![In-house engineers take the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to the track and set five production car course records [Video]](https://wheelfeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2371-1761197695086.jpg)
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
GM employee driver breaks lap record
Aaron Link, the engineer in charge of Virginia International Raceway, is GM’s Global Vehicle Performance Manager, and all of the cars on this US circuit tour were driven by company drivers.
General Motors (GM) conducted a circuit tour of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, a high-performance sports car that will begin accepting orders from the end of February 2025, at Watkins Glen, Road America, Road Atlanta, and Virginia International Raceway.
This time, GM employee drivers took the wheel of the Corvette ZR1 and broke five new car records. Below are the five course records set this time, and all times were recorded by GM engineers.
Watkins Glen Long Course: 1 minute 52.7 seconds
Driver: Bill Wise (Lead Performance Engineer, Chassis Control)
Road America: 2 minutes 8.6 seconds
Driver: Brian Wallace (Lead Vehicle Dynamics Engineer)
Road Atlanta: 1 minute 22.8 seconds
Driver: Chris Barber (Lead Development Engineer)
Virginia International Raceway Full Course: 1 minute 47.7 seconds
Driver: Aaron Link (Global Vehicle Performance Manager)
Virginia International Raceway Grand Course: 2 minutes 32 seconds 3
Driver: Aaron Link (Global Vehicle Performance Manager)
Equipped with “ZTK Performance Package”
The production-premium Corvette ZR1 used on this circuit tour was fitted with the ZTK Performance Package, which includes carbon fiber aerodynamic parts such as a large rear wing.
For this US circuit tour, a pre-production Corvette ZR1 was fitted with the optional ZTK Performance Package.
The ZTK package adds a carbon fiber high-downforce rear wing, front dive planes, and bonnet gurney lip, while underbody strakes replace the standard front underwing and stall gurney, significantly increasing front downforce levels.
The suspension is fitted with springs specially tuned for the ZTK package, and the tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R ZP.
The Corvette ZR1 was developed entirely in-house
Chevrolet conducted all of the Corvette’s development in-house, including this circuit attack and testing.
The four drivers who took the wheel of the Corvette ZR1 each had different driving styles, and the lap times recorded this time demonstrate the ZR1’s versatility, catering to drivers of all levels.
The four drivers have achieved GM’s Driver Skill Level 6. Each has a background in circuit racing or motorsports, and all are certified by the Nürburgring Industry Pool.
Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tony Roma proudly commented on the record-breaking achievement, saying, “The Corvette ZR1 is designed, developed, validated, tested, and even achieved an incredible lap record like this one, all in-house.”
