Thank you for allowing AutoTrader and Rory to use your car for the video. You were phenomenal in talking us through Willow Springs, and your driving of course. I’m a fan!
That was a KICK-AZS video! Especially since I'm familiar with that track! It's an easy track to learn, but hard to get perfect! Turn 8 always tests my nerve! (I go in at 135, but go out much slower! )
It reminds me of when the Blue Angels take reporters or civilians up for demonstration flights and they are having calm conversations while tossing the jet around and the person in the backseat is either passed out from Gs or puking. lol Training... training.. training... and then working out.. working out... working out.
After watching Jessie convey such a comprehensive around-the-track commentary; while pushing the ZO6 near its performance limits. I think I can speculate this chap has a chance in the announcer's booth when he's done racing...
Thank you for bringing in the racing driver who, very well, talked about the difference between this and the previous generations of the Corvettes! What a masterpiece of a car!
FYI, the Z06 has been top tier in performance since the C5 Z06. All the lightweighting, suspension/chassis, gearing, and power effort on the C5 Z06 Corvette was worth it in the end as it had one of the fastest Nürburgring times and lap times of any production car at the time. "When the C5 Corvette Z06 clocked its 7:56 Ring time (remember this was 20+ years ago), it was a pretty big deal. GM claimed it was the first true stock/production car to break past the eight-minute mark." They even went so far as to put titanium exhaust on the car from the factory; the first true production car to do so, thinned the window glass, removed sound deadening, lighter weight Speedline wheels from Italy, stiffer and lighter body compared to the base C5 hatchback, stiffer suspension, etc. etc. Oh, and this was also during the era of the C5-R dominating GT racing, including multiple 24 Hours of Le Mans wins.
Well noted sir. Racing Vettes so dominated its' class in GT racing that they eliminated the class! Also, checking "Vette" hot lap times at Laguna Seca in the hands of Randy Pobst, over the years, shows that euro "supercars" had nothing on the previous front-engined Vettes!
I've been really thinking about getting a C5 Z06. I got a little kid's electric motorized Corvette C5-R for my 6th birthday in 2005, so getting a C5 Z06 would be getting my childhood racecar back. It's extremely great to know it's the 1st production car to go sub-8 minutes at Nurburgring. If I get it back, it'll be like having a street-legal C5-R with all that racing history and of course the high performance.
@@elijahprasad7884 actually my C5 Z06 has a built 402 cubic inch LS2 with 600 HP so it’s much more HP than stock but yes I daily drive it and it gets 20 mpg in the city.
One thing you have to remember with Corvette.. despite what its gained going mid engine, its previous front engine layout in racing form had dominated various GT endurance racing series for decades.
This Z06 is one of the best cars of our era, when Ferraris are turbo charged, the Corvette has one of the sweetest engines out there, to me this is up there with the GT3 ❤️
OMG this has to be the best review ever. Many journalists have reviewed the C8 Z06 but none have captured the excitement, the exhilaration, and the sheer joy of this magnificent car the way Rory and Jesse have in this video. Well done ,guys. I’ve got a regular C8 which I absolutely love and I thought the Z06 unnecessary (and bloody hard to get at the moment) but after this video, I may need to rethink that position.
That racing driver is an amazing guy. Giving us a breakdown of the whole lap while he's driving. Formula 1 should hire him both as a racing driver as well as commentator. He got the talent for both
I like the enthusiasm in your comment but F1 is an entirely different planet. This brother, although very talented, is driving well within his own limits in his Vette.
@@jesse_iwuji I was able to get to check out the E-Ray and damn if I don't love that thing, my favorite of all the C8s. That's the one I will probably buy.
Race car drivers are another breed of human. He was giving tips while pushing the car lightly with another person in it. Average driver in me would be laser focused on not binning it and couldn't have energy to speak at all. Bless this man, God bless all race car drivers, they are highly trained and incredible human beings to pilot what's basically them strapped to horsepower, hurlting themselves around race tracks for their love of it.
For the kind of performance, especially in Z07 guise, and amenities I would get in the Vette over a significantly more expensive Ferrari? Yes sir! It would have to be a 458 Speciale or 488 Pista to make me feel otherwise in terms of comparable mid engine cars.
8:41 yo, my man’s brain functions at a crazy high level to be able to call these moves out with this level of detail, while driving like a maniac. Goddamn.
