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A Corvette that made history

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Created on August 8, 2025

Text:

Karl Ludvigsen

Photos:

Archiv Karl Ludvigsen

17

Archiv Karl Ludvigsen

17

With a telephoto lens, the curve of the track appears flatter: here you can see the full complement of lights on the ZR-1 - well on the way to a grandiose success

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Before the start, all the headlights were covered to keep them clean for the night shift. Air ducts from below cooled the oil in the differential and gearbox

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In the first six hours, the two Corvettes followed each other - here the L98 in near-series "showroom stock" equipment on the way to their six-hour mark

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On special racing rims, the specially manufactured 17-inch Goodyear tires carried the Corvette ZR-1 on its successful record drive to the 5000-mile mark

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Morrison and Heinricy recruited the drivers for the record attempt from the circle of experienced Corvette drivers. A second vehicle followed part of the route

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A special 180-liter tank was installed to extend the distance between refueling stops. This affected the weight distribution, but was partially compensated for

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Chosen at random from two new engines in Milford, the LT5 V8 came straight from production in Oklahoma. The vehicle was already equipped with a roll cage

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A look under the hood of the ZR-1 showed the advantage of the completely flip-up front - a blessing when preparing for a race. The special 17-inch Goodyear tires can also be seen

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No more inclination was needed to follow the curve at the end of the Stockton oval. The drivers kept their foot on the gas throughout - here still with side mirrors

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The preparations also included a telemetry system that required sensors and cabling in the front of the car. It allowed the team to talk to the driver - but not vice versa

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The experienced Tommy Morrison not only drove the record-breaking ZR-1, but also put together the team and provided substantial financial support for the 1990 record attempt

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The link at Chevrolet for the record attempt was John Heinricy - an experienced racing driver and engineer at the same time. He took over the first turn

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The bearded John Heinricy (right) was the key figure in the realization of the record ride. Here in conversation with the team and drivers

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The Corvette ZR-1 was waiting for its grand entrance among the fire engines and other equipment. EDS, GM's Electronic Data Systems, was also among the sponsors

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The wiring and controls for telemetry and other systems used the space that was freed up by removing the passenger seat. Here is the L98 Corvette on a six-hour drive

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Here begins a gentle curve at one end of the fast test track in Fort Stockton. The Corvettes used the middle of three lanes, recognizable by the reflectors

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Summary

The biggest names in motorsport had tried - and failed. A 50-year-old speed record had defied all their efforts. Could a standard American sports car break the record for the fastest 24-hour drive ever completed? Oh yes - it could!

This article contains the following chapters

The adventure begins
The vehicle
Fort Stockton
Final preparations
Now it's time to get serious
The trial begins
Destination reached

Estimated reading time: 10min

Preview (beginning of the article)

(Translated from English) The biggest names in motorsport had tried - and failed. A 50-year-old speed record had defied all their efforts. Could a standard American sports car break the record for the fastest 24-hour drive ever completed? Oh yes - it could! Every great undertaking has a beginning. This one began in the spring of 1989 in Southern California when PR consultant Peter Mills was chatting with Stuart "Stu" Hayner, who had been racing sports cars professionally since 1987. Mills told him that Ab Jenkins had set a world land speed record of 257 km/h over 24 hours on the Bonneville Salt Flats in July 1940. The record still stood - the only one of its kind that had never been broken.

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