driver, No. 93 SRT Viper GTS-R
Does being a triathlete give you a physical advantage in an endurance race?
“Yes, I have always been an advocate of being physically fit when stepping behind the wheel of a race car. I personally put in over 10 to 12 hours a week on conditioning and accelerating at these three sports (cycling, running and swimming). I have seen big improvements in my career by being fit as it does help a driver in many aspects that he or she needs to tackle. The biggest advantage of being able to compete in triathlons and then into a 24 hour motorsports event is mental toughness – Ironman events teach you mental toughness which drivers need the moment they enter the car.”

Rob Bell, driver, No. 93 SRT Viper GTS-R
What does it take to be successful in a 24-hour race?
“A lot of luck – a lot of luck is a great attribute to have, but it’s being sensible. You’ve got to be a fast driver, obviously, but it’s trying to stay out of trouble and look after the car. It’s great being quick in qualifying, but you take risks and if you take the same risks in the race over 24 hours you’re probably going to damage something. It’s being sensible, being quick, looking after the car and trying to bring the car home in one piece. At the end of the day, we’ve got a great driver lineup. They key thing is being sensible initially.”

Bill Riley, SRT Motorsports team director and vice president and chief engineer for Riley Technologies
How do you prepare the teams for a 24-hour race?
“It’s a bit of everything. It’s preparation. It’s being ready for anything. I don’t want to say having luck, but not getting into any trouble and having the drivers in the right mindset and that type of thing. It’s a lot of things. You don’t really have to give too many instructions to the drivers. They run smart, but if they come to the bus stop and it’s clear they’re going to do a strong run through there. We’re not going to tell Dominik (Farnbacher) to let it loose and throw it in there, but at the same time you have to stay on the lead lap because there are going to be cars that have perfect races and don’t break. You have to be one of those cars or at least be ready to be.”

SRT Motorsports Team Lineup for Daytona International Speedway

No. 91 SRT Viper GTS-R
Driver: Dominik Farnbacher (Germany)
Driver: Marc Goossens (Belgium)
Driver: Ryan Hunter-Reay (United States)
Lead Engineer: Bill Riley

No. 93 SRT Viper GTS-R
Driver: Jonathan Bomarito (United States)
Driver: Kuno Wittmer (Canada)
Driver: Rob Bell (United Kingdom)
Lead Engineer: Matt Bejnarowicz

Race Information
Name: Rolex 24 At Daytona
Date: Jan. 25-26, 2014
Time: 2:10 p.m. EST for 24 hours
Track: Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Fla.
Broadcast Information: The television broadcast will begin on FOX at 2 p.m. EST on Jan. 25 before moving to FOX Sports 2 at 4 p.m. EST. From 9 p.m. EST through 7 a.m. EST, coverage can be found on IMSA.com before moving to FOX Sports 1 for the remainder of the race. The radio broadcast can be found on MRN affiliates and SiriusXM NASCAR.

Mopar Flashes Creative Muscle w/ 2013 SEMA Vehicles

Lisa — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 20:03:46 +0000

Chrysler Group LLC is preparing to head west with a Mopar-customized contingent of creations along for the ride.

At the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 5-8, 20 vehicles customized with existing Mopar parts and accessories, as well as concept products designed to elicit feedback, will take the spotlight in the 15,300 square-foot Mopar display at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Mopar-modified vehicles from Chrysler, Jeep_®, Dodge, Ram, SRT, and FIAT brands will be prominently featured at the premier aftermarket event.

“The SEMA season is our favorite time of the year,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “It’s a chance for us to flex our creative muscles and showcase our vast portfolio of proven, quality-tested performance parts and accessories.”

Following are select Mopar-modified 2013 Chrysler Group LLC SEMA display vehicles headed for this year’s SEMA show:

Ram Sun Chaser
When Ram isn’t hard at work, it’s back to the beach with the Ram Sun Chaser show truck.

