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New York Auto Show debuts..

Filed Under: Dodge News by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
January 20, 2012

Are you anxious to see the 2013 SRT Viper? Who’s not? For the general public, little is known about the new Viper to be released this year, a project in the making that has been super top secret. A secret that many Viper fans are very excited to learn.

Well it is confirmed that the new generation viper will make its debut to the public at the New York Auto Show. The show opens on Friday April 6th 2012- Sunday April 15th 2012. The countdown is officially on.

Besides the new generation Viper being debuted at the New York Auto Show, the new 2012 Honda Civic Si, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC, 2012 Scion FR-s Five Axis Concept are at the top of the list of show stealing cars in New York. These are what car lovers are considering a must see! And don’t forget the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, this huge gift Oprah gave away during her final season last year will be on display with all of its bells and whistles. If you didn’t win one from Oprah, you can see one at the auto show!

The anticipation is high and the imaginations are in overdrive just wondering what the new generation of Viper will simply look like, not to mention the different and new additions made to the car. With speculations from all sorts of sources, not much is known just simply assumed. Only select information has been revealed to the media and social networks, and has been confirmed by Chrysler. But one detail that has been released is that the new Viper will not share any parts from the Maserati or Porsche brand of Fiat sport cars. Apparently, it will be unique all on its own, a feature we love about the Viper.

When the new Viper does return to the showroom floors, only a few thousand will have been made to sell throughout the country. With such high demand of these new cars members of the Viper Owner’s Club (such as us) and previous Viper owners will have preference. The new generation Viper is guaranteed to be a hot commodity amongst us Viper fanatics’, keep yourself updated with Viper details and the release of the new 2013 Viper for sale here at ViperExchange.com.

For additional information and a look at one of our featured 2010 Dodge Viper ACR check out this page from insideline.com

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Keating Named Champ After Last Race At Daytona

Filed Under: Dodge Viper Cup by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
October 25, 2011

The last race weekend of the season was a roller coaster of emotion.  Ben Keating was in the points lead going into Saturdays Race after he took second place in the qualifying session with his team mate Dominik Farnbacher taking first in qualifying.  The race on Saturday had the same results with Ben taking second to Dominik.  After the race on Saturday the Technicians found a problem with Dominik’s car causing him to be disqualified which meant that that Ben took the first place points from Saturdays race.  Now with Ben far in the points lead he only had to make it through Sundays qualifying session and finish the race.  The qualifying session on Sunday was a repeat of Saturday with Dominik taking the pole and Ben comming in second.  The race on the other hand was not as routine.  As the race got underway Dominik lost significant horse power from his number 32 car causing him to quit the race after only 3 laps.  The real shock came when Ben got tangled up with another car causing him to spin and get a flat tire.  Ben made it back to 15th place in the race which earned him the championship for the season.

Results:

Pos Car # First Laps Total Time Best Time
1 81 Kuno Wittmer 10 20:19.479 1:52.226
2 52 Craig Stanton 10 20:19.901 1:52.411
3 99 Jeff Courtney 10 20:24.046 1:52.548
4 80 Dave Fiorelli 10 20:26.437 1:52.650
5 18 Todd Nelson 10 20:30.237 1:53.139
6 8 Jim Booth 10 20:36.341 1:53.722
7 26 Marc Montour 10 20:49.196 1:55.007
8 84 Kurt Sollberger 10 20:50.797 1:55.015
9 19 Michael von Quilich 10 20:54.140 1:55.229
10 3 David Mazyck 10 20:55.991 1:55.090
11 10 Connie Bogan 10 21:06.376 1:55.961
12 53 Allen Johnson 10 21:11.514 1:56.014
13 90 Brad Gorrondona 10 21:16.354 1:55.905
14 9 Carl Black 9 20:29.623 1:55.778
15 33 Ben Keating 9 21:59.209 1:54.531
16 64 David Decker 9 22:04.839 2:01.309
17 59 A.J. Morgan 9 22:09.132 1:55.016
DNF 32 Dominik Farnbacher 3 7:07.852 1:52.517
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Ben Keating at Petit Le Mans

Filed Under: Dodge News, Event News by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
October 4, 2011

Interviewed by Tom Drewer at NARRA (North American Road Racing Association) before his Le Mans Race and then after, Ben was asked an array of questions that included what his expectations were for ALMS. In comparison to 24hrs at Daytona, Le Mans is one of the top races across the country and to be able to participate in both makes him on lucky guy! In response to that comparison, Ben says “Speed takes a back seat to survival.”

