Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Deadline is 10/31/08 for initial acceptance. (They may consider you after that).
As of today NHRA and Chrysler have not worked towards establishing the HP/weight factors so classes have not been assigned.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

nice you can buy one on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/09-DO...81210006r26281

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

I put our application in, but if we get accepted, I'm not convinced we're going to buy. A lot of unknowns and I'm not one to risk finances for racing. So, we're doing more homework and will make the final decision if we get notice that we were approved.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

ones that come with Pontiac 346's in them will be same HP as the 346 ram air's.

Did i say that, lol hey wonder if they will have the 5 star GM logo on them, lol ;)

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

How could they not approve the West Coast Hemi team for their new factory car?

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

We got our orders and about eight or ten more for people on our dealer #. I did however email NHRA about the status of the acceptance of the car and I called Mopar Performance about just what was in the car that was going to be about $35K each to my parts account. But since I have only been racing NHRA since 1959 and only been a Dodge Dealer since l968, I didn't get a response from either. Ain't life grand?

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Jeff

Orders for 10?
How many racers..... and how many collectors?

Do the collectors have a chance?

I think the dealers are really out on a limb........ if the applicant backs out on the deal.

Tom

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

HEMI gets rated at 375 --any bets?

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

I bet the 6.1 is rated higher than that. I'll say 400+.

Now the 5.7 could be rated at 375...

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

I was accepted and the 'cc" only included 18 other e-mail address'es. Unfortunately I had to get a sponsor and he backed out. I can't say I blame him because we did find out yesterday NHRA has no specs and ratings on record as of yet. Concievably, you could be buying a pile of parts with no NHRA acceptance. I seriously doubt it would turn out that way but $37K is a lot to throw out on a "what if" (plus another $45K+). What if NHRA decided the 6.1L should be 500HP as a starting point? We needed to know things like this before we could make a firm committment.
Based on the economy (mine, yours and Chryslers), I think they threw the line out there to see who took a bite. I find it very hard to believe 100 will step up to the plate with $75K to complete these for competition use. Now if anybody wants to step up real quick and buy an AMX then I can go back to planning...:D

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Just wondering, is Jim Bailey on that list also.

http://www.racingjunk.com/post/13522...e-Stocker.html

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

My experience so far:

I called the NHRA tech line back when the car was premiered at Denver.........they said it will be in the classification guide in 09.........I didn't follow up when the email came from Donato in September.....I waited like everyone else for the guidlines that didn't get released till 10/17 or so.....I did follow up after I printed the application out...Kind of tough to guess which motor..still nothing from Chrysler to get the process started.....I picked one and rolled the dice....I would only be able to build one car, and at that, it would be a crapload of money for me......I might have to part ways with my # matching 70 challenger rt/se, or my 78 lil red.....But you only live once....The 68 cars adjusted for inflation, were about the same as this, but they were much more complete!

If you look at it from the turnaround guys viewpoint(cerebus), and make the assumption that the Challenger line is flat out, this program could be a loss leader, but you could make it up on the free marketing/advertising side....but only if you can cover the costs. Along the way, after July, the economy continued to tank, then tanked some more, then crashed and burned with the credit saga, then the bailout debacle and the turnaround guys laid of a bunch of people, some of the architects of the program(Donato) included, and finally released the ordering info! With Cerebus all the time in the background trying to parachute out, making sure to look out for sky colored patches, it an interesting time.

If anyone knows who at Chysler is putting together the tech forms so that the NHRA can get a rating on the 3 new motors, I would like to see if they could submit the forms for the not only the Package car, but the street versions, and they would win me as a friend for life if they would submit for the 78 lil red express truck. I will do the legwork for free!

As I am sure I am not alone, I don't want to spend 35 or so grand for a project that needs pretty much everything, and be forced to run .90 classes.....nothing against the .90 classes...

Eric Merryfield

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

I'm not going to mention other's on the email as I would consider that information confidential.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Looking at the specs for the drag pak car and the money they want for it - figuring it isn't complete, comes with effectively a core motor and worthless trans for class racing. Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a V-6 car off the lot, have it now (no application/begging) and convert it to Drag Pak stats?

