Jaw-dropping Finish! Our Closest Race Ever: C5 Corvette Z06 Vs Honda S2000 | Driver Battles
Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled battle at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway as two drivers go head-to-head in a time attack showdown on this edition of Driver Battles. In this episode, we witness the raw power and precision handling of Ger Xiong's C5 Z06 Corvette as it goes up against the nimble and agile Honda S2000, driven by Ricky Hernandez.
Will the Corvette's formidable V8 engine and track-tuned suspension propel it to victory, or will the S2000's lightweight chassis and razor-sharp handling give it the edge? Find out in today's Driver Battles: C5 Z06 Corvette vs. Honda S2000.
Ger & Ricky are driving on Nitto NT01's. The NT01 is a D.O.T.-compliant competition road course designed with the weekend road racer in mind.
Get your set today!!!: www.nittotire.com/competition...
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Ger's C5 Corvette Z06
03:31 Ricky's Honda S2000
05:34 Time Attack Battle / C5 vs S2000
07:55 Track & NT01 review from drivers
09:22 Track Time Revealed
---Want to compete in Driver Battles?---
ENTER HERE: www.drivingline.com/driver-ba...
Subscribe to Driving Line: kzhead.info?s...
Follow the drivers!
Ger Xiong / 2004 C5 Z06: / _gx89_
Ricky Hernandez / 2004 Honda S2000: / hdez
Want more Driver Battles?
• Driver Battles: Racing Head to Head
Find more awesome enthusiast content on: www.drivingline.com/
Facebook:
/ drivingline
Instagram:
/ drivingline
Ger must be a very fast driver. I remember he drove his S2000 in another episode in that other track way more familiar to him and to come out on a new track and car that fast he must be very competent and confident at the wheel. At the end of the day a track day is always good fun, congrats to both the driver, pity we struggle to find these tires in Europe
Great driving🦾!! Did anyone notice the short guy is driving the car with the big v8 and the tall guy is driving the small 4 cylinder car😂!!
the yin to their yangs lmao
Yep, obviously compensating for his shortcomings…….LOL😀😃😄😁😆
Idk, he mentioned he has an s2000 as well and this was his lady’s car.
@@beerleagueeverything8030 🤣Yeah, he said that in the beginning, so he is used to driving a small car to as well.
Corvette Z06 "screaming bald eagle" at 6300rpm: S2000 at 9000rpm: hold my screaming eagles
screaming kamikazes
It’d be cool if it actually went up to 9k. It’s an ap2 so it doesn’t.
@@naomimeidernm ya i know. Would be menacing if the Z06 went 8000 or 9000. Would sound like a Nascar.
Z06: holding the screaming eagles and doubling the endurance
It would be an easier decision to buy both cars than to choose one. I love the sound of a v8 bubbling away and the screaming at 9k RPMs vtech.
I didn't know phone companies made motors. What engine would be better for my S2000, a Gallo 12 or Gallo 24
@@CharlotteSoccerHighlights I don’t get it?
It’d be cool if it actually went up to 9k. It’s an ap2 so it doesn’t.
@@CharlotteSoccerHighlights 😂😂😂
@@naomimeidernmbro it still goes up to 8200. Not a huge difference plus the AP2 doesn’t burn oil unlike the AP1 😂
S2k was just too light with fully gutted interior, and that OS Giken was putting in work. Corvette very lightly modded and stock weight did well. It would be great if you guys did real-time mph on both cars during the battle to see the difference in corner entry and exit speeds.
Wasn’t expecting it to be that close.
Absolutely love this series!!!
