As obvious and superfluous a statement as this is, certain cars excel at certain things. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, whether those come about by engineering accident, or conscious compromise. So, when winter rolls around, some cars tend more frequently to be resigned to the plush safety of the garage, whilst Mother Nature works out a few things.
Alas, automotive blogger Gene Sanchez Leeds is bucking the trend to try and discover just what, after all, is so darn bad about driving the new Corvette Z06 all winter-long? And he’ll be documenting his adventures (or more probably, misadventures) for Road & Track magazine.
But as Gene himself notes, “While I may be stupid, I’m not insane.” That is why Mr. Leed has ridden the car of the stock Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 performance tires in order to bolster his frightfully low chances for survival, and he’s sourced a set of Pirelli Winter Sottozero tires instead. That in itself was no easy task, as the wheels on the Z06 are massive, at 20-inches by 12-inches.
That’s the extent of Mr. Leed’s preparation of the car. All we can do now is sit back, and wait for regular updates on the foolhardy endeavor. It’s all over, as they say, but the crying.
Comments
So?
I see Bentley GT’s, 911’s and Maserati’s in the snow anymore as daily drivers then why not a Z06.
Change the tires and enjoy the ride.
Hell I drove a Fiero V6 for 3 years in the snow. Pontiac built Excitement!
Not my first choice but even a sports car with the right tires can survive even here in the snow belt.
Ive driven my C6 Z51 every winter since i purchased it. Ive had no problems except for the usual idiot drivers. Defensive driving does it. I even came from nc up through the mountains on state and county roads in freezing rain and snow with whiteouts at time wit no dificulties. Im old and could very well be in a wheelchair shortly and kate has changed my life from nonexistance to getting out and living. Corvette rules.
I live in the Midwest and have driven my Corvettes (5) daily, to and from work, for years. The right tires (deep tread), and “buckets of common sense” are required. Deep, slushy snow is a no-no, for it hangs up under the car, and the wide tires will ride up on it instead of pushing it aside. The “trick” to getting the car moving on ice and snow is slightly applying the parking brake to keep the wheels from spinning freely when taking your foot off the brake. Once moving, release the PB completely. The old analogy about applying throttle pressure as if there is an egg between your foot and the accelerator is the rule. But, I admit, when the depth of the snow rose over two inches, I stayed home until the roads had been plowed. The pile of snow created by the plows, especially across intersections will suck you in, and keep you. Another lesson I have learned about winter driving my Corvettes, is that the Goodyear tires loose about 40 percent of the traction ability on dry pavement when the temperature is below freezing. Michelin, not so much.
I drove my 400+ hp 4 speed 1970 Nova SS in the winter. Had red line wide oval studded snow tires!! I also drove my ’74 Corvette 4 speed as a daily driver for a couple of years.