Save The Wave!

“Al” in a day’s work

So who was that mechanic, weighted down with the daunting task of prepping the lovingly beaten 2002 Z06 for One Lap of America? That’d be Al Dashto of Brakes Plus in Des Plaines, Illinois. Al has been busting his knuckles on cars for over twenty years now. He vividly recalls how a certain Buick Grand National put his hunger for horsepower into motion. From that turbocharged sleeper, to the current Chicago brawling 1991 Corvette ZR1, Al has dusted off all speculation about his “guru” status which covers everything between a wrench and a welder.

Al sure had his hands full with a laundry list of parts that were making strange noises and causing diagnostic warnings to light up the dash. Placing the '02 Z06, also known as the "DC Z" of...

“Stopping to take in another 5,600 miles”

With a round-trip haul from Illinois to Spring Mountain racetrack in Nevada still fresh in his brain; Patrick Gramm rethought his strategy for the Cannonball. With a lot of drive time on the road and intense bursts on the track, the 2002 "DC Z" Corvette needed to balance both durability and performance.

A cracked set of drilled rotors with only 5,000 miles was a tell-tale sign that the Corvettes’ Active-Handling system got a hefty work out in Nevada. The system, which automatically activates any of the four brakes to maintain adequate car stability, had pumped the rear brake pads enough to cause significant wear on the drilled rotors. Knowing that the eighteen events of One Lap could pose similar results, the decision was made to...

“The Scoop: One Lap of America Cannonball”

With humble beginnings that reach back to time when polyester suits were hip; the One Lap of America Cannonball has become the ultimate driver’s challenge for the amateur enthusiast. It pushes endurance, skill and consistency to the limit and does so all within the bounds of federal law. Founded by automotive legend, Brock Yates, One Lap of America places its victims, er… drivers, in a course that takes them through vast reaches of the continental United States, only stopping for racetracks and the occasional photo session.

Notice how there was no mention of a solid meal, comfy mattress or hot shower. Oddly enough, gas station stops become a haven for a glimpse of sanity. It is here, that weary co-pilots rekindle friendships, and...

“Leaving trails, saving tread”

Driving a few thousand miles and waylaying pavement that someone else has to maintain can’t be too hard, can it?

The One Lap Cannonball isn't as straight-forward as it looks especially when you factor in that one little notation about tires that’s scribbled down on loose leaf in the paragraph titled “Rules”. Not only do you have to run street tires, but to top it off, the entire event must be run on the same set of tires, hence the spray painted sidewalls. Those very same tires must also be street worthy, i.e. 2/32 of tread, after the entire event.

Yep, eight days of hardcore driving and you still have to be able to leave adequate tread hanging off the sore axles. Now they’ve just tossed a dose of self-negotiation into the ring....

“Corvette Punisher: Guilty on all Charges”

No need for a defense lawyer here, Patrick Gramm happily pleads “no-contest” as he chats about his own enthusiast experience.

Now sure, we could dust off the Thesaurus in search for a different word but we’d bet “junkie” would still surface as the best way to describe Patrick’s Corvette habits. Like many, Patrick’s Corvette dreams started as a kid. Since his grandfather worked at a Chevrolet dealership, it didn't take long until Patrick got to sit behind the wheel of a 70’s 'Vette. After pulling himself up to look over that amazing hood, it was clear that a Corvette would be in the cards.

It may have taken twenty-five years for Patrick to finally achieve his childhood dream, but he now lives his life totally entrenched...

"Cinematic Take or Social Accuracy?"

Yes I admit it, I paid legal U.S. currency to see the Vin Diesel movie “xXx”.

Let's move on…

Now it only takes a few seconds to sort through those fond theater memories but I am reminded how the movie drove home an interesting Corvette taboo. In the opening scenes, Vin’s character steals a red ’98 convertible at the entrance to a country club. He then proceeds to drive the snot of out that C5, and eventually off a bridge. It may have all ended in a huge fiberglass fireball but that was probably the most fun that particular Corvette ever had. To me, if a ‘Vette showed up at a country club, the arrival would be more like Happy Gilmore at the Master’s, not some upper-class ‘pomp and circumstance’.

