Corvette Blog

Talk about impressive!  Our friends over at AutoBlog alerted us to the post on CorvetteForum showing that Jamie Furman, driving a stock C6 Corvette Z06 with run flat tires got under 11 seconds, 10.98 to be exact at 129 mph at the Maryland International Raceway.  The time was validated by an official at the track, setting the record for the fastest production vehicle!

After watching video after video of other random vehicles with much less power overtaking the Z06 on YouTube, it makes me proud to see Jamie going out and making this happen at MIR.

While the record isn't recognized necessarily by any governing body, the simple fact that he has the proof to show and that people all over the internet are talking about his achievement is good enough for us!

After reading on in the story, we find out that Furman actually owned Vipers back in the day.  Seeing that its usually the Viper-lovers that create the most noise about how they think their car beats the Vette, this should quiet them... at least for a while.

Feel free to head over to AutoBlog for the larger scanned images of both of Jamie Furman's races, one with the run flat tires and one with special drag tires.

[ AutoBlog ]

Posted By Ryan In Corvette Competitors , Corvette News , Corvette Performance , Corvette Racing | 1 Comments Permalink

The Lingenfelter Corvette was one of six high performance supercars tested at a California Naval Air station on Memorial Day weekend.  This was no field of lightweights!  Facing competition for the world's fastest 0-200 mph in a stock or modified vehicle, running on DOT tires, were: Lamborghini Murcielago, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Ruf Rt 12 Porsche Turbo, Lingenfelter Corvette, Bugatti Veyron 16.4, and Hennessey Venom 1000 Twin Turbo Viper.

You can read the fascinating details of the results in September's Road & Track, now in homes and offices everywhere.  The story can also be enjoyed on-line.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors , Corvette Performance | 2 Comments Permalink

Sadly, no Corvettes are used in this competition.  However, if you would like to spend a day challenging yourself with competitive driving experiences in some of Corvette's finer competitors anyway, this event may be for you.  You get to drive all five: Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche Turbo 997, Aston Martin DB9, and the Mercedes AMG SL65. 

The cost of a track day with SuperCar Life is $4990, but it includes all ground transportation, hotel accommodations, professionally catered meals, coaching from professional race drivers, and, of course, track time.  Events are currently being scheduled at their venues in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Florida.

[ SuperCar Life ]

[ Related Blog ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors | 0 Comments Permalink

Road & Track has published a nice selection of photographs of the Callaway C16 Corvette Coupe back-to-back with fourteen of its competitors.  The Photo Gallery Slide-Show entitled Fifteen Fast Machines is available now at their website.

The fifteen competitors for those desiring "accelerator pedal-burying behavior" are:

Callaway C16 Corvette
Dodge Viper SRT10
Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors | 0 Comments Permalink

This "American Exotics Video Comparison Test" from Edmunds (in late 2005) is long on summary and a little short on heart pounding action (like we get from Top Gear), but it certainly presents an excellent nose to nose comparo of Corvette Z06 against the Ford GT and Dodge Viper.

Edmunds declares that the Corvette is the "easiest to drive in every day conditions," is just as fast on the racetrack, and is certainly the least expensive.  The conclusion: Z06 is best for "world class exotic car performance."  But then, as a reader of Corvette Blog, you knew that!

[ DPCARS ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors , Corvette Reviews , Corvette Videos | 1 Comments Permalink

The Corvette Racing Team competes in the second race of the American LeMans Series this Saturday in St. Petersburg, Florida at 5 P.M.  Much shorter than the recent 12 Hours of LeMans, this race lasts only two hours forty-five minutes.

In a story about driving their C6.R Corvettes in races within city limits, and in races with much faster and slower race cars at the same time, Olivier Beretta and Johnny O'Connell point out the change of dynamics in dealing with these challenges.

[ ALMS Story ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors , Corvette Events , Corvette Racing | 0 Comments Permalink

It is unthinkable!

With the updated news today that GM did indeed present an offer to buy the Chrysler Group from DaimlerChrysler back in January, if an agreement were to be reached, Corvette and Viper would become stablemates of sorts!

