C/D: 2015 Corvette Z06 runs VIR

[kevm14]

http://blog.caranddriver.com/watch-the- ... l-raceway/

Driven by GM's Jim Mero.

C/D points out that, essentially, expect their lap time to be slower than Jim's. That said, the Porsche 918, the previous record holder (at 2:43.1), which had a wide margin on the next fastest car last year, which was the Nismo GT-R, which ran a 2:49.4. See the 2014 times for reference: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/li ... es-feature

Historical times: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/li ... 14-feature

What did the new Z06 run with Jim Mero at the helm? 2:41.3. And he missed a shift during the lap (auto will probably be faster even without a missed shift). Goddamn.

[kevm14]

Some comments:

Amazing time when you consider the 918 peaked at 170 mph and the Vette maxed out at "only" ~150 mph.

The Vette must have CRAZY grip at speed! C/D's test had a top speed of 185 for the Z06; considering it has the power to easily break 200 I think its safe to assume those aerodynamics are producing massive downforce (and massive drag).

You can't really compare the two. Jim Mero was actually a professional racing driver, while KC Colwell is at best a very competent amateur racer. No matter how much you study videos, telemetry readouts, and other data, you can't replace actual racing talent and experience.

IIRC, Chevy sent their test driver to do a VIR lap in the C6 ZR1 a few years back and blew away C&D's time by over 5 seconds. So I expect a similar deficit with the current ZO6.

All in all, there's a reason why Motor Trend uses an actual professional racing driver to run their hot laps.

Then, someone calls C/D out on their excuses for potentially running a slower time at the next Lightning Lap. C/D replies:

So let's give you 15 or 20 laps around VIR in a Z06 against Jim Mero's time and see what you got? (First, you'll have to bring your own Z06 and then work out a price with VIR to get on track.

KC was giving a context to understand why a pro driver devoted solely to the development of the Z06 might find more pace around the same track on which KC, as an advanced amateur, juggles the performance envelope of dozens of cars in a relatively short time, once a year.

Speed on a race track is a function of familiarity and seat time in the car and on that track. KC has lots of seat time at VIR but relatively few laps in each car. Short of having a seasoned pro like Scott Pruett evaluating the cars, KC does a great job.

A pro driver is always going to be faster because he's spent more time at the limit and is more comfortable there.

Could Pat Long beat KC's time in the 918? Of course he could, but it would be interesting to see two factory drivers fully exercise their cars and then compare data.

[kevm14]

It seems GM is actually making cars more biased to real road course racing (which requires all performance elements), than just 1/4 mile times. That's pretty ballsy because regular people still don't really understand/care about road course times, which demonstrate a car's overall performance.

I guess everyone yelling about how it should have been faster in the 1/4 mile will talk about it's "low" 150mph speed on the back straight, it would seem that GM has taken the idea that being 1/10 of a sec quicker on a straight away doesn't make up for being 3 or 4/10s of a sec quicker in corners. It worked for the Z/28 and it seems to be working for this car as well. Awesome job!

[bill25]

First off: It is very impressive that a Corvette beat the 918.

Sure there is the argument that if the same driver drove the 918, that he could beat his Corvette time, but the guy that ran the 918 is probably a better driver than 99% of 918 owners, so there is that. If you drive a 918, this guy can probably beat you in a Z-06.

The incredible aspect of this to me isn't that the Corvette beat the 918, it is that they are even comparable at all given the price point differences.

How pissed are you, the owner of an $845,000 car that gets beat by a Corvette!

[kevm14]

Well the 918 really is a showcase of technology so that's something. And it IS a very, VERY high performance vehicle. So I guess that does really underscore the achievement with the Z06 here.