As usual, love the videos you guys put out! I love when these runs are that close. One thing i wish y'all would do is at the end of each video, display the overall winners list of all races, listing the car, time, and maybe power/weather/etc. I dont recall ever seeing a Focus ST on this show yet, would love to see one! I was tracking my 2016 ST when it had a stock turbo, fbo/E30 tuned and it was around 300whp/420wtq.. not sure how I'd do with the big turbo and a lot more power, but I was definitely dominating the Novice class against much higher powered, much more expensive cars. They were not that pleased to hear their Porsches and Vettes were getting beat by a stock turbo, stock engine Focus 😅
Fast guys! Great driving from both, .10 of a sec is wild haha
Nitto needs to update those nt01’s
Have owned and love them both. C5 was the daily. S2 for more focused driving activities.
It would be nice to hear the engine noises separately instead of mashing them together
It came down to who had the tighter lines give Ricky a few goes in the Vette and he'd be faster than his S2000
Corvette had all the power and top end and still lost
@@That1lowaccord That S2000 was too light and was gutted. Came down to power weight ratios mate.
@@That1lowaccordDriver makes a huge difference. The S had a driver much more familiar with the track. Z06 is a tube chassis car with 51/49 bias. It has a good bias like the S and has a more rigid chassis. The Z06 recorded a much faster factory lap time at Nordschlief than the S2000. But driver performance makes a huge difference.
@@That1lowaccordthat’s not how it works regarding a faster track car lmao
@@gtdrummerdudebro what you said only supports the fact that the S2000 is still better lol
Crazy that I have both of these in my garage 😅
Crazy I got the better version of both of them combined C6 z06😅
Crazy I got the even better version of both y’all. 😂 viper ACR
That is crazy close. Definitely great driving by both.
Should I do a video about my old LBP S2000? Im a former AP2 owner & a Vette lover…haven’t owned a vette yet, but the sounds and S2000 emits, especially with the top down…unmatched.
2 of my favorite cars. So awesome to see a battle like that!! Awesome awesome driving and times!
Awesome driving and both beautiful cars 🎉🎉🎉
Great race!
dang I didn't know Gerlicious could drive like that!
GO Ricky!! You famous now!! 👍👍
Geerrrrrr!!! Nooo Monicaaaa 😂 you guys need a rematch.
Love these battles! Would love to do one in my Mustang GT!
You can! Enter here: www.drivingline.com/driver-battles/
@@DrivingLine done! 👊
Second time driving my ass 😂
It was my 2nd time driving at chuckwalla cw.
I'd run Ricky in one of these. That would be a sick battle.
Let's see it happen! Enter here: www.drivingline.com/driver-battles/
Was just watching older episodes again this morning, I said to myself they have to dropping a video soon...
I cross shopped both of those cars before I ended up with my 986 Boxster S with a 3.4 carrera motor swap, would be very curious to see where my car stands compared to these machines
If that z06 (3100) was under 3000 lbs, it would help against a stripped down s2000 at 2600 lbs, would be worth doing again.
That’s what I was thinking. I guess to build a race car you need apex wheels coils and sway bar. No carbon fiber pieces at all. Couldn’t even take 20 mins to take out the carpet of the z06
The z06 driver was participating for shits n giggles, nothing serious but good to know where u stand against ur competitors. Passenger seat delete, carpet delete, leaf spring delete to coilover setup, light-weight battery, interior plastic delete, carpet delete, a/c delete, magnesium rims x4, oem titanium exhuast, 2 piece rotors, composite plastic windows, etc. Depending how serious he gets, or how much $ he got to blow.
@@quocd5580 I’m going to try to make my vette into a race car. My goal is trying to outperform Porsches
it's a mini forum on what the driver did to enhence his driving experience on the track. It's a series of affordable upgrades that you can try overtime.@@Ls_corvette
It would most likely move it up in a higher class for SCCA events I imagine. Probably runs a street class prep because it doesn't cost more $$$ for mods, and there is more competition.
@Driving line you guys should really put 360 cams on the cats or would be much better only seeing the inside of the car or barely a peek of thwbaide like its shown
Amazing that that s2000 put to bed that big z06. Awesome.
