It's starting to get very chilly around here lately, so I thought I'd get in some driving time and try to squeeze in a few more races before I put the Z into storage for the winter. Having spent all day installing a new clutch kit and slave cylinder ( a few stuck and rounded bolts can really hamper progress, but nothing a 10 minute break, a beer, and some time to gather one's thoughts can't overcome) and having just bought 2 new tires for the rear, I was ready to have some fun.

Took a shower, finished watching pirates of the caribbean (I'm in the garage so much I installed a TV and surround sound speakers out there), and fired up the Z. So far, so good. Took her for a spin around the neighborhood shifting as much as possible to help break it in and get the fluid moving around, and to get used to the feel of the new clutch. Did a couple hard launches on the back roads. No problems, sweet.

Up to the gas station to buy some smokes, I left the car running in the parking lot. I noticed an LS-1 trans-am while I was walking inside. I pay for my mountain dew, and cigarettes, and walk outside. The guys in the trans am scramble to the trunk, then jump in their car real quick. By this time, it's pretty cold outside, around 50 degrees I'd say-- good crisp, cool air for the Z-- and the T/A. I pull out onto the street, a few seconds later I notice the T/A following me, but hanging back a little. I pull around onto 364 (a nice 8 lane road, 4 in each direction) and the T/A whips around to my driver's side. At first I think he's just going to keep going, but he gets about a car in front of me and downshifts. I'm thinking "Sweet, it didn't take long at all to find a race tonight." I downshift to 2nd at 40-45mph. As soon as I downshift he nails it. Since he was already a car in front of me I was going to have to make up some ground. I hit it right away, tires spin a tiny bit, but I'm pulling very slowly. By 90 I had made up the carlength distance, and by 120 I put the car back on him. Had to hit the brakes real quick to catch my exit, and I notice the TA fly by, he's still going. Then I see his brake lights. He flashes the brakes a few times, I'm guessing as a "nice run" kinda thing. The car was definitely quick. I'm guessing plenty of bolt-ons, gears, and probably spray, judging from the guys fiddling around in the trunk. It was a 6 speed also.

Then, continuing on my route to my buddy's apartment up highway 270, I see the 4 oval taillights from a distance. I'm hoping it's a z06 so I can test the tires from a highway roll. As I get closer I notice the rear end, it looks different. Body kit? As I pass the car, I notice the body panels, and it suddenly dawns on me---- it's a c6! Fun stuff. now I'm excited. I throw him a quick rev and he revs back! NICE! He punches it a little bit. I downshift to 3rd at 65, and he lurches back. He's downshifted also. I jump a tiny bit to see if he'll bite, and sure enough, he does. Before I could react, he's 1/2 a car up, and pulling. I nail it and start reeling him in. These things are quick from a roll. By 85 I made up the distance and then some, and I was pulling fast. By 125-130 I had him by a good 3+ cars, still in 4th gear. In the rear view, I see his nose fall back down and he falls back. Game over. He hit the brakes and I coasted back to the speed limit. He gets up alongside me and he's grinning ear to ear. I give him a thumbs up, he waves and I take my exit.

With the right gearing and some exhaust work, these c6 cars are definitely capable of low low 12's.


On a side note, the new tires rock. They're Fuzion ZRi. For the price I paid, these are probably the best tires I've ever owned. I wanted something cheap because this winter I'll probably be building my 427, so I'll be putting the 17x11 zr-1 wheels out back, so these tires won't be on the car very long. Even at the cold temperatures like last night from high RPM punches, the tires spun minimally. From the launches, they're very grippy once they get some driving time on them to warm up. Good cornering, high speed rating (w-zr, 168mph, 300 treadwear!!!), and cool looking tread design. Even with the power I'm putting to them, they're grabbing--3rd gear only barked, usually I can lay a nice patch of rubber,4th gear barely chirped, usually I can get a good solid, intimidating 4th gear bark. This might spell the demise of my old-faithful 10bolt. They hook almost like DR's but they're street tires. I recommend them.

 

Forgot to mention-- some guy in a civic was pacing me on the way home. I'm thinking no way does he want to race... passenger window comes down, and the passenger is holding A video camera and points forward. I'm like "eh, what the hell." and I downshift to 3rd nail it and keep going through 4th gear while the guy tapes it.

 

Hey man, nice kills. What kind of times does your car run?