Dodge Viper vs F-16: Rematch Raises $25,000 For Luke Air Force
Base Fund
Poised
on one runway at the Luke Air Force Base in Goodyear (AZ) was the
United States Air Force's Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon
"Viper" fighter jet. Next to it, and prepared for the challenge:
America's ultimate sports car, the 500 horsepower Dodge Viper
SRT-10.
What followed was a high-horsepower, half-mile race between the
Air Force's finest multi-role fighter jet and the icon of the Dodge
brand. When the dust settled last Saturday before thousands of
spectators at the Luke Days Air Show, the Dodge Viper came out on
top, covering the half mile in about 18 seconds.
"Obviously it was an awesome sight seeing the Dodge Viper SRT-10
move down the runway quicker than an F-16," said Dan Knott,
Director - Performance Vehicle Operations (PVO), DaimlerChrysler.
"But what was even better was the fact that everyone involved with
making the event happen -- and even those on hand to watch it --
felt like a winner.
"We were thrilled to be able to demonstrate the performance of
the Viper," Knott added. "The Air Force loved the competition. The
spectators certainly enjoyed it. And to top it off, the Viper Club
of America raised more than $25,000 for the Luke Air Force Base
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fund."
This was the second consecutive year that Dodge
and its icon vehicle -- the Viper SRT-10 -- challenged the F-16 as
part of the Luke Days Air Show. "Viper vs. Viper" pitted a
production Dodge Viper SRT-10, driven by Herb Helbig, Senior
Manager, Vehicle Synthesis, PVO, DaimlerChrysler, against the
Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon "Viper," piloted by Major Ed
"Fig" Figueroa, in a side-by-side, standing-start drag race on
parallel air base runways. The rules: race for a half-mile, or
until the jet becomes airborne.
Compared to the Viper's 500 horsepower, 525 lb.-ft. of torque
and 190 mph top speed, the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon
generates around 23,000 pounds of thrust and a top speed of more
than 1,300 mph.
The Luke Days Air Show was hosted by the USAF 56th Fighter Wing
-- the nation's largest -- under the command of Colonel Phil
Breedlove. Located just west of Phoenix, Luke Air Force Base is the
primary training ground for United States F-16 pilots.
"It's always an incredible rush to put the Viper to the test,"
said Helbig. "But to do so against an F-16 fighter jet at a U.S.
military base in front of thousands of fans is really an amazing
feeling. We're honored that the folks at Luke Air Force Base
invited us to take part in their show."
[It's not whether you win or lose; it's why you play
the game! --ed.]
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