Vette Dogs - Our Cars Have Scars

New 2009 ZR1 in the Flesh

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:36:56 EDT

Got these pictures from Winding Road and Jalopnik. I am psyched to see this car in person $135k for a corvette its has to be a beast! There has never been much room for weight savings on corvettes so hopefully this car is going to be lighter and still have all the comforts of a corvette. With Ceramic brakes I hope they will finally shake those leaf springs and put a set of coil overs on it too. I still would like to see a 6 speed manual (trying my hardest to resist technology), but I recognize it will help almost every driver post faster lap times. More power, weight savings, better brakes, better handling, while hopefully maintaining the reliability corvettes are known for...this corvette is a roll cage away from being my dream car. I am just hoping that $135,000 isn't too hefty of a price tag for the corvette name, because your getting so much car for the money. With a Ferrari badge this car would be priced at $500,000+. Does anyone else have more information on the car specifically production specs? I've heard too many rumors. Bob Lutz I know you surf these networks, I don't suppose you'd mind letting us know some insider info?

John Force trys out Chevy

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:08:35 EDT

I was at a recent event promoting Crest White Strips outside NYC where I was hired to autocross people around the Meadowlands parking lot in my corvette. John and Ashley Force (sponsored by Castrol Syntec) were also hired to be there and were floating around, just being famous for the TV cameras. After they were there for about 45 minutes one of the people working the event approached me and asked if John would be allowed to drive my corvette. Mind you I've only trusted 3 people to drive my car; Chuck Mallett www.mallettcars.com, Doug Ring www.eastcoastsupercharging.com , and my friend Dan Coyle (I've driven road rallies with and owns a supercharged mallett c6). Now I know John Force is a drag racer but I don't know about his abilities when you add a turn into the mix. I figured the worst he could do was hit a curb or a light pole and I would get a good story out of it, how many can say that they own a car that is too much for John Force to handle. I think since he picked my car over the other 3 options (997 GT3, Aston Martin Vanquish, and track prepped porsche 996) I would let him give it a spin. He strapped in and almost lost the car after the first turn when the ass end kicked out in 2nd gear, he took a couple of laps then pulled into the pit. When he got out of the car he instantly said "who owns this?" I approached and introduced myself. His next quote was "I've been paid to race Fords for 20 years but this car is serious". Talking further with him, I learned he owns a bolt on c5 and wasn't expecting the car to react as violently as it does to partial throttle. Before he had to leave to catch a flight, I chuckled when he came back up to me and asked to drive it again before took off. Hey at least that's 1 potential buyer when I go to sell it.

A few crazy commercials

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:04:18 EDT

Vette Dog style!

When Patrick starts going through several stacks of video all in the same day, he can't help but show some of it off.

No geckos with British accents and no saluting guys that wear too much cologne... just highway patrolmen, failed drifts, off-road excursions and screaming tires.

Sounds like the perfect recipe for a Vette Dogs' commercial.

As he was eager to share, Patrick posted the clips this evening in thread below:

Here are 6 "Vette Dog" commericals

Hopefully you'll start seeing these puppies pop up around the Internet...

Check 'em out, spread the word and tell us what ya think!

by Daniel Bowler

"The Twizzler Story"

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 11:14:01 EDT

As in any epic tale, there’s a chapter that stands out among all others, bounded with sentiments of courage, strife and heroism.

Shame there wasn’t any of that during One Lap of America but the DC Crew did manage a gross one to tell! The daylight was coming to a close and the DC Crew was preparing to pull an all-nighter from Peublo, Colorado to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Steve Hardy, who was in the driver’s seat of the DCZ at the time, reflects back on that night through "Texlahoma":

So I'm driving, the sun is setting in the rearview and Patrick and I are discussing important things like heel toe down-shifting and where the meat in Taco Bell tacos come from. Then Pat reaches down and pulls out a bag of Twizzlers; my wife had packed them, they make good traveling food. He smells them [so I thought] and sets them in his lap. I'm thinking "Sweet! Great idea" and I reach in the bag and grab a handful. He just looks at me and starts talking again. About ten miles down the road, Patrick talking about gazelles again, interrupts himself with laughter.