Driving a GT-C Porsche in le Mans also brought to question another comparison, what it’s like to drive a Porsche in a race vs. his long experience with the Dodge Viper. “The biggest challenge for me is being willing to drive into the corner at the limit of the Porsche, because most of my reference of the limit is in a Viper.”

His Dodge Viper was not forgotten during is race at Petit le Mans with “My other car is a Dodge Viper” written across the side of his Porsche.

When asked after the race to sum it up in five words or less, Keating said “Crazy traffic! Closure rate!” Elaborating further, “Fifty three cars in the race. Six different classes. I am driving a car in the slowest class. This means watching my mirrors at least as much as the road in front of me. We were doing about 100 mph into turn one. The LMP1′s were doing 164 into turn one. So, the closure rate was equivalent to our being at a dead stop and them passing by at 64 mph!”

Keating’s fastest lap was only 0:0.3 seconds apart from The Racers Group’s pro-driver time of 1:25.6, finishing just off the podium at fourth in class.  That’s quiet a feat for a first timer at Petit le Mans.

Ben is looking forward to the 50th anniversary of 24hrs at Daytona and racing in the Dodge Viper Cup 2012 season.

Read More of this Interview at NARRAonline.com >>

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ViperExchange – How We Got Here Today

Filed Under: Dodge News by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
September 29, 2011

ViperExchange began as the dream of two car dealers who fell in love with everything the Dodge Viper had to offer. Because of their dream, Viper fans everywhere are able to benefit from one centralized location for all of their Vipers needs and wants.

ViperExchange began as a boutique shop located inside Tomball Dodge in Tomball, Texas. ViperExchange is the dealership for both new and used Vipers. This location is an emporium for speed and modification equipment as well as a gleaming service center. When visiting this location be sure to check out the second floor “Viper Vault”.

 

Around the time the Gen IV Viper was unveiled to the world, Ben Keating and Bernie Katz decided to develop the ViperExchange.com website to service their customers needs worldwide.

In 2009 ViperExchange was responsible for ordering more New Dodge Vipers than any other dealership in the world; while in 2010 Bernie and Ben were proud to boast that ViperExchange officially housed the world’s largest selection of Vipers for sale. So far in 2011, ViperExchange is responsible for one out of every three new Dodge Vipers sold.

With perhaps the largest Viper inventory in the world, ViperExchange is currently the top-selling Viper dealership in the nation. Currently their inventory includes between 25 and 35 Vipers that have never been titled. The company has now grown to encompass two large warehouses where all of the Vipers are kept safe from the harsh elements. Rest assured that the entire ViperExchange staff has become indoctrinated with everything and anything having to do with Vipers. The parts department inventories the most Viper parts, the technicians are the most experienced, and the body shop is known for its impressive and amazing custom Viper paint jobs. If your needs are a bit more intense, our full race shop is available to handle them. No job is too big or too small.

Viper Exchange works with partners such as Viper Days/NARRA (North American Road Racing Association), BJ Motors, Viper Parts of America and the Viper Club of America. ViperExchange.com is the central location of four different Dodge dealerships that serve the Viper nation, and it is the premier resource for all of your Viper needs.

Ben Keating:

Ben Keating started out in the car business at the tender age of 11, helping around his father’s Ford dealership in Tomball, Texas. He now owns that dealership along with six others in Texas, four of which are Dodge dealerships.
Ben has always been impressed with the Dodge brand, his heart truly belonged to the Vipers. Its that love of this sleek and powerful vehicle that led him to a race track where he began racing a GTS in the Viper Racing League. In 2011, Ben Keating was a Viper Club of America points leader. Back in 2010 he won the exclusive VCA raffle for the opportunity to meet Bob Lutz and receive the Bob Lutz GT-2 car. He soon after purchased the Ralph Gilles’ Original VooDoo Viper SRT10 ACR.

As his contacts in the Viper community grew, Ben began doing quite a bit of business with Bernie Katz and BJ Motors. Both had a passion for the Viper that few could rival, and both understood what it took to get these American exotics in the hands of consumers.

