2:58.34 at Virginia Intl Raceway.....for $37K

[kaisen]

2013 Camaro SS 1LE
426hp, $37K MSRP

Lapped VIR 4.4 seconds faster than the more powerful (and $13K more expensive) Mustang Boss 5.0 Laguna Seca, and 3.4 seconds faster than a 2006 Porsche 911 GT3.

And you said Camaros were one-trick-ponies, only fast in a straight line.....

[Rick V]

That vid really doesn't do any justice to the elevation changes at that track

[kaisen]

I know BVD runs that track, it would be interesting to hear what your personal experiences with lap times have been.

[HardDrive]

Running on street rubber?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Running on street rubber?

Yes

Here's a copy of the 1LE press release:

For 2013, the 1LE package is offered only on 1SS and 2SS coupe models, featuring a 6.2L LS3 V-8, which is rated at 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb-ft of torque (569 Nm). In addition, 1LE is only available with a six-speed manual transmission.

While the Camaro SS features a Tremec TR6060-M10 for all-around performance, the Camaro 1LE features an exclusive Tremec TR6060-MM6. Paired with a numerically higher 3.91 final-drive ratio, the close-ratio gearing of the transmission is tuned for road-racing performance. As with the ZL1, the 1LE transmission features a standard air-to-liquid cooling system for track use.

The 1LE also features exclusive, monotube rear dampers instead of the twin-tube dampers on SS models. The new hardware allowed engineers to tune the 1LE suspension to focus on optimal body-motion control while preserving much of the ride quality and wheel-motion control of the Camaro SS.

Other changes to optimize the 1LE for track-day use include:

Larger, 27-mm solid front stabilizer bar, and 28-mm solid rear stabilizer bar for improved body control
Higher-capacity rear-axle half shafts to cope with increased levels of traction
Strut tower brace for improved steering feel and response
ZL1-based 20 x 10-inch front and 20 x 11-inch aluminum wheels
285/35ZR20 Goodyear Eagle Supercar G:2 tires front and rear (identical to the front tires for ZL1)
ZL1 wheel bearings, toe links and rear shock mounts for improved on-track performance
ZL1 high-capacity fuel pump and additional fuel pickups for improved fuel delivery during high-cornering

Visually, the 1LE package for 2013 is distinguished by its matte-black hood, front splitter and rear spoiler – as well as the 10-spoke ZL1-based wheels, which are finished in black. The functional front splitter and rear spoiler contribute to the car's on-track performance by helping to reduce aerodynamic lift at high speeds.

Inside, the 1LE package incorporates the ZL1's flat-bottom steering wheel, trimmed in sueded-microfiber and designed for easier heel-and-toe driving on the racetrack. The quick-acting, short-throw shifter from the ZL1 is also trimmed in sueded microfiber.

[BReif61]

That 2:58.34... is that above or below the Speed of Ugly?

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I know BVD runs that track, it would be interesting to hear what your personal experiences with lap times have been.

Mine? Little to none, and I wasn't making a negative comment. Let me rephrase in order to clear up any confusion.
There are some climbs on that track that are not very clear on the video.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Rick V

Mine? Little to none, and I wasn't making a negative comment. Let me rephrase in order to clear up any confusion.
There are some climbs on that track that are not very clear on the video.

Rick, I knew exactly what you meant. I didn't know if you had lapped there before, in any car, to provide a point of reference for how fast a 3 minute lap really is (or isn't).

I'm still hoping Byron will chime in at some point

[Rick V]

I have been around that track a few times in an E36 318 so a three min lap is like flying.

[Rick V]

This was my old track play toy at Summit point. Handled great, stopped great, couldn't pull a sick whore off a piss pot. I learned to be a momentum driver. I had a lot of fun

[GothingNC]

Fast MINI

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by kaisen

And you said Camaros were one-trick-ponies, only fast in a straight line.....

Remarkable. A wonderful achievement of engineering, but the styling is so... forgettable.
Maybe if I was 17 I'd be all over this, but I know I could come up with something better to spend my 40K on.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I know BVD runs that track, it would be interesting to hear what your personal experiences with lap times have been.

We did it in the Lotus Elise, not enough balls for the LOOONNGGG straights, we planned on taking the Z06 that had lots of fun mods, but sold it so I don't have any fast High power times to compare, plus, the last two planned trips to VIR had to be cancled

[ltusler]

Originally Posted by Sarc

Remarkable. A wonderful achievement of engineering, but the styling is so... forgettable.
Maybe if I was 17 I'd be all over this, but I know I could come up with something better to spend my 40K on.

Remarkable? You mean technology that Porsche and others have been using for 50 years?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by ltusler

Remarkable? You mean technology that Porsche and others have been using for 50 years?

Considering that the lowly $37K Camaro 1LE is 1.35 seconds per lap slower than the lighter, more powerful (up 100hp), all wheel drive $170K 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S (2:57.50) I guess you're right

But then again, the $55K Camaro ZL1 turns 2:52.38 at VIR....a full 5 seconds faster than the uber-Porsche. But to be fair, Porsche doesn't have anything like the ZL1's magnetorheological suspension, so their technological advantage could be considered unfair

[Racerbvd]

I would love to take one of these too VIR..


Course this looks like fun too..


Not all have happy endings..

[onewhippedpuppy]

Impressive performance, but you're sitting in a cave looking through portholes. Both the Challenger and Camaro have terrible visibility and feel HUGE. I don't think I could get over that. I've rented a Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger for at least one week each, only the Mustang didn't feel like driving a pillbox.

[VincentVega]

Sub 3min is fast at VIR grand, impressive.

edit. just realized it was the grand setup

[Halm]

Grand Course isn't run by clubs very often. So I can only guess that time is darn fast by the speeds though the Climbing S's and down the Roller Coaster. Wasn't there a UTube posting of ALMS testing there and running sub 2:40's?

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Not all have happy endings..

If your not willing to wad it up, you shouldn't do things like this. I will never track my Coupe for that reason. My Targa, yeah I'll chance it