Jesses a cool vette owner and good to see his Z06 in this review. An excellent auto trader review. Thank you. I especially enjoyed the track portion of the video as Jesse shared his insights as well as the auto trader review on the track too. Great video !
This just made me realise how tough racing and setting laps really is compared to driving. Bless the pros and protect them every millisecond that anything could go wrong.
Amazing production work! Thank you for bringing Jesse in this video. I would love to see him race a few more cars in the future. Super entertaining to watch you two. I had to replay this video a couple of times, it was pretty epic.
@Jesse Iwuji 😳 yoooo! I meant that in the best way. Race and performance car entertainment content and commentary for Motortrend, Auto Trader NASCAR, Indy, F1, automotive manufacturers, etc. Opportunities are endless ✨️You and Rory are a dynamic duo 💪🏿
@@jesse_iwuji Great video, great ride, and I love the wheels! Do you have any opinion on the upcoming E-Ray? I'm on a waiting list for one - my main use will be road trips with an occasional track outing. I think I want the ZER package to get the Pilot Sport 4 S ZP tires, and CF wheels to compensate for battery weight. Finally, I was at the annual "Bash" at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green last month, a fun and educational long weekend. All the Corvette brass attend - Tadge, Harlan, Josh, etc.. It would be great to see you there next year!
The stream of consciousness while driving shows he's different, elite breed of racer. He's so connected he just gets to focus, input, react and interpret in real time. Very cool vid guys!
I LOVED this episode and this collaboration! Again, Rori you are hitting it out of the park. At first, I thought the spec to have was the Z06 Vette with the Z07 high downforce package but this spec looks on point and if this is the spec an actual race car driver has, that says something. Listening to Jessie's commentary during his driving (1) shows you the man knows what he is doing and (2) gives you a glimpse as to what is going on in the head of a pro race car driver. Again, very well done. BTW loved the "Cali" shirt Rori.
I LOVE those wheels! This is how you do aftermarket wheels people, not the gaudy mess so many choose. And you can tell Cali had a wet winter. Look at Willow Springs! It's green!
Great video. Great car! A masterpiece of American ingenuity. ..I would love to own and drive one of these as a daily driver, as I'm not a race driver, even though I'm a Mustang owner and fan.
I like Jesse's challenge at the end. That Z06 is special. I will buy a C3 Vette from a friend in the future here in the States. Another great video Rory!
The c8 z06 in that color is awesome. What a difference a styling change and appropriate color can do to a car. The regular sting ray is like a 2, this is a 10
As a Ferrari owner, I would agree for the price. Had put money down for the Z06 but postponed. Waiting for the 3rd year run on it to squeeze out first run problems. Hopefully they’ll still have Z06’s in 2025.
Is Jesse a commentator? Coz he should be! Or at least the team racing driver. Gunning it at over 140mph and still breaking it down is a top tier skill.
Thank you for doing this video on my C8 Z06! I had a fun time there with the group! 🎉🎉
I immensely enjoyed your commentary on the lap. I wish you the very best with your racing team!
@@videomakville thank you!
Thank you for allowing AutoTrader and Rory to use your car for the video. You were phenomenal in talking us through Willow Springs, and your driving of course.
I’m a fan!
Brother, you are so impressive. Amazing.
God bless you. All the best of successes to you, your family, and your loved ones.
That was a KICK-AZS video! Especially since I'm familiar with that track! It's an easy track to learn, but hard to get perfect! Turn 8 always tests my nerve! (I go in at 135, but go out much slower! )
The way Jessie is able to partition his focus like that to drive, teach and be relatable - all at speed, is sorcery. Love it!
Thank you 🙌🏾
It reminds me of when the Blue Angels take reporters or civilians up for demonstration flights and they are having calm conversations while tossing the jet around and the person in the backseat is either passed out from Gs or puking. lol Training... training.. training... and then working out.. working out... working out.
Jesse Iwuji talking through that lap was so bloody fun to watch.
Haha thank you! I wanted to keep it entertaining
@@jesse_iwuji and you did. That was amazing! Thank you so much.
Racing drivers are something else! How is Jesse Iwuji driving so fast and giving such a detailed breakdown in real time!!
Thank you 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Because he’s not going that fast. If he was he would need a helmet.
Did you not watch the video? Lol
@@davidwilliams8728 go back to bed Davido
@@davidwilliams8728 There's always one of you
Ok we need part two of Rory and the Pro driver 😂😂…Talking us through the drive was something else.