I wanted to laugh too so I asked "What's so funny?"

"Oh man, the Twizzlers!" (Patrick, still laughing)

"What about the Twizzlers?" (confused)

Man we have been just talking and for about the last hour, I had my shoes off and have been playing with something on the floor with my toes. I finally wanted to know what it was so I reached down and picked up the Twizzlers. I smelled them and right after that you took a whole handful and just started eating.

"Dude! You had your feet in my Twizzlers?!"

"Yea" (even more laughing)

"Oh well give me more..."

I join in the laughter; it was a long day. We were laughing so hard, I about wrecked the car. About an hour later we hit a gas stop and I give Dan an overdue break in the DC-C6. As I am telling him the story, we’re both polishing off the bag of Twizzlers.

Hey, it was One Lap, eat what you can when you can.

by Daniel Bowler

"Does this thing get cable?"

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 17:37:02 EDT

Granted, he wasn’t about to sneak up on anybody with that exhaust note… but Patrick’s 2002 Z06 always grabbed a second look by everyone during the One Lap trek, simply because of all the gizmos on the dashboard.

What you’re seeing on the dash of the DC Z is the Garmin Nuvi 660 GPS, Cobra CB radio and a Valentine V1 radar detector. All were life lines during One Lap of America, where communication is as much a necessity as it is the only viable source for sanity.

The Garmin Novi 660 GPS proved to be pinpoint accurate in getting the DC Crew where they needed to be and added the convenience of changing a displayed route whenever desired. This was important in making it through One Lap simply because fundamental changes with the weather and traffic would dictate which way would be quicker… the longer, highway route or the shorter, but dangerous back roads. Choosing a specific route also came down to how tired drivers were. Not worth risking an encounter of the wild animal kind on a dark curved stretch if you haven’t slept in two days. Then again, those loooong mid west highways might just put you to sleep. Crap, this decision still doesn’t make any more sense than it did in Salt Lake City.

Least the ole trusty Cobra CB did the trick by keeping the DC Crew entertained, updated and awake. Telling old stories, reflecting on the day’s events and finding flaws in each State became the core to life for those eight days. Nothing quite like cutting into a conversation on the all-Spanish channel and acting like you knew what they were saying.

Now, statisticians are still calculating how two (400+ horsepower) Corvettes managed to drive 6000 miles, in the company of dozens of other performance junkies without getting a single speeding ticket. But really, it was easy. Everyone traveled at the speed limit, used their blinkers appropriately, and obeyed all State traffic ordinances. Well, that and a Valentine V1 radar detector was left on for over 200 hours straight. What an amazing little doohickey; performed flawlessly and in a timely manner. But, nevertheless, obeying those traffic laws is sound advice… especially when you’re adjusting the “Squelch” on your CB, typing new directions into the GPS and pounding on the Valentine V1 to just shut up already!

Hey, did I mention the video cameras that were rigged on Patrick's dash too?

by Daniel Bowler

Hungry for more?

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 13:29:10 EDT

Then pull up a plate, cause Vette Dogs just announced that they're dishing out more!

Starting this week, all Vette Dog episodes will now be at least 10 minutes long!

Thanks to all the viewers who left comments, you were heard loud and clear! There is certainly a ton of great footage screaming to be released!

Definitely keep sharing your thoughts about the show, and join in on the blogs for addition updates and episode details.

by Daniel Bowler

"Straight talk: Circle tracks"

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:07:23 EDT

Vette Dogs interviews Steve Hardy, DC co-pilot!

In Episode 3, we saw Steve giving Patrick the essentials to running on a banked 1/4 mile track. There was only enough time to walk the track once before Patrick had to toss on the firesuit and churn out some laps. Steve had to take his years of experience and try to jam as much detail as possible into Patrick's brain about running a safe and fast line.

To Steve Hardy, racing is a passion in addition to work, raising a family and wrenching on a few projects. Luckily, he was more than willing to tell us a bit about his racing background down in Florida.

"I have experience in other cars but Mini Cups is where I've spent most of my wheel-time. All have been on oval tracks."

Do you compete often and where have you been ranking in?

"In my last year racing I had an average finish of 3rd. I had 2 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, 1 sixth and 1 seventh place. All of this as a fill in driver for various teams. It's a good feeling to go out 5-7 times a year and be able to compete with guys that run 20-25 times a year.

For those of us who aren't familiar with circle and oval track racing, what are some basics?

"Well, most races are between 25 and 30 laps but can be cut back if guys can't quit running into each other. The number of laps is always based on car count and the amount of cautions. The problem with this is, sometimes you play a strategy to stay back in 7th or so and wait to move through the field a little later in the race but if they cut the race short, your screwed (see the seventh place finish above)."

Is there a standard size track for all these events or do they differ?

"Here in Florida there are 3 different track sizes, 1/4 mile 3/8 mile and 1/2 mile. We have some really tight 1/4 mile tracks and some really wide 1/4 mile tracks, so track size isn't as important as track layout. Auburndale and Orlando are great examples, as they are both 1/4 mile tracks, but you better be a man if your gonna pass on the high side at Auburndale! However, at Orlando you can run the high side all night long... if you can get your car hooked up!"

What's the technique to driving a line on circle tracks?

"Anytime your on a track you want to hit the center of the corner at the "apex" or the point that the corner is at it's peak. You want to enter high and bring the car down to the center of the corner and roll the car back out the the wall. Stay smooth don't jerk or saw on the wheel. In Mini Cups the momentum is key since we don't have the horsepower to drive up off the corner. We scrub a lot of speed through the center so you have to stay smooth to keep your speed up. Now that translates to any car, even one with a lot of horsepower because your playing catch-up if you lose time in the corners. If you go to a new track try to walk and you will literally see a "line" that is run in the pavement. This is what I was showing Patrick because it will be, without a doubt, the fastest way around that track."

The first thing you've got to notice, are those towering concrete walls. So what would be the first thing any "circle track newbie" needs to know to get over that "mental barrier" and concentrate on driving?

"Believe it or not the concrete wall wasn't the first thing that hit me when I got in a race car for the first time. It was the realization that "Hey I'm strapped into a race car and am going to go out and run on a track trusting people [I don't know] to not run into me". That being said, the issue with the walls wasn't "I don't want to hit that" because you are actually a lot further from it than you think. I talked with Patrick about this very thing at One Lap and told him "You're going to think you're about to hit the wall but you'll be 8-feet from it, so trust the track and let the car roll up off the corner". When he came off the track he was swearing he was a foot from the wall, but go watch the tape he was a solid 8-feet from it!

The perception is that you're really close, but in practice, you should really put your car near the wall to see what your distances are. It's hard to explain. Next time your at the store drive around back and run the right side of your car up to the building and see how far you are from it compared to how far you think you are. Now do that at 100 MPH with 3 cars a foot in front of you, one to you left side [so close you can smell him], and 18 behind you stacked up like cord wood. That wall is the last thing on your mind..."

So it's a bit like driving the Capital Beltway at rush-hour... I might just have to try my hand at this circle track thing.

"If you or anyone has more questions, holler at your boy! I go by raidmagic on the DigitalCorvettes.com forums."

Thanks Steve!

by Daniel Bowler

"Roaring into Michigan"

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:27:04 EDT

Sneak Peak!

Leave it to the Vette Dogs to ruin a peaceful sunrise over Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan.

The '02 DC Z06 was back on the track accompanied by its '07 C6 brother for some serious thrashing. While the One Lap of America Cannonball had taught Patrick a lot about his Corvette (and Physics), he was anxious to find out what his abilities were leaving on the table. So, in an attempt to put his mind at ease, Vette Dogs rented the entire 1.88 mile track for the day.

Gingerman Raceway turned out to be the perfect layout to take a high performance vehicle onto a new level. No concrete barriers or over-grown trees to sweat about as your sliding sideways passed your apex. Oops. Every Corvette present took a turn doing the "turf surf": the DC Z, EVS C6 and even a stock '85 swore off its low mileage gleam for a return to glory.

