READ ALL ABOUT THE 50 YEAR RECORD RUN OF THE ZR-1

[WB9MCW]

Breaking a 50 Year record!
Records stay on the books for a long time for only one reason – they're hard to break. In 1989, a daring group of enthusiasts broke three records at one time in the then-new ZR-1 Corvette.

A REALLY GREAT STORY TOLD IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE OF AMOS CORVETTE ENTHUSIAST FREE DIGITAL EDITION

CLICK ON BELOW TO SIGN UP

http://www.amosautomotive.com/members/Register.aspx

THEN FIND THE 'APRIL 2010 EDITION' THAT WAS JUST RELEASED AND GO TO THE ARTICLE STARTING ON PAGE 33

IT IS A GREAT READ WITH ALL THE DETAILS OF THE FAMOUS RUN :thumbsup::cheers:

[ZRXMAX]

Great story! I have 2 different videos of the 24 hr record and that is the 1st that I have heard about bird strikes. The fact that this event was so risky was also driven home to. I respect the fact that VW built a car that raised the bar, however, having never produced that car for the masses I believe the ZR-1 is still the official 24 hr record holder. Just my biased opinion! :mrgreen:
I also believe the bar could be raised again if the resources were brought together and the Nardo track was used.

[WB9MCW]

Yes I too think the Record stands with the ZR-1 since the VW never went into production.

Naturally Ab's car was a non-production being an aeroplane engine but hey that was almost 70 years ago.

[TN90-ZR1]

Great article, Thanks for the heads up. :thumbsup:

[Z51JEFF]

Lately whenever talk of this record run comes up you always seem to hear about the comparison to the VW.This VW wasnt a production car so how is it even mentioned besides the fact it went fast,for a long time?

[WB9MCW]

The original car had an Aeroplane engine -- so not production.

Does not have to be production to compete in the FIA rules for this record.

Plus the 'W' engine used was pretty amazing check it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W_engine

It is the engine in the 1000 HP Bugatti Veyron EB16.4

[ZRXMAX]

Perhaps the reason is because a sanctioning body that is recognized worldwide in matters such as these recorded the event. It appears the record is not disqualified simply because the vehicle in question is not a production vehicle. Perhaps somebody can make more sence of this than me... I don't have the rule book handy to determine what counts and what doesn't. The Ab Jenkins "car" record was set with an aircraft power plant many years ago. That car was never produced either. I think their should be 2 catagories, one for production cars and one for special purpose built cars.


Lately whenever talk of this record run comes up you always seem to hear about the comparison to the VW.This VW wasnt a production car so how is it even mentioned besides the fact it went fast,for a long time?

[tomtom72]

Perhaps the reason is because a sanctioning body that is recognized worldwide in matters such as these recorded the event. It appears the record is not disqualified simply because the vehicle in question is not a production vehicle. Perhaps somebody can make more sence of this than me... I don't have the rule book handy to determine what counts and what doesn't. The Ab Jenkins "car" record was set with an aircraft power plant many years ago. That car was never produced either. I think their should be 2 catagories, one for production cars and one for special purpose built cars.

At the risk of sounding like a spoiled, disgruntled ZR-1 owner.....I agree with you ZRXMAX....of course as long as I type this on this forum I got a good chance as not being seen as an angry, disgruntled ZR-1 owner....:mrgreen:

Hey, since when is a hand built car that costs 1 million $$ a production car?:dontknow:

The one thing I do relish very much is pointing out that the LT5 was and still is the only production motor that actually propelled an almost stock car to the record that the ZR-1 held it for quite a while. I also make sure to mention that it took an experimental motor in an experimental car to trounce us! The Veyron came a bit after the run by VW. :mrgreen:

[WB9MCW]

The Veyron came a bit after the run by VW.

And it takes 4 turbos to make that 1000 HP and a lot of air and cooling management.

[ZRXMAX]

You don't have to worry about a Veyron resetting the record unless is it towing a small fuel tanker behind. Iam guessing that even if the Veyron could carry 50 gallons of fuel it would probably be stopping every 45 minutes to refuel while on a record pace.

[Jeffvette]

And it takes 4 turbos to make that 1000 HP and a lot of air and cooling management.


And?

[Jeffvette]

Lately whenever talk of this record run comes up you always seem to hear about the comparison to the VW.This VW wasnt a production car so how is it even mentioned besides the fact it went fast,for a long time?


