[VIDEO] 2023 Corvette Z06 Tracked Hard at VIR

At the end of last week, we came across a video from a YouTuber named steelankles who was tracking his Camaro ZL1 1LE, and he was hanging out with some great competition featuring the 2019 Corvette ZR1 and the 2023 Corvette Z06. Many of those comments we heard were not only complimentary of the two Corvettes on the track, but also steelankles driving abilities. “Wow, this guy can drive,” was a common refrain.

Steelankles has dropped a couple more videos from that track date at Virginia International Raceaway and the one we are featuring today is Marko’s Amplify Orange Corvette Z06. Now, if the name and car seem familiar, it’s because Marko first went viral (in another steelankles video) a few weeks back after his first LT6 engine was replaced at 621 miles due to engine failure. In that video, we heard how he was breaking in the car to prepare it for his track date at VIR, and now we get to see the perspective of the Z06 on the track thanks to the Performance Data Recorder.

The video starts with him in some fairly heavy traffic and with the Corvette Z06s superior speed and handling, he makes quick work to get out in front. There’s a cut in the video, and next we see him following the 755-hp Corvette ZR1. That was a fun moment as the strengths of both cars came into play during the laps. The more powerful ZR1 would pull away from the Z06 on the straights but the Z06 was able to close the gaps on the curves. And while driving the ZR1 sometimes looked like a handful from our perspective behind him, the Z06’s ability to correct itself was evident as well.

Afterwards (and believe me when we say the track battle wasn’t long enough), Marko offers some thoughts on the drive:

“I thought the power in the car was really good, the transmission and track mode I ran it in Sport and Race 1, just going through the progression. I was planning on getting the Race 2 eventually. It was great. I love the way it handled, very confidence inspiring. We got the car sideways a few times. I felt very good at the beginning. I think it’s a lot easier to drive than a ZL1 1LE.”

From steelankles via YouTube:

2023 C8 Z06 VIR track review the non Z07 package car was able to run 2.01 lap time with Marko driving it after 3 sessions. Ran it on track with the 2019 C7 ZR1.

Source:
steelankles / YouTube

Related:
[VIDEO] 2023 Corvette Z06 Suffers Engine Failure at 621 Miles
[VIDEO] Ride Along in a Camaro ZL1 1LE as it Spars with a C8 Z06 and C7 ZR1 at VIR
[VIDEO] 2023 Corvette Z06 Races the McLaren Artura for Quarter Mile Glory