Photos Courtesy of SpeedKore™
Big Machine/SpeedKore Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
NASHVILLE, TN (October 30, 2018) – Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta has partnered with Wisconsin-based SpeedKore™ Performance Group to create a very special Dodge Challenger SRT Demon for track days. With its wide range of performance parts for the Dodge Challenger SRT platforms, SpeedKore is the premier specialist in the US for Hellcat and Demon owners. From its carbon fiber bodywork to supercharger upgrades and twin-turbo conversions, the company is able to address performance and styling requirements.
The collaboration began when Jim Kacmarcik, President of SpeedKore Performance Group and a partner in Given Music Publishing with Cindy Owen, met with Borchetta in Nashville. With their connection to music and a passion for cars, the partnership was a natural fit. With an extensive racing background, Borchetta was intrigued by the prospect of taking the most powerful muscle car ever built and putting it on a road course.
“The SpeedKore team likes nothing better than a challenge,” Kacmarcik said. “We understand the expectations of enthusiasts like Scott, so we worked closely with him from design concept to the final execution, creating his vision of a vehicle that is both powerful and a great representation of both the SpeedKore and Big Machine brands.”
The SpeedKore recipe is always to reduce weight and add power. They do this by first incorporating high-quality carbon fiber panels, which remove weight from the Dodge Challenger body. The Demon’s insanely powerful 840hp 6.2L Hemi V8 engine was then upgraded to boost horsepower. In this case, the modified Hemi put 980hp to the ground in a recent dyno test, or approximately 1200hp at the flywheel.
As a testimony to the Demon’s engineering, many of its other systems remain stock, including the engine’s bottom end and transmission. At this point, the brakes and suspension are also stock but the parts designed for the drag strip rather than hard cornering, Borchetta relished the challenge of using it on high-speed ovals and road courses. However, future upgrades will include more suitable suspension and brake packages to create a safe track car for Scott to enjoy.
As a concession to its first track outing, SpeedKore fitted a set of 20×11” HRE Series C105 forged three-piece wheels. These are a larger diameter than the stock 18×11” wheels, allowing them to be fitted with 315/30 ZR20 Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires front and rear. These are among the Italian company’s stickiest road/racing compounds and increase grip in the corners, enabling Borchetta to put more of the power to the track.
The Big Machine / SpeedKore Dodge Demon is a jaw-dropper thanks to its SpeedKore carbon fiber bodywork. Finished to genuine OE quality, SpeedKore perfectly recreated all the Demon bodywork. It includes the front bumper, front splitter, fenders, fender flares, rockers, hood, roof, quarter panels, mirror covers. rear deck lid, trunk spoiler, rear bumper and diffuser. All are manufactured by hand from aerospace-grade, pre-preg carbon fiber in Wisconsin by SpeedKore craftsmen.
Once all the parts were fitted the car was painted in PPG “Big Machine Red.” Scott requested it be contrasted by ’Cuda-style “windows” designed to allow glimpses of the SpeedKore carbon fiber bodywork underneath.
With its superior power to weight ratio, most sane people might imagine that would be the perfect place to stop. But not Borchetta or Kacmarcik. They enlisted Gearhead Fabrications to install a larger Whipple supercharger, 2750 throttle body and cold-air intake. To upgrade the fueling, Injector Dynamics 1300 injectors were fitted to a Triple Four fuel system before DiabloSport uploaded its E85 engine software.
Borchetta commented, “Amazing power only counts if you can get it to the pavement. The Big Machine Demon has amazing power, but that doesn’t tell the full story. I challenged SpeedKore to create something with much more than straight line speed – I wanted a car that could handle on road-racing circuits across the country, deal with everyday driving and, of course, look cool. Arguably, this car was never intended to do what I’ve asked, but that made the challenge even greater.”
After witnessing Scott’s first track day, Dave Salvaggio, Vice President of SpeedKore Performance Group, was thrilled with the results. “We realize the Demon was never designed as a track car, and that by increasing the power and reducing the curb weight it would be even more challenging. But Scott is such an experienced driver he was able to hustle it around the oval track like a pro. We look forward to completing the chassis work on the car, so Scott can fully enjoy it as a unique track day machine. We’re also delighted the power increase was extremely reliable and drivable.” He said. “The reduced weight from our carbon fiber bodywork makes the Dodge Challenger chassis extremely entertaining and increasing the horsepower has produced a car without any direct competitors.”
Following its track day, the Big Machine / SpeedKore Dodge Demon will be prepared for its 2018 SEMA Show debut this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. It can be found in the Pirelli booth #62121 outside South Hall.
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