The one-thousand and sixty-four horsepower Corvette ZR1 (C8) went to five different US racetracks and set five lap records. Did they do it with the likes of Randy Pobst at the helm? No. They did it with the engineers and manager!
Corvette visited Watkins Glen (Long Course) with driver Bill Wise (Lead Performance Engineer, Chassis Control) and set a 1:52.7. They went to Road America with Brian Wallace (Lead Vehicle Dynamics Engineer). They set a 2:08.6. Next off to Road Atlanta where Chris Barber (Lead Development Engineer) set a record at 1:22.8. Virginia International Raceway (Full Course) had its record destroyed by Aaron Link (Global Vehicle Performance Manager) with a 1:47.7. Then he did it again on the VIR Grand Cour at 2:32.3.
The remainder of the videos can be seen HERE
The records were set with a pre-production car with the ZTK Package which adds a host of carbon parts such a rear wing, front dive planes, and a tall hood Gurney lip. Underneath it received strakes to replace the standard front underwing stall Gurney for additional downforce. Stiffer springs and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R ZP tires round out the package used to smash records.
I don’t think any CAD-creating and physics number cruncher could do the same as these GM engineers and managers. All were heavily vetted to take the ZR1 out on the track. They were reported to have 65 years of “GM Level 6 driving experience” and have achieved Nürburgring Industry Pool certification.
“Corvette ZR1 continues to showcase how this nameplate elevates at every corner,” Corvette executive chief engineer Tony Roma said. “From design, engineering, development, validation, to driving and setting incredible lap records like these – we do it all in house.”
Cheers!
M. T. Blake