Does not matter what you brought to beat the record, production, prototype, hand built in your backyard shed. The FIA never intended to distinct between the two. It is still astounding that GM/Morrison did this with a close to stock production car. You will probably never see it done again, other than a prototype vehicle.

[WB9MCW]

And?

Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1 (which for many years was the fastest production car ever built) said the following about the Bugatti Veyron in UK auto magazine evo during its development period:

"The most pointless exercise on the planet has got to be this four-wheel-drive 1,000 horsepower (750 kW) Bugatti. I think it's incredibly childish this thing people have about just one element—top speed, standing kilometre or 0–60. It's about as narrow minded as you can get as a car designer to pick on one element. It's like saying we're going to beat the original Mini because we're going to make a car 10 mph (16 km/h) faster on its top speed—but it's two feet longer and 200 kilos heavier. That's not car designing—that just reeks of a company who are paranoid..."

[jeasen]

Thanks WB9MCW for posting this. I really enjoyed reading this article.

[ZRXMAX]

Bravo Gordon! When the discussion comes up about which car you would like to have between the Mc Laren F1 and the Veyron... it is simple. The F1 is by far the better design in ultimate performance. I must admit though, four wheel power drifts in the Veyron would be blast!

Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1 (which for many years was the fastest production car ever built) said the following about the Bugatti Veyron in UK auto magazine evo during its development period:

"The most pointless exercise on the planet has got to be this four-wheel-drive 1,000 horsepower (750 kW) Bugatti. I think it's incredibly childish this thing people have about just one element—top speed, standing kilometre or 0–60. It's about as narrow minded as you can get as a car designer to pick on one element. It's like saying we're going to beat the original Mini because we're going to make a car 10 mph (16 km/h) faster on its top speed—but it's two feet longer and 200 kilos heavier. That's not car designing—that just reeks of a company who are paranoid..."

[Jeffvette]

Bravo Gordon! When the discussion comes up about which car you would like to have between the Mc Laren F1 and the Veyron... it is simple. The F1 is by far the better design in ultimate performance. I must admit though, four wheel power drifts in the Veyron would be blast!


2 different cars serving 2 different niches. If everybody had the same or performed the same the world would be a very boring place.


I'll take your Gordon Murray and raise you another more recent article by Gordon.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/data/technical_analysis_anatomy_of_a_supercar

"Most supercars fit into three categories: 1) real world, designed to be used and enjoyed on normal roads; 2) track cars; 3) collector cars, i.e., engineering showoffs. Some supercars fit into two or even three of these categories."

[ZRXMAX]

Dear Jeff
Thanks for clearing out the ignorant reccesses of my mind with the expose from Gordon and others :)
Speaking of betting... I will bet you are a F1 type of guy... I can see you in F1 very easily with a curvacious female on each arm... Unlike your statement about different niches between these 2 automobiles... all your women look about the same... and that is a good thing!

While on the subject of betting... Vikings 31, Saints 21

2 different cars serving 2 different niches. If everybody had the same or performed the same the world would be a very boring place.


I'll take your Gordon Murray and raise you another more recent article by Gordon.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/data/technical_analysis_anatomy_of_a_supercar

"Most supercars fit into three categories: 1) real world, designed to be used and enjoyed on normal roads; 2) track cars; 3) collector cars, i.e., engineering showoffs. Some supercars fit into two or even three of these categories."

[WB9MCW]

I'll take your Gordon Murray and raise you another more recent article by Gordon.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/data/technical_analysis_anatomy_of_a_supercar

"Most supercars fit into three categories: 1) real world, designed to be used and enjoyed on normal roads; 2) track cars; 3) collector cars, i.e., engineering showoffs. Some supercars fit into two or even three of these categories."


CHALLENGE TAKEN

BUY USA ~ $620K = GOOD DEAL :cheers:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/clips/2008-ssc-ultimate-aero-/275184/

[95ZR1#418]

Is anyone able to print the article out? I can't. I also can't make it large enough to read:mad:

[jeasen]

I did not try to print it so I can not help there. At the top of the page toward the right hand side there is a button to click on to increase the page size so you can read it on line.
I hope this helps, it is a great article for a ZR1 owner to read. I had no idea what they went through to set the records until I read the article. Another thing I learned was just how bullet proof the LT5 motor is.