A host of experts were on board to help set track goals for Patrick and to work out his technique. Aaron and Robbin Pfadt of Pfadt Race Engineering flew in from Utah to crack knuckles at their old stomping grounds and give Patrick the instant feedback he needed. Rick "Corvette" Conti of EVS Chevrolet was also there to cover the day's events and join in on the thrills. Rick will be the first guy to tell you just how incredible a Corvette is on a high-speed course, especially in the professional hands of a racer like Aaron Pfadt.

Check out this thread by Rick "Corvette" Conti, as he shares details about the day at Gingerman.

"I hung out with the VETTE DOGS"

Rick promises to tease us with more pictures throughout the next week! Can't wait to see the killer footage!!!

by Daniel Bowler

Faster than a Cannonball

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 16:13:28 EDT

more powerful than a locomotive, it's a Supercell!

There weren't any worries about apexes, tread or brakes that night...the DC Crew was busy making calls to loved ones and saying their prayers. Thankfully, there was a meteorologist willing to overlook the time zone difference for several late night updates. After locking his radar onto our exact location he concluded that it was a shame it wasn't brighter outside, cause we'd see a tornado.

Gee, thanks bro.

The drive West across I-80 was the ultimate test for these Vette Dogs. Multiple lightning bolts branched across the entire horizon in a mesmerizing show as the DC Crew drove towards the storm. The steady companionship of the Corvettes was a relief as the rain intensified and the winds bullied travel plans A, B and C. Didn't take long to reach a point in the belly of the storm where egos subsided and the reflective road lines were no longer visible. The four taillights of a Corvette have never been more useful than that night across Route 80.

Check out the news coverage from this vicious storm!

KETV Tornado Report

NOAA Radar Image of Iowa Tornado

Anyone else in the Mid West during that series of storms? May be you have a different "Corvette-vs-Nature" story...

Let us know!

by Daniel Bowler

"A 'Jake' of All Trades..."

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:19:37 EDT

...no bones about it!

It can be tough to take your Corvette with you every where you go, though many of us try. Let’s face it; bringing a life-size Corvette into the house, store, or work is heavily frowned upon. People don’t seem to get it and hallways just aren’t made for it. Luckily, the crew over at Chevy’s C6.R Racing Team found us a way to bring the Corvette spirit along and it’s catching on like glow sticks at a rock concert.

Check out the article below from Autoweek that follows the C6.R “Jake” emblems from napkin-sketch to smash-merchandise hit

“Skull Success”
by Travis Braun

Corvette C6.R celebrates anniversary

by Daniel Bowler

"Tech Inspection Time!"

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 07:30:24 EDT

Rest easy now, that hidden bottle of nitrous oxide, Garth Brooks CD case and the empty can of Ensure are safe secrets with the inspectors… at least for now.

The One Lap of America tech inspectors were only there to make sure that your vehicle is fitted with the proper gear to endure the event and keep you safe while doing so. A thorough once-over is in the works before any car takes part in activities surrounding One Lap. Items such as a 3-pound fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, flares, forward-facing lights, and working seat belts are on the "must have" list.

Also, some of you may be wondering why the tires were sporting stylish white lettering. That is another part to the tech inspection and an underlying challenge to the event. The entire trek must be run on the same set of tires throughout the eight-days of track and highway. All competition tires must be validated by the manufacturer for the event and are double-checked during the tech inspection. The white spray paint serves as a bold indicator that the tires in use are correct to specification.

The general tech inspection of many racing events has left some drivers with a bad taste in their mouths. Strict or even relaxed guidelines tend to make many roll their eyes when the time comes for their inspection. Not here. One Lap of America Cannonball can pride itself in knowing that the rules not only worked to keep participants safe but they were fairly easy to follow. If you forget something, like the DC Crew nearly did, just head to Wal-Mart for some last minute supplies. There's nobody “out to get you” here, just follow the rules and keep your nose clean on the pavement.

Interested in gearing up for next year’s One Lap of America?

Check out the Official Rules of One Lap for more details!

By Daniel Bowler

"Breaking From the Mold"

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:09:33 EDT

There’s definitely a distinct curtain over Corvette owners that designates unwritten guidelines to what one should and shouldn’t do with their Corvette. You won’t find it in any owner’s manual or in a detailed Haynes repair text. Even still, driving in the rain, giving your dog a ride, installing a non-numbers matching engine, adding body modifications and exercising the odometer are a glimpse into a few standard “no-no’s” throughout the community.

But…why?

Shouldn’t enjoying your Corvette be the best part to owning it? A Corvette, or any car for that matter, can only look so good in the artificial light of a garage or museum. Corvettes take on a different personality when they’re out on the road, where they were designed to be. Just getting out more often than every third summer-Saturday for a car show, raises the chance to drive upon a new excitement. Heck, you just might meet a fellow Vetter at the gas station, take a few sunset pictures, or catch some admiring thumbs at a stoplight.

There’s just got to be more to it, otherwise they wouldn’t have given us eight overachieving cylinders wrapped in a sleek, light-weight body. You don’t have to know every technical or historical tidbit to have fun with a Corvette. Keeping your ‘Vette shined to perfection isn’t a daily requirement either. Just follow your own road, do what thrills you, and share in the fun with others.

Vette Dogs is about doing what you want with your Corvette.

Enjoy it!

Post a comment, tell others how you have been enjoying your Corvette.

By Daniel Bowler

"Cinematic Take or Social Accuracy?"

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:09:09 EDT

Yes I admit it, I paid legal U.S. currency to see the Vin Diesel movie “xXx”.

Let's move on…

Now it only takes a few seconds to sort through those fond theater memories but I am reminded how the movie drove home an interesting Corvette taboo. In the opening scenes, Vin’s character steals a red ’98 convertible at the entrance to a country club. He then proceeds to drive the snot of out that C5, and eventually off a bridge. It may have all ended in a huge fiberglass fireball but that was probably the most fun that particular Corvette ever had. To me, if a ‘Vette showed up at a country club, the arrival would be more like Happy Gilmore at the Master’s, not some upper-class ‘pomp and circumstance’.

Seems even Hollywood knows about the prim and proper ways surrounding Corvette ownership, otherwise they would use a different car to satisfy that country club image. Right? There’s something to having a rogue-character, like Diesel’s Xander Cage, smash a bright red Corvette that goes beyond the script. There must be a sentiment that I’m not familiar with because the Corvette has always been the American icon with an audience that crosses all stereotypes. A machine that has set unprecedented performance, meets nearly all driving needs and leaves its owner without needing to come up with an excuse. Since when did the soft, high-roller image overtake the hardcore, plastic-racer appeal?

I’ve yet to meet any Corvette enthusiasts like what I see represented in movies and television.

May be I am missing something… Let’s hear your thoughts and comments!

By Daniel Bowler

“Corvette Punisher: Guilty on all Charges”

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 07:00:00 EDT

No need for a defense lawyer here, Patrick Gramm happily pleads “no-contest” as he chats about his own enthusiast experience.

Now sure, we could dust off the Thesaurus in search for a different word but we’d bet “junkie” would still surface as the best way to describe Patrick’s Corvette habits. Like many, Patrick’s Corvette dreams started as a kid. Since his grandfather worked at a Chevrolet dealership, it didn't take long until Patrick got to sit behind the wheel of a 70’s 'Vette. After pulling himself up to look over that amazing hood, it was clear that a Corvette would be in the cards.

It may have taken twenty-five years for Patrick to finally achieve his childhood dream, but he now lives his life totally entrenched in the Corvette community. After creating the widely successful Corvette website, DigitalCorvettes.com, on a pure whim, Patrick has been at full-steam to keep pace with the rapid changes and milestones of the community. His recent adventures caught some serious attention and there wasn’t a hesitation in his excitement when we dished out a few questions.

So Patrick, what convinced you to enter the One Lap of America Cannonball?

”Because it was difficult, far out of my comfort zone, and seemed overall beyond my performance driving abilities. Largely I was right because I had no where near the experience the other drivers did. But the DC Z is wicked fast (came in 10th place of 87 cars in the drag competition). I figured the Pfadt suspension and big horsepower could help me overcome a lot of driving mistakes, which it did. I made a lot of mistakes, but so what. We came in 50-something place out of 87 cars. But, if I came in last place, that would have been fine. At least I'm in the game, and not just watching life on TV.”

What did you expect to gain from entering the Cannonball?

“I hope that by me entering that other folks would stop waxing and maybe do something outrageously cool with their Corvettes for once. Having a low-mile mint Corvette in your garage is cool, but having a high-mile beat up Corvette with bald tires with a number painted on the door is even cooler.”

Sounds like you were going to endure just as much punishment from that week of One Lap than you could put on the ‘Vette. Did you have any worries about that?

“Not really. I suppose no one wants to look like an ass, which I only did a few hundred times. We were always really tired, mentally shot, eating unhealthy food, didn't know what state we were in half the time... I always forgot the name of the track we were at. It's a lot of mental load, all the time. That's why it's one of the toughest, and longest, driving challenges there is. It was eight days!”

What, of yourself, did you take into One Lap from the Spring Mountain track event?

”I've had little track time; I need a lot more experience. Spring Mountain helped me get my head back in it and get a little better. Incredible track and staff. While at Spring Mountain I asked Aaron Pfadt point blank... am I good enough for One Lap? He told me I had good car control and a great car, he thought I could be in the top 50%. That was a big boost. I thought of that quite a bit over One Lap when I was thinking negatively.”

From the looks of it, the DigitalCorvettes’ crew not only gained experience from One Lap of America but they literally had a time they will never forget. The chance to go full throttle on several nationally known tracks, see many spectacular sights of America and enjoy it along side dozens of other sports car enthusiasts. After speaking with Patrick, it’s clear that the Corvette community is for more than just show. His remarks on creating DigitalCorvettes.com, are a testament to how dynamic the Corvette experience has become:

“The opportunities that it has brought to me, and the amazing people I've met, have been nothing short of a dream. I'm living a dream. But, if you pinch me and wake me up I'll likely kill you.”

By Daniel Bowler

“Leaving trails, saving tread”

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:48:48 EDT

Driving a few thousand miles and waylaying pavement that someone else has to maintain can’t be too hard, can it?

The One Lap Cannonball isn't as straight-forward as it looks especially when you factor in that one little notation about tires that’s scribbled down on loose leaf in the paragraph titled “Rules”. Not only do you have to run street tires, but to top it off, the entire event must be run on the same set of tires, hence the spray painted sidewalls. Those very same tires must also be street worthy, i.e. 2/32 of tread, after the entire event.

Yep, eight days of hardcore driving and you still have to be able to leave adequate tread hanging off the sore axles. Now they’ve just tossed a dose of self-negotiation into the ring. When and where do you drive the hardest? Have you pushed it too far? Could you have squeaked a little more out of your last lap?

With that mounting detail now out in full view, it was understandable why tires became such a serious concern for the DigitalCorvettes.com crew. Answering their call of duty for those nearly 6,000 miles were the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s. These Michelins offer up great tread wear and grip, but most importantly, the ability to keep traction in unfavorable weather. Even in early May the western states often face rain and snow. Being prepared for the worst gives a better chance for a high performance Corvette to lap America on time and in one recognizable piece.

Like Patrick said, “It’s better to pay $1200 for tires now than to deal with an insurance deductible later.”

by Daniel Bowler

“The Scoop: One Lap of America Cannonball”

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 10:10:10 EDT

With humble beginnings that reach back to time when polyester suits were hip; the One Lap of America Cannonball has become the ultimate driver’s challenge for the amateur enthusiast. It pushes endurance, skill and consistency to the limit and does so all within the bounds of federal law. Founded by automotive legend, Brock Yates, One Lap of America places its victims, er… drivers, in a course that takes them through vast reaches of the continental United States, only stopping for racetracks and the occasional photo session.

Notice how there was no mention of a solid meal, comfy mattress or hot shower. Oddly enough, gas station stops become a haven for a glimpse of sanity. It is here, that weary co-pilots rekindle friendships, and those distant memories of sleep give way to sugar coated, plastic wrapped gourmet bars.

