I just got back from an interesting experience, to say the least. Every week or so I go to a deserted spot on the outskirts of town where I can run my car without fear of the law. I have this ritual of sorts that I go through. First I stop at the truck stop that is just off the Interstate and right at the beginning of the most beautiful straight (4.2 miles of wide, new concrete with a field on either side). I check the idle, guages, oil, nerve...all there. I usually top the car out, drive to the end of the road (it ends at the Mississippi port) and enjoy 3.4 miles of sweet twisties...turn around and head back (I don't drink or smoke and I have needs too...hehe). At any rate, tonight was different.

The moment I got to the truck stop I saw a new Corvette Z06. My mind raced. Anyone who has seen any of my posts knows that I'm not a Corvette fan (unless we're talking 1967 L88). I view them as more "like" a muscle car than I'm comfortable with. I am a "sports car" fan, and the Corvette can be said to be such, but it still doesn't give me that real "sports car" vibe. Sorry. Anyway...

The moment I got out of the car the guy came up and said he loved my car, and that he would have bought one if he could have gotten one (which was surprising to me, since I'd never seen a Z06 in real life, and I was under the impression they were hard to get as well). I instantly liked talking with him, he was a real "car guy" so to speak. We talked a few minutes and I asked him if he ever let it out much (yes I was trying to start something). To my surprise he said that he loved this stretch of road and that was his purpose here (it's nowheresville remember)...after he checked his fluids. Too weird. After a little small talk we decided to just "take it friendly to the end"...yeah right! We lined up...

Well, he smoked me off the line, he was so gone so quick (2 car lengths easy). It seemed he didn't even spin a tire (and I thought my launch was great). As we went down the straight he pulled in front of me (which really pissed me off), but didn't pull away. As a matter of fact, at just over 110mph I started to gain on him. I pulled into the passing lane and was past him at 150. Now I've got to say that this kind of speed in the stook feels very stable, but it takes so long to get there that there is plenty of time to lose ones nerve. Well, after being smoked off the line, and getting ahead of him I wasn't about to lose to my nerve...I kept my foot in it. The car had nothing left at 161mph so I shut it down. But it was sufficient for 4 car lengths of space! YES!!!!!!!

At the end of the road we were both so hyped up, it was such a cool experience, and I'd truly never been that fast in my car before (156 was my top). I invited to show him the Stooks real forte on the twisty road ahead, but he declined (just like a muscle car drag racing fool...hehe). We decided to do it again on the way back, but to not go over 120. I couldn't tell if he was trying to play to his strengths, or if he just didn't want to go that fast again. This was my chance...

We were off in a cloud of smoke. The Stook stuck perfect this time (thank God) and we were neck in neck. At every shift he pulled away slightly (even though I never lifted my right foot!). But again at about 110 I started to leave him...and he shut it down at 130. I wanted him to stop at the truck stop so we could talk again, but he just got onto the Interstate...oh well. Makes me wonder...

Anyway, I have a new respect for the Stook. The Vette is more than a match for our "litle 4 that could", and at $47,000, more expensive as well. I truly didn't think I could hang with him, and that I did still surprises me...no matter what the numbers say, it's a V8 for cryin out loud! Anyway, just thought I'd share...it was a memorable experience.

PS On the way home, there was a Camaro SS that was trying to get me to race in the Interstate....I let him go. I'll probably let em' all go now. I've proved my point to myself I guess.

Andrew

 

Bear in mind the driver has a lot to do with it too!
Ed

 

Good story man...My dad's an '01 convertable 'vette owner (not z06), I'm sure I will show him this :-)
thanks

 

Hi

I think he must have lost his nerve since the Z06 should flatten the S2K in every aspect. That car is Porsche 911/Ferrari territory (check out the sibling rivalry in one of the latest mags (R&T or C&D).. the Z06 was 'stoopid' fast.

Good win though nonetheless and a win is a win.

Robert

 

Man, I need a road like by my house. Its metropolis hell around here...

 

This is like one of those GT-S, CL-S posts on the other board how they beat the S2000 off the line.

Sweet moments, man. I was smiling as i read it. best racing story i've heard. must've been hellllla fun. congrats on your victory!

how the hell did you shift without pulling of the throttle at all?

 

Space, it's called speedshifting...not necessarily good for your car though.

 

Nice story, sounded fun. Glad you didn't claim some kind of kill on this one as the Z06 is hella fast, yes even faster than the stook. Frankly he would have spanked you black and blue but I suspect he was just out to have some fun too and hardly had anything to prove. BTW, he would have spanked you in the twisties too but that's another story

A well run Z06 will beat an S2000 on an autocross course by at least 10% (6 secs on a 60 sec course). On a drag strip, forget it.

Let's see...

Weight: 3100 lbs
HP: 385 @ 6000
Torque: 385 @ 4800
5.6L V8
0-60mph: 4.0s
lateral g's: 1.0g
Top speed: 171mph

The Z06, love it, hate it, respect it.

 

Well Cthree you basically summed it up for me

I'm sure it was tons of fun though!

 

when's the new NSX coming out!!!!!
grrr it's taking acura too long