Escort Passport iQ
If you enjoy driving as much as we do, you'll be glad to know that someone came up with the bright idea of combining a GPS device with a radar/laser detector. This stroke of absolute genius is a major leap forward in the radar/laser detection world. This rules out the cluster of suction cups and 12-volt power hungry devices on the windshield- or at the very least thins the crowd. The engineers over at Escort developed the Passport iQ as a solution to this quandary. Not only is it a fully functioning GPS with everything you would expect from a Garmin, TomTom or any other GPS unit, but they 
went the extra step and included the added benefit of integrating a radar/laser detector into the unit as a seamless package detecting in the X, K, Ka, and Ku bands.
I'm sure Escort will never say it, but another added benefit, and the one everyone is thinking- is the fact that this unit, to the non-discerning eye would not be able to tell the Passport iQ apart from a regular GPS or navigation unit. In states like Virginia (for private and commercial vehicles) and Illinois, New York and New Jersey (for commercial vehicles) this is a tactful advantage, but be weary… the men in blue also read blogs and have the internet. It's only a matter of time before they catch on as well. The Passport iQ also comes with SmartShield VG2 Immunity, which prevents VG2 radar detector detectors from sensing the detector. The VG2 radar detector detector is used by police agencies throughout the United States and Canada, along with other countries in the EU to detect the use of a radar detector. The SmartShield VG2 Immunity is not completely fool proof however, and it should not solely be relied on to protect you from the prying eyes of the law. The only way to never get caught speeding is to never speed. It's as simple as that. But I won't say that this doesn't provide some peace of mind, and an increased amount of protection.
The navigation unit is supplied with Navteq maps and free 90-day trial subscription to Escort's Defender Database system which includes icons and warnings for known speed traps, red light cameras, and speed cameras. After the free trial expires there is a subscription fee to access the database. However, you may make notes and references on the maps as you travel to include personal observations of speed traps, cameras etc. The Navteq software has the options of viewing maps in a birds-eye view, or plan-view 2D mode. The Passport iQ captures the unique function of being able to record all of this data as you travel and save it for future reference. The iQ also displays the posted speed limit (where available) and sounds a warning when you exceed 10 mph above the posted limit (this is generally the bottom line for prosecutable ticket range in most areas). The display also posts your real time speed as determined by GPS, which has proven to be more accurate, especially on older cars equipped with a cable driven speedometer.
Specifications:
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Operating Bands Radar Receiver/Detector Type GPS Receiver Laser Detection |
Display Type Power Requirement Auto-Calibration Circuitry SmartShield VG2 Immunity Dimensions |
The only drawback that seems to be discussed about the device is the disconcerting bounce that results from the weight of the device when mounted to the windshield via suction cup. Since it is the amalgamation of 2 different devices into one, the weight is fairly substantial. The other option (and for states like Minnesota and California where affixing devices to the windshield is prohibited) is the dash mount method. The drawback to this method is the obstruction of the rear facing laser detector that needs to be mounted high enough to "see" out the back window above the rear seats. But despite the mounting issues, the unit seems to be quite impressive and the rumors from Escort are confirming what the critics are hoping for in future models. The future models could possibly be equipped with real time traffic information as well as Bluetooth support. If it is released, it will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 premium, most likely from Navteq.
The unit retails at $650 USD, which some might say is a bit high, but if you factor in a speeding ticket (most people who buy detectors usually do so after being burned at least once.. depending on the severity), and then a good navigation unit, plus the radar/laser detector, the price is well worth it. We might even suggest waiting for the next generation to come out with live traffic and Bluetooth, as that would prove to be an invaluable option.
Corvette Z06 and ZR1 Billy Boat PRT Exhaust System
Billy Boat Performance Exhausts, who have been making industry-leading, high-quality exhausts for some time now, have put their know-how to work on the C6 Z06 and ZR1 again, and they've created something brilliant and fantastic. The newest exhaust line from their R&D team is their PRT Exhaust--PRT stands for Purge-Resonance Technology. The PRT systems are designed and manufactured to ensure that at normal cruising speeds there is no cabin drone within the vehicle, but that once opened up in to the higher-RPM ranges the vehicle itself has the powerful, throaty, and classic muscle tone that people want and expect from a Chevy small-block V8.