It was only a tenth of a second and the guy in the vette didn’t know the track lol
I’m pretty sure if the bloke had more experience he would’ve won that. Not to mention that they were pretty even when it comes to both cars. S2000 has the weight advantage and the z06 has the power advantage/
@Ls_corvette the Corvette actually has the handling advantage but the squared tires hurt overall cornering performance on the Corvette. They're evenly balanced in weight distribution due to the transaxle setup so running squared causes oversteer. If he ran 325 rears and 285 fronts he'd be more stable at the apex. Never go square in a Corvette 😅
@@saltyfloridaman7163 a lot of corvette racers run 315 square. Not an usual combo at all.
@@ruleslawyer And a lot have oversteer
AP2 for the win. Good driving Ricky.
The dude with the hyper socks making New Balance jokes was cracking me up!🤣
Oh wow!
S2000 held way tighter line most of time. Slow in fast out lol. Nicely done
GRRRR doesn't drive a GR Toyota?
Great driving by both!
Well I glad I know what shift knob & quick release the s2k use's I would've had many sleepless nights trying to figure out what mods made the difference in beating the z06 🤦all jokes aside at least the shift knob does play a roll in driver-car communication/feedback/control as I have switched from a shift knob that ergonomics wise felt perfect combined with seat/steeringwheel/pedals was a dialed setup for my ideal driving position & contact points. To then swap for albeit top quality brand beautiful Ti knob couldn't believe how much of a difference just switching a shift knob made in driving feel so I'll give ya shift knob as a mod but quick release..... really? I guess at least your repping for the homies battlecraft. One last question so I can stop banging my head against the wall why of all the mods and ways to spend money on a improving a build for track duties on a bone stock motor would you run a stand alone ECU don't get me wrong I have an AEM infinity myself w/ CD5 dash & VDM for track mapping/predictive lap timing/ logging but the infinity stand alone ECU is out of necessity w/oil pan to valve cover built B series & custom turbo kit emtron & motec out of my budget the infinity checked the boxes but if no boxes to check why go stand alone on a stock motor ?
I keep entering... But not being selected.
Corvette seems to be overheated. Pretty sure it should won here 7:35 , and out pulled S2K in a straight. Mine 02 z06 stock does it with an ease. C5/C6 corvettes once they overheat they pull degree down on timing, which lowers hp by a lot... And then driver not hitting apex and stuff also matters...
I want a c6 someday my best friend let me drive his a couple times and I fell In love with the corvette. I want the blue devil 🔥
Strip next ?? 👀
Let's go Hmong power. 💪
Let’s go Ricky
Not always about horsepower numbers
Super close battle. Vtec wins. Sorry ger lol
Is the Corvette basically a Spec Corvette race car?
Sorta. Only because they are very stock cars. It would be stripped and have a cage. impound is 3200# with driver. Wrong coilovers, wrong brakes, no spoiler, but probably similarish.
Nice Corvette Girl Xiong 👍🏽
They should do a downhill touge
If the S2k had rear aero, it would have beat the vette by more.
I hear that can reduce too speed. Is that true?
Can he reach the pedals that might be the problem
RICKYYYYYYY
That was wild. Not even in f1 sxs’s are they that tit for tat. Ctrl+V 🤯
Feel like drivers are switched haha
Race car vs street car
Oh wow a 20 year old Z06
Crazy. Half the power. Haha S2k is legendary man.
The S2k is heavily modified vs a modestly modified Corvette. Stock for stock, an AP1 S2k is slower than a 1998 Camaro SS on the track
@@saltyfloridaman7163 l highly modified is just bolt ons and weight reduction? 😂😂😂
@@Primitivegarage915Hard top, gutted, full suspension, 255 square setup, standalone ecu etc. Honestly he made a mistake going 315 square in the vette. Even the stock 295/265 tires have plenty of contact area for a 3100 lb car, but bigger tires means heavier tires. People will get light weight wheels and then add heavy ass tires. I would have done 295 rear and 275 front to keep the weight down.
the os giken diff is like 2k alone
@@gtdrummerdude so bolt ons and weight reduction? Lol
Put some snows on them and get out of the gross desert. Then we will see who's a driver.
