IMSA: Keating mulls '17 Viper replacement options

IMSA team owner/driver Ben Keating and the Dodge Viper go hand in hand, but the Texan says he would "be surprised" if he was racing one of the V10-powered coupes next year in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's GT Daytona class.

With the Viper having ceased production, continuing to race the Riley Technologies-built GT3-R is making a lot less sense for Keating. And with IMSA's requirement for each auto manufacturer (or team owner, in Ben's case, as a result of using a model that isn't supported by the factory) to commit up to $1 million in marketing-related funds in order to compete in the WeatherTech Championship, the price to keep the awesome Viper Exchange GT3-R in the field next year is no longer feasible.

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It makes searching for a new solution an obvious priority for Keating, and with three races left to run this year, a decision on the Viper's replacement will come at a later date.

"It's really nice to be courted," Keating told RACER. "I have lots of manufacturers calling me and telling me about all the nice things about their cars and what they'll do for me. It's nice to be popular right now. I don't know what we'll do, but we have some great options."

Of the rumors circulating the IMSA paddock, a tie-up between Keating, his Riley Technologies team and AMG Mercedes has been mentioned at a fairly consistent rate. Racing Vipers helps Keating from a business standpoint, but he's competed with other brands in the past, including Porsche. If he shows up with something different in the GTD class in 2017, it could present a prime opportunity to expand his auto sales empire.

"It took a lot of time to get there with Viper," he said. "I definitely feel I'm the No. 1 volume Viper dealer because I race the cars that I sell. If we end up with something new, it could be a new chance to sell those."

With two wins this season, including last weekend's Continental Tire Road Race Showcase at Road America, Keating and co-driver Jeroen Bleekemolen hold third in the GTD standings in the No. 33 Viper.