Bernie Katz:
Bernie Katz, of BJ Motors, has made quite a name for himself by selling exotic cars in Virginia and surrounding areas, with a special emphasis on Dodge Vipers.
It was in 1997 when Bernie took his passion to the track, racing in the Viper Racing League for the first time. However it wasn’t until 2006 when Ben began racing that the two forged a true partnership, as well as friendship. Both accomplished drivers, each has established themselves as the ones to beat when it comes to Viper Racing.

With the access to four different Dodge dealerships, it was very easy for Bernie and Ben to provide a large selection of cars to the ViperExchange cliental. It was then decided that it would be more logical to provide customers with a single place to go for all of their Dodge Viper needs, thus ViperExchange.com was created!

View our extensive Viper Inventory Online >>
Check out our Special Edition 7:12 Dodge Vipers Here >>

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Official Video of Viper’s Record Breaking Run at Nürburgring, Germany

Filed Under: Dodge News by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
September 27, 2011

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ViperExchange’s Viper ACR Smashed the Record at Nürburgring

Filed Under: Dodge News by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
September 17, 2011

dodge viper acr beats record at nurburgring germany

Tomball Dodge/Viperexchange has a special relationship with Dodge, the manufacturer of our beloved Vipers and Viper Magazine, and the Viper Club of America. ViperExchange/Tomball Dodge was honored to return the Viper to the Nordschleife at Nürburgring in Germany – AKA, the Ring to defend the title.

In 2008 the Dodge Viper ACR, supported by a small team of dedicated engineers, came to the Ring and established a production car one lap record time of 7:22.1, a record that stood through much of 2011. This summer the Corvette ZR1 came to the Ring with new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires and beat the Viper record with a 7:19.6. Even more recently, the $400,000 Lexus LF-A, with a special Nürburgring Edition, set down a blazing time of 7:14.6.

In 2011 ViperExchange offered to supply two very unique cars that possibly could set a new record beating out the Corvette ZR1, the Posrche GT2 RS, and to see how the new Viper stacked up against the Lexus LFA.  As loyal Viper Racers, Enthusiasts, Dealers and Passionate people, Ben and Bernie set out to make this task a reality. Tomball was all in from day one planning with emails, phone calls, and helping prepare the cars for pick up to head to Detroit. The Corvette times were the target with only a glamour of hope to attack the LFA insane record we knew the task ahead was going to be a challenge.

Sending 2 cars over to Germany meant that we needed two drivers.  As a result of being driver teammates in the 24 hours of Daytona, Ben developed a friendship with Dominik Farnbacher.  In fact, earlier this year Ben and his wife Kathleen went to the Nurburgring to spend 2 days with Dominik at the famous track.  We were extremely excited to bring our relationship with Dominik to the effort.  He is an incredible talent; setting the pole in this year’s GT class at both the 24hrs of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

This is where the journey began and lot’s more to follow. The special, Tomball Dodge exclusive paint combinations are now being created into “7:12 Editions” and will be sold as special edition Vipers. There will be more to follow on the special editions as we work with SRT and Prefix.  We first have to get the cars back home!  Not only do we stand proud as the number one selling Dodge Viper dealer in 2011, but we are humbled and honored with the response received from the Viper Nation.

While the official results will be posted on VCA along with the full video footage, SRT was kind enough to share today’s very, very exciting results: The 2010 Dodge Viper ACR set a new production car record of just 7:12 and change. What that “change” is will have to wait until the results are made official, but it is most definitely one for the record books.  Look for the full story in the next issue of VIPER magazine and ViperExchange  as well as the in-car and exterior footage of the runs themselves here on these forums. On behalf of the Viper Club of America and Viper owners everywhere, Tomball Dodge, ViperExchange, Ben, and Bernie cannot describe how proud we are to be part of the new record.  It is an honor and a pleasure.

