2/11/2025
By Bob Sorokanich, editorial producer and writer, GM News
In a remarkable display of speed and power, the new Corvette ZR1 has earned five production car lap records at famed U.S. racetracks. This isn’t just an achievement for the 1,064-horsepower ZR1 – it’s testament to the driving skill of the four General Motors engineers who were at the wheel.
GM News is here to give you a glimpse behind the scenes with the Corvette team that shattered every lap record they targeted. The GM employees who set these records each have years of racing and high-performance driving experience, and are certified as GM Level 6 drivers, reserved for the most skilled high-performance testing.
Jump in the cockpit as each driver explains the challenges of the most legendary racetracks in America – and how the Corvette ZR1 dominated each one.
The stories behind the lap records:
- Bill Wise, lead performance engineer, chassis controls: 1:52.6 at Watkins Glen Long Course
- Brian Wallace, lead vehicle dynamics engineer: 2:08.6 at Road America
- Chris Barber, lead development engineer: 1:22.8 at Road Atlanta
- Aaron Link, global vehicle performance manager: 1:47.7 at Virginia International Raceway Full Course
- Aaron Link: 2:32.3 at Virginia International Raceway Grand Course
The Corvette ZR1 has already established itself as a performance icon, with a top speed of 233 mph on the racetrack, a 0-60 time of 2.3 seconds1, and a quarter-mile time of 9.6 seconds with the available ZTK Performance Package. Production is scheduled to begin at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky2 in the 2025 second quarter, and Chevrolet will begin accepting orders for the 2025 Corvette ZR1 later this month. MSRP3 starts at $174,995 (including $1,695 destination and freight charge) for the 1LZ coupe and $184,995 (including DFC) for the 1LZ hardtop convertible.
1On a closed course. Based on initial vehicle movement.
2Assembled with US and globally sourced parts.
3The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees, optional equipment. Dealer sets final price.
