fletcher8969

I recently traded my 2015 Stingray z51 (which I loved) for a 2017 Grand Sport Z07. I had taken the Stingray to a couple of track days (and had gone to the Ron Fellows Corvette owners two-day class that came with the car) but I don't have a ton of track experience.

The Stingray was fast for sure. The Grand Sport was shockingly more capable. Obviously, the pull was the same with same motor (both 7m) but the traction and grip were surprisingly different (Cup2 tires probably help a lot) and the CCB were like nothing I've ever experienced.

I have limited experience but my buddy (former pro driver racing Porsche Cup cars) who was at the track with me, drove the car and said he thought it was a fast on that track (Buttonwillow, CA) as his Ferrari 458 Speciale. He only did 3 hot laps and he was within a couple of seconds of this best time in his 458.

Other friends at the track that day that are comparable to my driving skills where surprised when I was 1.5 seconds faster than their 991 GT3 and about .5 seconds faster than that a non-pro driver in his 458 speciale.

It was crazy. I had been on the track with my Stingray at Willow Springs with the same 458 Speciale and was about 10 seconds slower per lap there.

I'm no pro (far from it) and have limited experience but I was very surprised how much faster the Grand Sport was on the track than my very fast Stingray.

Here's a link to my pro-driver buddy's fast lap.

cvp33

Nice lap! Nothing feels better than piloting a highly capable car. It's literally the only place that I can have a singularity of concentration. Us mid-Atlantic east coasters are at least 2 months away from a decent track day.

fletcher8969

I know what you mean, I live in Seattle so I keep my "fun car" in SoCal during winter months so I can take advantage of the weather when I'm down there for work or can get down there for a weekend now and then.

four0nefive

^^^ Bring the car up to Washington during the summer. You'll probably like the Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton. Great track with 50 ft. of elevation changes and a cool layout.

Smart Line

I don't know that track but looked like you where doing very well.
Nice lap !

fletcher8969

I'll have it back in Seattle by May. I'll very excited to try that track it looks really cool.

2ndRunner

Fletcher, did you feel a difference in brake power? What brake package where you running? I know the aero and wider/better tires make a huge difference but I'm curios about the brakes on the GS compared to the standard Stingray

fletcher8969

^^^ I was running the totally stock carbon ceramics and pads. Honestly the CCB are shockingly powerful. I had run my Z51 (with the cooling rings) at Willow Springs last year and thought they were great. No fade or overheating - it was a cool day and I only do 4-5 hot laps at a time to avoid overheating the tires and brakes - and the performance seemed great. But the CCB on the z07 are unlike anything I've ever used. The bite is incredible and the power to slow the car was staggering in comparison. I'm not a very experience track driver. I can't comment on the CBBs vs full steel racing brakes but I can compare the CCBs vs the Z51 brakes and there is a very noticeable difference. It is the biggest difference between the two versions I've had of the C7.

It took me three session in the morning to re-calibrate my brain. I would go for the brakes like I was used to in my Z51 and I'd over slow the car so much I'd have to accelerate to just get to the corner not through it.

My buddy who was driving his 991 GT3 with Porsche steels was blown away when he drove the GS. And even my other buddy who is a former pro driver and was driving his Ferrari 458 Speciale was impressed.

Incidentally, he mentioned that a lot of Ferrari guys buy the Z07 rotors for replacements on their 458s. They are basically the same Brembo rotors for less than half the price if you buy them from Chevy instead of Ferrari. Shockingly expensive still but a bargain in comparison.

2ndRunner

Thanks for the reply. I was afraid you were going to say that. I can't swing it this year, but I really want that kind of stopping power.

fletcher8969

^^^ Sorry. But they are worth it! Good luck.

four0nefive

Cool, hope to see the car at the track sometime! Let me know if you have any questions.

silver74vette

Great video and very nice driving. Good to hear solid feedback on the GS.

Thanks, Chris

silver74vette

Great video and very nice driving. Good to hear solid feedback on the GS.

Thanks, Chris

fletcher8969

Been to The Ridge twice now. Great fun. I need to figure out the best club or events to attend. I've gone to the Track Night in America events which are fun but I'd like to find a more experience group to drive with.

George Washnak

Thanks for sharing the great video ... and by my reckoning, you drive really well.

rb185afm

The GS is just amazingly capable! I ran a 1:56.094 in the same config, at Buttonwillow, on my maiden track day with the car. I have iron brakes and the crappier PS2's as I did not get he Z07 package. My front tires melted on my third session. Car has a lot more in it. I can't wait to go back with more camber, slicks, and a DSC controller!

four0nefive

Hey, it was great seeing you at the last few events (Im the photographer that you talked to and the one that takes all those pictures you guys see). I'm obviously an advocate for TNiA events since I do photography for them, but if you're looking for more advanced groups/more track time, I would suggest Turn 2, PCA (don't have to be a club member to sign up for them I believe), and also the local BMW club.

The BMW CCA events are cheaper and they have lunch included which isn't a bad deal. Only thing with clubs and most run groups here in Washington is that they don't run any events after September usually. Track day schedules are pretty much April (or March) through September.

PS, in case you need a new phone background:

Smart Line

NCM Kentucky!
Here is mine at NCM
great cars for the track !!




at

fletcher8969

Wow! That's a seriously used tire. How hot was it? I think I'm going back to Buttonwillow in September for a friends birthday event. Always like Buttonwillow.

buckeye4

You may want to try Pacific Raceway in Kent. It might be a little faster track.