Vibrance Orange Blast, with two-tone Brilliant Black paint, color this Ram 1500 Quad Cab. A unique concept Mopar roof rack, dubbed the “surf rack,” and two adjustable support rails housed within the tracks of the truck’s bed, accommodate a long surfboard. As an added bonus, hooks on the side of the rails can also carry up to four boards. To wash off salt water or seaweed, Ram Sun Chaser’s exclusive RamBox bed-side storage features a concept water tank equipped with a hose and a portable shower head, forming a makeshift shower kit that may be clipped on to the rack for a quick rinse. A bed step enables easy access to gear.

Surfers or paddle boarders can take a seat when taking off gear or waxing their board with the concept “Flip-Up” seatback tailgate, which converts into a bench by folding back toward the cab of the truck. New concept 17 x 8-inch beadlock wheels with color-keyed rings, concept flares with exposed fasteners and modified black tubular side-step rails fit the sand dune-ready theme of the vehicle. Orange tow hooks, a satin badge, and a spray-on bedliner are also added by Mopar.

Inside, Katzkin leather seats feature stitching accented to match the Vibrance Orange Blast paint, as well as the dash, display bezels and door inserts. Sill guards and all-weather mats also accent the interior. Powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI^® engine, the Ram hits the sand with a sport performance hood, a 2-inch performance lift kit and a Mopar cat-back exhaust.

Fiat 500L Adventurer
The Fiat 500L Adventurer illustrates the versatility of the new five-seater, with modifications that transform the vehicle and equip it with a tough, rugged appearance.

The exterior is enhanced with Bright White body paint, two-tone accent wheel flares and rockers painted in Satin Black. Color is added with Vibrance Bright Orange on the roof, which totes Mopar roof rails and a large roof basket. The vehicle sits on 18 x 7.5-inch custom concept wheels embellished with FIAT logo center caps.

A custom 500L graphic augments door panels, with the L painted orange to match the roof. Orange mirror caps, tinted taillights, tinted chrome exhaust tips, molded splash guards, and a chrome FIAT logo ring further enhance the exterior styling.

The interior is upgraded with black perforated suede Katzkin seats and pearl leather seatbacks. Matching orange accents are featured inside as well, with orange-painted bezels and orange accents surrounding the speaker grills and steering-wheel badge. The two-tone instrument panel is black with a white leather insert. A Mopar seatback coat hanger, all-weather mats, a pedal kit, doorsill guards and a cargo organizer are included from the Mopar catalog. A performance boost is achieved with a Mopar cold-air intake and Mopar cat-back exhaust.

Jeep_® Cherokee Trail Carver
Jeep Cherokee is for trail addicts seeking a vehicle with the capabilities to handle the rugged off-road, while projecting a unique, customized and luxurious look on the streets.

Going to the next level of customization, the Mopar-modified Jeep Cherokee uses the Trailhawk 4×4 package powered by a 3.2-liter V-6 engine as a starting point. Its exterior is colored in Auburn Pearl paint, with low-gloss black and Granite Crystal with low-gloss clear touches.

Unique Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk hood and roof topographical graphics are bordered in Crush Orange, with matching orange tow hooks. The top of the modified Jeep Cherokee sports a concept roof basket design, with orange accent side panels wrapped in woven metallic fabric. A front wind deflector, which includes the Mopar logo, completes the design.

Aggressive tires highlight the off-road flavor of the vehicle, and rock rails protect this Jeep Cherokee from trail obstacles.

The inside is enhanced with Katzkin Amaretto leather seats, with colored leather in the center, ensuring a premium feel. Leather wrapping on the center console, storage door and armrest, and matching color stitching on the seats, offer even more appointments. The top and bottom of the steering wheel are leather, and painted trim provides highlights throughout the inside.

Other Mopar goodies include bright door-sill guards with the Jeep Cherokee logo, a wireless smartphone charger, and WiFi. The Jeep Cargo Management Receiver System (JCMRS), a unique option that features a running bar along the left interior, to which Mopar items may be mounted, is also utilized. The Mopar roadside emergency kit, Trailhawk bag and first-aid kit are mounted to the JCMRS. In the Jeep Performance Parts department, a Mopar cold-air intake and a cat-back exhaust are put to work to achieve horsepower gains.