Of course, the success of Billy Boat exhaust systems is nothing new. From their renowned Bullet exhaust systems (known for their loud, powerful, and aggressive tones) to their even more well-respected Fusion systems (which took the best aspects of the bi-modal stock exhaust, made those their own, and improved the tone), Billy Boat has been impressing the Corvette crowd for some time. For this reason, and the prior success of their other PRT systems, I was happy to see B&B produce this PRT exhaust for Z06 and ZR1 Corvettes. It seems like a potentially great match.
Of course, the exhaust isn't without its questions. The first, and most obvious of these, is why buy a non-bi-modal aftermarket exhaust? Chevrolet has done great work designing and producing their Bi-Modal exhaust systems, and they've gained a lot of press and praise for good reasons, so it seems a little counter-intuitive to remove that b-modal functionality when you upgrade. Of course, the bi-modal exhaust doesn't work for everybody, does it? I've heard many times from people who don't like the very abrupt change in tone up the RPM range. Also, by keeping the tips closed, the bi-modal restricts air flow at lower RPMs and ultimately restricts HP at start off. The difference is small, of course, in HP and Torque, but it does exist, so if you're trying to squeeze the most ponies out of your Chevy, it's not necessarily a good thing. The second question would then be: if you're eliminating the bi-modal, how do you keep the vehicle drone-free? This is an area where the PRT system works wonderfully.
Specially designed and acoustically tuned (in much the same way the new, well-reviewed Borla ATAK exhaust systems are), the PRT mufflers are designed to specifically minimize cabin drone by focusing on the tonal range of the Corvette. This then allows for the system to maximize external volume and tone, and to offer a clean, powerful, pure, and throaty exhaust noise that doesn't come coupled with insane interior exhaust drone. This rare combination of exterior sound and interior comfort has become the exhaust system holy grail that most exhaust manufacturers have found themselves looking to achieve, and few have done so as well as Billy Boat has. That combination, too, is what makes their PRT exhaust systems so special.
So, what does a PRT exhaust ultimately mean for your vehicle? For one, it's improved quality. The stock exhausts aren't, necessarily, poorly made. They're just not as well constructed as after-market exhaust systems tend to be. GM uses cheaper stainless steel materials for production to save on their bottom line, and, when you view the stock exhaust next to much any other exhaust system this is incredibly obvious--and especially obvious when viewed next to the quality that Billy Boat provides with their 304 Stainless Steel, Mandrel Bent exhaust system for the C6. The Billy Boat PRT system also results in impressive weight reduction. Various parts associated with a bi-modal exhaust become unnecessary when moving away from it, and the Billy Boat system is designed more efficiently than the stock mufflers, which results in a lighter exhaust system.
The best aspect of the PRT exhaust definitely comes in the tone. I had the luxury of hearing one, because I've got a good friend over at B&B, recently, and I was amazed at the tone. At lower RPM's it was about as quiet as the stock Bi-Modal exhaust, although the tone was undeniably deeper. When my friend accelerated through the RPM range, the tone became incredible. It picked up quickly and assuredly, and had this fantasticly deep rumble. The rumble, not even up in to the 6000rpm range, never became a raspy or whiney note either. It maintained a brilliant middle-ground in tone, keeping it away from the dirtiness of a Magnaflow type exhaust on one end of the spectrum, while also keeping it shy from the high whistle that a lot of the new Formula-1 inspired exhausts are striving for. Instead, it had a powerful, deep, and throaty crescendo through the RPM range that's exactly how American muscle should sound. Inside the vehicle, too, we were able to turn off the radio and hear no drone at all at cruising speeds. The exhaust is still audible, of course, but there's none of that deafening exhaust drone that blocks out your radio, your conversation, or your own train of thought, and that's nice. As we accelerated, too, the exhaust became increasingly more audible, but maintained a fantastic interior tone that still allowed us to speak (or, in my case, laugh with giddy delight at the tone--it's amazing how a car, more specifically THE car, can always make me feel like an excited child. Gotta love the Corvette).
In all, I must say that I'm excited to see Billy Boat release their PRT system for the Z06 and ZR1. Is it for everyone? No, it's not, and the Billy Boat Fusion (my favorite exhaust, personally) exists for those people that wish to maintain their bi-modal exhaust functionality. Is it amazing? Yes, it certainly is. The development and technology that Billy Boat has put in to their PRT exhaust line is obvious in the sound and the build of them. So, if you're looking to move away from the Bi-Modal Exhaust, this is definitely an exhaust to consider.
On a side note, but still related, Billy Boat has started offering all of their exhaust systems with new, ceramic coated, Satin Black Exhaust tips. I love the look of them, especially on a vehicle with Carbon Fiber rear end work (like a diffuser, or something). The satin black finish is classy, and aggressive, and could really give a vehicle a much more custom look. That being said, I've also heard lots of things about Ceramic Coating chipping on Headers and other systems, so I'm not certain about the durability on exhaust tips. I imagine, being Billy Boat, they're probably pretty strong, but I still wonder. With as beautiful as they are, and as great as the exhaust sounds, I'd hate to have them installed only to chip later. I'll probably give it some time and check on them again, on my friend's Corvette, and see how well they've handled the test of time! I can say, for certain right now, they're gorgeous exhaust tips (they give his black Z06, with CF work, a very Batmobile-esque look, and that's just awesome).
Chevrolet Unveils New Corvette Website and Videos
Earlier this week, a brand new, redesigned website went live for the public Corvette audience. The website is a move by Chevrolet to try and raise the public image of their Corvette and, hopefully, bolster sales for the next few years before the C7 model is released. The new website also features a number of fascinating videos involving various different members of the Corvette production and Corvette racing teams.
Corvette Mild to Wild Switch
If you drive a C6 Corvette, you know all about the vehicle's bi-modal exhaust. It's an interesting function installed by Chevrolet - the exhaust actually has two different passages, or modes, through each muffler that allow for the exhaust to switch between a quieter comfort mode, and a more aggressive sport mode. The exhaust manages the switch between these two modes through use of vacuum actuators which control butterfly valves that regulate which exhaust passage is open for exhaust use. On stock applications, these actuators are activated based upon an ECU examination of the vehicle's RPMs and Throttle Opening, and will switch the valves between "quiet" and "loud" modes depending upon the driving conditions.
Of course, in doing this, the driver has little control over whether the Valves are open ("loud") or closed ("quiet") apart from changing their driving, and even then, the system isn't always known for the most intelligent degree of responsiveness. To correct this issue, however, there exists one small and fantastic tool: the Mild to Wild switch (sometimes referred to as the M2W). This little piece, which is little more than a radio controlled fuse switch, installs easily and changes the came for your bi-modal exhaust. With the M2W a Corvette driver is able to change their exhaust between "quiet" and "loud" as they desire. This not only allows for a more aggressive exhaust tone for every day driving by leaving the butterfly valves in their open position, but also means that a driver involved in a conversation during more aggressive highway driving can close up the valves on their Corvette for a little less cabin noise.
The price on these is more than right, too. The Mild to Wild switch typically costs in the $90-$110 range (my friends over at Southern Car Parts, who I tend to do the majority of my dealings with, offer them on sale for $89.99 with free shipping in the 48 states). The install on a Mild to Wild is incredibly simple, too. Ultimately, the switch is installed by doing little more than accessing the fuse box under the dash by removing a single plastic plate, and replacing one fuse with another. The radio receiver antenna is then wrapped properly in place, and, voila! within five minutes you have full control over your Corvette's exhaust passage positioning. The tool for switching between open and closed is incredibly handy too. The kit comes with two key-fob receivers. I put on of them on my Corvette keys, which is generally nice, but also found that it can be a little troublesome to fiddle with the key chain while trying to drive, so I left the other easily accessible in my rear trunk tray. With the fob that close and easy to reach, switching the exhaust note on the Corvette takes me little more than 5 seconds and a single press of a button.
If you're upgrading your Corvette exhaust, too, the M2W switch will continue to function properly. Any and all bi-modal aftermarket exhausts available (most notably the Billy Boat Fusion, and the absolutely incredible Akrapovic system) function in an identical manner--concerning the bi-modality and dual-passage function, that is--to the stock exhaust. This means that you'll be able to have greater control on an even more greatly improved exhaust tone. Since installing my M2W, one of my favorite sounds has become the noticable tonal difference I hear when starting my vehicle up. I leave my exhaust in the "open" position a majority of the time now, and upon start up the 'Vette just breathes a little better and roars a little louder. When driving side by side with other C6's on a weekend day, too, I can hear the difference between my open exhaust and their more restricted closed exhaust. It's a fantastic function.
In all honesty, I can't fathom why Chevrolet wouldn't make this functionality a stock feature with their vehicles. At the affordability of the system it seems like a complete and total no-brainer for them. But, they missed out on it, so now this modification--affordable, simple, easily installed, and incredibly cool--becomes a complete and total no-brainer for me and all other Corvette owners and enthusiasts.
Great to note: All C6's made after 2008, and all Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport C6's come standard with the bi-modal exhaust system (often times referred to as the NPP). If you have an earlier model C6, your exhaust only has one tonal passage, and this isn't a modification for you. However, if you drive any Corvette with the NPP exhaust functionality, you shouldn't have to think twice at all about ordering a M2W and installing it on your car.
1302HP Twin Turbo C6
There's modifying, and then there's creating something all new. This monster C6, by Dallas Performance, falls somewhere between the two. Using a 2005 C6, Dallas Performance set to work completely retooling a LS3 for it to handle over 1300hp from a pair of huge, powerful, turbos.
In addition to boring out and reinforcing the heads to handle the pressure of two gigantic turbos, this vehicle was also fitted out with a single plane intake, RC120 Performance Injectors and Induction Heads, and a modified C6Z06 differential system and TR-6060 transmission. What all of this means, ultimately, is that this Corvette has the mechanics necessary to put down an ungodly amount of power, and handle it. In addition to the 1302HP numbers, the vehicle's also rated at 1226 LB/Ft of torque.
Of course, performance wasn't all that the Dallas tuners were going for, as they've also outfitted the vehicle with a beautiful, glistening, black paint job, carbon fiber rims, and wide racing tires, making this a vehicle as gorgeous as it is powerful.
Best Sports Car of the Decade? You guessed it…
As if there were any doubt, Kiplinger's Automotive and Yahoo! have made it official (at least, by their standards) that the Corvette is the true king of the sports car world. Based on their yearly vehicle ratings, the Corvette has remained the most dominant and beloved Sports Car in America over the past 10 years, and with very good reason. Over the past decade, the Corvette has won Kiplinger's Award for Sports Car of the year on 6 occasions, based on its affordable cost and top-end, super-car performance and style. The most impressive aspect of the Corvette, though, is its staying power. The market against which it competes gets more and more crowded and difficult every year, with competitors from every continent throwing their hats in to the ring in different iterations. The Corvette has kept this in mind, though, and constantly updated itself through the years, gaining more Horsepower and better performance with various iterations throughout the years. The propensity of Chevrolet to continually innovate and develop new models of their flagship sports car, like the Z06 and ZR1 performance versions, has really helped keep the Corvette the best and most beloved Sports car in America.
C6 Corvette: Sports Car of the Decade
Base C6 Statistics from Yahoo! Auto and Kiplinger's:
Sticker price: $49,900 (2011). Resale value (3 yrs./5 yrs.): 55%/38%. Horsepower: 430. MPG (city/highway): 16/26. Sticker price, 2001 model: $40,475. Horsepower for 2001: 350. MPG (city/highway) for 2001: 17/26 (revised).
Facts and Functions of an Aftermarket Exhaust
A lot of people preach installing an exhaust system, citing such benefits as improved sound and performance as the reason why this should be done. What nobody ever really talks about, though, is what–exactly–installing that exhaust does for your vehicle. The thing is, sometimes it’s not enough to know that something does good, but more specifically, to know exactly what good it does and how it does this.
