Quote:
Originally Posted by trophy hunter
Well, while I understand what you are saying, do keep in mind that McLaren, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Lexus (to name most of the bigger manufacturers) are all using the Nurburgring to post times......those are some BIG names, and I seriously doubt that they would be putting a "green horn" behind the wheel of any of those cars to make those runs.
Now, can they be "fudged" ? Sure....but why would Chevy, specifically, want to do this? If they were to get caught "fudging", it would do way more damage to the brand than the recognition of the good.
And, again, Dodge is doing the same thing and even going a step further with the Demon......
1) You have to purchase the "package" and its shipped to you.
2) It consists of a drag package wheel set up (would you drive it like that daily or in the rain?)
3) An upgraded ECU program to run 100+ octane (really -who carries that at their local gas station)
4) ......and there's the back seat delete (rear seats optional)
All of this so that they can make a claim and start a "buz" about the brand, and it worked !
GM did build the COPO and, the 580 hp version, is estimated to be in the 8.5 rang, but I believe that GM is more focused on handling....being more important (and fun!)  |
You are not following me. One, the weather conditions for these runs is all over the place. Even a slight temp difference or a little bit of rain (which happens frequently) can make a huge difference on this track. So right there any comparisons between the time car A and B does is void.
Example, the 1LE ran in a separate session a time almost equal to the GT350R. But then when you look at the times of the 2 for MT's BDC last time, there is a much larger difference. Why? same driver, same day, same conditions. Comparing times made on different days at a track is a joke. Sure it can tell you what that car is capable of...that day. That's all.
Driver skill, you really think all manufacturer drivers have the same skill level? Especially at the Ring which they usually only get once or twice during development to run. But besides that do you think every manufacturer tells their driver to go balls to the wall for a time or do they tell them make sure you don't wreck it? Personally the latter is what I think GM does
Example, the ZL1 (non-1LE) ran a 7:29. Great but how the hell did a Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio run a 7:32? Go compare their track times when Randy Pobst drove each (albeit different days) then ask yourself in what world would these cars be that close on such a long track. The answer is the Alfa driver was without a doubt driving that car much harder or the car was not stock (and probably perfect conditions at the track). Again, no tech inspections nothing but the word of Alfa that was stock. So there's no danger in anyone blowing the whistle on something.
A recent example of a non stock configuration posting a lap time was the Civic Type R recently. It was acknowledged the car was using R compound tires and a rollcage. Again no one really pays attention to this and just blindly accepts the time.
So to answer your question, undoubtedly these manufacturers are fudging numbers. Do I believe GM is? Nope....I believe GM just posts the fastest time they captured when they do testing. They aren't driving the car to the limit and beyond like some do, b/c they aren't out to prove anything that isn't obvious just looking at the stats and comparisons done by the media.