[VIDEO] C8 Corvette Stingray Blows Engine While Tracking at Laguna Seca

By
Keith Cornett
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11
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[VIDEO] C8 Corvette Stingray Blows Engine While Tracking at Laguna Seca


While the performance-oriented C8 Corvette Z06 is Chevrolet’s weapon for the track, the C8 Stingray Z51 is perfectly capable of holding its own at track events. We always enjoy watching owners who actually do take their cars to the track and use them as intended. But sometimes, things can go wrong in even the most controlled environments as it did for this C8 Corvette owner named Jeff.

Jeff was participating in a track event at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California when his LT2 engine blew while he was racing down the front straight. The car instantly lost power and he was able to get it off the track. As he was coming to a stop, that’s when he saw the smoke and he says to his passenger, “My car is on fire.”

Another racer pulled up in a Miata and offered his fire extinguisher to Jeff, who by that time was starting to panic. After finally getting the fire extinguisher free, he empties it by squirting down the engine compartment. Support from the track finally arrives, and that’s when you can see a pool of engine oil flowing from under the car.

In his comments on the video, Jeff says there were no indications anything was wrong and the car was well broken in with 8K miles.

From Jeff via YouTube:

2024 Z51 with 8000 miles blows up on front straight of Laguna Seca. Mods were exhaust wheels and brakes. Stock engine.

Towed to dealer to start warranty. Really curious what went wrong – oil temps were fine, coolant temps were fine, oil pressure fine. Nothing to indicate something wrong.

Oil analysis done with Blackstone Labs before the blow up too, with nothing to indicate something wrong.


Source:
Jeff / YouTube

Related:
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11 COMMENTS

  1. Hmmm. Not convinced that the car was on fire. My guess is that the smoke was just oil or other fluids burning off hot surfaces.

    You should always have a fire extinguisher within easy reach in your Corvette (and be familiar with how to use it). Even moreso if you track it.

  2. Agree with Doug R. I hope the driver has learned his lesson and will be prepared for the next emergency.

  3. YouTube comment from owner:

    Connecting rod broke. Threw a piston out the engine through the oil pan and subframe.

    Warranty is covering repair, but it looks like it’ll take a while

  4. oops. Not a good day. 🙁

    Had a 1970 Pontiac Firebird with Ram Air. Timing chain was the weak spot on that motor. Nylon gears. Engine blew last two cylinders piston hit valves; crank destroyed block cracked.

    I know your pain. Have a better day.

  5. Wow, this is not a good look at all Chevrolet. WTF!? Have not heard about any real problems, at least it’s under warranty but still makes you wonder. Not carrying a fire extinguisher with me in my daily driver, that is why I have insurance. Plus it seems pretty rare.

  6. Prepared for next emergency?? Really? That’s racing folks!! Sounds like the track should be speeding up it’s response time too.

  7. These are street cars that people race. They are not race cars driven on the street. If they were the engines would have beefier parts.

  8. Fire extinguishers, like guns, are paperweights if you do not know how to use them when necessary…like an emergency.

  9. The last thing I would do is track a c8 Vette,proven engine is not very durable,broken valve springs tremac trans problems etc,to much temptation to rev the engine for max performance, only to have engine throw a rod in this case,how long to wait for new motor and the install!

  10. What causes rod bearing to fail?

    1. Insufficient lubrication- most common.
    2. Improper Installation.
    3. Dirt/debris in the oil.

    Note; Driving a plastic car warrants a fire extinguisher?

    Thanks,
    Ray

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