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CORVETTE RACING VET OLIVER GAVIN COACHED TOP GEAR CAST HOW TO DRIVE THE C8

The Former Corvette Racing Driver Made Sure That The C8 Was Driven Properly

Image Via GM.

Freddie Flintoff from Britain’s Top Gear was recently let behind the wheel of a C8 Corvette Stingray. His enthusiasm and joy, amplified by his deep Scottish accent, of being behind the wheel was enough to make anyone want one. Off camera was none other that retired Corvette Racing driver and current brand ambassador Oliver Gavin, who seemed to give Freddie some pointers on the track, and it was a rainy one at that. Unfortunately, Gavin’s tips and tricks were not in the video, and instead he provides insight and summary.

Suppose we’d want the same if we had access to a five-time Le Mans race winner. And while is Corvette Racing career is over, Oliver Gavin still keeps very busy with Chevrolet, and was even part of the 2023 Corvettes Z06 debut video.

As for the Top Gear feature on the C8 Corvette, Freddie exclaimed that “old Corvettes are a bit of a wrestling match on track, but this one, is with ya.” His excitement was unmistakable. Comparatively speaking, he’s right. The mid-engined layout for the new Corvette delivers superior weight distribution, a sharper steering feel, and improved rear traction off the line.

The dynamic C8 Corvette Stingray stands tall among its competitors in its price range, providing 495 horsepower and 470 lb/ft of torque and posting a sub 3-second 0-60 time, making it the quickest and most powerful base Corvette ever built. Assisting the 6.2 liter LT2 V8 engine is an 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission from Tremec, which is the only transmission available. And thanks to the incredible computing power of the C8 Corvette, the signature magnetic ride control system is able to react faster and smarter than ever before, while delivering more bandwidth between softer touring settings and hardened, more aggressive track settings.

You can read all about how GM engineered the C8 Corvette’s magnetic ride control here.

You can build and price your 2022 C8 Stingray now, online. You can check out the new paint colors while you are there too. There are three new colors, two of them are available at no additional cost, Hypersonic Gray and Caffeine Metallic. Both Amplify Orange and Red Mist Metallic will add $995 to the price. The 2022 Corvette Stingray starts at $60,900 for the 1LT coupe model and getting as pricey as $79,850 for the convertible 3LT model. 

2022 C8 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Edition LT2 V8
Image copyright Mattheus Pach, Muscle Cars & Trucks.

Written by Cody U.

Cody is a Tennessee-based media professional with a degree in Journalism and Electronic Media. He has spent time as a country radio morning show producer and currently writes for MC&T as an outlet to geek out over cool cars, trucks, and utility vehicles.

Originally from California Cody has an appreciation for all-electric vehicles but a soft spot for the rumble of an all-American V8 muscle car. His dream car remains a 2007 Ford Mustang Bullitt. His fascination with all things cars stems from countless trips to car shows and watching car movies, of course.

4 Comments

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  1. No coaching by Gavin?
    Hey that video had Zero tips on how to drive the C8 on track from Oliver!!
    Really misleading headline for this article

  2. Yeah I bought the Series 31 Ep 3 episode of TG on Amazon to watch a for the full review of the C8. Sure the c8 review clip on YouTube appeared unbiased/enthusiastic, but when they returned to the studio and with the damp track Stig time lap (which I’m sure was intentional – given that they could have that car anytime they wanted to), it appeared that they kind of sh|tted on the car. I’m glad the show is failing after the trio left the show.

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