Car and Driver Lightning Lap

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The February 2010 C&D just did their "Lightning Lap" at Virginia International Raceway.

Here are the results.

Corvette ZR1 - 2:51.8
KTM X bow - 2:52.3
Murcielago LP67-4.5V 2:53.9
Ariel Atom 3 - 2:57.6
Corvette Grand Sport - 2:58.8
Audi R8 5.2 - 3:05.0
Lotus Exige S260 Sport - 3:05.0
M3 - 3:05.4
Cayman S - 3:05.8
911 Carrera S - 3:05.8
Jag XKR - 3:06.4
GT 500 - 3:07.4
Audi TTS - 3:08.4
Camaro SS - 3:09.5
Audi S4 - 3:10.8
Nissan Nismo 370Z - 3:12.0
Mustang GT - 3:13.3
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 - 3:14.8
Mazdaspeed 3 - 3:16.2
WRX - 3:16.6
Mini Cooper JC Works - 3:17.1
VW GTI - 3:19.3

GTR was not tested this time but finished 2:55.6 last year. Z51 equipped Corvette was 3:01.2 Ferrari 430 Scuderia was almost 3 seconds behind the ZR1's time when they tested the Ferrari last year.

Suprises for me. Mustang GT was almost 4 seconds behind the Camaro SS, maybe due to the Mustang's suspension. GT 500 was only about 2 seconds quicker than the SS and almost 10 behind the Grand Sport. 911 and Cayman had the same time because the mag said the Cayman was easier to control being mid-engine compared to rear engine. Corvette Grand Sport is more than "cosmetic: as it beat the Z51 by 2.4 seconds and cars like the top Lotus and R8 by almost 7 seconds.

video of event http://blog.caranddriver.com/the-lightni...-raceway-video/

J.B. Thanks for the report and the attached videos!! It really makes one feel as though you were in the extra seat or even in the driver's seat. You are a great source of this kind of info which must mean that you definitely enjoy watching these also. The sounds of the great motors definitely puts a person in the driver's seat. Your reports definitely are appreciated and enjoyed. Happy Vettin' and Also a Happy New Year.

I saw the magazine on the newsstand but didn't have time to pick it up or check it out. Looking at the exotics with wings on the cover made me think that there were a bunch of ringers in the group and the Vette might do only so-so.

Nice to see the ZR1's holding up against high-zoot competition.

I was really impressed with the Grand Sports time.

Thats a hell of a car. IMO at half the price of the Zr1.

I had to google #2 (KTM X bow), never heard of that one. It looks like it'd be fun as long as it was warm and sunny out. The ZR1 beat it, plus it comes with heater, AC, and a Nav radio if you want.

One thing I really like, there are only a handful of cars above the Z51, and a good percentage of them are other vettes. Sweet

I watched the video of the ZR1 and felt like I was driving! What a high winding car. Thanks JB for the entertainment.

The ZR1 is awesome but the grand sport at the mid 50 price point..is insane..

It raped the 911, the cayman S, the R8..

plus the vette looks the best...IMO

I almost bought a Grand sport last week for 51 grand minus 3 grand in bonus points on the credit card..

Held back because my 08 z51 is worth a lot more to me than what the dealer offered..

35 is the number I peg on my 08 and the dealer was way off..

I understand and respect their position. I just wasn't willing to go below 35 grand.

I'm digging my c6 z51 with the 436hp motor..

I'll enjoy what I have. That said..that car and driver article did have me craving the Grand sport.

I'm also digging that new CTS V coupe too...

FOr those that haven't taken one for a test drive. Go visit a local cadillac dealer and have them throw you the keys to a V series sedan.

Dam impressive car. IMO

Why are Vettes so much less costly in the East? Shipping in solid gold train cars? If you find a Grand Sport here for $70K you did good. A Z06 and you're in the $90K range.

Hey man...pay my gas and I'll roll out in your C6 Grand sport! All kidding aside...for a grand more you can get the 51 grand Grand Sport manual coupe 1lt delivered to you.

I can get a C6 Z06 for 60 odd thousand...but I think after reading that car and driver test...I really believe the grand sport is the car I'd buy.

436hp and the motor in the manual transmission is hand built and has a dry sump oiling system. I'd bet the handbuilt LS3 for the manual grand sport coupe has 30 more ponies than my 436hp 2008 z51 coupe.

Don't get me wrong. I dig my car but the grand sport would have been my choice had I not recently bought the C6 coupe I presently own.

At this point...I'm holding off till the C7 rolls out with DSG ...

I'm betting 475 hp stock in the base edition and I want that dual clutch perfection and speed.

hard to deny though that the new grand sport is awesome.

I bought the issue and read it. It makes the ZR1 look good until you find out the Viper ACR was 3 seconds faster around the same track. Chevrolet needs to make a track version of both the ZR1 and Z06. It would be fun and not that much money.

I know that not too many here on this Forum would be interested, but it would give them bragging rights and create a halo effect.

its the tires and the big @ss wing on the ACR...(primarily tires)

No one is ever going to get runflats to out perform purpose built track tires..

And tires make all the difference..

the ACR tops out at 184 mph too...(which is fast enough but its 25 miles per hour down on the vette) Hell its 6 mph down on the base C6 coupe too..

The viper ACR is awesome but I could never live with that wing .....JMO besides..different days....mean lap times are quite different..

I did say that not many here would go for it, but if they did it, you wouldn't have to make excuses for the Vette (hopefully). Besides, it would give them another model to sell and get some magazine covers with.

Probably the main reason the Vette has higher top end is because of that wing on the ACR. Top end doesn't usually have much impact on lap times at most tracks.

Great numbers for the ZR1 and Grand Sport.