Not 100% accurate, and apart from the below, the S/C versions of the C7 are proving to be pretty robust with few major issues being reported even from owners extensively driving the cars rapidly at HPDE events.

The 2015-16 cars with both transmissions could overheat on a road course especially in high ambient temp conditions. The M7 cars are better than the A8 cars in this regard. Experienced drivers can ‘drive around’ this issue by short-shifting the car, but it is somewhat frustrating, whereas many poorly experienced drivers, or those new to road course driving, overheated the cars rapidly on track by constantly driving it up against the rev-limiter. When the engine oil temps reached around 300dF, the cars would go into limp mode and had to be parked. Before reaching limp mode, they would also start pulling timing due to increased IATs, although the car was still very fast at that point.

For the 2017 model year, GM added a secondary engine radiator in the location of the A8 auxiliary transmission radiator for the M7 cars, which essentially has made it difficult to overheat them at all on track. Unfortunately nothing was done to address the overheating characteristics of the A8 Z06 at all. To address the elevated IATs, larger inter cooler ‘bricks’ were used along with the cover of the S/C being increased in size to allow the bricks to be placed at a slight angle.

So since 2017 the cars are far less likely to pull power, and the M7s can be driven very rapidly without issues re: overheating. The A8s will still overheat the engine oil/water unfortunately unless short shifted.

The ZR1 has apparently addressed all of these cooling issues, although I wouldn’t purchase an A8 version until there are multiple reports from owners driving them on track during the summer months to see how the temps are being handled.

The GS is a fantastic car, but a Z51 and/or GS won’t come close to a Z06/ZR1 on a road course.

The cheapest way to tool around a road course in a C7 Corvette and to be faster than about 99% of every other car at an HPDE event is to purchase a lightly used Z06 with the Z07 option package. If you want an M7 version purchase a 2017 or later model and you should be fine, although if you’re really fast send it to LG Motorsports for their ‘cooling solution’ package, which essentially GM copied for the ZL1 and ZR1. If you want an A8 version, (which is a really good transmission btw), you will need to send the car to LG as it won’t hold up to high speed use on a road course without overheating.

When your cooling needs are met, spend $1200 for a DSC V3 and along with the DSC alignment specs you simply won;t believe the balance of the car; it’s superb.

Lastly spend the money to equip the car with the AP Racing replacement brakes; there’s nothing better and it will reduce your consumable costs dramatically if you do many events/year.

The ZR1 may not be a drive to the track, exercise it fully and then drive back home car. I say this because someone close to the its development told me that if one can and does use the full capability of the car your tire life will be less than one hour. YMMV, but if true then a support vehicle to carry extra tires would be needed for a typical DE day. With ZR1s now being delivered, there should be feedback soon from users. Regardless, driving a new ZR1 on tracks like Sebring or Road America (two of my favorites) would have to be one of life’s greatest thrills. I would say that if you have the urge to track a ZR1, then do it.

R all the way until you can do 58s

woukd you even get out of 3rd gear anyplace at LRP in zr1 or z06?

i drove a students z06 at summit and it scared the living daylights out of me. no gracias not for me. also nannies for days.... massive tyres so much grip. car is honestly not of this world. to drive that on the edge is a terrifying proposition to me.

imho take the money you were going to spend on the z06 and get more seat time at more tracks not just little lrp - and invest in more coaching in your F car or the R - less dough and you’lll be way faster