This whole competition was based on the cars being production cars. Sure, if you put R compounds on the ZR1 that might change things. But, if I put R compounds on my Viper, that would change things too. Furthermore, let's look at the numbers: the Vette has more horsepower and more torque-yet, the Viper still wins. How's that saying go . . . "Run what you brung?"

In building the ZR1, Chevy was praised for taking such a leap to build such a car. Wow, it took Chevy 17 years to finally "catch up" with the Viper. Congratulations!

Lastly, I am not meaning this post to be a bash on the ZR1. I like it-but as others said, it looks alsmot exactly like the 30k other vettes that were built this year alone. The vette is a great car. But if you are looking for a purpose built track machine (let's face it, where else can you trully see the beauty of these cars?), then the ACR is the better car.

An in-depth look at Chrysler's bankruptcy filing documents indicates that the Viper brand may not survive beyond next year.

The documents split Chrysler's assets and liabilities into two groups, those belonging to "OldCo" or the old company and New Chrysler, the entity that Italian automaker Fiat would assume.

"The major assets remaining in OldCo would include eight manufacturing facilities, and related machinery and equipment, with a book value of $2.3 billion," according to the declaration of Robert Manzo, which was part of Chrysler's first-day motions. "The [Section] 363 balance sheet analysis anticipates that certain plant and facility assets would be left behind in OldCo and closed by 2010."

The document says OldCo assets and liabilities include the following: Chrysler's Sterling Heights assembly plant, St. Louis North, St. Louis South, Conner, Newark, Twinsburg, Kenosha and Detroit Axle. The Conner plant, located in Detroit, builds the Viper products with about 115 workers.

Robert Manzo is the executive director of Capstone Advisory Group LLC, a financial advisory services firm that says it has expertise in turnaround and crisis management. The firm has been working on-site at Chrysler headquarters since November 2008, according to court documents.

When contacted by Inside Line regarding the fate of Viper in the face of Chrysler's bankruptcy filing, Chrysler spokesman Todd Goyer e-mailed the following statement:

"As previously indicated, Chrysler LLC is evaluating strategic alternatives for the Viper business including the potential sale of the Viper nameplate, Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, and/or associated tooling and resources. During this process Chrysler has been approached by a number of parties interested in purchasing the business.

"Chrysler continues to evaluate these proposals in an effort to maximize the value of the Viper business. No timeline has been established in connection with this process, and Chrysler will not comment on the nature of ongoing discussions or negotiations or confirm the identity of any of the interested parties."

Today Chrysler reconfirmed its commitment to the Dodge Viper, saying that it will live on despite the company’s bankruptcy and new ownership. The Dodge Viper was scheduled to be eliminated from the company’s lineup as of December of this year and the automaker had searched to find a buyer. Not only will Chrysler continue to produce the sports car at its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, but the company is no longer interested in selling-off the iconic exotic.

“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe,” said Dodge CEO Mike Accavitti. “We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand.”

The new fourth-generation Viper SRT10 was launched in 2008 and for ‘09 the Viper boasts a 8.4-liter V10 with 600hp. To date, more than 25,000 Vipers have been built since production began in 1992. Now the only question remains is if Chrysler will look at building a fifth-generation of the iconic V10 machine.

Official release after the jump:

Dodge Viper SRT10 Will Live On

Chrysler Group LLC announced today that production will continue for the legendary Dodge Viper SRT10.

Originally slated to cease production in December 2009, the Chrysler Group Conner Avenue Assembly Plant - the exclusive home of Dodge Viper production since 1995 - will continue to build the V-10 powered sports car. Chrysler Group is no longer pursuing a sale of the Viper business assets.

“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe,” said Mike Accavitti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dodge Brand. “We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand.”

Introduced as a concept car in 1989 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the Dodge Viper was designed and engineered to test public reaction to the concept of a back-to-basics, high-performance, limited production sports car.

The reaction was so overwhelming that customer orders began to flow in even before the auto show was over. Chrysler Corporation immediately decided to determine the production feasibility on transforming the crowd-pleasing Dodge Viper show car into a limited-production sports car in no more than three years.

In May 1990, after months of intensive study and testing, Chrysler Corporation announced that the Dodge Viper, powered by an aluminum V-10 was a “go.”

Dodge Viper production began in May 1992 at the New Mack Assembly Plant and was moved to Conner Avenue in October 1995. Viper V-10 engine production transferred from Mound Road Engine to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. In 2008, Dodge introduced the all-new, fourth generation Dodge Viper SRT10. With more horsepower, more torque and more than 30 exterior and interior color combinations, the latest Viper gives enthusiasts the performance they expect on the track and off, with more factory customization options than before.

For 2009, the Dodge Viper SRT10 offers outrageous power, with an 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower (450 kW) V-10 engine contributing to blistering acceleration (0-60 mph in less than four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the low 12-second range), setting an American sports car benchmark.

To date, more than 25,000 Dodge Vipers have been built.

Numerous special, limited-edition models are planned for the Viper's 2010 model year, including the Dodge Viper ACR 1:33 Edition, which will pay tribute to the new production car lap record set on Nov. 24 at Laguna Seca raceway. The unique two-tone Black Clear Coat/Red Clear Coat exterior color scheme on this model is the opposite form of the original Viper ACR. Interior highlights include piano black console bezels with red gauge highlights complemented with red accent stitching in the seats. Only 33 cars will be produced as 1:33 Edition Viper ACR models.

The 2010 Vooodoo-edition Viper ACR will feature an all Black Clear Coat exterior with a Graphite Driver’s Stripe outlined in red. Only 10 cars will be produced with the unique striping on both the exterior, as well as on the steering wheel.

Additional special edition models will be announced closer to their individual introductions. Pricing on the 2010 Dodge Viper lineup also will be announced at a later date.