2014 Chrysler 300S
The iconic and elegant Chrysler 300 is elevated even further to reach the ultimate in style and street cred with a variety of Mopar appointments utilized to create the 2014 Chrysler 300S for the SEMA Show.

Phantom Black Tri-coat colors the exterior, maintaining the elegance of the Chrysler 300S, while adding a menacing edge. Fitting its gritty, big-city vibe, the front is reinforced by a 13-bar black “Gotham” grille surround, with a lowering kit, dropping the 2014 Chrysler 300S closer to the streets. The wheels pull from the Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition with 20 x 8-inch wheels finished in a Mopar bronze, accented with Mopar wheel center caps. A black SRT spoiler embellishes the tail and helps drive the rear towards the pavement when in motion, enabling the 300S to corner urban canyons with impressive agility.

Luxurious touches rule the interior, with seats and door bolster inserts wrapped in Katzkin “Bisque” leather. Leather seatbacks are embossed with the “Imported From Detroit” logo, and matching Katzkin “Bisque” threads border the seats, door and console armrests. All bright trim is changed to Satin Black, and the Mopar Lite Bronze found on the wheels is also featured in the trim accents.

Mopar news and images, as well as a link to the livestream broadcast from the Mopar display area at SEMA on Tuesday, Nov. 5, are available on the brand’s website at mopar.com/sema.

We are Headed to SEMA!

Lisa — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 14:07:46 +0000

Are you ready for SEMA? Join Modern Mopar Magazine as we travel across the country from Long Island, NY to the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Our very own Shawn along with “Galvatron”, his custom 2010 Plum Crazy Dodge Challenger R/T was the winner of Katzkin Leather’s Facebook “Win Your Way To SEMA” contest. Along the way, we’ll meet other modern Mopar enthusiasts and share the travels and SEMA show with you! Look for a massive recap of all the awesomeness that is Mopar at the 2013 SEMA show in an upcoming issue of Modern Mopar Magazine!

Petty’s Garage 2013 Spring Fling Draws Car Lovers from Across North America

Lisa — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:50:51 +0000

The third annual Petty’s Garage Spring Fling Car Show and Drag Race Experience sponsored by the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) drew hundreds of people from across the United States and Canada to North Carolina over Memorial Day weekend. The event kicked off on Friday, May 24 with a “street night” at Piedmont Dragway in Julian, N.C., followed on Saturday with a car show at Petty’s Garage, Richard Petty’s custom hot rod shop, in Level Cross, N.C.

“We have sponsored the Petty’s Garage Spring Fling since the event started in 2011,” says R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman, ALI president. “It is a great venue for us to get out and talk to people about vehicle lift safety, the value of certified lifts and how important it is to have those lifts inspected at least annually by ALI Certified Lift Inspectors.”

The ALI “Legacy by Petty” Dodge Challenger built in tribute to Richard “The King” Petty was featured at the Spring Fling Car Show entrance as part of the Petty’s Garage 2013 Performance Tour display. ALI provided attendees with free posters of the Legacy car, ALI stickers and temporary tattoos. ALI and Petty’s Garage also supplied trophies for both the drag race experience and the car show.

The Spring Fling Drag Race Experience was open to anyone who wanted to give it a try, resulting in several newcomers getting their first tastes of the track. You didn’t even have to bring a car to get in on the fun: Roy Hill’s Drag Racing School offered Spring Fling participants and spectators the chance to experience the thrill of drag racing in the school’s three-seater ride-along dragster. A bracket race was held toward the end of the evening. Petty’s Garage and ALI awarded the following prizes:

Bracket Race Winner: Robert Moore
Fastest Petty’s Garage Car: Bruce Morin
Fastest Non-Petty Car: Darryl Cagle
Most Runs: Jay Smith

Some 200 cars turned out for Saturday’s car show. It was a beautiful, sunny day that was perfect for strolling around the grounds checking out the wide variety of dream cars on display. Petty’s Garage was open, so attendees could also explore the shop where Richard and Lee Petty’s race cars were once built … and where many of the cars in the show were built or modified under The King’s watchful eye. Live music, family entertainment and food rounded out the day.