Haha glad you loved it! ❤
@@jesse_iwuji You're an impressive guy. Keep up the good work.
@@romulus_ thank you sir!
@@jesse_iwuji hey Jesse, great job. Curious why you didn't go for the Z07 package?
@@molebogengwechoemang1268 hell yeah
After listening to that pro driver talk us through the lap, I’m pretty sure I could set a record lap at Willow Springs.
😂😂 I hope you do!
@@jesse_iwuji The man himself!
Lololol was just thinking this is the best race commentary I've ever heard!
Lol 🤣🤣🤣 Love that statement
I will try with Gran Turismo 7 until I get my ZO6. If you see this Jesse you have another fan
After watching Jessie convey such a comprehensive around-the-track commentary; while pushing the ZO6 near its performance limits. I think I can speculate this chap has a chance in the announcer's booth when he's done racing...
Haha who knows!?
Jesse! Been watching you do the rounds on RUclips… thanks for allowing your car to be used to make awesome content… im a huge fan of you now man!
Honestly, I think Jesse's track lap talk through is the most exciting one I've ever listened to!
Thank you good sir!
Rory, please never stop hosting these videos!
It was a good time!
Big fan of Jesse, salute you for your service as well
I agree
Rory is the best presenter since Jeremy Clarkson
Jesse, you are the coolest and most humble guy out there that owns a Z06 💪🏼
Thank you 🙏🏾
Fantastic presentation Rory. You and Jessie make a great team and are an inspiration to many. Love this car !
We should do more vids together 👏🏾
Thank you for bringing in the racing driver who, very well, talked about the difference between this and the previous generations of the Corvettes!
What a masterpiece of a car!
Thank you so much
FYI, the Z06 has been top tier in performance since the C5 Z06. All the lightweighting, suspension/chassis, gearing, and power effort on the C5 Z06 Corvette was worth it in the end as it had one of the fastest Nürburgring times and lap times of any production car at the time. "When the C5 Corvette Z06 clocked its 7:56 Ring time (remember this was 20+ years ago), it was a pretty big deal. GM claimed it was the first true stock/production car to break past the eight-minute mark."
They even went so far as to put titanium exhaust on the car from the factory; the first true production car to do so, thinned the window glass, removed sound deadening, lighter weight Speedline wheels from Italy, stiffer and lighter body compared to the base C5 hatchback, stiffer suspension, etc. etc.
Oh, and this was also during the era of the C5-R dominating GT racing, including multiple 24 Hours of Le Mans wins.
Well noted sir. Racing Vettes so dominated its' class in GT racing that they eliminated the class!
Also, checking "Vette" hot lap times at Laguna Seca in the hands of Randy Pobst, over the years, shows that euro "supercars" had nothing on the previous front-engined Vettes!
I've been really thinking about getting a C5 Z06. I got a little kid's electric motorized Corvette C5-R for my 6th birthday in 2005, so getting a C5 Z06 would be getting my childhood racecar back. It's extremely great to know it's the 1st production car to go sub-8 minutes at Nurburgring. If I get it back, it'll be like having a street-legal C5-R with all that racing history and of course the high performance.
I daily drive a C5 Z06 and it’s probably the most performance for the money right now in the world. $20K to $25K will get you one.
@@craigthescott5074 You daily drive something that has the performance of a Ferrari 360.
@@elijahprasad7884 actually my C5 Z06 has a built 402 cubic inch LS2 with 600 HP so it’s much more HP than stock but yes I daily drive it and it gets 20 mpg in the city.
Yes! Not only is the car stellar but so is the Host. Way to go Rory.
He could’ve been the host himself 😂 really enjoyed listening to him
One thing you have to remember with Corvette.. despite what its gained going mid engine, its previous front engine layout in racing form had dominated various GT endurance racing series for decades.
Jesse is awesome… he should be the Auto Trader Stig
😂😂 that would be epic 🙏🏾
Great Idea
Black Stig
Now that's a daring challenge.
Bring any car under 300k to track and see what happens.
This man surely knows his game.
Hopefully this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. And a partnership at least as good on this channel, too. Excellent job, gentlemen 👌👋
Thank you 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
This Z06 is one of the best cars of our era, when Ferraris are turbo charged, the Corvette has one of the sweetest engines out there, to me this is up there with the GT3 ❤️
I agree!
