C8 Z51 Sets New Lap Record at Laguna Seca in Searing Heat
C8 Z51 Sets New Lap Record at Laguna Seca in Searing Heat
C8 Z51 lays down the fastest lap of its kind at the iconic track, keeping up with some exotic stuff in the process.
The C8 Corvette continues to impress at the track, as we’ve seen the new mid-engine marvel hang with some pretty serious machinery, despite oftentimes facing major power disadvantages. The latest video evidence of the C8 Z51 Corvette’s prowess comes to us from YouTuber Austin Everett (Speed Phenom), who recently reset the lap record for that particular model at the legendary Laguna Seca, or WeatherTech Raceway.
Everett is no stranger to tracking his C8 Z51, as he’s been doing so since taking delivery of the car back in April. He’s also faced some pretty lofty competition along the way. This time around, that includes a Bugatti Chiron, Ford GT, McLaren P1, Ferrari 488 GT3, Ford Mustang GT4, and Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo. But it was on his first lap, with few of those cars to deal with, that he managed to reset a record.
In the searing 95 degree heat, Everett managed a 1 minute, 38 second lap on his very first time around the track for the day. The car also stayed cool throughout the day, an impressive feat given the warm temperatures. And along the way, Everett praises the poise the car maintains on the legendary track.
“That’s so fast,” he says. “It’s not ideal being 95 degrees out but we’re running 1:38. The balance of this car – it’s so balanced. You don’t see me fighting the wheel. The other two times out here I was just going crazy and having fun, but smooth is fast right now. The level of confidence this car gives me unbelievable. It’s so much fun on the track. This car is an absolute track weapon.”
It’s worth noting that Everett’s “record lap” is likely only a record because hardly anyone else has run a C8 Z51 at Laguna Seca yet, if anyone. But it’s notable, regardless. Plus, we’ll be interested to see if he or someone else manages to shave a few seconds off the mark moving forward.
Finally, as Everett points out, 600-700 horsepower, better tires, and bigger brakes would make the new Corvette capable of hanging with the best-of-the-best on the track. Sounds kinda like the Z06 to us. But for now, it’s pretty clear that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have fun at the track, because the base Corvette is pretty darn capable in its own right.
