5 Things to Do While Waiting for the C8

1. Brush Up on Your Mid Engine Driving Skills

For the first time in its lustrous history, the C8 Corvette will feature a mid engine design. This Ferrari and Ford GT fighter promises to be a real game changer, which means you'll want to be ready to drive it off the lot. With a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, a mid engine layout also improves braking by reducing weight transfer and improves acceleration by shifting more weight over the rear wheels. Most of us are used to nose heavy cars, but mid engine cars require a little different driving style to extract the most performance. They pivot into turns, and provide tenacious grip up to a point, at which time you might be turned around rather quickly. So if you can, get some wheel time behind a mid engine machine if possible before 2019 rolls around.

2. Read Up on Your History - and Embrace the Future

The C8 will undoubtedly be the most revolutionary Corvette ever, thanks in part to that aforementioned mid engine design. But it will also be a svelte rocketship with extensive use of lightweight material, aerodynamic design, and possibly even turbo power. It might also feature GM's new 10-speed transmission, most recently seen in the new Camaro ZL1, to make better use of the likely wide power band. It all adds up to the biggest news since Chevy killed the V6 in 1955, replacing it with the iconic small block V8.

3. Write a Thank You Letter to Bob Lutz

Bob Lutz is a name familiar to Chevy fans everywhere. The GM executive and performance car maniac, Lutz has been the driving force behind the evolution of the Corvette. Lutz has stated that the C6 ZR1 represented the limit of what could be done with a front engine, rear wheel drive 'Vette, and convinced GM CEO Rick Wagoner that a massive change was necessary. The winner is the consumer, who will most likely be getting a world beating car at a fraction of the cost of the exotic competition.

4. Make Friends with Some Exotic Car Owners

Making friends with owners of exotic cars can benefit you in a couple of ways. For one, they might let you drive their beloved rides. Secondly, you'll have some race bait when you take delivery of your C8. If the rumors prove to be true, the next gen Corvette is going to offer world beating performance for a great value, two staples that have been synonymous with the brand for a long time.

5. Stay Informed via Corvette Forums

For the latest news on the C8, the best coverage of all models of Corvette, and the best forums on the web, you don't need to look any further than right here. The wealth of knowledge and the value of opinions in the forum is literally priceless, and the main page is full of awesome rides and valuable information. There's more than enough entertainment and Corvette goodness to last you until 2018.

If you wish to kill time doing maintenance, modifications or repairs on the Corvette you currently own, take a look at our how-tos here in CorvetteForum.com.