It's quicker around some tracks than the GT3 RS. Both are great
That pro driver just challenged my whole Cars and Coffee senior leadership 😂
Love to see it
😂😂😂😂 bring it on!
OMG this has to be the best review ever. Many journalists have reviewed the C8 Z06 but none have captured the excitement, the exhilaration, and the sheer joy of this magnificent car the way Rory and Jesse have in this video. Well done ,guys. I’ve got a regular C8 which I absolutely love and I thought the Z06 unnecessary (and bloody hard to get at the moment) but after this video, I may need to rethink that position.
That racing driver is an amazing guy. Giving us a breakdown of the whole lap while he's driving. Formula 1 should hire him both as a racing driver as well as commentator. He got the talent for both
Thank you sir 🎉
I like the enthusiasm in your comment but F1 is an entirely different planet. This brother, although very talented, is driving well within his own limits in his Vette.
Perfect commentary from Jesse
Thank you 🙏🏾🎉
Ive never heard the red tailed hawk cry used like this before, lol. Loud as hell and the first audio element. Should be an award for it
Wow what a lap this guy Jessie is awesome chatting through the lap like that well done
His commentary through the lap actually raised my heartrate I felt like I was in the car with you guys haha!!
Thank you! Everyone has been loving that
Absolutely Awesome!!!! I remember my first ride in C4 and I thought that was nuts, then I drove a C6 and I was amazed. This thing is amazing!
Yea the first time I drove a car with a V8 was the C7, and I fell in love with vettes. (coming from a 5.0 fanatic)
Never been a corvette fan but the c8's are doing it for me. Very impressed!
You should test one!
@Jesse Iwuji definitely plan on it. And if I like it I'm seriously gonna buy one! Huge fan btw! You're an amazing driver!
@@jesse_iwuji I was able to get to check out the E-Ray and damn if I don't love that thing, my favorite of all the C8s. That's the one I will probably buy.
@@venom5809 c8 ZR1 next for me!
@@jesse_iwuji My friend could neither confirm or deny to me the existence of the Zora so I assume it's a yes. I just love the E-Ray though.
Somebody give this man a show!
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 The adventures of Rory & Jesse 😅
Great treat for having the driver help on the video
Great insight on a real driver
Thank you sir 🎉
Rory and Jesse are a terrific pairing. Way to go Autotrader UK
It's actually AutoTrader UK, but yeah, a good duo.
Thank you! Autotrader made it happen!
@@tomamberg5361 thank you for the clarification
Race car drivers are another breed of human. He was giving tips while pushing the car lightly with another person in it. Average driver in me would be laser focused on not binning it and couldn't have energy to speak at all.
Bless this man, God bless all race car drivers, they are highly trained and incredible human beings to pilot what's basically them strapped to horsepower, hurlting themselves around race tracks for their love of it.
It's amazing to see how far Chevy has come with their engineering.
Would you pick the Z06 over a Ferrari?
Yes 😊
Who pick ls a fake Ferrari over a Real Ferrari
And the worst thing is that it's not even a Corvette
Never
For the kind of performance, especially in Z07 guise, and amenities I would get in the Vette over a significantly more expensive Ferrari? Yes sir! It would have to be a 458 Speciale or 488 Pista to make me feel otherwise in terms of comparable mid engine cars.
Ferrari all the way
Oh yeah, been waiting for Rory to get his hands on a Z06! And it’s Jesse’s? This is gonna be good!
👌🏾👌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
thanks for the commentating Jesse Iwuji, i am "officially a professional driver" in my toyota corrolla. Love from Kenya
🎉🎉 love it!
If Jessie is saying so much about the Z06, I totally go with his words.
Thank you sir 🎉
that was a freaking great video the way he was describing the turns and the throttling up at the end was so cool
8:41 yo, my man’s brain functions at a crazy high level to be able to call these moves out with this level of detail, while driving like a maniac. Goddamn.
I love the orange and the black trim. Quite a car!
Those ForgedLite MC5 wheels look amazing on the z06.
Amen!
love the wheels fit it perfectly! and gives the car a mclaren vibe
Jesses a cool vette owner and good to see his Z06 in this review. An excellent auto trader review. Thank you. I especially enjoyed the track portion of the video as Jesse shared his insights as well as the auto trader review on the track too.
Great video !
Thank you!
man these guys are pros! More Jessie driving different cars with commentary! I was pumped! lol
I'm down 😄!
