Viper takes Nurburgring record from ZR1

[Vintagevetter]

I just read in the November 2008 issue of Automobile Magazine, that a Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR has taken the course record from the ZR1 at Nurburgring in Germany. The ZR1 record was 7 minutes 26 seconds. The Viper ran it in 7 minutes, 22 seconds. One lap is 12.9 miles For more information on this record, and comments concerning it. go to this site.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/dodge-viper-acr-sets-unofficial-nurburgring-lap-record.html

 

[Chrisr]

Records are made to be broken, but it took the Viper with 2 more cylinders to do it!! The ZR1 most likely will break that record, I think.
If you watch the video of the ZR1 on Vettetube, you'll notice the driver was kinda sloppy on a few corners/turns. I'll bet if he drove a little cleaner, the ZR1 would have a time equal to, or maybe better than the Viper.

 

[twiget]

Records are made to be broken, but it took the Viper with 2 more cylinders to do it!!

Not to steal the glory from the Viper team, but it was running on race tires, where as the ZR1 did its run on stock Michilline run-flats. Never the less, like Chris said, records are ment to be broken. I look forward to the day when I see that the ZR1 has retaken the record.

Jason

 

[Chrisr]

Not to steal the glory from the Viper team, but it was running on race tires, where as the ZR1 did its run on stock Michilline run-flats. Never the less, like Chris said, records are ment to be broken. I look forward to the day when I see that the ZR1 has retaken the record.

Jason

A good point about the tires. Didn't give a thought that the Viper was on race tires. Still though, for a bone stock ZR1 Vette to lap the ring at 7:26, thats impressive in my book!!

 

[Tuna]

I also heard that when the ZR1 did the 'ring, they used the A6 transmission and left it in the fully automatic "S" mode.

 

[Vintagevetter]

I also read, that the ZR1 was driven by a Chevrolet test driver, where as the Viper was driven by a professional race car driver. Let stick Ron Fellows in that ZR1 on race tires and see what happens. :cool When you stop to think about, a 4 second difference for 13 miles, isn't that big a difference, especially when you compare a bare bones car, to one loaded down with all the options for a touring car.

 

[84Turbo]

I also read, that the ZR1 was driven by a Chevrolet test driver, where as the Viper was driven by a professional race car driver. Let stick Ron Fellows in that ZR1 on race tires and see what happens. :cool When you stop to think about, a 4 second difference for 13 miles, isn't that big a difference, especially when you compare a bare bones car, to one loaded down with all the options for a touring car.

Two things. I wouldn't sweat the record thing. Unless I'm mistaken, none of these "records" are official. There's no sanctioning body making any rules, or confirming the "legality" of the cars. A manufacturer can pretty much bring whatever he wants to the track, and nobody is going to doublecheck it for showroom stock authenticity.
Regarding the driver, I'd hire a local German guy. I don't care how talented you are, that track is long, and a hundred of those turns look just alike except the track turns a different way just over the hill. A driver has to have that track memorized, or he's going to have serious problems. (I've been on the track, and there's a bunch of blind corners behind several of the uphill stretches.)

 

[Evolution1980]

Not to steal the glory from the Viper team, but it was running on race tires, where as the ZR1 did its run on stock Michilline run-flats. Never the less, like Chris said, records are ment to be broken. I look forward to the day when I see that the ZR1 has retaken the record.

Calling the tires on the ZR-1 "stock Michillin" is being a bit soft. Those tries were specifically made for the ZR-1 and are only available for the ZR-1. That's hardly a tire I'd call "stock". Technically, yes, but...

As for the Viper needing two more cylinders, not a fair comparison any more since we are now becoming accustomed to forced induction engines. If anything, it's more equal since the viper is normally aspirated and the ZR-1 is forced induction.

The ZR-1 is not going to take the crown back from the Viper. It's going to be Nissan when they bring back the GT-R with "revisions" which will likely consist of higher boost levels, but still well within the handling limits of the engine. And many reviewers/drivers have said that you don't need to be an professional racecar driver to get sweltering lap times out of the GT-R. The Viper definitely requires skill. The ZR-1 not as much. And the GT-R less than all three (based on all the reading I've done).

 

[twiget]

I also heard that when the ZR1 did the 'ring, they used the A6 transmission and left it in the fully automatic "S" mode.

I watched the video of the record setting lap. The driver was driving a 6-speed manual. There is even one point where he misses a gear. I dont think the ZR1 is available in an automatic.

Jason

 

[Hib Halverson]

Race cars are always going to beat street cars.

I say run the 'ring with the street Viper, the street ZR1 and the street Nissan. Oh...just in case you don't get it the first part of "street" is street tires. Actually, to be real fair, let's stick run flat tires in the Vipe, too.

But, if it's race tires you like, then let's put some race rubber on the ZR1 run it at the 'ring.

Oh, BTW, the above comment about Jim Mero being "sloppy" in places is laughable coming from someone who's likely closest approach to the 'ring was looking at some video on his/her computer screen. You oughta try driving that f***ker in under 8-secs in anything..then you can decide if someone is "sloppy" or not.

 

[twiget]

Calling the tires on the ZR-1 "stock Michillin" is being a bit soft. Those tries were specifically made for the ZR-1 and are only available for the ZR-1. That's hardly a tire I'd call "stock". Technically, yes, but...

As for the Viper needing two more cylinders, not a fair comparison any more since we are now becoming accustomed to forced induction engines. If anything, it's more equal since the viper is normally aspirated and the ZR-1 is forced induction.

The ZR-1 is not going to take the crown back from the Viper. It's going to be Nissan when they bring back the GT-R with "revisions" which will likely consist of higher boost levels, but still well within the handling limits of the engine. And many reviewers/drivers have said that you don't need to be an professional racecar driver to get sweltering lap times out of the GT-R. The Viper definitely requires skill. The ZR-1 not as much. And the GT-R less than all three (based on all the reading I've done).

Click

The ZR1 is only 3/10's off the pace set by the Viper ACR. I think the ZR1 can and will beat the Viper's time.

Jason

Of course, that is my own personal opinion. It is not based upon any facts, or evidence.

 

[Chrisr]

Race cars are always going to beat street cars.

I say run the 'ring with the street Viper, the street ZR1 and the street Nissan. Oh...just in case you don't get it the first part of "street" is street tires. Actually, to be real fair, let's stick run flat tires in the Vipe, too.

But, if it's race tires you like, then let's put some race rubber on the ZR1 run it at the 'ring.

Oh, BTW, the above comment about Jim Mero being "sloppy" in places is laughable coming from someone who's likely closest approach to the 'ring was looking at some video on his/her computer screen. You oughta try driving that f***ker in under 8-secs in anything..then you can decide if someone is "sloppy" or not.

I'm glad you got a laugh out of my opinion Hib.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I'm glad you were able to laugh about what I said about your opinion. Thank gawd you're not a "Moderator". I'm not on their Christmas card list these days.

In the end, the freakin' joke is on all of us because few of us will ever own a ZR1 and even fewer will be able to lap Nurbergring in one...much less at under 8 sec.

 

[Evolution1980]

Thank gawd you're not a "Moderator". I'm not on their Christmas card list these days.

Psst! Hey, twiget!!! That old dude over there...I think we can take 'im!

:L

 

[yenkoguy]

I'm kind of glad it's 2 American cars dicing it out at the 'Ring. This is a tired story, but tires alone keep the ZR1 back in this particular comparison. The new Michelin runflats on the ZR1 are the best yet but they are not low treadware Michelin PS2's. Maybe you can give up .4 sec at the 'Ring in order to have all the comforts the ZR1 has over the Viper ACR.......AC anyone????
BTW for those not up to date on this tired subject, the latest difference is less than .5 sec. If you sneezed in one of the turns you could lose that.

 

[twiget]

I'm glad you were able to laugh about what I said about your opinion. Thank gawd you're not a "Moderator". I'm not on their Christmas card list these days.

In the end, the freakin' joke is on all of us because few of us will ever own a ZR1 and even fewer will be able to lap Nurbergring in one...much less at under 8 sec.

8 seconds is a bull ride, Hib.

Psst! Hey, twiget!!! That old dude over there...I think we can take 'im!

:L

lol

Jason

 

[Hib Halverson]

Actually, while I've never driven the 'ring, obviously (way, way far above my pay grade) a pal of mine at GM, Mike Neal (he had the Corvette ride-and-handing job before Jim Mero, then moved on to trucks) told me a lot about driving the Nordschleife at Nurburgring. He ran over there on more than one occasion during the development of the 04 Z06 shock absorbers and the original 05 C6 Z51. He may have done some early C6 Z stuff, too, but I can't remember.

Based on what Mike told me, I think a ride around the 'ring in a car capable of sub-8-sec. runs with someone like Mike Neal or Jim Mero driving would be more like going with a ride in a full aerobatic plane with a great pilot, ie: thrilling but with with the confidence that what's going to happen is predictable because 1) you're in a good car which is 2) driven by a great driver.

A "bull ride"--at least what I think it is based on watching Pro Rodeo on TV--would be, indeed, thrilling but probably much more scary due to the unpredictablilty of the bull.

(Of course maybe some cowboy will come on here and say that's bullshit)


In fact, I'd do anything (ok, well almost anything) for a ride around the 'ring in a Z06 or ZR1 with somebody like Mero driving.