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18-Year-Old Drag Races Dad's 3,200-HP Dodge Viper For the First Time

Although quite menacing with its all-black demeanor and meaty drag racing rear tires, this 1999 Dodge Viper doesn’t give out too many hints of the monster lurking inside to regular folks. Drag racing connoisseurs, on the other hand, might know a little something about this double record holding, 6-second, twin-turbocharged American snake.
3,200 hp Dodge Viper taken out by 18 YO for the first time 61 photos
Photo: That Racing Channel/YouTube
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We’re dealing here with Sal Patel’s iconic Dodge Viper, a car that seemingly pushed the limits of what can be achieved with a stockish-looking package when it snatched the IRS world record and also became the best Viper out there in the half-mile category back in the day.

Only that when Nick, the host from That Racing Channel on YouTube, met the 3,200-hp (at the wheel, according to the dyno) Viper, it wasn’t Sal’s ride anymore. Instead, the proud dad passed the baton (or the keys) to his son that just turned 18 this year.

What a way to keep such a magnificent piece of drag engineering in the family, considering that his son Milan basically grew up with the Viper. No wonder he immediately jumped at the chance of trying out his new ride, with the video being shot at the Hail Mary Derby – that crazy meeting of all things drag racing that also brought us a wheelie Lambo Huracan or the insane Honda K20 swapped 1965 Mini Cooper.

After the cinematic intro, Nick kicks off the proceedings from the 1:20 mark with a quick presentation of the car, which has a very clean all-black appearance and an equally neat interior that even goes to great length to hide the roll cage just for the sake of the stock atmosphere.

Of course, once the engine starts, there’s no beating around the bush – probably because you won’t be able to find one as you’re busy covering your ears. Sure, the deafening sound is music to drag racing aficionado ears, even though sometimes mishaps will happen; check out the 5:20 mark to see why the Viper needed a new drive shaft and transmission.

By the way, Nick is also talking with the new (and very proud) owner from the 5:55 mark, which is a great way to find a little bit more about the background story surrounding the car and this interesting family of racers. Plus, you’ll see that his best time – a 7.67 at 155 mph (250 kph) is not too shabby either.

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About the author: Aurel Niculescu
Aurel Niculescu profile photo

Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution.
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