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Formula Drift Team Mopar delays launch of 2009 Challenger
2009 Formula Drift Mopar Dodge Challenger - Click above for a hi-res gallery from SEMA 2008
As our man Drew Phillips found out first hand, between Tanner Foust's NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC and Rhys Millen's Hyundai Genesis Coupe, there was plenty of exciting new machinery on power-sliding display at this past weekend's Formula Drift season opener in Long Beach. Unfortunately, the new Dodge Challenger wasn't one of them.
Dodge's aftermarket tuning division Mopar unveiled the 2009 Challenger way back at last year's SEMA show, but its driver, Sam Hubinette, had to start the season in last year's Viper (poor guy.) And according to reports, he'll have to slide that snake at the next round too, as the 800+ hp Challenger, slated to be the most powerful car in the championship, won't be ready until the third round of the season, allowing it to compete in the final five after missing the first two of the seven-race season. Hubinette doesn't seem to mind, though, crediting Chrysler with standing by the team during these tumultuous times altogether, even while Mopar goes playing in the sand. In the meantime, drift fans will have to look longingly at the gallery of live shots of the Mopar Challenger in our gallery below.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Hamhock 9:16AM (4/14/2009)
Does anyone think the 2007 Camaro that will be released in a couple of months will find it's way into Formula Drift?
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Vincenzo 10:06AM (4/14/2009)
wtf? This thing is hideous! ... Nice spinners on the drift car...
catgirlshyla 2:52PM (4/14/2009)
That thing got a HEMI?
galant14b 9:37AM (4/14/2009)
Wow that car is ugly
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Ken 10:18AM (4/14/2009)
Yeah, the paint job's too over the top. They should paint in in tribute to some of the Challengers that raced Trans-Am back in the day, the kids could care less but at least the older people would think it's cool, even if they don't like drifting.
galant14b 10:28AM (4/14/2009)
Ken, I am squarely in the middle of the age-group they are promoting this car to... 25 years old. Unfortunately for them, there is still some semblance of people (my age) out there that do not think that huge, heavy chrome wheels, over-the-top paint jobs, 'lambo doors' and other 'bling' is cool or *laugh* performance-enhancing.
I really enjoy old muscle cars...When I have spare time, I help an older friend of mine work on his 65 street mustang and his 73 Vega drag-car, but these new iterations, while the styling may be a throw-back to the 'original' cars that held the nameplates, mostly fail to impress me.
the_MVP_X 10:38AM (4/14/2009)
I like it.
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Bobmarley 11:18AM (4/14/2009)
why do people always have to voice their complaints about formula D?
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catgirlshyla 2:51PM (4/14/2009)
Because we want to.
CMDR 12:50PM (4/14/2009)
Do the rollerblade wheels on the rear quarters really help?
Are you guys speed-skating out there?
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Lindsey 1:47PM (4/14/2009)
When you say paint job are you referring to the chrome or the mopar decals?
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Nude Love 8:26PM (4/14/2009)
Or the semen inspired vinyl...?
nfong2684 4:52PM (4/14/2009)
It is my understanding that the head honchos at Mopar wanted to continue their branding in motorsports by carrying on the theme that the Oakly Mopar Funny Car team uses. Although that team (to the best of my knowledge) uses a a grey as opposed to the Challengers chrome...while i do not particularly like the chrome as it is a pain in the ass to photograph when panning....i can understand the reasoning behind Mopar's decision to brand some of their motorsport vehicles. Additionally while the rollerblade wheels do seem a bit ridiculous if u have ever been to a drifting event or seen one, you would see bumpers and quarter panels flying all over the place as often times courses require the drivers to get as close to walls as possible (rear clipping points)...so if in fact Sam is able to make use of these and not tear up quarter panels unnecessarilly...this could in fact, while seemingly ridiculous, be actually an advantage cost wise and even competition wise....but thats just my 2 cents...haha
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Matt 12:06AM (4/15/2009)
I have no interest in drifting so don't really pay attention to it, but if the idea is to get the arse loose and hang it out around corners, why you want a wing on the back?
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