--- title: "Onboard: Watch the 1,064-HP Chevy Corvette ZR1 Break Road Atlanta’s Lap Record" date: "2025-02-11" modified: "2025-02-11" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/onboard-watch-the-1064-hp-chevy-corvette-zr1-break-road-atlantas-lap-record" categories: - "Chevrolet News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Chevrolet" - "Corvette ZR1" - "sports car" --- # Onboard: Watch the 1,064-HP Chevy Corvette ZR1 Break Road Atlanta’s Lap Record ![]() *\Chevrolet\* The obscenely powerful 2025 [Chevrolet]() [Corvette ZR1]() is already breaking track records. Who could have seen that coming? Chevy announced Tuesday that the 1,064-horsepower supercar slayer just set five new benchmarks at racecourses across the United States: Watkins Glen Long Course, Road America, Virginia International Raceway Full Course, VIR Grand Course, and Road Atlanta. This onboard video of the C8's record run at the latter shows it's a ton of car for that track, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous of the engineer behind the wheel. Before this, the Porsche [911 GT2 RS]() was the fastest production car around Road Atlanta with a mark of 1:24.88. It actually broke the C7 Corvette ZR1's pre-existing lap record there. Now, [GM]() and the Corvette team have recaptured the benchmark with a blistering 1:22.8 lap time. Accomplishing this feat was Corvette engineer Chris Barber, the same man who started this whole record-breaking back-and-forth with the last-gen ZR1. Barber was happy to be back at Road Atlanta as it's a short, hilly track with blind crests, tricky corners, and a long straight to show off all that horsepower. “I was thrilled to get Road Atlanta because of the history Corvette has there,” said Barber. “It’s my favorite track in North America. Coming away with a two-second-faster lap record was beyond exciting for me.” ![]() ![]() While Barber had fun breaking the lap record back in 2019 with the old ZR1, it was a little bit easier this time around. “That car is awesome, but it’s harder to put down power," he admits. "The mid-engine car is just more friendly—it puts power down easier having that weight in the back.” I think there might be an even faster time in there somewhere. Not to knock Barber or say that he didn't get everything out of the car—he came mighty close—but watching the onboard video, the ZR1 looks a little bouncy and the front end seems a tad twitchy, more so than in the 911 GT2 RS video. It's possible that the ZR1 could be even quicker still and beat its already incredible record, but until it's knocked off the top, there's no real reason to. Enjoy the onboard as the car flies around the historic sportscar track's 12 turns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FMm8CxuceM&t=99s *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()