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Dodge Viper Cup on Versus Channel

Filed Under: Dodge Viper Cup by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
September 14, 2011

Here is the complete schedule of Dodge Viper Cup recaps on the Versus Channel (click here to find your local channel and line-up for Dodge Viper Cup):

Race # 1 –Sunday, 10/16 at 3:00pm

Race # 2 –Sunday, 10/23 at 3:00pm

Race # 3 –Sunday, 10/30 at 3:00pm

Race # 4 –Sunday, 11/6 at 3:00pm

Race # 5 –Sunday, 11/13 at 3:00pm

Race # 6 –Sunday, 11/20 at 3:00pm

Race # 7 –Sunday, 11/27 at 3:00pm

Race # 8 –Sunday, 12/4 at 3:00pm

Race # 9 –Sunday, 12/11 at 3:00pm

Race # 10 –Sunday, 12/18 at 3:00pm

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Another win for Ben Keating at TWS

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September 6, 2011

This past weekend was a roller coaster of excitement and frustration at Texas World Speedway in College Station.  Ben decided to run both the Viper Cup and the comp coop series races.  On Saturday Ben got the pole position in both the comp coop and Viper Cup qualifying sessions.  During the race on Saturday in the Viper Cup race Ben blew a tire with only 3min left in the race, and after a quick pit stop to change the tire he finished 8th.  Later that day during the Comp Coop race his cars front splitter came loose and he had to discontinue the race.  On Sunday Ben had the same start taking the pole position on both the Comp Coop and Viper Cup qualifying sessions.  During the Viper Cup race he had better luck finishing the race with out any flat tires and finished first.  Later that day in the Comp Coop session Ben also finished first with out any car trouble.

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Bernie Katz on Dodge Viper Cup at VIR 2011

Filed Under: Dodge Viper Cup by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
August 9, 2011

I am excited to announce my debut televised race in The Dodge Viper Cup being aired on Versus Television “Comcast” (look up your local channel here) this Wednesday, August 10th either 4:30 or 5:00 CST and Sunday’s race is August 17th either 4:30 or 5:00 CST. It was a great weekend unfortunately, I finished lower than I anticipated. Being in this car for the first time was exciting, many thanks to Ben Keating. I am in the # 32 car that looks like all the colors of the rainbow and more colors than any rainbow anyone has ever seen. Saturday’s race was a day of temperatures topping in the 100’s and the action was fast and furious. I qualified P12 and finished P10 on both days.

Sunday’s race was a little more excitement for me! At least the action was more intense from my seat and hopefully will show on TV.  I had some great battles at a world class track with two of the celebrity driver’s one who was a pro driver for Honda and Chris Palmer, announcer for ESPN X Games with whom we had a little bumper contact when he wouldn’t get out of my way. I mean, wouldn’t move out of my way. Both days were phenomenal and the adrenaline was at 100%. I am so excited to have had the opportunity to have my 15 minutes of fame.

Ben Keating is in the #33 car and had two days of podium finishes, congrats Ben, I was in his back up car! Thanks Ben!

Read Bernie Katz’s profile at ViperRaceHeadquarters.com >>

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Ben Keating Delievers all-star performance at Virginia International Raceway

Filed Under: Dodge Viper Cup by ViperExchange.com — Leave a comment
July 11, 2011

It was an exciting weekend at VIR this past
weekend and to no one’s surprise Keating pulled out all the stops on both
Saturday and Sunday.   After a long day of practice runs on Friday Ben
and his team had his car up to spec for the upcoming race. On Saturday Ben qualified
first and led the entire race to a first place finish.    Sunday was almost a mirror image of Saturday
with Ben taking the pole position. The race was off to a great start for
Keating, he lead the entire first half until he spun out. Ben ended up
finishing third.

Sat race results:                                                                                     Sun race results

1 Ben Keating                                                                                        1 Jeff Courtney

2 Jeff Courtney                                                                                    2 A.J. Morgan

3 Ted Hughes                                                                                       3 Ben Keating

4 A.J. Morgan                                                                                      4 Dave Fiorelli

5 Dave Fiorelli                                                                                     5 Michael Von Quillich

6 Eric Galerne                                                                                     6 Ralph Gilles

7 Connie Bogan                                                                                  7 Todd Nelson

8 Brian Makse                                                                                    8 Brian Makse

9 Kurt Sollberger                                                                               9 Eric Galerne

10 Ralph Gilles                                                                                  10 Bernie Katz

11 Todd Nelson                                                                                  11 Marc Montour

12 Bernie Katz                                                                                   12 Kurt Sollberger

13 Larry Carter                                                                                  13 Chris Burandt

14 Michael Von Quilich                                                                   14 Connie Bogan

15 David Mazyck                                                                              15 David Mazyck

16 Chris Burandt                                                                             16 Brad Gorrondona

17 Marc Montour

18 Brad Gorrondona

 

 

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