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

All ours are for racers. Try 385,305,275

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Jeff, is that the HP factors?

Tim, sure. But then you have a clone. These cars are going to fetch a lot of money one day! And a 6 cylinder car is low $20K to start. I'll bet once you start buing all the upgraded parts you would wish you started with the real deal. A crate 6.1L is $6K alone.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Wonder how much the non race items will sell for, air bags ect ?

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Hey Bud, no need to wonder. I'm in the mood to build a new car (or "two"). Yes, one just might be a new Challenger. JB.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Anyone heard anything on the program, or is it dead in the water?

Haven't called NHRA in a couple of weeks to find out if the Tech forms have been submitted, might today. It would be nice to have the Challenger added to the classification guide.

Starting to wonder if the layoffs at MP have left it a rudderless program. A sign of the times I guess.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

I spoke to someone fairly high up, and was told all the parts are on the ground and the cars a still on go even with all the shake ups @ Mopar Performance ( dismissal of Jon Clark, David Hakim, and Donato) I didn't think they would let the Drag Pak cars fall by the wayside. I do think some of the other Mopar Performance sponsored programs may suffer ( ie Hemi Challenge for SS/AH). I was also told that once the intial orders were filled they would start filling secondary orders and that they would build as many cars as they need.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

I also have a few of these on order and have talked with many of the people that were involved with this project from the first. I was able to get more detailed (unofficial) information on these special cars, but it looks like it is in limbo for now. They do not have the 100 cars or the engines, they do however have one car but I do not know if work is getting done on it or if it will just get lumped into the asset pile when Cerberus LLC files for Chapter 7. NHRA has blessed the deal and is just waiting for Mopar to send in the approved paperwork in order to put it in the guide.
Its not an issue with NHRA, it’s a issue with the owners of a company that wants out of the car biz and I am sure cares less about building a 40 year anniversary Hemi drag car. Each day that goes by I think the chance of this car getting build goes down. I was very excited about doing this deal and was committed 100% to it financially and emotionally, and I still am, if they call today, great I’m in. 40 plus years ago I was in no position to buy a new Hemi or even a new anything. I felt this was my chance to get a taste of what it must have been back in the day to buy a new factory race car. I really hope somehow Mopar can pull this off, as I am sure this will be my last chance at something really special. Good luck to all of us on “ THE LIST ”.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Be patient guys - the prove-out Challenger that will be used for the final NHRA sign-off is just about complete. This car is also being used to prove out the production process and bill of material so the build of the customer cars can get started. I'm headed there this week to have a look at the car. Stay tuned.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Mike,
I am sorry, but at first I did not know who you were until I Googled you.
This is truly great news. Their were so many people at Chrysler that I have known for years on the fleet side and performance side that have been let go. It’s a real shame to loose such great people with all their combined knowledge and skills on performance.
Thank you for your response, and hope we can meet at some point. I am glad to see there are still people in place at Chrysler to keep this alive. I have signed up three of the top 10 drivers in NHRA to try to put these cars in the winners circle on Sunday in Stock and Super Stock. If you can share any more info or updates with me, please email me at johnhennessayrates@yahoo.com.
I’ll keep a candle burning in the window and wait for the call. (assuming I got approved in the first place).

Thanks Again Mike.
Hennessay Racing

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

John
Dont hold your breathe or burn your house down with candles waiting for this to happen
This project has about as much a chance of going through as a bailout!
Cerberus doesnt give a rats *** about racing. They see it as an expense only. And in the current realm of things, it doesnt look feasible. They are cutting every "extra" type program that we had and are trying to "give" vehicles away with rebates on top of rebates.
I have the "pleasure" of working for the #1 Dodge dealer in the natiion (1996-2005) and have watched the business go into the toilet for the last 3 years. We sold 58 new Dodge units last month and suprisingly were ranked 58th in the country! (around 5000 dealers i am told nationwide). The only reason we are doing OK still is fixed ops is keeping the store alive, so far. This month is another story as we are about 50% off compared to last month. So all we can do is hope.
If you think the bean counters at Cerberus are concerned about the Drag Pak or any other racing you are way wrong.
IMO we are in the eye of the storm and only God knows whats in store for us. Racing, dont see it happening

