Back in June when GM Development Engineer Jim Mero drove the 2009 Corvette ZR1 around the Nurburgring in 7:26.4, we wondered out loud what that time could have been if one of Corvette Racing’s drivers, particularly Jan Magnussen, had the opportunity to drive the 6.2L Supercharged Corvette around the world’s all-important 12.9 mile track. According to several sources, we’ve learned that on Monday, October 27th, Jan Magnussen drove the Corvette ZR1 to a time of 7:22.4, besting the previous time by 4 seconds!
Jan Magnussen’s extensive knowledge of the Nordschleife and his employment with Corvette Racing makes him the perfect candidate for a second Corvette ZR1 attack on the ‘Ring. It was Magnussen that left Corvette’s first mark on the Nurburgring with his Corvette Z06 lap time of 7:42.9 back in 2005.
There is somewhat of a conspiracy afloat about this time, as it was originally posted to FasterLaps.com here and then the entry was deleted. It’s posted again here with credit from Autoblog which listed the information from the original post:
Lap time ID: 49063045e0652
Car: 2008 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (476 kw)
Track: Nordschleife
Lap time: 7.22.4
Driven by: Jan Magnussen
Submitter IP: 24.208.168.135
Date & time of submission: 27/10/08, 23:19:01
Without proof including video or a substantiated third-party eyewitness, this time will remain suspect. We also can’t imagine that GM wouldn’t take the opportunity to roll-tape as Nurburgring times have become such an important selling tool for the new super cars, Corvette ZR1 included.
Lastly, this story really leaves us wanting more. How about a race-prepped ZR1 complete with racing tires, roll bar and that really fast looking velocity yellow paint? Now that would be something to see!
Source:
Autoblog.com
MotorGears.com
FasterLaps.com
Related:
[VIDEO] Official Video of Corvette ZR1’s 7:26.4 Nürburgring Lap
[VIDEO] 2009 Corvette ZR1 Laps Nürburgring in 7:26.4
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Why is it listed it as a 2008 ZR1 ?
This time has been confirmed as bogus. Road&Track contacted Tadge Jeuchter and he confirmed that it never happened. They will be issuing a correction in their June "Your Turn" Letters to the Editor section. Keep an eye out for it.
It seems that our good friend Xeyad at Motorgears has had a good laugh at everyone’s expense.
I meant to ask Jan about this at Sebring this year but never got the opportunity. I was always suspect of the lap and I hope that its cleared up soon.
Thanks for your comment. Let me know if you see the printed correction.
Keith
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