Chrysler Group LLC has introduced the latest iteration of the iconic Dodge Viper, the SRT10 ACR-X track-only model. Designed to compete in the Viper Racing League, Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association events, the ACR-X will go into production this spring with a base price of $110,000.

The car, which was developed by Chrysler’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team, combines the safety equipment of the Viper Competition Coupe with the performance attributes of the Viper ACR (American Club Racer), which holds the unofficial lap record at Germany’s famed Nurburgring circuit.

The ACR-X is the third limited edition Viper-joining the 1:33 and Voodoo variants-planned for 2010, which will be the last model year for the current-generation base Viper. Power comes from the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V-10, which gets a low-restriction exhaust system and factory headers that help boost output by 6% to 640 hp.

Other changes include a track-tuned suspension, 160 lb less weight and aerodynamic upgrades that improve downforce, enhancing stability and improving grip in high-speed cornering. Safety enhancements include a factory-designed roll cage and race seat.

Professional driver Kuno Wittmer piloted the ACR-X around the 2.24-mile, 11-turn Laguna Seca raceway in one minute and 31 seconds-more than three seconds faster than the street-legal Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that holds the track’s production car track record.

In conjunction with the car’s launch, Dodge Motorsports and its Mopar parts unit will sponsor a new spec series called the Dodge Viper Cup. The 10-race series begins on July 9 at Virginia International Raceway and ends on October 24 at Daytona International Speedway. More than $200,000 in prize money will be available.

Delhi Corp. Chief Technologist Andrew Brown Jr. has been elected to serve as president of SAE International for 2010, succeeding 2009 President James E. Smith in the one-year term. Smith is a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at West Virginia University.

A member of SAE International for nearly 17 years, Brown has served on several SAE boards and committees, including the board of directors (2003-2006), foundation board of trustees (2007-2009), technical standards board (1999-2003), fellows committee (2007-2008) and the SAE Automotive Research Institute Advisory Council (2003-2007). The global association has more than 121,000 engineers and technical experts in the automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle industries.

Brown, 59, joined Delphi in 1996, after a 23-year stint with former parent General Motors Corp. In his current capacity as executive director and chief technologist, he oversees Delphi’s innovation and technology efforts. Brown also represents the company’s interactions with government and regulatory agencies, customers, alliance partners, vendors, contracting agencies and academia.

Brown has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Wayne State University, an MBA from Wayne State University and a master of science in mechanical engineering focused on energy and environmental engineering from the University of Detroit. To top off his education, Brown earned a Ph.D. in engineering from Wayne State University in 1992.

Former Chrysler executives Tom LaSorda and Steven Landry have joined the board of ALTe LLC, a Bloomfield, Mich.-based startup supplier of hybrid-electric drivetrains. Both men left Chrysler earlier this year in the wake of the automaker’s bankruptcy filing and subsequent shift in control to Fiat SpA.

LaSorda who previously served as CEO and president of Chrysler, says he has invested in ALTe and will serve as the board’s lead director. Landry was Chrysler’s executive vice president of North American sales, service and parts before retiring earlier this year.

ALTe’s range-extended set-up is designed to replace a base V-8 engine powertrain with a battery-powered electric motor and smaller combustion engine. As with General Motors Co.’s upcoming Chevrolet Volt, the small ICE will function as a generator to partially charge the battery but won’t directly power the wheels. The new company, which is targeting retrofit applications for fleets, estimates its system can improve fuel economy by 80% to 200%.

Formula One racing will use a new scoring system next season, awarding points to the top 10 finishers of each race instead of the top eight.

The plan, which was ratified by FIA’s World Motor Sport Council on Friday, awards the winner of a Grand Prix race with 25 points, up from 10 this year. Second and third place are good for 20 and 15 points rather than 5 and 4, respectively. The next seven positions awarded 10, 8, 6, 5, 3, 2 and 1 point, respectively.

FIA says it wanted to expand the points awards in part because next year’s grid will expand to 13 teams and 26 cars from this year’s 10 teams and 20 cars.

FIA adopted several other changes for the 2010 season. To help ensure consistent rulings about racing incidents, three permanent stewards now will attend every race. A group of former F1 drivers also will be appointed to help stewards in decisions. New race ambassadors and an F1 commissioner also will be added to help promote and oversee the sport and serve as liaisons with teams, suppliers and other stakeholders. FIA also is considering a pre-season event for fans that includes all teams and drivers.

Renault SA has inked a deal to sell 75% of its Formula One team to an unnamed buyer(s), reports BBC Sport. Without naming sources, the report says the team will continue under the Renault banner, with the French automaker retaining a 25% stake.

Renault is expected to make a formal announcement early this week. Among the bidders are Luxembourg businessman Gerard Lopez and Prodrive Ltd. chief David Richards, a U.K. racing engineering specialist that now is 40% owned by Kuwaiti’s Investment Dar Co.

Renault, which finished second in the constructor’s championship this year behind Brawn-Mercedes, signed Robert Kubica as its lead driver for next season to replace Fernando Alonso, who is moving to the Ferrari team. But the Renault board held an emergency meeting last month to discuss its future in the sport.

Earlier this year, Renault was handed a two-year suspended ban for deliberately staging a crash to help Alonso win the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Renault fired team principal Flavio Briatore, who has been banned from FIA-sanctioned racing indefinitely, and technical director Pat Symonds, who is banned for five years.

Renault’s decision to sell control of its team follows the decisions by two other OEMs-BMW and Toyota-to quit F1 at the end of this year’s season. Most teams said the high cost of competition, which can run to $500 million or more, was a key factor in their decision.

Germany’s 9ff Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH says its new GT9-R supercar will rocket from zero to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 257 mph. This would make it slightly faster than the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, which currently holds the title of world’s fastest production model with a speed of 256 mph.

Powered by a 4.0-liter six-cylinder Boxer engine, the new 9ff is tuned to generate a whopping 1,120 hp. More sedate 987- and 750-hp versions also will be available. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual and five-speed Tiptronic sequential gearbox.

The front structure of the GT9-R comes from a Porsche 911 GT3. This is mated to a space-frame chassis inspired by Porsche’s 1995 GT1 racing car. The roof is a single piece of carbon-fiber right down to the bottom of the pillars.

Only 20 of the 1,120-hp vehicles will be built, all of which will be highly customized, including unique aero kits. Pricing has not been announced yet.