Spring Fling judges selected the Top 50 cars at the show to receive award plaques. ALI and Petty’s Garage also awarded a trophy to each of the following winners:

Best Overall: Randy Mathews, 2011 Ford Mustang GT/CS
Wildest Ride: Carl and Lynda Spivey, 1992 Ford Thunderbird
Best Paint: Saadat Khan, 1971 Plymouth Cuda
Best Engine: Tommy Haynie, 1965 Plymouth Barracuda
Best Mopar: Joe Kelly, 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T
Best GM: Ryan Shore, 2010 Chevy Camaro RS
Best Ford: Mark Dumont, 2013 Ford Mustang GT Fastlane Edition Stage 1
Best Other Make: Wally Melin, 1941 Willys Coupe
Longest Haul: Steven Gawadzyn, from Ontario, Canada

Mark your calendars — the Petty’s Garage Spring Fling sponsored by ALI returns Memorial Day weekend 2014!

Mopar® Customized Rides Take Spotlight at Beijing International Automotive Exhibition

Lisa — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:52:14 +0000

Company’s Service, Parts and Customer-care Brand to Display ‘Moparized’ Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept, Jeep® Wrangler Arctic and Fiat® Freemont

Fiat Freemont features numerous Mopar® accessories
Jeep® Wrangler Arctic gets ‘Moparized’
‘Moparized’ Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept to make debut
New 172,222 square-foot Mopar product distribution center in Shanghai distributes more than 35,000 parts and accessories

Beijing , Apr 23, 2012 – Chrysler Group LLC will head to the Far East to showcase its Mopar® brand in China at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

“The automotive aftermarket in China has grown exponentially,” said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand. “We will continue to expand our reach in China with our Mopar distribution facility in Shanghai playing a key role in the process.”

At the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, Mopar will display an accessorized Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept, Jeep® Wrangler Artic and Fiat® Freemont.

“Nearly two-thirds of consumers who are in the market to purchase a new vehicle will consider the availability and scope of accessories before making a vehicle-buying decision,” Gorlier said. “In Beijing, we will showcase our capabilities and communicate that Mopar offers proven, quality-tested parts and accessories for our vehicles.”

Following are “Moparized” vehicles that will be on display at the show:

‘Moparized’ Fiat Freemont:
The Fiat Freemont is the first Fiat vehicle to be produced in partnership with the Chrysler Group.

With seating for seven, the Fiat Freemont is spacious, comfortable and versatile. Seats in the second and third rows may be completely folded down for a flat-load floor. The Fiat Freemont is powered by state-of-the-art 2.0-liter MultiJet 2 engines, with variable geometry, available in 140 horsepower or 170 horsepower options, with a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive. The Freemont will soon be available in all-wheel drive versions with 170 horsepower 2.0-liter MultiJet 2 and 276 horsepower 3.6-liter petrol V-6 engines, both with automatic gearboxes.

Following are Mopar accessories on the Fiat Freemont:

Pedal cover kit
Chrome mirror caps
Rear spoiler
Cargo carpet
Chrome fuel-filler door
Exhaust tip
Tailgate molding
Side moldings
Side skirts
Door-sill guards
Front skid plate
19-inch alloy wheels
Rim lock nuts

‘Moparized’ Jeep Wrangler Arctic Two-Door:
Jeep Wrangler Arctic offers an aggressive Wrangler Rubicon appearance. Inside, Wrangler Arctic’s seats are black Tectonic fabric with Polar White accents and orange accent stitching. Front seats are heated and feature an “Arctic” logo on the seat back. Accent stitching may also be found on the steering wheel, arm rest, and console lid. Door trim and nets are accented in orange, and all grab handles and dashboard vent rings are finished in Polar White trim.

