I drove the new C8 Corvette on track for a few laps

"Danny Korecki" (dannykorecki)
06/15/2020 at 00:15 • Filed to: c8, C8 Corvette

I drove 500+ miles this weekend to get to Pittsburgh International Race Complex (Pitt Race) to have the opportunity to take the brand new C8 Corvette out on track for a few laps.

Going only 7/10ths max and obviously a driver skill advantage I was able to chase down and pass a Ferrari 488 in the machine.

I only had three laps, but ask me anything you want to know!

DISCUSSION (31)

countryblumpkin > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 00:18

What can you learn in 3 laps?

Danny Korecki > countryblumpkin
06/15/2020 at 00:23

I get it. You really just can get a feel for the car. I see a lot of influencer experiences where someone gets out of a car “YOU CAN REALLY FEEL THE WAY THE BLINKER FLUID HELPS IN THE CORNERS!”.

I saw a video where the famous Alex Roy trolls some influencer in person while the influencer was filming because they were claiming they could really feel the difference between a Michelin Pilot Super Sport versus a Sport 4S after just being on track . Yeah, right....

countryblumpkin > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 00:24

Top marks for honesty.

M.T. Blake > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 00:24

But was the stitching on the dash straight?! That’s what potential owners need to know.

Danny Korecki > M.T. Blake
06/15/2020 at 00:26

This thing still had stickers in some places that they hadn’t peeled off. I am sure the stitching was straight for now haha.

I imagine once the stitching isn’t straight, horsepower loss begins!

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 00:32

Is it just me or does the footwell seem extra narrow?

Danny Korecki > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja:
06/15/2020 at 00:36

You could be right.

In YT thumbnail shot you can see how the whole cockpit takes driver focus to a whole new level. You can see how it kind of wraps around me in a upside down “U”. Maybe some of that “U” makes everything seem narrower?

atfsgeoff > countryblumpkin
06/15/2020 at 00:38

That fast car is fast lol

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 00:40

How's the visibility? The camera seemed mounted lower than your viewpoint, if the steering wheel and mirrors were adjusted that is. Most of the forward view was under the squircle wheel. Also looked a bit tight in there, for the passenger at least.

Danny Korecki > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/15/2020 at 00:54

I am over 6 feet and I could see all I needed to (or at least that I soaked in from 3 laps) .

Regarding the view point angle, I had chin mounted it so the GoPro was mounted about 4-6 inches lower than my eyes. That is why has that slight viewpoint of coming up through the steering wheel. Sometimes I mount it chin sometimes I mount it side mounted. My best views are when I am not on track and I hat mount it just above my eyes.

Regarding passenger tightness, yeah he was a very skinny instructor and it looked tight. I think for my (driver) comfort, sacrifices are made for the passenger as they should be right?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 00:56

Golf clubs don’t have legs and you can’t have this and a wife. Brilliant car, but the old stereotypes will find a way to remain despite Chevy’s best efforts.

Ah, I thought as much about the chin mount. Sounds uncomfortable? No room for a hat mount?

Great video though.

RedPir8Roberts > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 01:05

Can you compare it to other cars you’ve driven, as far as the overall handling? Does it feel heavy, or tossable? I like the look of them, but although the overall weight isn’t huge, it does seem as though it would be more track weapon than something that you can enjoy on the street.

Danny Korecki > RedPir8Roberts
06/15/2020 at 01:08

I’ve actually driven a bunch of exotics on track. The thing feels like a budget Ferrari 458/488. It is pretty great for the $$$.

Regarding the weapon vs street, it apparently can hit 190+ and carry a bag of golf clubs haha. I think once the Z06/ZR1 models come through that space will be utilized.

Danny Korecki > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/15/2020 at 01:10

Nah it wasn’t uncomfortable don’t even feel the weight . I had a motorsport helmet on so it was attached to my G-Force helmet. I only do my hat mount for street driving.

and thanks man! glad you liked!

quantumsolaced > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 01:13

In before the it doesn't have a manual crowd.

Danny Korecki > quantumsolaced
06/15/2020 at 01:15

I think the DCT worked great. Also, I liked the audible “clink” from the paddle when I was in first going to second in pit lane.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 01:28

Xtreme Xperience? I’ve got drives with them in Oregon and Washington later this year. They seem to be pretty solid.

RacinBob > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 01:31

I thought it was a good coaching and a good driving experience. He k new what he was doing and y our head was in the game, Bonus, you didn’t wreck the car which is easier than you think......

Danny Korecki > slipperysallylikespenguins
06/15/2020 at 01:35

Yep, they helped me get access to the vehicles with the current times we are in.

If you want to get an idea of what you are in for, check out my review of their program for CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/09/xtreme-xperience-lets-you-get-behind-the-wheel-of-a-race-car.html

Danny Korecki > RacinBob
06/15/2020 at 01:37

Thanks man.

Regarding your video, w hat is that flailing in the camera view making it look like the Zapruder film?

Also, what is the story here? or did you just pull a random crash video? or is this you?

And PS - VIR is on my short list of next tracks I want to do.

Forrest > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 01:52

Is this track NOLA Motorsports Park? I have just driven there once, and that more than 5 years ago, so I don’t remember the details of all the turns. But, the flatness of the track and the large runoffs remind me of NOLA.

When I was there, I was driving a Mustang with the 3.7L V6. I remember that on the front straight, the car would rocket to its governed* 113mph top speed, and then I would have a few seconds to take in the scenery before it was time to hit the brakes.

*top speed was limited to prevent the fragile driveshaft from exploding.

Danny Korecki > Forrest
06/15/2020 at 08:59

Nah this was Pitt Race near Pittsburgh (or in Pittsburgh, but it felt out of the way driving to it).

66P1800inpieces > RacinBob
06/15/2020 at 09:14

Sounds like a person without enough budget to be racing with an Audi. If they stuck to racing two generation old Civics they could afford to toss them in to the wall and get another out of the Craigslist vending machine.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 11:42

How much did you have to pay? Was the flight instructor extra?

Danny Korecki > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/15/2020 at 11:49

Nothing I was invited . And flight instructor? lol

NYankee1927 > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 11:54

How badly does the engine need another 500-1000 RPM before redline? It sounds like it is just getting started then it is upshift time.

Danny Korecki > NYankee1927
06/15/2020 at 12:17

plenty of time to get a bigger redline on the Z06/ZR1s to come!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 13:17

I’m a traditionalist who loves to tease about the C8 and all, but if I could have your experience, I’d want it in a Cadillac CTS-V. If I had the money to splurge on a fancy car, that’s what I’d buy. Still, good you for having fun. Good stuff. I’d want the flight instructor along so I didn’t spin out or make some other (very expensive) mistake.

Have you priced a brake job for that car yet?

Danny Korecki > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/15/2020 at 13:33

What you mean is you want to want it in a Cadillac CTS-V WAGON. Always a wagon.

Regarding the brakes, they are just some 4 piston front/rear OEM B rembos so other than “the Corvette tax” it wouldn’t be much more than anything else out there riding Brembos as part of that cars performance package (i.e. Camaro, Mustang, etc.)

Forrest > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 13:47

Cool!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Danny Korecki
06/15/2020 at 15:28

Not a wagon. But not because I don’t like wagons; I do. I like a traditional four-door sedan and it’s trunk that can keep things out of sight and (relatively) secure.

I was trolling you about the brakes because I have a friend with a full service repair shop and he gets people on a regular basis with some big Beemer coupe or other and front brakes are like $2,500 or whatever. You’re more clever than that, I’m sure, but folks swallow the sticker price on some hot car and later learn that their tires are like $600 apiece.