skank

No I didn't see or even hear about it. Normally they post it on their calendar but sometimes they use a Mazda day where MT trades track time for ad space.

skank

Mero was there when they were testing the ZR1 last spring. I also saw Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castro Neves testing the new Penske Acura ARX-5 Dpi car there 2 weeks ago. Very fast car.

johnglenntwo

I thought you discussed the Ring with him, and that's when he mentioned all his knowledge of all the Ring turns from racing. I know he causally told someone that, and I don't know of any other casual conversations. Add their being faster than Mero.....but, I've been confused before!
Also, Corvette Racing surely isn't putting down the VIR times!?

skank

I've met Tommy Milner quite a few times. The first time was during the C7 Stingray intro at Laguna Seca where they were giving rides by a few instructors from Spring Mountain and Tommy Milner of Corvette Racing. Johnny O'Connel also was giving rides as well. A few years later during the IMSA race I Talked to Tommy while standing around in the pits on Set up day Thursday or Friday. I asked him if he could set a time for the new ZO6 around Laguna Seca and if he could beat Mero's time there and at the ring. He said, he for sure could run a faster time than Mero at the ring. Anyone of the four main drivers of Corvette Racing could probably set a incredible time at Laguna or any other track where they race at. It appears from Gavins Twitter feed that I posted above that he is going back to the ring this Spring for a ZR1 run. That would be stellar !!!

johnglenntwo

Stellar!

sunsalem

It would be fascinating to compare times of same day runs of the GT and the ZR1 (and that frickin' Porsche!).

When Johnny left Team Corvette to spearhead the Cadillac World Challenge program, I thought it meant he was washed up.
Nothing could have been further from the truth.
He completely dominated the series with some absolutely drives.
Ol' Johnny may have had some years on him, but he still knew what it took to win.
They damn darn well better.
The ZR1 is alleged to be designed as a track weapon...they need to walk the talk this time (as opposed to the Z06 fiasco ).

OVR60

Is the ZR1 faster than a SPEEDING BULLIT.

johnglenntwo

THIS AINT YOUR ZO6 ANYMORE!

Achmed

it's also possible if one asked Mero who would lap faster in a road corvette between himself and c7r drivers he would say himself Lol. It's interesting Tommy said that and maybe he's correct but maybe he's not either, it's just one perspective and perhaps time will tell.

In the YouTube videos of the zr1s at the Ring this past summer it looks like Mero is in the car with black mirrors and Gavin is in the one with red mirrors.

johnglenntwo

He would be happy if You could beat him (GROW-UP)!

Just Kidding!

sunsalem

It's hard to believe a professional racing driver would be slower than an engineer.

dmaxx3500

ya, an engineer that races,and probably has driven the factory race cars too,[I wonder if anybody timed him in those?

johnglenntwo

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rburgring.html

Mero thinks a humans needed on track!? Competing at limit is a variable between human drivers too!
http://www.grandtournation.com/3228/...driver-ns0128/

Mero running with this Current Competitor guy? No-Way!
http://www.grandtournation.com/3228/...driver-ns0128/

http://www.carreracup.com.au/driver/lars-kern/

Innovate

Randy ran the new FGT at Willow Springs, not MRLS as far as I know.

sunsalem

I meant it with no disrespect to Mr. Mero.

TrackAire

Well that's a bummer....I really want to hear how it performs at Laguna Seca so we can compare it to other fast cars. I'm starting to think the car is not as fast as it might be believed because Ford has not made any public times in the magazines and the car has been available for the last year. I would not be surprised in the least if the EcoBoost is having issues trying to keep cool under multiple fast hot laps.

I'm also hearing that Mazda is pulling the sponsorship at Laguna Seca....don't know what that means or if the track will be able to survive without a major title sponsor. The place is falling apart (facilities) and needs a lot of $$$$ to bring it up to quality standards. Add to that the neighbors don't want any car noise and it might be a tough go for this iconic track.

Very sad if it becomes a seagull sanctuary or something stupid like that.

Innovate

I commented on Randy's post on Facebook and he made it seem like the FGT is fast. MT is doing a Head 2 Head with the FGT and 720S from what the post talked about. I do not think it is as fast as people think it is either, I know in a straight line the C7Z outruns it. Manual or A8, on IG some guys were running low 11's or it may of been another forum in their FGT's. Ford has no push to run the car as everyone wants one anyway and they have already sold them all.

That will be a sad day when Laguna Seca shuts down. I would love to run there before I die haha.

kdm123

Guys, don't worry about Laguna Seca closing. Considering the insane amounts of money that it brings to the local economy just in the month of August alone, there is no chance of that happening.

For the past few years there have been conflicts between the organization operating track, the county, and race organizers. From what I understand, these disputes are about money. Maybe they wanted more from Mazda?

Back to the topic...I'm sure you guys saw the lap Bill Wise (chief Camaro suspension engineer) did in the Camaro at the Ring, right? That should put to rest any argument about how good some engineers can drive.

johnglenntwo

That line makes sense to determine whose the most qualified to go after the prize!

IE The C7R's time on rain tires at VIR, and/or Milford, vs the ZO6ZO7's; could demonstrate an exercise for marketing!?

sunsalem

You are absolutely right.
The car is sold out; the marketing is done.
To take it to a track(s) for official timings, would just be another expense for Ford.
They have nothing to gain now.
They do have open track days...lots of guys here go.
Thank God for that.
LS is a great track.
There is nothing in the world like The Corkscrew.
You're right, an incredible lap by Wise.