Chrysler strikes a MotoGP deal

The IVECO Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix is all about muscle and brute force, as the world’s best riders hammer it out on 200-plus horsepower machines around the magnificent Phillip Island grand prix circuit.

It’s inspiring stuff, and in 2011 (October 14-16) Australia’s Casey Stoner will be attempting to make it five wins in a row at Phillip Island, which would equal the previous feat of his great rival Valentino Rossi.

And really keen observers at the Aussie MotoGP round will also notice a new course car taking over as commander-in-chief -- Chrysler’s 6.1-litre 300C SRT8 four-door behemoth. And a shrinking violet it isn’t – a natural fit for the maelstrom that is motorcycle grand prix racing.

Chrysler has brokered a deal with the MotoGP promoter, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC), to supply six 300C SRT8s for the event, which in addition to course car duties will also be used by medical staff, the clerk of course and the chief international steward.

And for the more logistical part of the GP equation, Jeep will be shouldering the workload, with six Grand Cherokees and a Wrangler Unlimited to be used for ferrying around VIPs, media activities, commercial activities, autograph stage logistics, etc.

This is the first year of the sponsorship partnership between Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep and the AGPC, and it’s actually quite a family affair. IVECO, the event’s major sponsor, is also owned by the Fiat Group – the master of CDJ.

Undoubtedly, it will be the Hemi-powered course cars which will attract the most attention at the GP, and the Carsales Network was invited to try them out at Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne as a final shakedown before they head to Phillip Island.

The 300C SRT8, $69,900 drive away, makes for a compelling set of numbers – a kerb weight of 1955kg, a 3050mm wheelbase, and a 6059cc normally-aspirated V8 producing 317kW (425hp) at 6000rpm and 569Nm at 4600rpm.

And that’s just the standard sedan, as the souped-up course cars are also fitted with light bars, sirens and Mopar Performance Equipment including an exhaust kit ($2867), cold air intake ($560), coil overs ($2924) and front sway bar ($1006).

This was my second visit to the Calder road circuit -- and very different from the maiden voyage when I found myself riding around a Suzuki GSX-R750 as a 15-year-old. No indemnity forms required in days of yore…

The 300C SRT8 is a hoot to drive at something approaching a reasonably rigorous speed, and I managed a session apiece in both the standard spec model and the MotoGP course car.

I haven’t driven too many cars with really serious hustle on a race track – actually only one, a Nissan 370Z – so my terms of reference aren’t huge, but for my novice senses I reckon the 300C SRT8 has quite a neutral feel and responds reasonably well to all manner of steering inputs. And I tried them all.

There’s nothing ‘gentle’ about the 300C SRT8, and there’s not a lot of finesse, so Calder was probably the best place for me with it’s rudimentary layout – a couple of fast straights, linked by a few esses, chicanes and one tight corner.

The changes of directions were fun, but where the 300C SRT8 is really full of chutzpah is on the straights, where the 6.1-litre Hemi can really stretch its legs.

That got me thinking: how fast would this thing go at Phillip Island? With a leg-up provided by the Island’s sweeping turn 12, I think around 230-240km/h is a possibility. Just as well turn one is also an open affair…

MotoGP spectators will catch the 300C SRT8 course car in action for the first time on Friday, October 14.