Announcement

**Fair!** · 07-02-2007, 11:53 AM

Re: July 2, 2007

2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - LL3 ($60,000–$120,000)
The overall champ of the day was the Corvette Z06, which took nearly three seconds off the time posted by another example last year. The Z06’s 2:58.2 lap made it the first Lightning Lapper to get around VIR’s Grand Course in less than three minutes, which is all the more remarkable considering it does not have the sticky, racing-type tires the 911 GT3 enjoys. As before, the Z06’s combination of huge horsepower and light weight gave it an advantage on the two long straightaways and in the run up to the Sector Two esses.

But this time around, the revised rear shocks made the Z06 a lot easier to drive at the limit: It still oversteers under power or while lifting off the gas suddenly, but the slides are far more progressive and controllable than before. As a result, the Z06 launches better off the corners, leading to commensurately higher speeds along those straightaways. The brakes on the Z06 are fabulous, as is the engine’s midrange thrust, but the shifter is still clunky and slow. In truth, the Z06 wasn’t as satisfying to drive as the 911 GT3, but it’s hard to argue with the car’s incredible performance—or that lap-time record.

They sure try to cover up the Porsche's weak ass performance - on Pilot Sport Cup tires no less! (R compounds) - but the numbers don't lie.

2007 Chevrolet Corvette - LL2 ($30,000–$60,000) class participant.

There were several surprises in this class—and the biggest was the astonishing performance of the base Corvette equipped with the Z51 package. The Vette was a returnee to VIR because we experienced a data problem with its quickest lap last year. We had to publish its second-quickest lap time (3:09.3) then, which we didn’t think represented the car’s capabilities.

Those suspicions were dead on, because this time around the Z51 blazed around the course in 3:03.6, nearly six seconds quicker. That time bests those of the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 Turbo, cars that cost more than twice as much as the Z51’s base price. As we’ve learned, Corvettes are lap dogs when it comes to obeying commands from the helm, and they have wonderful fade-free brakes and benefit from a smooth 400-hp V-8. But they initially feel spooky, partly because the steering is a bit numb. Once a driver learns to trust the Vette’s chassis, the Chevy can embarrass almost any other car on the track, even if it isn’t as confidence inspiring as a Porsche 911.

Corvettes go for the 1-2 overall pwnage!

The R8 benefits from having the same marvelous engine mounted amidships. Plus, the car is 400 pounds lighter than the RS 4. The R8 is actually easy to drive quickly, thanks to communicative steering and a chassis that is benign at the limit. Because of its all-wheel-drive system, it also puts its power down remarkably well, evidenced by a good time in Sector One.

The R8 sounds stupendous, but the gated shifter becomes tiresome after a while because the throws are too long. Furthermore, being the second heaviest car in LL3 counted against the R8 around VIR. It was 8.2 mph down on the Corvette Z06 at the exit of Sector Five and a massive 14.9 mph down at the end of the long front straightaway that starts Sector One.

Sure doesn't sound like much of a supercar if it got hammered by a $45K Corvette...

2007 Audi RS 4 - LL3 ($60,000–$120,000) class

Although it shares its V-8 engine with the R8, the Audi RS 4 didn’t impart the same sort of driving satisfaction. It’s a porky beast—at 3952 pounds, the heaviest of the 13 cars featured here. It’s actually better at masking its weight than the similarly obese Shelby GT500, but the mass is especially apparent when cornering, where the tires squeal in a protracted wail of protest.

The closest comparative car this time around was the BMW 335i coupe, which also has decent-sized rear seats. The BMW was almost one second quicker around VIR, despite dramatically lower peak speeds on the straights. The RS 4 simply overloads its tires too quickly when the steering wheel is turned. If it weren’t for the four-wheel-drive system ensuring that the power can be applied early at corner exit, the RS 4 would have been even farther behind the competition in the LL3 class.

Luxo Barge!

**Redwood** · 07-02-2007, 12:17 PM

Re: July 2, 2007

The new steering for the '08 C6 should hopefully get rid of that numbness. Plus more power. Win Win.

Announcement

July 2, 2007

July 2, 2007

Comment

Comment