Viper lowers Corvette ZR1 mark by four seconds

The fastest lap by a road car at the perilous Nurburgring has become one of the most coveted benchmarks in the automotive world.

In April 2008, Nissan set a lap record when its 2009 GT-R posted a time of 7mins 29secs. Then in June, the new Corvette ZR1 recorded a time of 7:26.4 (watch the lap).

At the end of August, a 2009 Dodge Viper ACR smashed the record with a time of 7:22. Watch the lap above.

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: