Camaro 1LE Laps Virginia International Raceway in 2:58.34 [with Video] - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JoeP@TeamBeckyD · 07-30-2012, 08:17 AM

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The 2013 road-racing inspired Chevrolet Camaro 1LE, with Camaro engineer Aaron Link behind the wheel, lapped the famed Virginia International Raceway (VIR) “Grand Course” in 2:58.34 – a time previously accomplished by only the upper echelon of performance cars.

The $3,500 1LE package is available on Camaro 1SS and 2 SS coupes, with a manual transmission. A Camaro 1SS with the 1LE package starts at $37,035, including destination, making it one of the most affordable, most capable performance cars offered by any manufacturer.

“The Camaro 1LE combines the best elements of the SS and the ZL1 with a focus on handling,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “We optimized every part of the SS for improved track driving, including gear ratios, suspension tuning, and chassis mounts. The result really brings the Camaro SS alive at every turn – whether you’re carving through your favorite backroads or working on lap times on the track.

“Best of all, the Camaro 1LE is $10,000 less than its nearest competitor,” Oppenheiser said. “For drivers looking for an affordable way to get on the track, what they save with the 1LE will the cover a lot of days at the track.”

According to Oppenheiser, the VIR Grand Course configuration is a challenge for production cars because recording a fast lap requires prodigious power, precise handling and tenacious grip.

“To break a three-minute lap on the four-mile Grand Course is an incredible accomplishment for any car,” he said. “Like the Nurburgring, at VIR there’s never a moment when the car rests at steady state. Each lap tests every aspect of a car, including power, brakes, steering, tire grip and chassis balance.

Earlier this year, Link drove a 2012 Camaro ZL1 Coupe around the Grand Course in 2:52.4. Link’s 2:58.37 lap time in the 1LE further demonstrates the Camaro’s capabilities on a road course.

The car Link drove was a production-spec Camaro SS with the 1LE package, modified with only a race seat and roll cage for safety. The 1LE proved to be track-capable, even with temperatures approaching 90 degrees in the early-morning test session. Full Story Here

** Admin Edit: here are some comparison times for VIR: **

Mustang Boss 302 - 3:02 (by Car and Driver)
Mustang GT500 - 2:58 (link)
Camaro ZL1 - 2:52.4.

Video

PYROLYSIS · 07-30-2012, 08:24 AM

Yay! So is this thing released now or what? Looks like more info is starting to come in today.

meissen · 07-30-2012, 08:31 AM

If memory serves correctly, Car & Driver's lightening lap was 3:02 for the Mustang Boss so this is great news.

SSNIGHTMARE · 07-30-2012, 08:32 AM

Impressive time, although I don't believe anything out of Al O's mouth right now.

huggercamaro21 · 07-30-2012, 08:34 AM

Also, Im pretty sure the new GT500 ran a 2:58 as well.

BaylorCamaro · 07-30-2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huggercamaro21

Also, Im pretty sure the new GT500 ran a 2:58 as well.

So you're getting just as fast of a car around the track for cheaper? I'll take it.

slick rick · 07-30-2012, 09:02 AM

Video

Revenant · 07-30-2012, 09:11 AM

f'n awesome

20121lt · 07-30-2012, 09:41 AM

NICE SOUND NO MUSIC

1LEE · 07-30-2012, 09:50 AM

Love it!!

This makes me even more excited for the 1LE.

garcmol · 07-30-2012, 09:50 AM

Thank you Becky!

1977and2010 · 07-30-2012, 10:11 AM

That's bad arse. So what is ford releasing later today?

All Star · 07-30-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meissen

If memory serves correctly, Car & Driver's lightening lap was 3:02 for the Mustang Boss so this is great news.

Quote:

Originally Posted by huggercamaro21

Also, Im pretty sure the new GT500 ran a 2:58 as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaylorCamaro

So you're getting just as fast of a car around the track for cheaper? I'll take it.

All these posts are really unfair comparisons...different track conditions and different drivers.

You can really only compare cars on events during the same day, with the same driver.

zero · 07-30-2012, 10:16 AM

I`m sure it was a pre production ringer like the ZL1 run, I also don`t believe the hype from A.O and COMPANY anymore. Well see how it really does like the ZL1 soon enough.

07-30-2012, 08:24 AM	#2
PYROLYSIS Remember the Charleston 9 Drives: 2004 KME PREDATOR, 2014 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerv1LE SC Posts: 5,381 View My Garage	Yay! So is this thing released now or what? Looks like more info is starting to come in today. __________________ BRING BACK THE B4C POLICE CAMARO! 2002 V-6 5 speed rally red (current camaro) Also driven:1992 Z-28 305 auto Red w/ black stripes (anniversary), 2001 V-6 auto light pewter metallic,1991 RS V-6 auto Black

07-30-2012, 08:31 AM	#3
meissen Founder - Michigan FBody Drives: 1994 Camaro LT1, 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Haven, MI Posts: 2,599	If memory serves correctly, Car & Driver's lightening lap was 3:02 for the Mustang Boss so this is great news. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 - *"Zooma"* 1994 Camaro LT1 A4 - *"Red Alert"* - v6-to-LT1 Swapped Cruiser; Cammed, Stalled, Enjoyed "Gone But Not Forgotten" 2016 Camaro 1LT A8 - "Elmo" 2014 Camaro 1LT M6 - "Cherry Bomb" 2012 Camaro 1LS M6 - "Clifford" Michigan FBody Association http://www.mifbody.com/

07-30-2012, 08:32 AM	#4
SSNIGHTMARE Drives: 2002 SS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PA Posts: 372	Impressive time, although I don't believe anything out of Al O's mouth right now. __________________ 04 GMC LB7, SOCAL DIESEL STAGE 2 HEADS, CROWER RODS, TWIN CP3 483 RWHP, 1008 FT/LBS, ATS 5K 02 SS, LSX BLOCK, 500 HP, WAITING ON BOOST 98 COBRA, EAGLE CRANK AND RODS, 568 RWHP, S-TRIM 02 SS, STOCK, THE SLO HO 08 CTS, POS EFI Live "Nitrous is like a hot girl with STD's, you know you wanna hit it but you're afraid of the consequences!" "..it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.." --Samuel Adams

07-30-2012, 09:02 AM	#7
slick rick SoCal Mayhem Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Foothill Ranch, CA Posts: 5,488 View My Garage	Video __________________

07-30-2012, 09:11 AM	#8
Revenant Drives: '11 1SS LS3 and '90 240sx hatch. Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 308	f'n awesome __________________

07-30-2012, 08:34 AM	#5
huggercamaro21 Sales Manager for Chevy Drives: Tahoe RST Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 1,313	Also, Im pretty sure the new GT500 ran a 2:58 as well.

07-30-2012, 09:41 AM	#9
20121lt REAPER1LE Drives: 1LE 1 SS 2018 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: oswego ny Posts: 194 View My Garage	NICE SOUND NO MUSIC

07-30-2012, 09:50 AM	#10
1LEE Drives: 2007 Cobalt SS/SC Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 270	Love it!! This makes me even more excited for the 1LE.

07-30-2012, 09:50 AM	#11
garcmol Drives: 10 1LT SIM; 91 B4C sleeper Z Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ft. Mitchell, Alabama Posts: 7,199	Thank you Becky! __________________ Pedders Pace Car Package, Injen CAI, Flowmaster AT, AAC Lighting, ZL1 fascia/skirts, RKSport Ram Air hood, vented fenders, painted stripes (Gary's Customz), Honor and Valor badged (Thank you, John)

07-30-2012, 10:11 AM	#12
1977and2010 Tampa Gulf Coast Family Drives: 1977 Z28, 2SSRS 2010 M6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dunedin FL Posts: 810	That's bad arse. So what is ford releasing later today? __________________

07-30-2012, 10:16 AM	#14
zero Drives: Black 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 265	I`m sure it was a pre production ringer like the ZL1 run, I also don`t believe the hype from A.O and COMPANY anymore. Well see how it really does like the ZL1 soon enough.