Following are Mopar accessories on the Jeep Wrangler Arctic:

Grab-handles
Coat hook
Jeep branded mirror cap
Chrome exhaust tip
Door-sill guards with Jeep logo
Black fuel-filler door
Black taillamp guards
Black tubular side steps
All-weather mats with unique white accents

‘Moparized’ Chrysler 300 Ruyi Design Concept
The Chrysler 300 Ruyi design concept was created to commemorate the return of the Chrysler brand to China. Cultural cues from the Chinese ruyi were the inspiration behind the vehicle. A traditional ruyi has a long S-shaped handle and a head fashioned like a cloud. Ruyi symbolize authority, prosperity and good luck in Chinese tradition.

Chinese ruyi shape was tastefully married into the interior and exterior of the Chrysler 300C, with a unique polished ruyi-shaped signature grille and 22-inch alloy wheels with spokes designed to reflect the curvature of a ruyi.

Following are Mopar accessories and performance parts on the vehicle:

Cold-air intake
Illuminated sills
Pedal cover kit

The Mopar brand has a large worldwide footprint:

• More than 120 countries
• More than 45 commercial offices
• More than 50 parts distribution centers
• More than 500,000 parts and accessories
• More than 19 million square-feet of warehouse space
• More than 20 customer-care call centers
• More than 3,500 suppliers
• More than 4,000 dealers
• More than 11,000 ship-to locations
• More than 350,000 order lines daily

New Mopar Shanghai Distribution Center
The new parts distribution center in China integrates China domestic and regional operations to provide a more efficient and cost-effective supply chain and improved service levels for the company’s growing presence in China and the Asia Pacific region. The facility is located in Yangshan Port Shanghai, a free trade zone that offers Mopar the platform to support international trade from China. The 172,222 square-foot facility distributes more than 35,000 part numbers to more than 130 dealer locations in China and more than 20 third-party distributors and joint-venture partners throughout the Asia Pacific region. The warehouse also is a referral point for other Mopar warehouses in South Korea, Japan and Australia, that services more than 200 additional dealer locations.

7th Annual Spring Festival of LXs

Lisa — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:20:12 +0000

SoCal Style Meet and Greet of Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger and Magnum Owners

The seventh annual Spring Festival of LXs will be held this Saturday, March 24 on the tarmac at the Orange Country Great Park (formerly Marine Corp Air Station El Toro) in Irvine, Calif. With nearly 1,000 registered vehicles and owners coming from more than 25 states and five countries, it will be the largest owner gathering of Dodge Chargers, Dodge Challengers, Dodge Magnums and Chrysler 300s in North America.

What started as a small group and active community of online Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger “LX” owners and forum users has grown into one of the largest owner event in the Country! (LX was the original vehicle platform code for Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum). This “LX” event has become somewhat of a homecoming for the owners, giving the active digital communicators a chance meet face to face. With food, prizes, custom vehicle displays, vendor alleys, cruises and manufacturer round table discussions, the event has evolved from a single day into a three-day weekend. Part homecoming, part celebration, part festival, this event showcases true passion for great American cars and has become a family destination every March.

The Spring Festival of LXs is a unique collaboration between owners, forum users, aftermarket vendors, Chrysler Group’s California Business Center and “tricked out” vehicles from the factory.

