Jonathan Bomarito Signs With SRT Motorsports Viper GTS-R Team; Driver Roster Complete for 2012

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Bomarito joins Ryan Hunter-Reay as second endurance race specialist
• Two-car team driver lineups set for Aug. 4 American Le Mans Series race debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course  

Jonathan Bomarito is the final driver to join the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Motorsports Viper GTS-R team that will compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2012.

The 30-year-old Monterey, Calif., resident is racing full time in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series GT class in 2012 and has one race win this season at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Ala. In his first full season in Grand Am in 2010, Bomarito won the 24 Hours of Daytona driving a car with a race chassis built by SRT Motorsports team partner Riley Technologies, owned by Bill Riley. Following the 2010 season, he was named the Rookie of the Year after placing third in the driver's championship point's standings.

Bomarito will join Andretti Autosport/IndyCar Series star Ryan Hunter-Reay when the team expands driver slots for the longer-elapsed time/extended-distance endurance events. Both drivers will make their debuts with the SRT Motorsports team at the Petit Le Mans race (1,000 miles or 10 hours) at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. on Oct. 20.

"The addition of an experienced road racer like Jonathan Bomarito solidifies our team for competition in longer endurance events," said Beth Paretta, Director of Marketing and Operations – SRT Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC. "With our roster of drivers complete, we can now turn our total focus to the team debut race at Mid-Ohio. We're excited to begin adding to the storied history of the Viper in ALMS competition."

Bomarito said it is a huge opportunity to be a part of the newest SRT Motorsports program.

"Getting to run in a few of these big races has been a huge goal of mine as a driver," Bomarito said. "To be a part of SRT Motorsports and Riley Technologies, two huge companies in the motorsports world, is definitely a major add for my resume. I'm very, very excited to be part of a program like this.

"My goal is to go out and perform to the best of my capabilities. It's the first year for this program and when you're coming in as the third driver, you really just have to try to absorb as much as possible as quickly as possible and do your best to gel with everybody seamlessly."

Bomarito joins the five other team drivers previously announced including Dominik Farnbacher, from Ansbach, Germany; Marc Goossens from Geel, Belgium; Kuno Wittmer from Montreal; and Americans Tommy Kendall who now resides in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Hunter-Reay from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The driver lineup for the Aug. 4 ALMS debut race at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will be Kendall and Goossens in the No. 93 Pennzoil Ultra SRT Viper GTS-R; while Wittmer and Farnbacher will share the seat in the No. 91 Forza Motorsports SRT Viper GTS-R.

SRT Viper GTS-R returns

SRT Motorsports has partnered with Riley Technologies, based in Mooresville, N.C., on the design-and-build process of the new SRT Viper GTS-R race cars. The two identical SRT Viper GTS-R cars will compete in the production-based GT class in the series. The GT class consists of production-based, moderately modified two-wheel-drive race cars. The SRT Viper GTS-R cars will be competing against the Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M3 GT, Corvette C6.R, Ferrari F458 Italia, Lotus Evora and Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

The GT class cars share many styling similarities to their showroom brands and by series' rules must have a minimum weight of 2,745 pounds. The cars produce between 450-500 horsepower with top speeds of up to 180 mph.

"We completed a very successful testing program including a two-day session at Virginia International Raceway recently," said Gary Johnson, Road Racing Manager – SRT Motorsports. "We're pleased with the progress, but the real test comes at Mid-Ohio. That's where we'll begin to learn where we stack up against the competition."

Following the limited schedule this season, the SRT Motorsports team will compete full time in the ALMS in 2013.

About SRT Motorsports

The engineering expertise within SRT extends well beyond our street vehicles. It is a little known fact, but technical support for the Chrysler Group's motorsports program is provided by the astute engineers at SRT. Lessons learned on the track directly translate to improved vehicles for our customers. SRT Motorsports is expanding its racing presence this year and look for more news from pit lane.

About SRT
The Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) brand uses a successful product development formula featuring five proven hallmarks: awe-inspiring powertrains; outstanding ride, handling and capability; benchmark braking; aggressive and functional exteriors and race-inspired and high-performance interiors to remain true to its performance roots.

The expansion of the SRT vehicle lineup in the 2012 model year features four new products that are world-class performance contenders and bring the latest in safety technologies and creature comforts. These products include the Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Making its highly anticipated return to the high-performance sports car market in late 2012 is the new 2013 SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS. The SRT flagship performance machines arrive with more power and performance, superior craftsmanship, new technologies and creature comforts.

Follow SRT and Chrysler Group news and video on:

SRT site: http://drivesrt.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/drivesrt and www.twitter.com/chrysler
Chrysler media site: http://media.chrysler.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo
Chrysler Connect blog: http://blog.chryslergroupllc.com
Streetfire: http://members.streetfire.net/profile/ChryslerVideo.htm
Corporate website: http://www.chryslergroupllc.com

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC