Photograph courtesy Jim Maertz
Some projects last weeks, others last months, but this Corvette has been a passion project since Jim Maertz bought the car in 1991. (For everyone keeping score at home, that’s 35 years.)
“I have touched every nut and bolt on this car,” Maertz tells us, a fact that’s reflected in the lengthy list of modifications he included in his entry form.
While the body is mostly stock–aside from the carbon fiber hood, hand-laid carbon fiber targa top and chassis-mounted Nine Lives Racing rear wing, of course–the Corvette is powered by an LS3 V8 upgraded with an increased stroke, a forged bottom end, Texas Speed and Performance camshaft, Precision Race Components heads and a Fuel Air Spark Technology intake manifold. Total output? More than 600 horsepower.
A custom driveshaft sends that power to the rear wheels through a Dana 44 differential, with braking duties handled by six-piston calipers squeezing 14-inch rotors up front and 13-inch rotors out back.
The passion and the power are there for sure, but will both translate to a win in our annual search for the fastest track machine on four wheels, the Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge Presented by Grassroots Motorsports?
We’ll find out on October 22, when some of the fastest cars in the country descend upon Eagles Canyon Raceway to battle for the title of Ultimate Track Car. The speed machines don’t end there, however, as the weekend will be joined by the Tire Rack SCCA Time Attack Challenge.
What’s eligible to compete? Virtually anything, so long as both driver and car can pass a safety inspection. Sounds like something you and your car can handle? Good, register today.
The Tire Rack Ultimate Track Car Challenge is presented by Grassroots Motorsports in association with Wilwood, Vitour Tire, CRC Industries, Red Line Oil and Racetech, with trophies from BimmerWorld, Nine Lives Racing, Falken Tire, Vbox Motorsport and American Muscle.