The One Lap of America course changes each year. This makes winning the event that much more difficult. There are a few essentials required to run in One Lap of America; a $2500 entry fee, a street-legal car, safety equipment and a driver’s license. Participants are also held to having some track experience prior to entering One Lap simply as a precautionary measure. It works to keep you and others alive. Unofficially, you better pack lots of beef jerky, water, and a picture of your childhood hero because by Day 3 you won’t be running on anything else.

The 2007 chapter of the One Lap of America Cannonball established itself with a 5,600 mile round-trip fare, which began at the Tire Rack complex in South Bend, Indiana. An oval track, quarter-mile drag strip, skid pad for both in wet and dry conditions and several varying courses were all on the itinerary for those 87 registered teams. Eighteen individual events at nine different locations set the stage for memorable thrills.

Want to learn more about One Lap of America Cannonball? Visit their homepage to catch up on the 2007 results, as well as previous years. Find out how others scored and what you’ll need to do to compete next year!

by Daniel Bowler

“Stopping to take in another 5,600 miles”

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 08:08:08 EDT

With a round-trip haul from Illinois to Spring Mountain racetrack in Nevada still fresh in his brain; Patrick Gramm rethought his strategy for the Cannonball. With a lot of drive time on the road and intense bursts on the track, the 2002 "DC Z" Corvette needed to balance both durability and performance.

A cracked set of drilled rotors with only 5,000 miles was a tell-tale sign that the Corvettes’ Active-Handling system got a hefty work out in Nevada. The system, which automatically activates any of the four brakes to maintain adequate car stability, had pumped the rear brake pads enough to cause significant wear on the drilled rotors. Knowing that the eighteen events of One Lap could pose similar results, the decision was made to use stock C5 Z06 pads and 'no name' solid rotors for One Lap of America. With rotors and pads only setting them back $300, they could now concentrate on affording to fill up the tank.

The decision to go with a cheap brake setup may seem odd on the surface, but having solid rotors would prove invaluable knowing the abuse they can take. The crew couldn’t risk another rotor issue all for the sake of a few extra stopping-feet on the track, when 5,600 miles of unknown pavement and zero wrench-time were in the forecast.

Would you have made the same decision? Let us know in the comments.

by Daniel Bowler

“Al” in a day’s work

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:14:14 EDT

So who was that mechanic, weighted down with the daunting task of prepping the lovingly beaten 2002 Z06 for One Lap of America? That’d be Al Dashto of Brakes Plus in Des Plaines, Illinois. Al has been busting his knuckles on cars for over twenty years now. He vividly recalls how a certain Buick Grand National put his hunger for horsepower into motion. From that turbocharged sleeper, to the current Chicago brawling 1991 Corvette ZR1, Al has dusted off all speculation about his “guru” status which covers everything between a wrench and a welder.

Al sure had his hands full with a laundry list of parts that were making strange noises and causing diagnostic warnings to light up the dash. Placing the '02 Z06, also known as the "DC Z" of the DigitalCorvettes.com fleet, up on the lift for an initial inspection turned out to be more promising than was first expected. However, Al did have to replace the rotors that had been severely cracked, the emergency brake pad that had been converted to dust, readjust the alignment, service ABS and change the oil and fluids.

Another important task that Al stressed was thoroughly inspecting the exhaust pipes, sensor connections, and bolts to all main components under the car. This is something Al says cannot be overlooked, especially after the level of stress that an extensive trip and track time place on a vehicle. Needing to torque down any loose bolts could make the difference between running smooth and a “get well” card from your buddies.

There just isn’t any room for that type of error on Al’s watch.

Al Dashto
Brakes Plus
Des Plaines, Illinois
847.827.9900

by Daniel Bowler

What's It Take?

Wed, 31 May 2006 15:02:51 EDT

Ever wanted to race a Corvette? Ever wanted to take one on a top speed run on the Bonneville flats? Ever wanted to know what it takes to be a real Corvette driver? Join us each week as the Vette Dogs of DigitalCorvettes.com show us what it takes...