ZL1 Camaro... 7:41 at the 'ring

[ConfusedGarage]

All those assumptions of 2013 GT500 hoopla is about as valuable as the green poo in my baby's diaper. This whole wait until such and such comes out is typical forum banter. There is always product in the pipeline, wait for this, wait for that, folks could do this out to 2020! The GT500 could best it with more or less power/weight/price etc, but we'll never know until Ford tries. I hope they do best it, it doesn't do anything but help the D3 earn respect across the globe.

Bottom line: 7:41 for $55k with a 100k warranty and a back seat. Its done.

VIR is a great track, but nobody is benchmarking global performance standards on it as far as I see on a daily basis. Have yet to hear of Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche or any brand which has mastered the toughest course in the world ship cars across the pond to prove themselves at VIR. This isn't a fact, only an assumption, which appears to be heavily weighted on the internet.... so I'm ok.

 

[Golden]

Mike,

is there an article with all of those times posted somewhere? If so, can I get a link? The only articles I see are very brief and show no other times.

 

[DetroitStyle]

As a diehard Camaro fan in general...this is awesome news to me. I love competition.

I'm a fan of anything fast. I have personal preferences and favorites, but it doesn't prevent me from giving credit where it's due.

 

[jhilla68]

Mike,

is there an article with all of those times posted somewhere? If so, can I get a link? The only articles I see are very brief and show no other times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nürburgring_Nordschleife_lap_times#Lap_times

Nurburgring Wiki

 

[Golden]

^ Awesome, thanks.

 

[DBK]

DBK, you sound like Supra Paul and his snow tires.... excuses, excuses. I suppose it's impossible for you to just sit back and say "Well done with this one GM." You're just a butthurt Ford fanboi.

Excuses for what? :lol: I said I believe the time and the car is extremely fast. What else do you want? I'm not a fan of the Ring trend. It's a game for the internet that has gotten ever more ridiculous since the first time the GT-R went over and everyone called shenanigans on their time. This is crowned by some guys shipping old Vipers out of a dealership to "take the record back" by dropping 10 seconds off their last effort. Too many variables for my tastes. This is probably a difficult concept for people that haven't spent much time on a road course, let alone a 13 mile one.

And yes, don't let any ever forget my total dislike for GM! I've owned Corvettes here and there, but they remain on my shit list forever.

 

[4 cam tbird]

It might not have been "tuned at VIR" but what street car is actually tuned specifically for ultimate performance on any one track? The answer is none, because it wouldn't be a very good street car. So, here is a list of lap times at VIR, all from one source, including times by Lambos, Ferraris, Porsches, and even Moslers (yes plural Moslers)

http://www.caranddriver.com/feature...plete_lightning_lap_times_2006_to_2011_page_8

It is eveident to me by statements made here that Ford cares what a car runs there. I guarantee GM does too and some of the new packages that have been released have been largely for the Lightning Lap. If you read some of the articles, you will see evidence of other manufacturers caring how the car performed on Lightning Laps as well. Especially Nissan after their car suffered a very publicized brake failure.

 

[RICE EATER]

Ford never ran a Ford GT there. That was a magazine.

Ford tests at Nurburgring just like everyone else. They just don't put nearly the effort into promoting and marketing it.

soo bascily your saying GM is putting more effort in to the performance, promoting and marking then ford..

OR there slow and to ashamed to post it unlike the proudness of GM...

hahaha

 

[4 cam tbird]

Ford really pushed some of their Laguna Seca times recently.

 

[DBK]

soo bascily your saying GM is putting more effort in to the performance, promoting and marking then ford..

OR there slow and to ashamed to post it unlike the proudness of GM...

hahaha

Yikes.

 

[RICE EATER]

Ford really pushed some of their Laguna Seca times recently.

well they had to do something..since the cars ugly as fuck!!..looks like a matchbox car lol

 

[RICE EATER]

just incase anyone wants to watch it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mhjGERugh0

 

[WhiteHawk]

The funny thing is, is that only effort GM put into marketing is the President of GM North America texted Jason Laird in GM Communications the lap time. Jason Laird then tweeted it on Twitter. That is GM's marketing onslaught. One tweet. That tweet started all the threads on all the message boards.

-Geoff

 

[WhiteHawk]

Looking at the VIR link, the current Camaro SS ran a 309.5 (on 2-10) and the Shelby GT500 ran a 307.4 (also 2-10). I am definitely not worried about that bet now! (not that I was before)

Camaro gets 160 horsepower increase alone (426 to 580) plus stickier tires, next gen magnetic shocks with stabilitrac, and a ton more stuff. How many more knobs does the GT500 even have to turn? Horsepower and weight only gained it a couple seconds on the current Camaro? Anyone in the know talking?

-Geoff

 

[robvas]

Looking at the VIR link, the current Camaro SS ran a 309.5 (on 2-10) and the Shelby GT500 ran a 307.4 (also 2-10). I am definitely not worried about that bet now! (not that I was before)

Camaro gets 160 horsepower increase alone (426 to 580) plus stickier tires, next gen magnetic shocks with stabilitrac, and a ton more stuff. How many more knobs does the GT500 even have to turn? Horsepower and weight only gained it a couple seconds on the current Camaro? Anyone in the know talking?

They've made some improvements:

Shelby GT500s have never fared well in this test. The old iron-block engine repeatedly suffered from heat soak—sapping power—and the car’s tires wouldn’t last more than one lap. The 2011 updates—including a retuned suspension, new tires, an aluminum engine block, and a more efficient intercooler—have paid major dividends here, lopping nearly two seconds from the GT500’s 2007 record of 3:05.9. At 3824 pounds, the 2011 car is also lighter than that one by 84

 

[DBK]

I am definitely not worried about that bet now! (not that I was before)

Then lets up the stakes.

GT500 ran 2:58 when an SVT driver had the wheel instead of C&D. I know GM used to send their driving dynamics guys for the C&D Vette tests there.

 

[4 cam tbird]

WhiteHawk, did you happen to see the future GT500 engine tidbit that was pulled out of the new union contract?

 

[1BADAIR]

that lap didnt look all that good.
bet it will go quicker

 

[Fryguy302]

Ford tests at Nurburgring just like everyone else. They just don't put nearly the effort into promoting and marketing it.

The funny thing is, is that only effort GM put into marketing is the President of GM North America texted Jason Laird in GM Communications the lap time. Jason Laird then tweeted it on Twitter. That is GM's marketing onslaught. One tweet. That tweet started all the threads on all the message boards.

If this is true, it sure seems like Ford is missing the boat on this. They need to hire the second best* driver in the country, get a group of performance engineers together, and make a real effort of getting some bragging rights in the 'ring. How many other enthusiast forums are talking about this 7.41 right now? Maybe it's just marketing, but it sounds like a real opportunity being missed.



*I mentioned 2nd best, because I'm working a lot of hours and unfortunately will be unable to fill the position.

 

[Golden]

I have to agree with Raj. I browse a lot of different car forums, and the majority talk about what a car runs at the 'ring, rather than quarter mile ETs. Ford should definitely jump into it.