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Just back from checking out the build on #3 Challenger that will be submitted to NHRA for approval. The car will be at the PRI show next week for NHRA as well for public inspection. This car will be in the exact state and level of build that it will be delivered to customers. Challenger #3 is planned to be sold to the Large Father - Don Gartlits after the NHRA approval.

This car is being built w/ the 6.1L SRT8 motor and a 904 automatic. Note that all of the transmissions supplied in the car are empty cases only. The rear suspension is the stock Challenger cradle w/ the differential and halfshafts deleted. This is basically for build and shipping purposes as this will be replaced w/ a solid axle and 4 link trailing arm per NHRA specs for Stock Eliminator. Front suspension has the aftermarket discs already mounted - along w/ a manual brake master cylinder. Interior has all non essential components (and weight) removed. There are 2 racing bucket seats from the European Viper program - including the "Viper" logo stiched on them. No headers - all wiring is shipped loose. The car is in the perfect level of assembly to let each racer finish it his way - own cage - plumbing - etc. It does include a nice Moroso rear sump aluminum oil pan.

Included are some photos - note that the windshiled is tacked in place for easy removal when the cage goes in. This original windshield "warning" shipping sticker will be one of the key pieces to determine a "real" car.

And there are a number of bodies on hand that will start production once the approval is secured.

Stay tuned ...............

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Mike,

It is great to see that Mopar is still pursuing the Drag-Pak program. Thanks for keeping us informed and for the pictures.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

THAT'S the intake manifold they will use? :D

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Jeff - sharp observation - yes that's the SMALL intake and throttle body for the 250 HP combination - keep an eye out for the 265 HP combo w/ the dual 900 CFM throttle bodies on a cross ram.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Mike

In answering the intake question, you mentioned the 250 and 265 HP engines.
Are these the stock, NHRA stock, or NHRA super stock horsepower ratings. (have they been approved yet?).
If they were approved, can you tell us the engine size and official hp ratings?

thanks for keeping us in the loop...

Tom Sheehan
GT/IA 1046

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Thom - and others,

As I was hitting the enter key to post this, I had the thought that some might miss the ;-) ("wink") symbol in the headline. As the legendary cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn used to say - "that's a joke, son". I just couldn't pass up on the intake manifold comment from the always lighthearted Jeff Lee to throw one back out there.

OK - switching out of joke/wink mode to answer your question - no ratings have bee released for the 3 planned engine combinations - 1 will be 5.9L Magnum based - and the other 2 based on the new generation HEMI. All will use a similar throttle body on a single plane MOPAR manifold.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

One question (and anyone who thinks they know the answer is welcome to step in):

What rear end assemblies will be permissible in this car? Since, technically, we can replace the entire factory setup with a solid axle does that mean we can use any rear end housing (i.e. a 9") or are we stuck with the 8 3/4 and Dana?

Also, would we be able to run coil springs or leaf springs?

I'm sure that general Stock Eliminator rules apply and there wouldn't be any 4-links or ladder bar assemblies (excluding Cal-Tracs) allowed. Perhaps I'm wrong?

I know my Stock Eliminator naivete is on display here and these are probably questions to which the answer should be obvious to me, but I've had my head buried in my books and Hemi's for the last few years.

This one's for you Mr. Delahanty:

When and where will we be able to find Engine Spec's? I'm curious to know what we'll be working with combination-wise.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

You could also use an AMC 20 rear.


Ed F.

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Better yet. Post a photo of the "legal" suspension that is under the prototypes.

Thanks,

Daren

Re: Who got their order in before the deadline on Drag-Pak Challenger?
 

Mike Delahanty please email me.
johnhennessay@yahoo.com

thanks
John