AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dodge brand and Chrysler Group's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team are joining forces for a return to the Tire Rack One Lap of America competition sponsored by Motor Trend magazine.

After a two-year hiatus, a stock 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392, driven by SRT engineers Erich Heuschele and Adam Forte, will compete in the SSGT2 Big Bore class, beginning on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Tire Rack's test track in South Bend, Ind.

A test of both driver and vehicle endurance, the weeklong competition features more than 70 vehicle entrants that will travel more than 3,500 miles from venue to venue in addition to running various timed events at 10 venues.

Following the opening round wet skid pad competition at Tire Rack on April 30, participants will travel to and compete at the following locations:

• Grissom Air Force Base near Kokomo, Ind., for timed Solo II (autocross) on Saturday, April 30
• Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, W. Va., for time trials on Sunday, May 1
• Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw, S.C., for time trials on Monday, May 2
• BMW Performance Center, Greer, S.C., for time trials on Monday, May 2
• Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, Fla., for time trials on Tuesday, May 3
• Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla., for drag and bracket races on Tuesday, May 3
• Circuit Grand Bayou, Belle Rose, La., for time trials on Wednesday, May 4
• Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala., for time trials on Thursday, May 5
• Autobahn Country Club, Joliet, Ill., for time trials on Friday, May 6

Competitors then return to Tire Rack's test track for the final skid pad event on Saturday, May 7, where winners will be announced.

The 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 builds on its original mantra of a rear-wheel-drive coupe that brings a balanced approach between form and function. Pumping out 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, the new 392-cubic inch HEMI® V-8 engine provides an additional 90 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,900 rpm versus the previous 6.1-liter HEMI V-8. The added torque allows for inspired standing starts and improved straight-line performance. An active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam phasing provides maximum low-end torque while optimizing high-end power.

Even with the elevated power numbers, the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 equipped with a manual transmission achieves a 4-percent improvement in highway fuel economy while the automatic equipped model gets a 15-percent improvement thanks to its Fuel Saver Technology (four cylinder mode), which allows the engine to operate economically on four cylinders or use all eight cylinders when needed.

A recalibrated suspension geometry with new negative camber settings and quicker steering ratios improves overall balance and steering responsiveness while dramatically increasing cornering ability.

"The performance improvements we've made to the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 make it a perfect match to tackle the many challenges the One Lap competition presents both on the road and at the various tracks," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand. "Both Erich and Adam have a lot of experience behind the wheel and in the development of the Challenger SRT8, so we're looking forward to receiving some unique and real time feedback from such a grueling event."

Heuschele, an SRT vehicle dynamics manager from Oxford, Mich., will be making his sixth appearance in the event, having captured three class wins (2003, 2005 and 2006). Forte, a Challenger SRT8 vehicle integration engineer from Rochester Hills, Mich., will be making his One Lap debut.

To help commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original Cannonball Run, at which event founder Brock Yates and Steve Behr raced in a 1972 Dodge Challenger, the 2011 Challenger SRT8 will wear 7.75-inch Hella pencil beam spotlights up front, black vinyl strips reminiscent of the 1972 bump strips on both sides, along with One Lap emblems on the rear quarter panels and hood.

Yates was a writer for Car and Driver in early 1971, when he announced the coast-to-coast race from New York City to Redondo Beach, Calif. Yates and Behr completed the trek in 38 hours and 3 minutes with an average speed of 76.3 mph.

About One Lap of America

The Tire Rack One Lap of America (www.onelapofamerica.com) is a motorsports contest run exclusively on private, closed courses. The 2011 event will run from April 30, 2011 to May 7, 2011. The 8 day event will have 18 stages conducted at 10 venues and traveling over 3,500 miles. The legendary Brock Yates created the infamous Cannonball Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy in the 1970's. The current edition is headed by Brock Yates, Jr. and the 2011 event will be the 28th annual running of the event.

About the Dodge brand

Dodge is a full line of cars, crossovers, minivans and SUVs that are agile, daring, sensible and inventive. The brand is on a tear for the 2011 model year, redefining itself with six all-new or significantly redesigned new vehicles, introducing new lifestyle packages designed to better meet the needs of its customers, launching catchy new ads that have started conversations with owners and potential owners, actively participating in new events and sponsorships and developing relationships with its long-loyal enthusiast base, as well as reaching out to customers who want cars that leave them wanting more.

For the 2011 model year, the Dodge brand is filling dealer showrooms with a vast array of new and updated products. The Dodge product line includes the all-new Dodge Durango and Dodge Charger, significantly revamped Grand Caravan, Journey, Avenger and Challenger, and the Dodge Caliber and Dodge Nitro.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC