I recall seeing a few threads on the C8 vs GT 500 in the last year or so. I spent this morning at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex driving a few cars via Extreme Experience. Great program and a really fun morning overall. I did have the opportunity to drive the new GT 500 and the C8 Z51 back to back - 3 laps each. I have some track experience but I'm no race driver. That said, I did enjoy thrashing these cars to the best of my ability and to my delight, my passenger instructors / coaches just kept encouraging me to go harder. Leaving looks, price, interior, practicality etc. aside and focusing only on performance / handing, it was interesting. The GT 500 was a brute with tremendous punch, awesome exhaust sound and it handled very well. The vette surprised me somewhat and to me was the better handling car overall, not by a lot, but it felt better balanced and smoother / tighter through the turns. I assume that apart from the difference in engine placement, the significant difference in weight had a lot to do with my driving impressions. That said, if I was in the market for one or the other and I factored in everything about both cars, it would likely be a difficult choice. Not every day is a track day.
Just one car guy's impression.
Agree with your feelings and unbiased write up. Glad you enjoyed them both
How did they do in the submarine test?
Quote from: shelbydoug on June 13, 2022, 08:20:45 AM
How did they do in the submarine test?
LMAO the SEA-8 took that category
Fortunately the morning rains stopped and the track dried out in time for my rides, so unfortunately the submersible SEA-8 testing was not available.
So, it was Catfish VS Submarine? lol
I've done of of these events a few years back but with exotics, but curious did they time your laps ?(didn't see you mention this) because i drove the Lamborghini Hurrican & the Ferrari 458 in multiple laps & while i felt i was going faster in the Lambo the lap times said opposite .
Laps were not timed but I did get the in-car audio and video package. That included live mph during the laps. Looking at the videos after I was there, my speeds on the back straight and a couple of the corners were faster in the vette, but that is likely more because it was the last car I drove, so I was getting used to the track more and more 1st car to last. I never said I thought I did faster laps in the C8 - just that I thought it handled a little better through the corners than the GT 500.
The main take away is you went out drove two great cars and had fun.
Try to put up some video clips if you can
Quote from: 68krrrr on June 13, 2022, 10:32:29 PM
I've done of of these events a few years back but with exotics, but curious did they time your laps ?(didn't see you mention this) because i drove the Lamborghini Hurrican & the Ferrari 458 in multiple laps & while i felt i was going faster in the Lambo the lap times said opposite .
I did a Ferrari 458 at MIS road course and did a Nascar Stock car on the MIS oval. Suffice to say different characteristics all together. ;D ;D