Corbette 👍🏻🔥❤️😎👌🏻
S2k!!!
Switch drivers and the ZO6 wins by over a second ¿`_
Great comparison the C5 is one of the greatest race cars ever made and you’re comparing it to a Honda. You guys need to get your heads out of your asses.. 😂😂
More of driver battle their. Had s2k have c7... c7 def faster but experience with car means a lot. If it was me then in s2k vs me now in c7 prob tie 2... i had lot more experience in s2k easyer to drive faster c7 little scary.
HONDA FTW 💪🏻 find me a V8 or Porsche to battle with 😈😈😈
The C5 should have won but the driver was the weak link. I guess amateur drivers is the balance of performance, even if you have the weaker car you can still win if you're a good driver.
A 2:00 is a very fast time for the first time at that track.
@@nickcrandall177Doesn't change what I said.
good host tryna fill in the awk moments of car dudes not being social lol if you want someone who drives a bmw id happily race anyone any car !
Have the guys speak a little slower and more clearly. Thanks!
theres not much to gut in an s2000
Yall heard? He said Americans musle
Its pronounced Gher. Like... Inte-ger.
cc/hp Honda is so much better then pushrod dinosaur corvette
In no world should a S2k even come close to a Z06. Buddy needs to learn to accelerate.
🤣 Car and Driver Tuner car challenge. All driven by same driver at the track and the benchmark was a stock C5 Z06 one year and another C6 Z06. The year with the C5 Z06 was up against the Comptech S2k and yes the Z06 out did the field both times.
@@Zeiss120that's because stock for stock, Corvettes with a Z06 badge hunt the world's best cars on a track when they debut. A C6 Z06 beats a Lamborghini Gallardo around a track without issue, a C5 Z06 beats a 360 Challenge Stradale without issue, the C7 Z06 beats the Nismo GTR R35 without much issue, and the C8 Z06 beats the Porsche 911 GT3 (non RS) without issue, and on some tracks it beats the RS and the last gen GT2 RS. The S2k stock is actually slower around willow springs than a 1998 Camaro SS.
@@saltyfloridaman7163 It's even slower than a base C5 I think.
@exoticspeedefy7916 yeah, the base C5 Corvette has better handling, acceleration, ans braking performance than the 1998 Camaro SS that's faster than the S2000 around a track. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun car, but attempting to compare it to a car that's legitimately 2 classes ahead in performance is just silly
@@saltyfloridaman7163 Base c5 has all the same suspension parts except shocks, (on some options) and sway bars. chassis wise. Z06 is a little bit less weight but not by much
😅😅😅😮B n. n
I tracked my modded C5 for a few years in the mid 2000s and an S2000 is a joke in comparison the Corvettes are really effective and easy to drive. Obviously lightening and tires makes a huge difference. But driver is 95%.
“What is this thing???” “Its a 2004 corvette zo6” “Oh WOW” Lol how fake was that. You can do better than this phony stuff
Lol corvette had the power and still lost
The driver didn't know the track and the Honda driver is very experienced with the track and his S2k was heavily modified. Look up stock vs stock lap times for the S2000 vs the 2003 Corvette Z06. The Corvette is several seconds faster on any track they've both been on
@@saltyfloridaman7163 what's heavily modified to you lol ? Did you forget the s2k has half the engine size the corvette has and the corvette is not crazy heavier than the s2k lol the honda is just a better car
@@That1lowaccord About 550lbs from a very stock z06. That's a lot of weight. Still the z06 has significantly better power to weight
C5 dude was slow lol. Dude wasn’t pressing the gas lol
Hmoob los
how about my kswapped e30 m3..@k24e30m3
Vete tu pda.
I have a 520WHP Audi A3 AWD with a little bit of track experience. I’d love to come compete!