Chrysler Viper GTS-R – 2000

In the mid-1990s, the GT2 class represented the highest level of Grand Touring racing cars derived from high-performance street models. The most competitive class was expected to be GT1, featuring cars with the same origins but more extensive modifications placing them closer to prototypes. Yet some manufacturers took advantage of a permissive set of regulations allowing them to build cars that were essentially prototypes, such as the famous Porsche 911 GT1.

With the launch of the sporty Viper in 1992, Chrysler had an excellent foundation that it used to develop the GTS-R, approved for GT1 racing, and which immediately proved inferior to more ‘specialised’ rivals such as Porsche. As a result, Chrysler switched to the GT2 class in which cars closer to production models competed, enabling it to demonstrate the true value of its V10-powered coupé developed by Reynard and built by Oreca. For several years, Oreca was the American team's official partner in GT2 competitions, alongside private teams such as Orion/Oftedahl Motorsport.

Besides winning several class victories, its first overall victory for a Viper GTS-R in a British GT Championship event came at Silverstone in 1998, marking the start of a winning streak that would culminate in more than 160 victories and numerous Constructors' and Drivers' titles by the end of 2005.

The first victory at Le Mans was achieved in 1998 with the No. 53 Viper Oreca driven by Luca Drudi, Justin Bell and David Donohue, winning its class and finishing eleventh overall ahead of several LMP 1 cars. History repeated itself in 1999 when, after the GT1 class was discontinued, this class was renamed LMGTS. This time, the winning crew consisted of Frenchman Dominique Dupuy, Monegasque Olivier Beretta and Austrian Karl Wendlinger, finishing tenth overall in the No. 51 car. In 2000,the arrival of the new Chevrolet Corvette C5-R reshuffled the deck at the top of the GTS class, and Chrysler-Oreca made the switch to LMP1 in 2001, although private teams continued to use Vipers to their great satisfaction until 2005.

In 2000, Oreca entered three official GTS-Rs at Le Mans and outperformed the powerful Corvette C5-Rs, which were forced to slow down due to reliability issues. Thanks to its consistent pace and rigorous race management, the Viper consolidated its lead during the night, while the Corvettes made pit stops for repairs and fell back in the standings. The first GTS to cross the finish line was once again the No. 51 car, with the same three drivers finishing 7th overall. Next came David Donohue, Ni Amorim and Anthony Beltoise in car No. 53, 9th overall and 2nd in their class; the third car, No. 52, finished 12th.