The event culminates with the activities on Saturday at the Orange County Great Park:

Cruise-in at Beach Burger in Huntington Beach on Thursday night
Dodge will unveil a new model of the Challenger (inspired by this crowd) on Saturday
Dodge Motorsports race driver Sam Hubinette will be giving drift demos and rides on Saturday
SRT® Brand will be on site with their SRT Track Experience, Saturday
Owner round table discussions, Saturday

WHO:

Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – SRT Brand and Motorsports and Senior Vice President of Design, Chrysler Group LLC
Joe Grace, Vehicle Line Executive – A/B Segment & Street and Racing Technology (SRT®)
Joe Dehner, Executive – Dodge Brand Design, Chrysler Group LLC
Joe Grace, Executive – Street and Racing Technology (SRT), Chrysler Group LLC
Chris Barman, Executive – Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge
Thousands of passionate American car owners

WHEN:

Saturday, March 24
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Noon Chrysler Group welcome
Lunch will be served starting at 11:30 AM

WHERE:

Orange County Great Park (ex El Toro Marine base)
Enter off of Sand Canyon Blvd

PRI Announces Transition and Sale to SEMA

Lisa — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:27:51 +0000

Performance Racing Industry (PRI), producers of the motorsports business magazine and trade show, finalized plans to be purchased by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The transaction is set to close in late March 2012.

With 20-plus years of publishing and management experience at PRI, John Kilroy will serve as Vice President/General Manager of PRI and assume day-to-day operations for the group. All the operations, employees and offices will remain intact at PRI’s current location in Laguna Beach, California.

“Steve Lewis launched the PRI concept a quarter-of-a-century ago, as an organization totally dedicated solely to the racing industry,” said Kilroy. “It was Steve’s dream that PRI continue to serve the racing community, and to ‘nest’ PRI with an organization that clearly understands PRI’s heritage and the role we play in how the racing industry conducts business. We are pleased to have found that strategic partner in SEMA.”

Lewis, founder and current CEO of PRI, will now be able to dedicate his time and energy to pursue his lifelong passion for motorsports, which includes management of his Nine Racing midget team and supporting the racing career of his son Michael, 2011 Formula 3 Italia Rookie of the Year.

“We carefully considered all our options, and SEMA was the obvious choice to carry on the legacy of the PRI brand,” said Lewis. “SEMA is financially sound and has an experienced management team. They bring a long-term outlook to the table, as well as exceptional insight into the trade show business overall. I have no doubt that the PRI brand will continue to deliver value to the racing community, and I know John Kilroy and the current management group will keep the basic business themes that have been established as they continue to work out of the current location here in Laguna Beach that has housed the PRI family for all these years,” he said.

Many current and past SEMA Board of Directors have been involved with PRI through the years as exhibitors and advertisers and bring a keen understanding of how the two organizations complement each other.

“We’re very excited about the continuation of the great business offerings for the performance and racing community from this acquisition,” said Scooter Brothers, SEMA Chairman of the Board. “Having worked with the folks from PRI for many years, I know the show and magazine are appreciated and used by the racing industry to further their marketing efforts, and that racing entrepreneurs look upon the PRI Trade Show as a unique event and a valuable voice. The transition will preserve and protect that voice, and the show’s unique character and authenticity. We look forward to the PRI team carrying on the legacy and traditions of Steve Lewis.

“We also want to thank Steve Lewis for all he’s done for the racing industry, and for creating PRI,” added Brothers. “PRI Magazine and the PRI Trade Show have played a key role in the growth of the racing industry over the past 25 years, and we look forward to its continued success.”

SEMA President Chris Kersting said, “The Performance Racing Industry Trade Show and magazine are great complements to the SEMA mission: they help their customers’ businesses to succeed. SEMA looks forward to providing the PRI team the resources and support to continue delivering great value to the racing and performance segment.”

Founded in 1963, the SEMA trade association provides services and resources to businesses in the automotive specialty equipment industry. Members include manufacturers, distributors, retailers and marketers of products that enhance the styling and functionality of cars, trucks and SUVs. In addition to producing the premier automotive accessories trade show, where more than 100,000 individuals come to do business, SEMA offers education, research and several publications specifically targeted to the industry. The association also represents its members with a legislative advocacy group.

The 25th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show takes place November 29 – December 1, 2012, in the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. It features exhibits by 1,100 racing companies in 3,100 booths, requiring 700,000 square feet to house the event. 38,000 buyers will attend from across the US, and 72 countries.

For more information, visit www.performanceracing.com or www.sema.org.