This past week I have read several articles on Corvette accidents and to my utter shock and amazement the leading cause was speeding.
Or was it…
The one that most comes to mind is horrific in nature. Man buys new Z06 (I can only surmise this because the only recognizable part was a wheel) and in the first day or so of ownership has a tragic accident. Was it speeding, yes, but there is more to it I believe.
Today’s Corvette is a world class machine that makes the muscle cars of the 60s look anemic. But beyond the speed is the ability to handle the speed. Muscle cars of the past were very good at providing feedback to the driver in the matter of velocity. Bias ply tires squealed at the slightest turn. The driver felt every mile per hour and the car was incapable of turning into a corner with any kind of speed or it would spin out.
In 1984, the then new and astonishingly high tech Corvette was capable of 1g on the skid pad. But the ride was harsh and driver feedback was still quite evident. And top speed was maybe 120? THe driver still felt the car and had a sense of speed and danger.
Today, the Corvette is as smooth as a Cadillac and can now do over 200mph out of the box with the ZR1, 198mph for the Z06, and 185mph(?) in the base model. What this means is that the driver doesn’t “feel” the speed until it is too late. Watching the speed test on the ZR1 was inspiring to say the least. Especially when you observe that the driver is relaxed and looks to be out on a Sunday drive! But he is aware of his speed and has a great deal of experience and slows down to a mere 175mph through the banked turn.
Now, where am I going with this???
The Corvette is a technological marvel and it continues to be the best performance value on the market. But, just like a gun, in the wrong (read inexperienced) hands it is dangerous. What is the cure? Should we require additional Nanny State intervention??? Should GM be made to install additional warnings and safe guards to prevent ignorance and stupidity from hurting just one person? If it only saves one life…….
Oops, got on a rant there…
No the answer is simple. Personal responsibility is the watchword. If you have a high performance car, then go to a high performance driving school! We require our teenagers in this state to have a learners permit. This is done to give the new driver time to familiarize themselves with the act of driving before being released on to an unsuspecting public.
Climbing into a Corvette these days is not the same as driving your minivan. It’s capabilities are far greater than the average driver is capable of. So take some time, get familiar with your car, and go back to school. The life you save may be your own!
Alex
RMCorvette 