Sam Krahn 
YouTube Channel Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds is well known for sending cars down its runway in top speed tests. Recently, we featured a video of a modified, twin-turbo 2006 Dodge Viper setting a Viper top speed world record at 250 mph. Today, we have another Dodge doing something remarkable on the runway. A Challenger Hellcat Redeye unintentionally raced a plane on its way to a 191 mph top speed.
The plane in question can be seen in the distance off to the right when the camera switched to interior view. It looks to be a single engine, low-wing aircraft. It appears to just be the right place at the right time. For the Hellcat, that is. We guess it is cruising somewhere around 120 mph, as the Challenger pulls ahead once it powers past that speed. At around 165 mph, the plane is out of site, behind the Hellcat. Although the race was completely circumstantial, it is fun to see the car beat the plane.
The Challenger Hellcat Redeye in the video does fall notably short of its rated top speed, however. According to Dodge, the 797-hp muscle car should hit 203 mph. This 12 mph deficit comes down to a few possible factors.
First, a longer runway would allow for more speed. The numbers are still climbing when the Redeye hits the speed trap, but not as quickly as its impressive 14 second 100 to 160 mph run. The Challenger shape isn’t what one would call aerodynamically efficient. Thus, above 160 mph, the increase of speed is far slower. Furthermore, the Redeye has a 2.62 gear ratio directed more at 1/4 mile times than top speed, so it is running out of steam sooner than its horsepower rating would suggest. Finally, the widebody Challenger models run wider tires, giving more grip off the line but more resistance at high speed. A comment on the video from Joey Parrish, who appears to be the driver, says the featured Challenger Hellcat Redeye was running a softer Toyo tire compound that also contributed to more drag.
While the Challenger Hellcat Redeye didn’t quite live up to its top speed claims this time around, it can still say it beat a plane already airborne.
Thanks for the post!