The Legality
The first thing to consider is, of course, whether or not you can install an exhaust on your vehicle. This is not meant to be a determinate of whether or not your car will accept an exhaust (as all cars will!) but instead to consider the legalities of the exhaust. With Cat-Back and Axle-Back exhausts, this isn’t really an issue, of course. These exhausts install from the catalytic converters–and, consequently, the second O2 sensor–and back. This is nearly always 50-State legal–a distinction that California has made difficult with their CARB (California Air Resources Board) requirements. The same can not always be said about Headers, or any other form of exhaust system that changes out the Cats, or Catalytic Converters (which functions to reduce the toxicity of emissions gases from vehicles). For this reason, somebody should always do thorough research about the legalities of Headers before installing them on their vehicles.
Beyond the legalities of the emissions themselves, some states have noise regulations in place in regards to vehicle exhausts. Now, it’s hard to find a system loud enough to upset these noise regulations, but it’s still worth checking before making a purchase and doing an install.
If you are concerned with the legality of a system, the ultimate solution is to stick with a Cat-Back exhaust from a major company. Borla, Corsa, MagnaFlow and others pride themselves in offering 50-state legal exhaust systems for a number of different vehicles (even though MagnaFlow does have a line of exhausts that do not meet 50-state requirements, so be safe with those). Sticking with a Cat-Back system provides the most performance bang for your buck and the greatest guarantee of legality at the same time. In fact, the benefits of a cat-back system are so numerous (vehicle engine efficiency, improved exhaust tone, improved exhaust volume, legal, HP and Torque gains, etc.) that the Cat-Back Exhaust has become considered the unquestionable number 1, first most important performance modification piece.
How It Works
An exhaust functions as a long funnel with the purpose of combustion waste-gas expulsion. All combustion engines create toxic fumes from their combustion process, and the exhausts collect these gases from the engine manifolds and send them down through a series of snake-like expulsion tubes, through the vehicle’s catalytic converters for toxicity reduction, and out the tail-pipes. The catalytic-converter performs its toxicity reduction through the use of a two-part filtration system, which utilizes platinum and rhodium in the first half reduction catalyst to reduce NOx emissions, and a burning off of Monoxides Hydrocarbons in the second half. The result is more than 90% of all toxic vehicle emissions being destroyed. The importance of this piece should signify why it’s a slippery slope, legally, to change it out.
How then, if the expulsion of toxicity is the function of an exhaust, can an aftermarket exhaust provide benefits of performance and tone? It seems strange, but, it’s ultimately very simple. Aftermarket exhausts specialize in offering more efficient means of this emission flow. What this means then is that the engine may expel more waste more quickly, and, as result, breathe more easily. By doing this, too, it allows for a more efficient air intake from the vehicle. What this means, then, is that the engine has to work less hard to performance a necessary function, and as result, is able to produce extra power. By doing this, as well, the exhaust will offer a more aggressive and powerful tone, with a higher exhaust volume, as the extra air flow will resonate more through the exhaust pipes and chambers, and the increased performance will simply have your engine sounding better.
To Cat-Back, or Not to Cat-Back?
When it comes to performance vehicle exhausts, you are presented with a lot of options. From manufacturer (it’s a long long list that includes names like Borla, Corsa, Magnaflow, Akrapovic, Billy Boat, and more) the list of options only gets longer. Each manufacturer offers various different styles of exhausts, from their most reserved Touring and Street models, all the way to the loudest options, which are often times given catchy names like XTreme, ATAK, and Competition. The best way to decide between manufacturer and manufacturer models really comes down to personal preference. Some companies are reviewed more highly than others (most mechanics I know swear by Borla Exhausts), but they all offer very similar benefits when it comes to performance and build, so it comes down to the exhaust tone and volume you want. Now, sadly, unless you’ve got a whole lot of automobile crazy friends, you wont be able to hear each and every system in person. The internet offers a brilliant solution to this, though, in the form of YouTube. YouTube offers a means by which you can see and hear nearly every exhaust ever manufactured on each and every vehicle available, which makes it an indispensable tool for the exhaust shopper.
