Keith Verges - Dallas

I have not seen the article yet, but the numbers seem to put the Z06 almost 6 sec faster than GT3 at VIR (2:44.x vs. 2:50.x). If correct I am a bit surprised and wonder how there can be that big a delta. 5 sec is significant. Now how many laps that pace could continue is another question but I am wondering how the Z could be that quick

ipse dixit

Jim Mero, one of the Corvette program’s top engineers and drivers, put down a 2:41.3, which also bests the time the 918 put down at VIR.

That said, Mero is like bringing a MLB player to the Little League World Series, and for what it's worth, GM did lots of testing at VIR specifically for the Z06.

All that said, 2:41.3 is still 2.41.3. And it is damn fine time.

signes

Head to head, same driver, track and conditions, no way the gap is that big. No doubt it's fast, just other factors at play here.

Texas RS

I wonder how they would compare for a 10 lap average on a 100F day?


I have been at the track with 5 different Z06s and all 5 over heat after 3 laps.

ShakeNBake

Like +175HP (though 200lbs heavier), and more downforce? Is there a ring time for the Z06 yet?

inactiveuser7616

There's no doubt this new Z06 is no joke, performance-wise. But, what ultimately made me opt for the GT3 was its classic looks, sophistication, fit and finish and quality of materials on the interior.

Texas RS

Rumors have it at 7:08.... Prior rumor was sub-7 (not true)

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...-be-around-708

dark knight

Z06 appear to be a great car, but I love my GT3 and no offense to vette owners, I think on avg Porsche owners and their wives have a lower BMI- hahahha

Keith Verges - Dallas

Curiously, the only place that seems to have any details on the article is the Corvette forum. I have not gotten my car & driver issue either in print or online yet, so can't get any details. The impression I get is that Jim Mero and a bunch of journalists drove all of the cars. Call me crazy, but Mero had previously practiced very hard at VIR to run a 2:41. Being a high-ranking GM engineer, I feel very confident that Mero had the Z as dialed in as he could make it. Also, consciously or not, I suspect Mero was more "cautious" with all of the other cars than with the one he brought. Finally, the odd fact that the article appears to have been pre-released to the premier Corvette forum brings out the conspiracy theorist in me. Corvette has had a big black eye over on-track overheating, and this strikes me as the way to overcome that, without directly addressing overheating. Now all of the Corvette faithful can once again explain how the Z is the fastest thing on track short of a Porsche 918 That said, five seconds is five seconds and nothing to be dismissed easily. If I knew I could get the Z to run cool, I would give serious consideration to getting one I also like the fact that you can still get a manual transmission

Texas RS

manual....with autoblipper

Keith Verges - Dallas

That I think can be turned off, which is how I would drive. And I will confess, the Neanderthal in me loves big horsepower

FastLaneTurbo

As I learned many years ago, "THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CUBIC INCHES"

electron mike

You guys with GT3s aren't missing anything, I had a 2015 Z06 before my GT4. It had many problems, some that GM couldn't fix, not to mention overheating after 3 laps at COTA. I'm no Vette hater either, it was my 5th one.

I'm sure with enough mods they will stay alive on track, but stock they are far from robust in my experience. The ECU pulls so much timing after it gets warm that power drops off significantly even before it goes into limp mode.

Der-Schwabe

I have read the article and it is extremely complimentary about the GT3 not only pointing out that it is the fastest sub-500 bhp car they have ever driven but also the vehicle they'd choose out of the group due to it's consistent lap times with only the tires degradating. Moreover the would choose the GT3 over all others were they to partake in the 24 hours of LeMans.

inactiveuser7616

I prefer... "No replacement for displacement".

; )