Knoxville residents have been dealing with some below-average temps lately, and while we are not miserable, are surely keeping our daydreams about spring revved up in full-force. Bombing corners, looking at track schedules, and examining up-close the powerful engines that drive the track ponies are all top-notch pastimes for warm weather. The Virginia International Speedway has long been a proving grounds for those who love exhilarating levels of speed, and a firm anchor on the East Coast for various types of racing action. First-class excitement such as the Pirelli World Challenge, MotoAmerica Championship of Virginia, and Grassroots MotorsportsMagazine's Hyperfest Tire Rack Car Challenge are all on tap to curb your urge for the best in racing excitement.
Recently chosen by Car and driver as one of the top six road courses in the nation, this is where the Ford GT Supercar set a production lap record. This year, our famed 2019 Corvette ZR1 actually aced the task of shattering that record! The Chevy team was out on the track recently honing their craft with test driver Jim Mero, and the 755-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8 clocked a time of 2:37.25 for the completion of the 4.1-mile circuit. Dominating over the GT's time by 1.37 seconds, this is an achievement that all of us here at West Chevy in Knoxville were heartily rooting for. Both the Ford and Chevy cars were showroom spec grade, and were not equipped with any performance enhancements while getting the job done.
The ZR1 boasted the addition of the ZTK Performance Package, which provides summer-only tires, a track-focused tune for suspension, and a downforce-producing aero kit. There are many rumors flying around this year that GM is set to complete work on a mid-engine supercar, which may be the Corvette's replacement next year. Some think the 'Vette has pushed the limits of performance for a design incorporating the use of a front engine, but last year, Road and Track claimed excitedly that this is the “Fastest street car GM has ever made”. They also claimed that the ZR1 is the “True King of the Hill” among all of the healthy contenders that make up the track realm.
One of the first things you'll notice is the two gaping openings in the front of the cover: these combine forces to work hard overtime to efficiently extrude the hot air pouring out of the engine bay. In terms of how power is created, the ZR1's new pushrod V8 features a 52-percent larger supercharger than the LT4 found in the Z06. This is also the very first incorporation of GM's dual injection system in a vehicle, paving the way for the generation of 755 horsepower, and 715 lb-ft of torque.
The estimated top speed for next year's ZR1 is right at around 201 miles per hour, and any track-savvy steering professional will notice a large difference in the handling, with the presence of 355 section rear tires. Many are watching in amazement to see just how the car with the most carbon fiber ever packed into a vehicle will fare during lap times, and the record-setting performance in Virginia sure fares as a powerful and poised starting point!
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