Seems even Hollywood knows about...

"Breaking From the Mold"

There’s definitely a distinct curtain over Corvette owners that designates unwritten guidelines to what one should and shouldn’t do with their Corvette. You won’t find it in any owner’s manual or in a detailed Haynes repair text. Even still, driving in the rain, giving your dog a ride, installing a non-numbers matching engine, adding body modifications and exercising the odometer are a glimpse into a few standard “no-no’s” throughout the community.

But…why?

Shouldn’t enjoying your Corvette be the best part to owning it? A Corvette, or any car for that matter, can only look so good in the artificial light of a garage or museum. Corvettes take on a different personality when they’re out on the road, where they were designed to...

"Tech Inspection Time!"

Rest easy now, that hidden bottle of nitrous oxide, Garth Brooks CD case and the empty can of Ensure are safe secrets with the inspectors… at least for now.

The One Lap of America tech inspectors were only there to make sure that your vehicle is fitted with the proper gear to endure the event and keep you safe while doing so. A thorough once-over is in the works before any car takes part in activities surrounding One Lap. Items such as a 3-pound fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, flares, forward-facing lights, and working seat belts are on the "must have" list.

Also, some of you may be wondering why the tires were sporting stylish white lettering. That is another part to the tech inspection and an underlying challenge to the...

"A 'Jake' of All Trades..."

...no bones about it!

It can be tough to take your Corvette with you every where you go, though many of us try. Let’s face it; bringing a life-size Corvette into the house, store, or work is heavily frowned upon. People don’t seem to get it and hallways just aren’t made for it. Luckily, the crew over at Chevy’s C6.R Racing Team found us a way to bring the Corvette spirit along and it’s catching on like glow sticks at a rock concert.

Check out the article below from Autoweek that follows the C6.R “Jake” emblems from napkin-sketch to smash-merchandise hit

“Skull Success”
by Travis Braun

Corvette C6.R celebrates anniversary

Faster than a Cannonball

more powerful than a locomotive, it's a Supercell!

There weren't any worries about apexes, tread or brakes that night...the DC Crew was busy making calls to loved ones and saying their prayers. Thankfully, there was a meteorologist willing to overlook the time zone difference for several late night updates. After locking his radar onto our exact location he concluded that it was a shame it wasn't brighter outside, cause we'd see a tornado.

Gee, thanks bro.

The drive West across I-80 was the ultimate test for these Vette Dogs. Multiple lightning bolts branched across the entire horizon in a mesmerizing show as the DC Crew drove towards the storm. The steady companionship of the Corvettes was a relief as the rain intensified and...

"Roaring into Michigan"

Sneak Peak!

Leave it to the Vette Dogs to ruin a peaceful sunrise over Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, Michigan.

The '02 DC Z06 was back on the track accompanied by its '07 C6 brother for some serious thrashing. While the One Lap of America Cannonball had taught Patrick a lot about his Corvette (and Physics), he was anxious to find out what his abilities were leaving on the table. So, in an attempt to put his mind at ease, Vette Dogs rented the entire 1.88 mile track for the day.

Gingerman Raceway turned out to be the perfect layout to take a high performance vehicle onto a new level. No concrete barriers or over-grown trees to sweat about as your sliding sideways passed your apex. Oops. Every Corvette present took a...

"Straight talk: Circle tracks"

Vette Dogs interviews Steve Hardy, DC co-pilot!

In Episode 3, we saw Steve giving Patrick the essentials to running on a banked 1/4 mile track. There was only enough time to walk the track once before Patrick had to toss on the firesuit and churn out some laps. Steve had to take his years of experience and try to jam as much detail as possible into Patrick's brain about running a safe and fast line.

To Steve Hardy, racing is a passion in addition to work, raising a family and wrenching on a few projects. Luckily, he was more than willing to tell us a bit about his racing background down in Florida.

Do you...