Corvette C7 Track Day Promotion
I am not sure this is appropriate to on the Technical Discussion board so will apologise in advance if it is not.
This past week I was invited to a GM promotion at a local race track to drive the new C7. I wasn't sure what to expect but threw my helmet in the trunk. On arrival I saw that it was a pretty big deal. They had 40 or more C7s all Z51 and a mix of automatics (6 spd) and manuals. They had a few convertibles for display but none were allowed on the track. There were GM engineers and reps to answer questions and a couple on presentations were given on the C7. They had hired the staff of a professional driving school to do the lead and follow sessions on the track. I would guess there were 50 invitees for the morning session and they also had an afternoon session and I believe everything was repeated a second day.
The morning started out with a breakfast, short presentation and the GM guys asking a couple of questions re the driving background of participants. To my surprise about 20 people brought their helmets and fully half had track experience. We all were trying to figure out why we were selected-still don't have a clue.
After Presentations we rotated through 3 track sessions of 5 laps each (we were on the South course which is 2.1 miles long, I think about 10 turns). An instructor was followed by 3 students. We could select anything on the mode selector but OFF (I ran sport and then track, as most did). In each successive sessions the instructors picked up the speed if those behind could keep up. By the last session the pace was quick (luckily I was in a fast group).
In short, the C7 is impressive on the track. I have had at least one of every generation, last one was a 2007 Z06. I do some track driving with another brand of vehicle but felt the Z06 was twitchy at the limit so didn't track it (probably my lack of ability & not the car's). The C7 Z51 is obviously fast but more importantly it is very forgiving and gives warning when close to the limit. A fun car on the track and gives the amateur confidence. The first time out I had the automatic. It was okay but the second and third time I scored a manual. Nice trans, only caveat is gear spacing on the selector is close so you've got to select gears carefully until you get used to spacing. Rev matching works but I instinctively kept heel/toeing- it will be hard to unlearn that habit.
They had one car on display with the competition seats. They are not as constraining typical race seats- you don't have to fall into them. The seat is still relatively flat with large side bolsters. However, the base seat was very good.
All in all a very impressive car & as has been written, it 'drives smaller' than any previous generation. I've priced one out, now what am I going to sell to fund it...?
This past week I was invited to a GM promotion at a local race track to drive the new C7. I wasn't sure what to expect but threw my helmet in the trunk. On arrival I saw that it was a pretty big deal. They had 40 or more C7s all Z51 and a mix of automatics (6 spd) and manuals. They had a few convertibles for display but none were allowed on the track. There were GM engineers and reps to answer questions and a couple on presentations were given on the C7. They had hired the staff of a professional driving school to do the lead and follow sessions on the track. I would guess there were 50 invitees for the morning session and they also had an afternoon session and I believe everything was repeated a second day.
The morning started out with a breakfast, short presentation and the GM guys asking a couple of questions re the driving background of participants. To my surprise about 20 people brought their helmets and fully half had track experience. We all were trying to figure out why we were selected-still don't have a clue.
After Presentations we rotated through 3 track sessions of 5 laps each (we were on the South course which is 2.1 miles long, I think about 10 turns). An instructor was followed by 3 students. We could select anything on the mode selector but OFF (I ran sport and then track, as most did). In each successive sessions the instructors picked up the speed if those behind could keep up. By the last session the pace was quick (luckily I was in a fast group).
In short, the C7 is impressive on the track. I have had at least one of every generation, last one was a 2007 Z06. I do some track driving with another brand of vehicle but felt the Z06 was twitchy at the limit so didn't track it (probably my lack of ability & not the car's). The C7 Z51 is obviously fast but more importantly it is very forgiving and gives warning when close to the limit. A fun car on the track and gives the amateur confidence. The first time out I had the automatic. It was okay but the second and third time I scored a manual. Nice trans, only caveat is gear spacing on the selector is close so you've got to select gears carefully until you get used to spacing. Rev matching works but I instinctively kept heel/toeing- it will be hard to unlearn that habit.
They had one car on display with the competition seats. They are not as constraining typical race seats- you don't have to fall into them. The seat is still relatively flat with large side bolsters. However, the base seat was very good.
All in all a very impressive car & as has been written, it 'drives smaller' than any previous generation. I've priced one out, now what am I going to sell to fund it...?
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