Canadian Race Team Plans to Make Pitch to Save Rare Dodge Viper
The JSR/Soldier On race team's existing stock car that competes in the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series in Ontario, Canada.
Photo: Rene Skrodzki, u-BE-u Photography, Cambridge, Ontario.
Canadian Race Team JSR/Soldier On is working to submit a proposal to Chrysler to save a rare $250,000 Dodge Viper from being destroyed. JSR/Soldier will propose that Chrysler donate the car to their team.
JSR/Soldier On in Mississauga and Kitchener, Ontario had begun the search for a race car for their new team to be made up of injured and ill Canadian Forces members and veterans. The team was hoping to find a car to enter in the Optima Batteries ChumpCar World Series with the goal of providing Soldier On / Sans Limites members a means of improving their quality of life through motorsport.
At the same time, it was announced that 93 Dodge Vipers at educational institutions across North America were to be destroyed, including a rare 1992 pre-production Viper with chassis number 004. That rare Viper is at South Puget Sound Community College in Washington State. After the students started a petition to try and save the car from being destroyed, JSR/Soldier On contacted the College about the car.
"Our P.R. representative called the College and spoke with their public relations department. We're hoping that bringing the car to Canada and putting it out on a race track is something that the College and students will support. We're also hoping Chrysler will take the opportunity to save the car and put in the hands of people who can very much benefit from it," stated Johnathan Schwemler of JSR/Soldier On.
Time is running out to get a stay of execution for the Viper, as Chrysler has ordered the car destroyed, presumably within the next ten days.
"We're a unique race team, and we see great potential in being able to save this unique car from the crusher and race it. We're working very hard to find the key people at Chrysler to submit a proposal to before time runs out for this car. JSR/Soldier On would use the car to help our injured and ill soldiers and veterans. If we can reach an agreement with Chrysler, everybody wins. This is why we're trying to get the Viper and keep it from being destroyed, " said Schwemler, who owns Johnathan Schwemler Racecars (JSR).
The idea isn't without a precedent. Several years ago, Honda donated the use of an Acura to Soldier On / Sans Limites, which was entered in the 2010 and 2011 Targa Newfoundland.
"This Dodge Viper deserves to stretch its legs on a race track and shine. We want this Viper to live and breathe, not die with just a whimper. If we can save the car and give it a new and honourable purpose, everyone can feel good."
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About Johnathan Schwemler Racecars (JSR): Founded in 2010, JSR is managed by owner/driver Johnathan Schwemler. The team is comprised partly of former and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and JSR carries the livery of the Soldier On / Sans Limites Department of National Defence program. JSR currently operates two teams. The flagship team competes in the LOSC Series, and will return in 2014 to best their 2013 season result of sixth in the Championship and winning Rookie of the Year. JSR's new race team will compete in the Optima Batteries Chumpcar World Series, and is designed to provide opportunities for members of Soldier On / Sans Limites. See http://www.facebook.com/JohnathanSchwemlerRacecars for more information.
About Soldier On / Sans Limites: The Soldier On Fund provides resources and opportunities for serving and retired Canadian Armed Forces personnel with a permanent or chronic illness or injury to improve their quality of life through active participation in physical, recreational, and sporting activities. See http://soldieron.ca for more information.