What if ? 24 Hour record

[ZRXMAX]

What if we set out to reset a 24 hour record with a modified ZR-1?

What would we build?

How fast do you think we could make it go and still stay together?

I am well aware the track cost is prohibitive and reminding me won't matter.

Just looking for opinions.

[Vetman]

I would think Marc's 510 with 273 rear in 5th would nicely produce about 200 mph sustained. Of course I guess 200 might not break the record?

[edram454]

nelson racing engines 500 cube lt5 twin turbo at 1500 hp with 250 rear gears. will gently cruise at 200 all week long.

ed ramos #3028

[ZRXMAX]

nelson racing engines 500 cube lt5 twin turbo at 1500 hp with 250 rear gears. will gently cruise at 200 all week long.

ed ramos #3028

1500 hp has you doing 250+ all day long with the right gears...

got tires? :-D

[rkreigh]

don't need tons of HP, just torq and reliability

a 385 LT5 with 550 at the tire, correct gearing, big fuel cell with a "fast fill" option, really good brakes so it could come in HOT, refuel quickly, and get back out there.

must average at least 205 to allow some room for error

it's on my bucket list, I won't be building it or likely even driving, but I sure hope to see it happen and have offered more than a few times to help facilitate. as graham told me, bring me a check with a ONE and the right amount of zeros that follow and we'll make it happen.

the engineering is tough, raising the $$ is tougher

Nardo is THE venue unless someone can find a suitable track in the good old USA. don't think it exists (not that I know of)

it's way past time we did this. and I'm in favor of running SEVERAL vehicles just in case there is a failure. GM did, and it's a solid strategy

why not 3 or 4?? on a big track it's pretty easy to keep them apart and come up with "rules" for passing.

aerodynamics and low rpms, cooling, tire wear, durability are more important than big HP for this record

with big HP comes heat, which must be managed.

I can crooze at way over 200 in the TT Z06, but it won't last 24

the LSV with suitable mods has the HP to do it, and would be a much more durable candidate.

the FIA is "run what ya brung" as long as you adhere to the rules (which are totally flexible in the "build") so taking advantage of that you optimize for high torq low rpm croose rather than gonzo hp.

the morton meteor understood the formula well. big cubes, low RRRs

problem them is low efficiency which equals more stops

all must be factored in to do this right.

so I only have one question

r u all ready?

[mgg]

Guys, with all due respect, I think this dream is being WAY overly simplified. What calculations on paper provide is much different that real world requirements are. Not trying to be a dick or burst a bubble but I don't think it is simply a matter of horsepower, brakes and gears.
I applaud your wishes but finding the car the facilities, drivers, sponsors etc. would be more than daunting.
I personally have always been slightly bitter about how the original effort which was so unbelievably successful has been somewhat swept under the rug when it comes to corvette performance history. The theory that others have mentioned regarding bore centers and Roy Midgley suggest that the LT5 not being built in a GM plant by GM workers and not designed exclusively by GM engineers may lead one to believe their lack of support for the significant accomplishments of this motor may be suspect. Wow , what a long sentence.
I wish you all the luck in trying to put this together but I think deep pockets may be the biggest obstacle of all.

[tf95ZR1]

When this has been discussed in the past, the main deterrent is:
$$$

[Vetman]

Well, if it is not practical to re-set the record, lets get Firestone to open the track to us next year at the gathering to celebrate the 25th aniversary of the record. We could have a parade around the track and record it! Maybe paced at a resonable speed.... say 100 :dancing

[rkreigh]

send lawyers guns and money

the lawyers for the liability
guns to scare away the coyotes
and oh yea, the herd of benjamins, MAJOR DINERO

nothing about this record would be simple or cheap

which is exactly why it hasn't happened and even the major manufacturers have zero interest despite the substantial bragging rights

so here goes,

SPONSORSHIP that is job 1. the registry is a non-profit corp which helps funnel the $$ if willing.

marketing a WHOLE BUNCH of sponsors would be needed

tire companies, chevy, EDS, the booze companies, cigarette companies, all the "sin labels" that are now banned from NASCAR and drag racing that are hungry for advertising exposure

now don't get all moral on me, my eye is on the prize,

SET THE RECORD

Graham and I did some serious discussions and he started to lay out the costs

safety crew
track rental
car build (and it would be several)
testing

adds up to several hundred k to get going

if in europe, at Nardo, probably more

so yes, it's not something we could casually decide to do.

but history has a way of repeating itself, and when you see what these major companies spend on advertising it starts to fit

approach Fox (previously Speed channel) to do a documentary so that advertizers get the 24 hours of exposure and the next record is fully document

the grass roots effort of Morrison, EDS, GY, GM, ect.... to run the first ZR-1 24 FIA record unfortuanely were largely ignored as pointed out above

won't work for the next go around, this has to be an "event" or the sponsors will have ZERO interest

Morrison and the drivers all stated they are interested, Dave McClellan follows up with me periodically,

and who knows, Mr. Leno might have a few sheckles to throw our way.

there are a million reasons why it won't work, and only one reason to do it

because we can!!! this record belongs back in the USA

it motivated a whole company to raise the bar and prove to the world that the ZR-1 Corvette was a "world class" machine

hmmm...... might be a new ZR-1 coming down the pike that with a few mods could do the deed.

sound familiar? yes, history does repeat itself and it would be very cool to have the 90 ZR-1 modified running right along side a Z06 and a new ZR-1

hell throw in a C7R or SST or any other american company willing to step up to the plate. the track is plenty big and having more vehicles running increased the odds of one of them

"going the distance"


I seriously don't know if I will ever be able to muster support for this effort. but I do know that I have a plan and the fire in my belly to see it happen. many times I'm the only cheer leader with countless people telling me how crazy the plan is. well, I'm not suffering from insanity, I enjoy every minute!

bottom line is it will take quite a few cubic dollars and several years to plan it out

and unless I can inspire folks to part with the hard earned cash, it won't be possible as my pockets wouldn't even cover the tires

but I've convinced many to part with some major fold before so marketing is in my blood and so is the engineering to make it happen

might even take a victory lap in the old LSV with the top off holding up the american flag. that would be really something and make it worth it.

thanks for the feedback.

[ZRXMAX]

I love your perspective and thoughtfulness to the subject at hand Ron.

I have little doubt it could happen given the number of people that would commit to doing the work nessasary to pull it together.

The money aspect seems like a tough obstacle to overcome, however, money is availble if the right people and corporations are motivated to become involved. If the right people got involved the money issue would become a non issue.

Given the number of new hypercars hitting the market perhaps a few other manufacturers could be enlisted to carry a good portion of the financial load while putting their best car in the field.

Wouldn't the players involved want to advertise their chariots for the pure marketing of their flagship product during the event and the hype leading up to the event?

Perhaps a little bit of TV coverage could put a spotlight on the event?

Isn't the automotive world ready to see whos car can out run the Nardo?

[rkreigh]

now that some of these lead engineers and key GM folks are retired and doing "consulting" they might be the best folks to bring the key contacts and business relationships to open the right doors.

I'm not shy about it either. thanks for the words of encouragement

I think about this often, and hope to get er dun while I'm able.