Mopar® Racing Legend Don Garlits to Receive First Production Dodge Challenger Drag Pak at PRI Show
Mopar®, Chrysler LLC’s Global Service and Parts division, will present drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits with a special certificate recognizing Garlits’ purchase of the first production Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Vehicle at the 21st Annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show. The ceremony will take place on the Mopar Stage at the PRI show following the presentation of the Economaki Champion of Champions award, scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. The PRI show will be held Dec. 11–13 at Florida’s Orlando Convention Center.
SpeedFreaks host Kenny Sargent will emcee the event, with remarks by Steve Shugg, Director of Sales and Marketing, Mopar. Garlits will receive the certificate commemorating Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Vehicle No. 001. Garlits piloted one of two Dodge Challenger Drag Pak prototypes (Judy Lilly steered the other) at the 29th Annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals in July.
The factory-developed vehicle kit is based on the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8® and features a weight reduction of 1,000 pounds. Unique additional components include a lift-off hood with functional scoop, Viper-style front seats, polycarbonate door windows and more. Special engine packages based on the 5.7-liter HEMI®, 6.1-liter HEMI and 5.9-liter Magnum® Wedge are offered for the Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Vehicle, which will be eligible to run in popular categories (Stock, Super Stock and Comp Eliminator) and potentially 40 classes in NHRA/IHRA competition.
"It’s an honor to get the very first Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak," said Garlits, who has claimed 17 world championships and 144 national event wins during his storied racing career. "I am going to have fun competing in a car my wife will actually let me drive." Garlits plans to race his Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Vehicle in NHRA Division 2.
Garlits and Team Mopar NHRA Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson and Formula Drift star Samuel will interact with show goers and take part in a Mopar autograph session during the PRI show. The autograph signing will take place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 11 near the Mopar Stage. The racing stars will also talk with RaceFanRadio.com, which will broadcast live from the Mopar Stage during the PRI show.
In addition to the planned activities at the Mopar Stage, the Mopar exhibit on the PRI show floor will include the usual assortment of head-turning cars and cutting edge performance parts—all courtesy of Mopar. Vehicles on display will include Samuel Hübinette’s Mopar Drift Dodge Challenger; the Retro Dodge Challenger Drag Pak Vehicle Garlits piloted at the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals; the 2008 Targa Dodge Challenger SRT8, built by the Mopar Underground group; the Mopar Accessories 2009 Dodge Ram R/T; the Yankee Peddler Dodge Challenger; and a Dodge Viper Competition Coupe.
For complete information on the Mopar vehicles and performance parts that will be on display in the Mopar exhibit space, visit http://www.mopar.com/pri2008. The Web site will go live on Thursday, Dec. 11, the opening day of the 2008 PRI show. For more information on PRI, visit http://www.performanceracing.com.