There are a few perks to being President & CEO for Dodge — and one of the best has to be getting the chance to hit the track yourself when the new Viper gets its first test.

“I like to get out about 20 times in a good year,” Gilles says. “At least 10 in a tougher year. This year, sadly, I’ve only been out eight times.”

You wouldn’t know it from how he tears around the track in his sleek black Viper Voodoo, lending his own roar to the din. “Man, I’m rusty,” he laughs, shaking is head. “The car’s not rusty, I am. But it feels great to be out there. This is just a stunning track.”

Looking up at the wind whipping the surrounding flags, it’s impossible to ignore that despite the perfect temperatures, nature will still be a factor today. “It’s a bit windier than I’d like,” Gilles admits. “And with the wing on the Viper, you can really feel it in some of the turns. But depending on which turn you’re in, it could either hurt you or help you. We’ll probably see quite a difference in times today lap-to-lap.”

Watch Ralph come into the turn: