I could not agree with you more. The origin of the Z28 is about road racing. And the new Z28 is pure to that origin, and then some. Yes, it is expensive, but new technology/advanced engineering isn't cheap. It will destroy more expensive cars.
An awesome car.
I owned a '95 Z28. I bought it new (ordered it), drag raced it, drove it on the street when the weather was good, and then when I found out about "open track road racing" I was hooked.
Wait.....you mean.....
I can actually:
- take my own car on a real race track, yes the real deal, some of the MOST FAMOUS tracks in the country, the same ones you see the pros race on
- participate under safe and controlled conditions (ain't gonna happen on the street, and we all know someone who pushed to hard on the street and got bit), with no police to throw me in jail (well, don't do anything stupid, respect others and what you are doin' and don't drive over your skill set), there are experienced instructors to guide you and even some who will help you pull your skills to another level, and hopefully they sign you off to go by yourself. Awesome!!
- drive your hot rod near its limits, that is if you actually have some talent. While I respect the skills needed for drag racing, road racing requires a whole other level of skills. Your instructors will push you if they are confident in your abilities. I could never be an instructor. These guys are riding shot gun, their butt is on the line too, and if they have confidence in your abilities, they will push you to go FASTER! I had some great instructors, one in particular who helped me build my own confidence. When you can push (theoretically better handing) cars in the turns you get a rush that is extremely addictive.
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough.”
― Mario Andretti
^^^^^^^^^^If things start clicking for you,
you will understand this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^“
- learn skills and procedures that you can actually apply to street driving, which will make you a SAFER and more ALERT driver.
I have always been an auto racing enthusiast. Roundy round, sports cars, open wheel, NASCAR, drag racing. I understand racing and automobile dynamics. Yeah drag racin is fun, easily done (lots of strips around), and relatively cheap to participate, but the thrill is so short lived, and the abuse on the drivetrain at launch really blows. Open tracking is leaps and bounds more thrilling, wait it is addicting! Cost wise, your actual "on track time" is actually less expensive compared to drag racing.
While I have highlighted the differences vs. drag racing, I understand most auto enthusiasts, even die-hards, never have considered even drag racing, let alone tracking, and that is perfectly fine, to each his own. But those who have balked at the Z28 for whatever reason, really, if they don't "get" what it is about, then they have zero relevant arguments. I agree with Al Oppenheiser why the ZL1 should not have been the Z28 (it almost was). GM nailed it.
I went to Pitt Race (
www.pittrace.com) formerly BeaveRun (better name if you ask me!) with my Z28. I live exactly 100 miles from there. My car HAD to be bullet proof. Drive there, beat the hell out of it, and drive home. It was modded, heads/cam, drivetrain, suspension and brakes, nothing crazy. Never gave me any problems....lap after lap, all the while getting compliments from owners of "faster" cars, 'cause I passed them, multiple times.
I sold that Camaro and went thru some other cars, but Chevrolet came out with another track capable Camaro, the 1LE, and I am working towards getting one. And it will be right at home at the Beav'.