Two Corvettes Top Mustang GTD's Nürburgring Record in Stunning Feat

Corvettes break new milestones without assistance from skilled pilots

When Chevrolet introduced the Corvette ZR1X lately, it quickly climbed to the pinnacle of the C8 lineup thanks to its extraordinary power and capabilities. We anticipated it would only be a short period before General Motors released the ZR1X for testing at the Nürburgring, where we had anticipated it would eliminate several exotic species .

Well, the producer chose not to settle for anything less than three C8 models known as the Green Hell: the Z06, ZR1, and ZR1X. The outcomes, as expected, are remarkable. To demonstrate just how impressive these vehicles are, Chevrolet enlisted three amateur drivers to create history. Their accomplishments are featured in an intriguing new film called "Homegrown Speed: A Corvette Story."

Related: All Corvette C8 Models Listed by Power Output

Fastest American Vehicles at Nürburgring Today Are Corvettes

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Each of the three Corvettes demonstrated their performance on the complete 12.9-mile circuit. The sole alterations consisted of suggested safety gear such as a rollover bar, a fire suppression system, a six-point restraint belt, and a fully secured racing seat. The lap times listed were achieved within the Prototype/Pre-Production class, since the ZR1/ZR1X models are not available in Europe and the Z06 was exclusively a U.S.-spec vehicle.

A 670-horsepower Z06, considered the least powerful among these three models, achieved a time of seven minutes and 11.826 seconds. This is already an impressive achievement, yet it's well known that breaking into the seven-minute mark is where true legend status begins.

The ZR1 achieved this effortlessly with a time of six minutes and 50.76 seconds, while the powerful ZR1X managed a time of six minutes and 49.275 seconds. The ZR1 and ZR1X both outperformed the Ford Mustang GTD in terms of speed. among the greatest production vehicles ever to tackle the Nürburgring track. Below are the top 8 along with their lap records:

Mercedes-AMG ONE: 06:29.090
Porsche 911 GT2 RS Manthey Package: 06:43.300
Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR: 06:44.749
Mercedes-AMG Black Series: 06:48.047
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X: 06:49.275
Porsche 911 GT3 RS: 06:49.328
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: 06:50.763
Ford Mustang GTD: 06:52.072

Although some suggested the AMG ONE's record might be challenged by the ZR1X, it's important to keep in mind that the Mercedes is a $2.8 million hypercar equipped with an F1-inspired engine comprising a 1.6-liter V6 and four electric motors. This vehicle represents something entirely new for AMG, and at what is expected to be a much lower cost, Chevrolet's supercar delivers comparable levels of performance. Even the head of the Corvette team himself... minimized the ZR1's likelihood of defeating the Merc but moving quicker than the GTD would be very rewarding.

One intriguing aspect is that the ZR1X was only slightly quicker than the ZR1, even though it boasts an additional 186 horsepower. The outcome being much closer than anticipated may be attributed to the increased mass from the ZR1X's hybrid engine system.

What Reason Led Chevrolet to Avoid Hiring Expert Drivers?

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Typically, lap records at the Nürburgring are established by skilled professional drivers who possess the expertise and fast reactions needed to handle the challenging circuit and high-performance supercars. However, Chevrolet took a different approach, aiming to set the lap times using their own team members, specifically selecting three engineers for the task.

The drivers included Brian Wallace, who serves as the Lead Vehicle Dynamics Engineer and also drives the ZR1; Drew Cattell, a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer and the ZR1X pilot; and Aaron Link, the Vehicle Performance Manager and the person behind the wheel of the ZR1. Chevrolet's clear message to other sports cars is straightforward: the highest-level Corvettes are so exceptional that they don't need professional racing drivers to achieve remarkable performance.

We've established a distinct connection between our automobiles, famous tracks, and our engineering team; this is the way we create our vehicles," stated Ken Morris, Senior Vice President of Product Programs, Safety, Integration, and Motorsports. "These Corvettes weren't handled by professional racing drivers. Instead, they were driven by the very engineers who developed, built, and adjusted them. Brian, Aaron, and Drew have evolved into top-tier drivers and exceptional engineers. Their lap times currently stand among the quickest ever set by amateurs at the 'Ring, which is really impressive.

It's hard not to imagine how much faster the ZR1 and ZR1X could have been with a professional driver at the helm.

Bringing Three Corvettes to the Nürburgring Proved to Be a Major Logistic Challenge Transporting Three Corvettes to the Nürburgring Presented Significant Logistical Challenges Getting Three Corvettes to the Nürburgring Involved a Complex Logistics Operation The Process of Taking Three Corvettes to the Nürburgring Was Extremely Difficult Logistically Managing the Transportation of Three Corvettes to the Nürburgring Was a Real Hassle Conveying Three Corvettes to the Nürburgring Resulted in a Massive Logistical Problem

Three months prior to their journey to Germany, the Chevrolet team started getting ready for the Nürburgring challenge by using simulations, doing whatever they could to become acquainted with the circuit and the vehicles.

A major challenge even with just one vehicle, the team's journey with three cars added numerous complexities involving the logistics department and customs procedures. A total of eight tire warmers were necessary to ensure that all three 'Vettes completed laps on properly heated tires, and every car needed its dedicated crew to prepare them for optimal performance under ideal track temperatures. After each set of laps, big fans had to be used to lower engine temperatures, all while the team monitored shifting weather patterns closely.

Chevrolet had earlier suggested that the The ZR1X was not the pinnacle of the Corvette C8 lineup. and when questioned once more about what comes next, they repeated the action, yet offered no specifics regarding what might still lie ahead.

We strongly suggest viewing the entire film to fully recognize Chevy's dedication, which represents a legendary accomplishment for American sports vehicles.