Earlier this year, the SRT team->ke4431 announced that the new-generation Viper is preparing its return to the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race after an absence of 13 years. Now it looks like the company has big hopes for the 81st edition set for June 22nd and 23rd at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France.

SRT, in cooperation with Riley Technologies, is preparing two identical SRT Viper GTS-R models for the race. The two cars were rigorously tested during four ALMS races in 2012 and during the full 2013 racing season. Car No. 91 managed to obtain three consecutive top-five finishes, including a position on the podium at Long Beach, where it finished third.

The two Viper GTS-Rs will be driven by Marc Goossens, Dominik Farnbacher, Jonathan Bomarito and Kuno Wittmer, joined by Tommy Kendall and Ryan Dalziel for the endurance events.

Click past the jump to read more about Viper's experience at Le Mans.

Dodge Viper at Le Mans

Dodge Viper entered the Le Mans series in 1996 with a specially prepared GTS-R that finished 10th overall. The model obtained five international GT championships, the 1997 to 1999 FIA GT championships and three consecutive one-two finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GTS class.

The GTS-Rs entering the race came from two teams: Oreca of France, and Reynard Motorsport of the UK. The French team obtained the best results, with a class victory at Le Mans in 1998 and a second win in a row at Le Mans in 1999.