Car and Driver's 2009 Lightning Lap Results

[SGOS252382]

As featured on Homepage BLOG

I thought I'd post Car and Driver's Lightning lap results for those who don't have the magazine.

Location - Virginia International Raceway
Grand West Course - "We chose the Grand West Course for its mix of straights, slow and high speed corners, uphill, esses, and 4.1 mile length."

Overall results.

1. Corvette ZR1, (2:51.8)
2. KTM X - Bow, (2:52.3)
3. Lamborghine LP670, (2:53.9)
4. Ariel Atom 3 (2:57.6)
5. Corvette Grand Sport (2:58.8)
6. Audi R8, 5.2 (2:59.5)
7. Lotus Exiqe S 260 (3:05.0)
8. BMW M3 (3:05.4)
9. Porsche Cayman S (3:05.8)
10. Porsche Carrera S (3:05.8)
11. Jaguar XKR (3:06.4)
12. Ford Shelby GT500 (3:07.4)
13. Audi TTS (3:08.4)
14. Camaro SS (3:09.5)
15. Audi S4 (3:10.8)
16. Nissan Nismo 370z (3:12.0)
17. Ford Mustang GT (3:13.3)
18. Genesis Coupe 3.8 (3:14.8)
19. Mazdaspeed 3 (316:2)
20. Subaru WRX (3:16.6)
21. Mini Cooper Works (3:17.1)
22. Volkswagen GTI (3:19.3)



Here's how the 2010 Camaro SS stacks up against cars tested in pervious years.

Dodge Viper ACR (2008) ran 2:48.6
Dodge Viper SRT10 (2007) ran 2:57.4
Chevrolet Z06 (2007) ran 2:58.2
Nissan GTR (2008) ran 2:59.0 - all season tires
Ford GT (2006) ran 3:00.7
Chevrolet Z51 (2008) ran 3:01.2
Cadillac CTS-V (2008) ran 3:04.0
Camaro SS (2009) ran 3:09.5
BMW 335i (2007) ran 3:10.5
Nissan 350z track (2006) ran 3:12.5
Chevrolet Cobalt SS (2008) ran 3:13.0
Lancer EVO MR (2008) ran 3:13.3
Dodge Challenger SRT-8 (2008) ran 3:16.3
Dodge Charger SRT-8 (2006) ran 3:18.2
Subaru WRX STi (2008) ran 3:19.0
Mazda RX8 (2006) ran 3:19.0


Overall the Camaro did pretty well for having the reputation of not handling all that well.

[Mr Twisty]

That should be enough to aggravate the 370Z and Hyundai folks

A few well placed suspension pieces should have it giving the M3 fits.

[OUTATIME]

I thought C&D were the ones who said the SS wasn't a good handler. Yet here, it ranks right between two Audis - TTS and the S4, two cars KNOWN for their prowess in the twisties. A nice fat to the guys at C&D

[DGthe3]

hmm, essentially split the difference between the Caman S and the Mustang GT. Any word on whether that was a GT with a track pack or just a regular one?

[ironpeddler]

Nice to see that the Corvette GS beat out the Audi R8. Isn't that the LS3 engine in the grand sport?

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

hmm, essentially split the difference between the Caman S and the Mustang GT. Any word on whether that was a GT with a track pack or just a regular one?

My guess would be track pack looking at the course.

[liquidfire350]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

hmm, essentially split the difference between the Caman S and the Mustang GT. Any word on whether that was a GT with a track pack or just a regular one?

my assumption, which is probably wrong, is that it is with the track pack as i've noticed that every review of the mustang always has the track pack

[Captain Awesome]

Originally Posted by liquidfire350

my assumption, which is probably wrong, is that it is with the track pack as i've noticed that every review of the mustang always has the track pack

One of the previews of the 2011 Mustang said that ford has never sent a non track pack car to a review for testing.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Nice! Backs up MotorTrend's results at Laguna Seca, this is a serious performing car right out of the box. Do something about that intentional understeer, and it may gain an extra second or two!

...there's FAR more to a car than just its engine...or its brakes...or its suspension. You must look at the entire package, and for $30,000, this car can hang with vehicles costing 10s of thousands more. (yeah, I'm lookin' at you GT500. )


....I can't wait for the Z. hehehe

[Miketebo22]

The 370z wrecked! you forgot to mention that part! It experience a severe brake failure due to brake fade. The NISMO Z came with low brake dust/ low noise pads and it resulted in a totaled car at the track, with a car set up from the factory for the track. Nissan is changing the brakes on that car just because of this wreck..kinda funny...a track car that isnt REALLY made for the track

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

hmm, essentially split the difference between the Caman S and the Mustang GT. Any word on whether that was a GT with a track pack or just a regular one?

Here's a quote from the article, "the car showed up wearing the wrong tires, so while we waited for a set of the Pirelli P Zeros to arrive (part of the $1530 Track pack) we turned some educational practice laps."

The Pirelli's shaved 5 seconds off their practice times.

[The_Blur]

What happened to the Challenger?

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by ironpeddler

Nice to see that the Corvette GS beat out the Audi R8. Isn't that the LS3 engine in the grand sport?

Yes, a hand built dry-sump LS3 but still an LS3.

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

One of the previews of the 2011 Mustang said that ford has never sent a non track pack car to a review for testing.

Thanks. I thought maybe it was just the regular since the gap was wider between the SS and GT than SS and GT500.

[Miketebo22]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

What happened to the Challenger?

The Chally wasnt tested this time but they did before with a 2008 SRT8 and it got a 3:16.3