Well, I will no longer make fun of/ talk crap about Corvettes in general. I had the chance of a lifetime today, riding in a highly modified Z06 at Infineon Raceway. Usually, i hate on Vettes pretty bad. they are pretty overrated, and the technology is dated. Well, the one i rode in today, at the hands of my boss, who has had more race school time than most of us have had race time. he is one of the best drivers ive ever seen. its hard to think lowly of a car while being pinned in your seat coming out of the hairpin at almost 40 miles an hour, then having the gas floored, again pinning you to the seat, whilst you propel forward toward the next corner, a sweeping left hand uphill, moving into it at speeds in excess of 120mph, while maintaining near impossible levels of lateral and forward traction. then seeing the *** end of a new, modified, Porche Carrera 4 coming up in front of you at a deficit of probably 30 mph, losing ground in the straights and corners, to finally blow by him on a wide spot in the track. then coming up a blind hill, knowing a sharp left is coming up on the downside, at speeds that are illegal on all american freeways, hugging the corner the whole way through, followed by a hard right, then accelerating near full-out through 2 S-curves going into the back straight. after hitting over 115 mph in the back straight, braking hard to make it through the hairpin at the end of the track. then its back onto the front straight where we again break 125mph.

That is the best i can do to describe a lap in that insane machine. on the track with us were an 01 mustang Cobra (***** to the wall built. running on Hoosiers.) a beautiful Ferrari 355, the Carrera 4, another modded Vette, numerous M3s, a midget racer (1200lbs, center of gravity about 12 inches off the ground, and over 150 horses.) a 375 horse Evo RS, and a HIGHLY modded 300zx TT,and the only ones we didnt lap, were the Cobra, and the 355. (we were looking at the tail of the Cobra when the checkered flag dropped on us, so we were about 30 yds from lapping him, and we were gaining on the Ferrari) we lapped the EVO i think 3 times, one older M3, 4 times, and most others twice. it was easily one of the most thrilling things ive ever done. That Vette didnt just pass people, it clawed them down and chewed them up. Anyone who gets a chance to ride with an experienced driver, in a track car, TAKE IT!!

 

wow i got all exited just from reading that story. I've always loved corvettes, even before i knew anything about cars. I especially love the '05 new(ish) body style. I know a guy that works at a chevy dealership, and he drives a black '05 with red calipers (those things stand out big time) and it is sick. What was under the hood of the vette you were in?

 

im not sure exactly, but its well over 425 to the wheels, all motor. not bad considering its like 406 to the crank stock, and about a 20% drivetrainloss (stupid 'mericans). its the suspension and braking that sets it apart. but its a built motor and has SOOO much low-end torque. i think it was built for that, more than dyno numbers. im gonna have to see a dyno printout.

 

[Deleted by Admins]

 

bump.

 

the 05 vette is the first vette i would want to own. they are just unbelievable now. look 1000xs better than ever. cant wait for the z06

 

the new Z06 is supposed to be the viper killer, correct?

 

yeah, the new Z06 is supposed to be a beast. but i always thought vettes were pretty dumb, but after that ride, i cant generalize them anymore.

 

"Viper killer" isn't a very prestigious award anymore.

 

yeah, vipers are a little over-rated too, but they do pull well over a G on the skidpad. the engines a pile of crap though. but anyway, an update! i mentioned to my boss that i was going to take racing lessons this summer, and he said he'd take me to Thunderhill and teach me himself. so im getting one-on-one tutoring by one of the best drivers ive ever seen (in real life) who is a part-time professional instructor. all for the cost of track time. SCORE!!!