Never said it wouldn't or didn't. That's beside the point. My point is a 5 second difference is nothing for the Vette to overcome and then some, were they on equal tires.
Next.
Chevy's problem is that the 2010 ACR will be about 10 to 15 seconds faster than the 2009 version... That means that the Vette would need to be about 15 to 20 seconds quicker to keep up. I can't believe that there are 20 seconds in those tires.
Digging thru the SCCA regs, I can't find any classification for the 2009 ACR. Older Vipers must have restrictor plates to compete (limited to 450 hp). No classification for T1 or STO... Thus, apparently they don't get to race. Can't win if you can't compete, and who would want to compete if they were to stick to form and mandate a 20% power reduction?
Remember when the CTS-Vs first ran the touring car series? They were so much faster than the Bimmers and Porsches that the SCCA immediately added ballast and restrictor plates. Can't allow anyone any advantage ya know.... Can't afford to piss off the German manufacturers. They'll pack up their party and leave (see Audi's whines when the Penske LMP-2 Porsche program was eating Audi's Cherrios).
I haven't looked at NASA regs yet.
It seems that the SCCA is heading down the old crapper, with a lot more emphasis being placed upon neutering faster cars to create a false balance. Nothing like it was in the 1970s when I was a member and competing...
Fiat has already been talking about the possibility of the Viper's replacement competing in FIA GT-1 or GT-2 in 2012. I guess we'll have to wait and see if that happens.
My regards,
Widewing