Gilles: Motor Trend “chicken”

Jalopnik reported say that SRT CEO Ralph Gilles called out the test driver at Motor Trend for being scared of the 2013 SRT Viper during a recent comparison test of the 2013 SRT Viper and the ZR1 Corvette.  Ralph Gilles wrote that fear of the Viper was a factor in the test results, after three-time SCCA World Challenge champion Randy Probst piloted the Corvette around the course slightly more quickly than the Viper. Gilles tweeted, “…There is a lot more left in the car, Randy has always struggled with the Viper.” While Jalopnik defended Probst’s skills, they also had some support for Gilles’ criticism, noting that the magazine called the Viper scary to drive and that the “hard to handle” nature of the Viper is a draw for its buyers. Jalopnik also pointed out that Motor Trend‘s competition and handling of the comparison is  “… exactly why they do it. It’s thoughtless trolling and they do it all the time because it works every time. Have no fear Ralph, a Viper, perhaps an ACR or something, will be pitted against a Corvette again. Trust us. … it might happen next month. This is also what they do.  It’s called “building a narrative” and this is only the latest chapter. Useful reportage? Maybe not, but it is good theatre and Gilles is playing along nicely.”   [2013 SRT Viper]