iBestTravel Sets Quarter-Mile Record with the 2020 Chevy Corvette C8
It has been less than two weeks since the 2020 Chevy Corvette started appearing at dealerships, and the race to eclipse quarter-mile milestones is already underway. iBestTravel wasted no time getting their 3LT C8 track prepped and down to Marion County International Raceway on a chilly March 15.
Performance Upgrades and Specifications
Mark Carlyle, the owner of iBestTravel, ordered his eight-speed automatic 3LT C8 with stunning Sebring Orange paint, a high wing spoiler, competition seats, and eye-catching orange seat belts. Since the Corvette was destined for drag racing, he made the decision to forgo the Z51 package. Immediately after delivery, they put the Vette on the dyno, which showed an impressive 440 horsepower at the rear wheels and 408 pound-feet of torque in stock form, with only 20 miles on the odometer.
Track Wheels and Tires
Before receiving delivery of the Corvette, Carlyle had already prepared a set of track wheels ready for action—Forgeline’s GS1R wheels measuring 18×5 for the front and 18×11 for the rear. These single beadlock wheels are crafted as a one-piece forged monoblock, specifically designed for the 2020 Corvette. Complementing the Forgeline wheels, Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S tires were installed, featuring 305/40/18 for the rear and Sportsman SR 26×6 for the front.
Performance Enhancements
The only modification made beyond the wheels and tires was the addition of a Nitrous Outlet dry nitrous kit. An LT1 plate kit fit seamlessly between the LT2’s throttle body and intake manifold, while the nitrous bottle was strategically mounted in the front trunk. “Based on our years of racing experience, we anticipated that the car would handle a small amount of nitrous without issues,” explained Carlyle. “It took it like a champ.”
Optimizing Tire Pressure
Tire pressures started at 30 psi, but they found better performance dropping down to 20 psi, with the ideal setup landing around 22 psi. “If the car dead hooked, it seemed to close the throttle body on the shift between first and second gear, so we dialed in a little tire spin to prevent that,” shared Carlyle.
Initial Passes and Results
Mark kicked off with some mid-11-second baseline passes to adjust the car’s performance and ultimately achieved a best time of 11.25 seconds. The ETs improved further when Carlyle employed the factory launch control, resulting in their fastest naturally aspirated run of the day. “We consistently ran several 11.05 passes,” stated Carlyle. “We also picked up 3 mph using the launch control. The conditions were ideal, with a tailwind and a density altitude of negative 987 feet. It will be tough to beat these stock ET runs.” Running 11.05 at 126 mph with only wheels and tires is an exceptional feat.
Breaking Records
With the nitrous kit activated, Carlyle became the first 2020 Corvette owner to break into the 10s, achieving an impressive 10.65 seconds. “We made 15-20 passes, and it performed better the warmer it got,” Carlyle noted. “Our goal was to be the first to reach both the 10s and 9s, but we didn’t want to risk damaging the car since the C8s cannot be tuned yet.”
Successful Weekend at the Track
iBestTravel extends gratitude to Marion County International Raceway for their support. Although they were not scheduled to open for a couple of weeks, the track allowed them to run their Corvette. Even on a cool strip, Mark managed to clock a 1.61 60-foot time on his 18-inch wheels. The team believes that if they could have generated a bit more heat on the track, 1.50 second 60-foot times could have been achieved.
