This Corvette ZR1 Went So Quick It Melted | Carscoops

      A heavily modified C7 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has set a new record at the Big Bend Open Road Race (BBORR) in Texas, although it suffered some damage in the process.

      During its record-setting run, the Corvette ended up with part of its rear bumper melted, illustrating that plastic bodywork and extreme speeds don’t always go well together.

      The BBORR takes place twice a year along a 59-mile stretch of US 285 between Fort Stockton and Sanderson, creating a total round trip of 118 miles, where participants routinely hit speeds exceeding 200 mph (320 km/h).

      This year, driver John Anhalt achieved an impressive average speed of 173.004 mph (278 km/h) in his 2019 Corvette ZR1. While that speed would seem extraordinary on a public road, Anhalt maintained that average throughout the entire 118-mile course.

      He narrowly surpassed the previous record of 172.249 mph (277.2 km/h), which had been established by a 2002 Corvette Z06 in 2013. Over the nearly 41-minute run, he reached a remarkable top speed of 213 mph (343 km/h), particularly impressive considering the substantial rear wing he added.

      However, one aspect didn't go as planned: by the end of the run, a significant portion of the ZR1’s rear end had melted. This likely resulted from the new rear wing creating a strong vacuum behind the car, which trapped hot exhaust air.

      The modifications made to the ZR1 may have also contributed to the melting issue. Anhalt informed Road & Track that the vehicle now produces about 30 percent more power than the standard model and features a larger supercharger, upgraded rockers, lifters, ported heads, and an enlarged throttle body.

      It also includes aftermarket headers and AWE straight pipes, which make the exhaust extremely hot and significantly loud.

      Despite the record achievement, Anhalt believes the vehicle had the potential for even more power. He mentioned that operating at full throttle would have drained the fuel tank in just 20 minutes, forcing him to ease off and coast in certain areas.

      Ultimately, considering a Corvette that melted part of itself while setting a BBORR record, that cautious approach may have been what prevented it from completely going up in flames.