The team at 1320video takes a brand-new C8 Corvette Grand Sport to Maple Grove Raceway for an early real-world assessment of its straight-line performance. Supplied by Ron and Caden of Vengeance Racing, the virtually untouched Corvette gives the team an unusual opportunity to establish a baseline for the newly introduced Grand Sport and determine how closely it can approach Chevrolet’s claimed quarter-mile performance.
With only around 550 miles on the odometer, the Grand Sport is essentially stock aside from a set of Forgeline wheels fitted with carbon-fiber lips and barrels. The car features a 6.7-liter cross-plane V8 producing approximately 535 horsepower, representing a notable increase over the 495-hp output associated with the regular Stingray referenced in the video. Its convertible configuration adds some weight, potentially affecting its drag-strip performance.
The testing begins during the heat of the day, providing less-than-ideal conditions for maximizing acceleration. The first attempts produce elapsed times in the 11.60-second range, despite the car spending significant time heat-soaked while the track is being prepared. As temperatures fall and the track conditions improve, the Corvette responds with progressively quicker runs. A subsequent pass delivers an 11.45-second quarter-mile, demonstrating the benefits of cooler air, reduced vehicle weight, and improved launch execution.
The team also uses the Grand Sport to introduce another driver to the fundamentals of drag-strip driving, including performing a burnout and following the Corvette’s electronic launch-control instructions. With a cleaner launch and more favorable conditions, the car records an impressive 11.37-second pass at approximately 118 mph.
Although the Grand Sport ultimately falls roughly four-tenths short of GM’s 10.95-second target, the testing provides valuable insight into the car’s stock capabilities. The session also establishes a useful baseline for Vengeance Racing, which plans to continue developing the Corvette. For 1320video, the outing serves as an early demonstration of how the C8 Grand Sport performs when taken directly from the road to the drag strip.
Source: 1320video
