America’s hottest new supercar sets production-car lap record
After the jump, we ask that you relax, press play, and enjoy in-car footage of Corvette’s awesome new supercar, the ZR1 (pictured), setting a new lap record for production cars at the Nurburgring. The ZR1 set a time of 7:26.4, faster than both the Pagani Zonda F and the Porsche Carrera GT.
The car set the lap time with a bog-standard set-up, aside from necessary alterations to comms and safety equipment. It used the same Michelin Pilot tyres that the car will sport when it goes on sale later this year, and its suspension, including ride height and damping, was not altered.
It’s a remarkable performance, and one that sends out a defiant message to European and Japanese manufacturers - after a long time in the doldrums, the USA is back, baby!
Watch the record-breaking video below:
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12 responses so far
1 Hoon // Jul 11, 2008 at 11:23 am
Those Michelin Pilots are really slicks, lol, I don’t know how Michelin is able to legally sell those after so many years of tightening restrictions on street tires….
Regardless the time is insane anyway.
2 Mike // Jul 11, 2008 at 4:52 pm
This is almost as bad as that claim that the new Nissan GT/R lapped the ‘ring faster than the 911 Turbo. If you don’t follow the standards of course it’s going to be faster.. how about a STANDING START, like all the other cars have used.
It’s stupid because this car probably is as fast as those super cars but whoever raced it chose to be an idiot.
3 lol // Jul 11, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Mike, where did you get the idea that it wasn’t a standing start? Just because the video begins with the car already moving doesn’t mean anything. You can clearly see he’s already halfway into the first turn on the course.
4 hum // Jul 11, 2008 at 5:31 pm
The clock starts well AFTER the first corner, it starts ticking 9 seconds after the intro.
Also the finish line is before the start line.
5 Joe Canoe // Jul 11, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Um, lol, the video shows the rolling start. The timer starts at the stop/start line with him doing 70mph.
6 Anthony // Jul 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Mike, that would be a one “Jim Mero.”
I am less familiar with the track than you guys, so I’m not sure where the start line is, but if they are comparing lap times, the start should be under the same conditions. Thats like me saying that I beat a ferrari in a race with my ford taurus, except the other guy didn’t know we were racing.
7 Ryan Wheeler // Jul 11, 2008 at 7:04 pm
A rolling start in normal for the ring. The GT-R did it too.
8 Nothing Random - Corvette ZR1 breaks Nurburgring Lap Record!! // Jul 12, 2008 at 3:01 am
[…] you are a car nut, you have to Check This Video Out!!! The Corvette ZR1 sets the Lap Record for a production car on the Nurburgring. The ZR1 set a […]
9 Darsh // Jul 12, 2008 at 4:06 pm
The timer started after he was moving through the first turn… NOT a standing start.
10 Andrew // Jul 13, 2008 at 9:57 pm
look at :20, the timer starts with the ‘Vette already going right around 75 MPH. It’s a shame they didnt do a legit standing start but it doesnt make me want the car any less!
11 Tommy Vegas // Jul 14, 2008 at 10:05 am
Wow Mike… where do you buy your information ?? Is it possible for you to get a refund on that ??
Jim Mero is an Engineer for the project, not a professional driver… and far from the “idiot” that you portray. That is a pretty impressive effort considering his background. Now… put Jonnie O, Ron or Ollie in the seat and watch that time drop drammatically just for spite of arguement.
As for a “legit start”… that is laughable as well. What is it again that doesnt make it legit ?? Apples to apples… that is the same start that the majority of the other ’super cars’ within this certain speculation performed for the timing of their respective laps.
FYI, the start is roughly three quarters down the short cute before turn one… the initial left hand turn… which is about 200-225′ before its apex.
12 Check lists ? // Aug 3, 2008 at 6:42 pm
7:24 Lexus LF-A
7:25 Nissan GT-R V-Spec
7:27.82 Pagani Zonda F Clubsport
7:28 Porsche Carrera GT
7:29 Nissan GT-R
7:32 Porsche 997 GT2 2008
7:34 Koenigsegg CCR