[kramard]

I took my stormtrooper ZL1 1LE to NCCAR on Saturday for a "shakedown". I rolled over 1500mi as I crossed the gates and by the second session was 5.0 seconds faster at CCW NCCAR then any laptime I've logged in my z/28. By the fourth session I was 5.5 seconds faster then my z/28.

I also did a session with Apex Pro Photography and we planned some drift pictures - this thing is a riot to carve and even a bigger riot to Hoon. I can't say enough good things about the car - over joyed with how good it behaves on the track. Pics attached and some detailed thoughts below on how it relates to the z/28 on track for those interested.

Fastest lap of the day:


Thoughts vs the z/28:

On road, the ZLE is:

• Quieter
• Much more refined - interior is amazing (just wish it had manual seats)
• No tramming or hunting
• The suspension is harsher but only on "big" highway bumps - otherwise very liveable

On track, there's a lot to consider:

• Aero - I think it's really working. Noticeably faster through turn 4 and you can feel the aero increasing understeer; also on brakes the initial deceleration at 150mph is 1.5gs and then drops down to 1.2 - 1.1. Never seen sustained 1.5gs on the z/28 (I know it was claimed but I never saw greater then 1.2 in data). Lastly in lower speed turns you can see max combined accelerations of 1.2g (e.g., T1 after the straight) while exiting turn 9 onto the main straight I have a sustained lateral acceleration of 1.4.
• The front axle is amazing. The front axle works really well on and off power compared to the z/28; very strong bite and handles being at the limit better. Never feels like its washing away.
• The rear is far more stable - not sure if aero is helping but in situations where my z/28's rear would have broken free it stayed planted here. I can't say how much of a confidence booster this is.
• Obviously, power is a huge help - peak numbers on straights up everywhere however once the tires were warm its amazing how early you can get on throttle. I also found you can modulate the throttle really well.
• The HUD really helped me maintain peak performance and consistency and also provided real time feedback; game changing for me
• Auto rev matching - I can heal toe pretty darn well but I did not realize how much I was thinking about down shifting.

Final thoughts: My best time at NCCAR in the z/28 was a 1:34.4 and I thought I was wheeling it; my best yesterday was a 1:28.9. Some of that is tire: 295 R888R vs 305/325 Supercar 3r. I do think some of lap time difference is driver mod but I think the HUD helped me stay on the limit faster. So lets call it a second on tires; second on mistakes and peak performance / driver mod and the rest is the brakes, aero, chassis etc. so, in summary the ZLE just leaves the z/28 for dead from a track standpoint.

The Z/28 is a much more "raw" experience. You have to really work for the laptime (come in just a little hot you loose the rear; you have to be perfect in every phase of the corner etc) and you really have to be on power as early as the car will allow it. The ZLE has a different problem with regards to making the lap time - the level of commitment is so high you really have to be honest with yourself that you are not on the limit and there's more time to be gained. We live in amazing times. I'm still on a high two days later.

[gotswap]

That is so damn awesome, thanks for sharing!!!

[sv340]

I appreciate the appraisal. I really liked hearing the "very livable" comment. We all know it is an awesome track car, I wanted to hear about how "livable" it was driving to the track or on a road trip. My '15 is lowered, Detroit Speed through out and it certainly tighter and rougher riding than it was prior to upgrades. I am hoping that the ZLE is about what I am used to. Sounds like it is.

[Gbrownzl1]

What a review.

[1hprush]

Excellent!! Thanks for sharing.

[Can'tHave2MuchHP]

Love the camera angle in the video, nice driving as well.

[Marty31]

Excellent!

[Stephen12ZL1]

He drives very well and now he has a car to truly demonstrate his skills! Great car, David!

[Bow Tie Fanatic]

I enjoyed that a lot. I can’t wait to see you at VIR.

[nighttowl]

Great pics!
Love the drift photos!

[mlee]

Awesome comparison / review. You're going to have a blast with this car.

[Smokin19]

Love to see what this car can really do, great driving, also green with envy.

[Alain]

Wow that was fun to watch. Where did you have that camera mounted ?

[FLOW TIE]

Great feedback, thx for sharing!