Perhaps that's what Bob Lutz meant that same month when asked about the 600 horsepower Viper, he said that GM would not let the competition exceed GM's prowess.  One way to take care of that is to buy the competition.

Anyone think this is going anywhere?

[ Detroit News ]

[ Corvette Blogger Story on Lutz ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors , Corvette News | 1 Comments Permalink

The Wired Blog Network posted an absolutely incredible video today, that is a must see, even if it isn't a Corvette!

Rather than take a chance on “who knows what” with StumbleUpon videos, this remarkable piece takes you through the streets of Paris in what we’re told is a Ferrari. Watch it and read about it, and all the while dream you’re in the comfort of a new Z06!

This is an absolute hoot, worth revisiting!

[ Wired Blog Network ]

[ Stumble Upon Video ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors | 0 Comments Permalink

How would you like to spend endless hours watching video of Corvettes, Porsches, Lambos, and just about any vehicle you can come up with?

The website StumbleUpon now provides a great new feature: videos!  It's as simple as logging on, identifying your interest (CARS), and clicking the "Stumble" button.  You will then be presented with video after video of commercials, Top Gear shows, training films, promo's, and even home-made fare.  Some of this stuff is hilarious!  Oh, and Corvette lovers: there are some nice Vettes in there!

User Warning: if you are a workaholic with no time for diversion, you might want to skip this website.  (On the other hand, maybe this was made just for you!)

[ StumbleUpon ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors , Corvette Fun , Corvette Racing , Corvette Reviews , Corvette Videos | 0 Comments Permalink

In one of the most inappropriate vehicle naming stunts ever, Suzuki has attached our beloved Stingray nameplate (although as a single word, not two) to their WagonR.

No vehicle on earth with a mere 64hp, even with direct injection turbo, should EVER be called a Stingray! Stop the insanity!

[ Suzuki Marketing Blunder ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors , Corvette News | 0 Comments Permalink

Ever find yourself drawn back to an amazing video creation?  Top Gear's superb review of the 2006 Corvette "Zed-Oh-Six" keeps coming to mind.

First , they show us the phenomenal capability of driving from "naught to 175mph" in one gear (5th)!  Then, how the Z06 out-accelerates a torched trail of petrol!

[ TOP GEAR on YouTube ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors , Corvette Fun , Corvette Reviews , Corvette Videos | 1 Comments Permalink

I have a quick quiz for you!  Which vehicle is getting massive attention in the press right now as a “Dream Car” because:

• it was shown at the North American International Auto Show
• has 85hp less than Corvette Z06
• produces 153 lb-ft less torque than Z06
• weighs only 319lb more than Z06
• runs .8 seconds slower 0-60mph than Z06
• and, only costs $40-45,000 more than Corvette Z06?

Sure, it looks good, but isn’t performance important too?  And, bang for the buck?

If you’re stumped, read the cover story of this March issue of Winding Road virtual magazine.

[ WINDING ROAD ]

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors | 0 Comments Permalink

Hey, let's face it, Viper's are hot!  Under the hood, along the door sill (on the earliest models), and even in the passenger compartment!

In my visit to the North American International Auto Show this year, I saw the massive hood vents being added to release heat from the new engine coming this way for 2008.  The new 8.4L V10 will have 600HP.

What kind of performance threat the new Viper presents to the Z06 remains to be seen, of course.  But count on one thing, the Viper will be hot under the hood and in the passenger compartment.  Well, count on a second thing, too: Corvette will be back with a hotter performer than ever and just as comfortable inside as ever.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors | 5 Comments Permalink

Acura has made a fair amount of buzz recently with its newly proposed Corvette fighter.  In my view, just like before," if Acura should build it, just a few will come."

I'll grant them that it does look better in person than in the press kit, but this is a niche vehicle targeted at a very small niche!

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors | 0 Comments Permalink

The Detroit Free Press Business Section Front Page Friday suggests that plastics are the answer for which automakers have been looking!

"Reinforced plastics, known as composites, are super strong, super light -- but still super expensive -- materials. Composites can be found in fighter jets, race cars and even skis. They also make up some parts of the cars on display until Sunday at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center.

Posted By Bill Connell In Corvette Competitors , Corvette Equipment , Corvette History | 0 Comments Permalink