Ok, so, you’ve decided on manufacturer and exhaust model, the last choice comes down to a simple one: Cat-Back or Axle-Back? A lot of people choose Axle-Back exhausts because of the price difference, but, if you can afford Cat-Back, an Axle-Back is a mistake. For a little bit more, a Cat-Back offers much increased performance gains, and a much improved exhaust tone and volume. Often times, with the less aggressive exhaust options, there’s no real discernible difference in sound between a stock exhaust and an Axle-Back offering, and, we all know that the biggest and most enjoyable aspect of an exhaust is the enhanced ability it offers to hear your car while driving it. Also, the HP and Torque gains between a Cat-Back and an Axle-Back are almost 100%, with the average Cat-Back offering 14-25 HP, and the Axle-Back offering 8-14HP, or so.
What’s the actual difference between the two, though? Cat-Backs include all aspects of the Axle-Back (mufflers, and tips, typically, the very rear section of the exhaust) and include extended piping. The extended piping is more wide open and more efficient, and many times includes a mid-pipe option like an X-Pipe or an H-Pipe, which evens out the exhaust tone for a more clean and aggressive crescendo across the RPM range. By adding on these exhaust section pieces, a Cat-Back provides a much more powerful exhaust tone.
Other Improvements?
On top of the benefits listed above, a new exhaust also offers improved build quality over the stock. This quality comes as result of companies specializing their efforts in to exhaust R&D, as opposed to the stock exhausts which are more of an after-thought than anything else, typically. Aftermarket performance exhausts are often times made with higher quality materials, as well. Aircraft grade stainless steel tends to be the industry standard, but some exhausts are built with full titanium construction, also. These materials are stronger and more durable than stock, lighter, and tend to be more visually attractive, also. All of these aspects provide a product for your vehicle that will help to reduce its weight and make it more visually appealing.
Installing an Exhaust
Exhausts are not the most difficult install in the world, surprisingly. Cat-Back exhausts tend to be direct bolt-on replacements, and can be performed by an individual with minimal experience if they have access to the right tools. Those tools are, though, solid jacks/a lift, the proper wrenches (an air-powered wrench works wonders), and a steel resolve. The system can be removed and put on in pieces, which makes it simple, but is still a rather time-consuming process, and can take 2-3 hours. If you have the determination to do it yourself, though, by all means go for it. A number of videos exist on the internet that detail how to install an exhaust, and a talented or experienced installer can switch an exhaust out in about an hour’s time.
All that being said, if you feel uncomfortable with this as a DIY job, any competent mechanic can install an exhaust for you with relative ease. If they ever try to charge for more than 3 hours, also, it’s worth giving them an argument, as the work definitely will not take that long (unless they’re actively dyno-ing and tuning the system, of course). Thus, the issue of tuning comes in to play, and this is one of the questions most often asked. Do you need a tune with an exhaust?
The short answer to that is: no. The long answer to that, though, is: no, but it couldn’t hurt. Anytime you modify your vehicle, especially an aspect that changes the air flow through the engine system, you’re asking the engine to perform differently that it did at stock. An Exhaust, by itself, should never ever throw a code when changed out, but when installed in conjunction with other modification pieces (i.e. intake, headers, etc.) a tun is very very useful to ensure that your vehicle is running as properly and efficiently as it can.
So, ultimately,
I hope that this helped you understand your exhaust system better. Also, I hope it helped you make the decision to begin your vehicle tuning and performance modifications with a new exhaust. Few components are as important or as useful, and even fewer will provide you with the HP Bang for the Buck that an exhaust will. Once an exhaust is installed, too, every new modification piece you install will help get both more HP from the new enhancement, as well as from the exhaust itself. Now, the last thing to do, is to figure out which exhaust is right for your vehicle. My vote goes to Borla (mostly b/c of their price to quality ratio, and their general availability), but, there are always other, very viable options from a variety of different manufacturers.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Pricing Accidentally Released
Nothing's official yet, but, GM's Corvette Product Marketing Head, Harlan Charles, recently let slip a bit of special information during an interview. He unofficially announced that the Z06 Carbon will be coming to Chevrolet Dealerships in Early 2011, and with it there will be an attached price tag of $90,960. With full options, of course, it can be assumed that the Z06 Carbon will actually come in right at $100k or so, making it a pretty hefty rise in cost over the standard Z06, but still well below the ZR1. The placement of the vehicle and it's specialized construction should guarantee it gets a lot of purchasers and a lot of fans very quickly. The Special Edition tag applied to the vehicle is certain to make it a very valuable collector's item for many years to come.
