We GoPro’d up a 2012 McLaren MP4-12C and a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 at Palm Beach International Raceway and let em rip down the 1/4 mile.  While the stats are close on the cars the race wasn’t.   The McLaren MP4-12C weighed in at 3,118 pounds with 616 HP putting the power to weight ratio at 5.06 lbs/hp.  The Corvette ZR1  weighed in at 3,200 pounds with 638 HP putting it’s power to weight ratio at 5.01 lbs/hp.

However, the mid-engine configuration, launch control and 7 speed dual clutch SSG (seamless shift gearbox) in the McLaren was a huge advantage over the ZR1′s front engine, 6 speed manual transmission with launch control.    We would also like to note that we put a new driver in the McLaren who had never launched or been down the drag strip in the MP4-12C and only had a few minutes in total of driving the car.  Both cars had trouble off the line with some decent wheel spin as the run was towards the end of the night and the track prep had deteriorated.

Take a look at the results/video below:

Here is a great video from RoadTestTV of a 900 horsepower supercharged Corvette Z06 running an 8.56 @ 160 MPH at Palm Beach International Raceway.   This superfast Corvette swapped it’s standard 6 speed manual transmission for a PowerGlide transmission allowing for amazing launch off the line.

The new SRT Viper was tested by Motor Trend against the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 in a heads up performance comparison down the 1/4 mile and at Laguna Seca Raceway. Powered by a 640 horsepower 8.4L V10 the SRT Viper ran a 11.4 @ 128.7 MPH, which tied the ZR1. The ZR1 edged out the Viper at Laguna Seca Raceway running 1:33.99 vs the Viper at 1:35.77. For $141,990 as well as all of the hype we expected quite a bit better from the reincarnated Viper. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 with 662 horsepower is just a few clicks slower for under $60,000. We’re hoping to see some better real world numbers for the SRT Viper soon.

Here is a heads up race between a 2005 Ford GT and a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 at the recent StreetCarDrags Event at Palm Beach International Raceway.   The Ford GT has a pulley and tune upgrade by Heffner Performance and the ZR1 is stock.  Both were running on street tires and struggling a bit off the line with the best run of the day for the Ford GT at 11.09 @ 131 MPH and 11.3 @ 128 MPH for the ZR1.  We also weighed both cars with the Ford GT coming in at 3,430 pounds and the ZR1 3,299 pounds.

The mod wars are on for the new 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with Redline Motorsports running a 10.3 @ 134 MPH with some minor modifications.  Since the motor in the ZL1 has been out in the CTS-V for a while, most of the parts were ready to go.   This Camaro ZL1 has basic bolt-ons including headers, tune, cold air intake, camshaft as well as upper and lower pulleys to increase the boost from the stock blower.   The car pulled an impressive 1.54 60′ time with an upgraded torque converter and Mickey Thompson Drag Radials.  Take a look at the pictures, video and timeslip info below.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Source: RoadTestTV

Lingenfelter took delivery of two brand new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s and put them on a Mustang Dyno for some baseline power numbers before they start developing upgrades for them.  The new Camaro ZL1 put down 511 horsepower and 405 ft-lbs of torque at the rear wheels.  A 15% driveline loss puts the new ZL1 at just over 600 horsepower.

The ZL1 is powered by a supercharged V8 that is rated at 580 horsepower from Chevrolet. While these are pretty decent numbers on the dyno, the performance so far at the track has been hugely disappointing, with the ZL1′s running in the 12′s.

Take a look at the dyne graph and video below:

Team Haiyin Racing set a new USA drag racing record for an all electric car with their 1981 Chevrolet Camaro running 10.08 @ 127 MPH at Lebanon Valley Dragway last week. This Camaro is powered by two Cafe Electric Zila 2K HV’s using a Lithium Polymer Battery Pack built with 14P – 5AH 3.7v cells.

Setup with a tube chassis, 4 link suspension along with full slicks, the instant torque provided by the twin electric motors allows for a great launch with a 1.48 60′ time. Take a look at the pictures, timeslip and video below:

Electric Chevrolet Camaro runs 10.08 @ 127 MPH