10.85 129.50 New Best for a Bone-stock C6Z06 on DOT Drag Radials
11-04-2006, 08:29 PM
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10.85 129.50 New Best for a Bone-stock C6Z06 on DOT Drag Radials Video of 10.85 pass
Play Ranger.LS7.Rhapsody.wav
I grew up with the stories of Zora’s specially prepared ZL1 Corvette running in the 10.90s on slicks. Still love those stories. And it’s almost hard to imagine that 35 years later, a showroom stock Corvette Z06 with no change to the car other than using DOT drag radial tires could eclipse the times posted by that fabled Corvette ZL1. But it happened today at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Maryland.
On my first pass of the day, after an hour-long cool-down and change of rear tires to the BFGs, I ran a clean pass with the type of launch and 1-2 shift I’ve been looking for. Here are the splits:
60'........1.679 3650 launch rpm with a fast clutch release and fast throttle squeeze
330'......4.625
660'......7.046 102.61
1000'.....9.114
1320'...10.856 129.50
Density altitude at the time of the pass was negative 850 feet on my TAG weather station. Air temperature was 51 degrees. Barometer was excellent and humidity was low.
Track surface temperature was 60 degrees, kissed sweetly by full sun.
Soon after returning to the pits, amid a mild celebration, I was visited by a track official on a motor-bike for a discussion of the safety equipment in my car. He noted it was apparent from the tower that my UnderArmor compression top wasn’t a fire-jacket. And his check inside the car found no roll-bar. He complimented the pass and I took the hint, agreeing to slow down. In keeping with that pledge, I made one more pass. After bogging the launch to comply with guidance, was then somehow unable to keep from driving the rest of the pass…well…fast. I picked up the slip, 11.03 129.22 1.80. And that was it for the day.
Special thanks to dgdoc, Steve, and Bill for their support and assistance crewing the car, today.
For the record, nothing has been changed on my car since delivery other than the driver’s experience. ECU/PCM is stock. Air filter is original. Nothing after-market at all.
I did dismount the stock rears and strap on three-year-old BFG 315.35.17 DRs, graciously lent to me by Dick Link. :thumbs These tires are perfect for the C6Z in that they don’t overwhelm the finicky LS7 clutch. And, if properly heated, they can provide excellent traction. I also raised the stock front tires to 40 psi; above that the DIC starts nagging on start-up.
If anyone wishes to draw a distinction that “bone stock” must include “stock tires,” he/she may wish to revisit scores of threads I’ve started over the past six years describing adventures at the drag strip with bone-stock Z06s either on (1) stock tires or (2) drag radials. I’m always clear about the tires on the car any particular day, in the thread title.
As for powershifting, I eased the throttle on the 1-2 and 2-3 but did powershift the 3-4. My experience has shown that you can shift fast while still easing the throttle. Takes practice.
I’ve written frequently that it takes 30-50 passes for a driver to approach his lower limit in a new plaform. That 10.85 was my 52d pass in the car.
I close by offering my continued appreciation to the Corvette Team and extended family for this C6Z, this truly amazing car, the new legend. And somehow I know, Zora is pleased.
Best to all,
Ranger
Play Ranger.LS7.Rhapsody.wav
I grew up with the stories of Zora’s specially prepared ZL1 Corvette running in the 10.90s on slicks. Still love those stories. And it’s almost hard to imagine that 35 years later, a showroom stock Corvette Z06 with no change to the car other than using DOT drag radial tires could eclipse the times posted by that fabled Corvette ZL1. But it happened today at Maryland International Raceway in Budds Creek, Maryland.
On my first pass of the day, after an hour-long cool-down and change of rear tires to the BFGs, I ran a clean pass with the type of launch and 1-2 shift I’ve been looking for. Here are the splits:
60'........1.679 3650 launch rpm with a fast clutch release and fast throttle squeeze
330'......4.625
660'......7.046 102.61
1000'.....9.114
1320'...10.856 129.50
Density altitude at the time of the pass was negative 850 feet on my TAG weather station. Air temperature was 51 degrees. Barometer was excellent and humidity was low.
Track surface temperature was 60 degrees, kissed sweetly by full sun.
Soon after returning to the pits, amid a mild celebration, I was visited by a track official on a motor-bike for a discussion of the safety equipment in my car. He noted it was apparent from the tower that my UnderArmor compression top wasn’t a fire-jacket. And his check inside the car found no roll-bar. He complimented the pass and I took the hint, agreeing to slow down. In keeping with that pledge, I made one more pass. After bogging the launch to comply with guidance, was then somehow unable to keep from driving the rest of the pass…well…fast. I picked up the slip, 11.03 129.22 1.80. And that was it for the day.
Special thanks to dgdoc, Steve, and Bill for their support and assistance crewing the car, today.
For the record, nothing has been changed on my car since delivery other than the driver’s experience. ECU/PCM is stock. Air filter is original. Nothing after-market at all.
I did dismount the stock rears and strap on three-year-old BFG 315.35.17 DRs, graciously lent to me by Dick Link. :thumbs These tires are perfect for the C6Z in that they don’t overwhelm the finicky LS7 clutch. And, if properly heated, they can provide excellent traction. I also raised the stock front tires to 40 psi; above that the DIC starts nagging on start-up.
If anyone wishes to draw a distinction that “bone stock” must include “stock tires,” he/she may wish to revisit scores of threads I’ve started over the past six years describing adventures at the drag strip with bone-stock Z06s either on (1) stock tires or (2) drag radials. I’m always clear about the tires on the car any particular day, in the thread title.
As for powershifting, I eased the throttle on the 1-2 and 2-3 but did powershift the 3-4. My experience has shown that you can shift fast while still easing the throttle. Takes practice.
I’ve written frequently that it takes 30-50 passes for a driver to approach his lower limit in a new plaform. That 10.85 was my 52d pass in the car.
I close by offering my continued appreciation to the Corvette Team and extended family for this C6Z, this truly amazing car, the new legend. And somehow I know, Zora is pleased.
Best to all,
Ranger
Last edited by Ranger; 11-28-2006 at 01:54 PM.
11-04-2006, 08:43 PM
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We all knew its coming buddy a 10.85@129mph on completely stock C6 Z06 just with DRs and TM is incredible & i'm glad to be the first one to Congrat ya Ranger so i think your quest has been done & it's time to give her a break during winter 
Btw does anyone got it on tape ??
peace
Btw does anyone got it on tape ??
peace
11-04-2006, 09:27 PM
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Wow, this is just insane. Bravo to GM for putting together this car and Bravo for you and your driving Ranger. Congrats.
Says a lot that at least GM made a car that can get people in trouble at the race track despite still being stock haha
Says a lot that at least GM made a car that can get people in trouble at the race track despite still being stock haha
Great run Ranger. Scott 
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Absolutely ridiculous!!...Funny, when was the last time a stock car couldn't pass tech? Just freaking insane!!! Great Job!
11-05-2006, 09:18 AM
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******* Amazing! I wish I would have been there to see it. And to think I was actually debating on going to MIR cause Cecil was only doing 1/8 passes cause of the temp. Boy am I really kicking myself in the *** right now 
11-05-2006, 02:44 PM
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I've edited into the lead post on this thread a video on my 10.85 pass; it includes some post-pass commentary.
Ranger
Ranger