Jimmie Johnson Driving a Corvette C6.R
Well, we've seen Juan Pablo Montoya drive a ZR1, and Road and Track do a Road vs Track comparison of the ZR1 and the C6.R, so how about now we watch NASCAR dominator Jimmie Johnson go around a track while driving a C6.R. This is a great video, and really the true highlight of last week's SPEED Channel Test Drive:Corvette special episode. The video begins with Jimmie and the show's host Tommy Kendall chatting to one another while driving around the track in, respectively, the Corvette C6.R and the Corvette ZR1. The praise these two knowledgeable, intelligent men bestow upon the cars is really just impressive. Jimmie Johnson has nothing but great things to say about the Corvette Racing C6.R, and he really takes it out and opens it up on the course (maybe too much?). Johnson has nothing but compliments for the C6.R concerning its grip, power, and response, and that really doesn't (and shouldn't) come as a surprise, and that's the thing about the Corvette always makes me smile most: no matter who's driving, whether it be a first time driver or one of the world's most dominant and experienced race car drivers, anybody behind the wheel of the vehicle has fun and really praises what the Corvette does.
Corvette Racing Off to a Good GT1 Start
The Corvette C6.R GT1 Competition vehicle has been well documented over the last few years for its impressive performance, incredible build, and gorgeous Corvette looks. Over that time, though, it's race results have been mixed and varied. Corvette Racing did end their 2010 Race season with an impressive (albeit close, and a little lucky) victory which came directly as result of their pit crew managing their fueling better than the opponents (especially Ferrari, whose race leading vehicle ran out of gas--literally--on the homestretch of the final lap). Before that great win at the Petit Le Mans, though, the Corvette Racing season hadn't been as promising. Some great top-3 finishes were marred by other less than stellar showings at major races.
This season, however, looks to be off to a great start from the get-go. While not officially 2011, the first GT1 event of the year is underway, and the Corvette C6.R made a great showing by putting down the quickest opening-day pre race qualification times. The driver who managed this, also, is not one of last year's Corvette Racing regulars, but was instead one of two Brazilian newcomers to the Corvette team.
Sergio Jimenez, the driver who set the benchmark for his competition with a 1:33.024 time on the 2.676-mile Autódromo José Carlos Pace, is a Brazilian born driver who has spent the last few years between various different levels of racing. With victories at GP2 and A1GP, Jimenez also represents Lamborghini in the GT3 race division. He will, in fact, be pulling double-duty this weekend and driving both the GT1 C6.R and the GT3 Lambo car.
Of course, Jimenez's knowledge of the Brazilian course gave him a bit of a home-field advantage. Knowledge of the course, actually, accounted for quiet a disparity in qualifying times, as the top 4 drivers were all Brazilians. The good news there is that Jimenez topped his Brazilian brethren, who were driving such vehicles as the GT1 Lamborghini Murcielago and the Maserati MC12 (who posted the third and second best times, respectively). While these qualification times don't immediately mean a great deal for the season ahead, they do present some great promise.
When asked about his time driving the Corvette, Jimenez compared it to his GT3 Lamborghini and said, "The main difference I have noticed between this car and the GT3 Lamborghini I have driven is the brakes and the torque. It has great torque which is going to good for us in the uphill sections.”
Of course, Jimenez wasn't the only person making their GT1 debut inside of a Corvette Racing C6.R. Joining the team alongside Jimenez was Claudio Dahruj, who is acting as his co-driver for the race. Here's to hoping for great times from this Brazilian race tandem in the future when they're behind the wheels of the Corvette Racing C6.R. If you want to watch their performance this week, also, it will be airing on Speed2, live, on Sunday at 12p.m.
