The 2020 Corvette was the hotly anticipated launch of the newest generation of the sportscar. The new Corvette is a mid-engine car, a change from legacy generations. But, it is still a sportscar. So, many people will take it to the track. However, can a new Corvette be prepared for track use easily?

Only 5 percent of Corvettes see track time

According to Morgan Crosbie, only 5 percent of Corvette owners will actually take their cars to the track. So, Chevrolet prepares the cars, new from the factory, for street use. However, a Certified GM dealership can set the Corvette up for track use. 

The break-in period is important

The first thing to do, according to Mr. Crosbie, is to make sure that the Corvette has been taken through the break-in process correctly. This will make sure that components are ready to handle the stresses of a track day. According to the owner’s manual, the C8 Corvette break-in period is the first 1,500 miles. The break-in period also allows the driver to get acclimated to the vehicle. 

Part of the break-in is reaching the first 500 miles. In that period, the brakes should be burnished in. But, at that point, according to Mr. Crosbie, the Corvette’s brake fluid needs to be changed out. The fluid replacement should be able to handle a higher boiling point. He suggests looking for a brake fluid that can handle 590 degrees and is not silicon-based.

Next, the original transmission fluid should be drained and replaced at 1,500 miles. Mr. Crosbie uses the AC Delco dual-clutch transmission fluid. 

The Corvette suspension

Finally, track specific adjustments should be made. These will calibrate the suspension in preparation for the track. This includes suspension adjustments to camber, caster, and toe at each of the four corners. Additionally, Mr. Crosbi had brake air ducts need to be installed in the front and rear. 

A video with Mr. Crosbie going over these points is below.

The 2020 Corvette specifications

According to Car and Driver, the starting price for a 2020 Corvette Stingray with the 3LT Package is $67,495. It has a 6.2-liter V8 engine that puts out 490 horsepower. It has a dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission. It has an 18.5-gallon tank and yields fuel economy rated at 15 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. 19-inch wheels are at the front corners, while 20-inch wheels are installed at the rear. Zero-to-sixty times are at 2.8 seconds.

The 2020 Corvette has been around only for a very short time. Just as deliveries of the new mid-engine car were getting underway, the global COVID-19 pandemic started to grip the world. Consequently, production lines of all manufacturers saw delays or shutdowns. Now, Chevrolet is doing its best to get back on track fulfilling all the pre-orders of the vehicle. Of those consumers that finally get their Corvette, the desire to go to the track and eat other sportscars for lunch is a definite draw to the car. That ability is possible, but more likely if the car is actually prepared and calibrated correctly after their break-in period. To that end, make sure to read the owner’s manual for proper guidance on the break-in period before making the rest of the changes Mr. Crosbie mentioned. All in all, pretty easy stuff.