Dammit Rory, seeing as the fans love you a possible meet up for the faithful when you're on our side of the pond would be amazing!
Even a 300k 2023 gt3 Porsche is only a couple 10ths faster around willow...thats incredible value.
Jesse Iwuji needs to be a regular on this channel as the channel's track test driver.
I wouldn't mind that at all 😄
This just made me realise how tough racing and setting laps really is compared to driving. Bless the pros and protect them every millisecond that anything could go wrong.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
@@jesse_iwuji always remember what Uncle Ben said "with great horsepower comes great responsibility"🤣🙏🙏🙏
Amazing production work! Thank you for bringing Jesse in this video. I would love to see him race a few more cars in the future. Super entertaining to watch you two. I had to replay this video a couple of times, it was pretty epic.
I love the look of Jesse's car and how he explains it. If I could afford one I would get one now.
7:29 "GRIPS AND RIPS" 🔥
Yeaaaa!!!
Jessie has a brighter future as a race commentator. He's fantastic.
Haha maybe one day!
@Jesse Iwuji 😳 yoooo! I meant that in the best way. Race and performance car entertainment content and commentary for Motortrend, Auto Trader NASCAR, Indy, F1, automotive manufacturers, etc. Opportunities are endless ✨️You and Rory are a dynamic duo 💪🏿
@@SociallyBrandedMedia 🙌🏾🙌🏾
What a beautiful car. Especially in that orange.
Well done Chevrolet!
Excellent. Rory is one of the best car presenters there is. Thank you for such awesome entertainment, and yes the new Z06 is amazing.
Never knew Orange w/ Gold wheels would look so good.
They are incredible, thank you
Informative, entertaining, professional and memorable!!! Thank you Rory and Jesse
This guy would make such an amazing commentaor!!!!
🙌🏾🙏🏾
@@jesse_iwuji Great video, great ride, and I love the wheels!
Do you have any opinion on the upcoming E-Ray? I'm on a waiting list for one - my main use will be road trips with an occasional track outing. I think I want the ZER package to get the Pilot Sport 4 S ZP tires, and CF wheels to compensate for battery weight.
Finally, I was at the annual "Bash" at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green last month, a fun and educational long weekend. All the Corvette brass attend - Tadge, Harlan, Josh, etc.. It would be great to see you there next year!
The stream of consciousness while driving shows he's different, elite breed of racer. He's so connected he just gets to focus, input, react and interpret in real time. Very cool vid guys!
You get it sir!❤
I LOVED this episode and this collaboration! Again, Rori you are hitting it out of the park. At first, I thought the spec to have was the Z06 Vette with the Z07 high downforce package but this spec looks on point and if this is the spec an actual race car driver has, that says something. Listening to Jessie's commentary during his driving (1) shows you the man knows what he is doing and (2) gives you a glimpse as to what is going on in the head of a pro race car driver. Again, very well done. BTW loved the "Cali" shirt Rori.
Thank you for the kind words!
@@jesse_iwuji Anytime brother! Keep up the good work and again that is one sweet looking ride.
The way Jessie commentary transferred through my Dolby Atmos headphones, I felt I was there ! My heart literally started racing !!!!!!
That lap breakdown was impressive 👌🏾
Thank you 🎉
The C8 Corvette is the most performance for the money in the world and the Z06 is even better.
Epic Rory! I'll start saving now...
I was smiling and giggling all through that lap. Thanks, y’all.
People should stop saying c8 zo6 has a "FERRARI" engine. That type of flat plane crank v8 is not ferrari's patent.
Jesse was absolutely awesome. So much input while driving his ass off. Time for a hot lap series? That would be super.
I'm happy you enjoyed!
Get these two guys together again for another car video…ANY car video!!!!
I have a few cars to choose from! 🎉🎉
Now my favorite video. Soon as the Z06 drops to 100K, its in my garage. The car is beautiful. Perfect wing as well.
Thanks once again. Great content, amazing drivers.
Don't forget to mention as well as flat plane crank, it's also 4 valve pc, quad cam which helps it free rev a lot higher.
Amazing guys, great work!!
👏🏾👏🏾
Porsche and Corvette are the only sports cars that really matter.
Pls get this gentleman more involved guys :)
Thank you 🙏🏾❤
C6 Z06 is the Best Looking and Sounding Corvette Ever Made
Thanks for the content. Jesse is a stand up guy too!
Thank you 🎉🎉
I LOVE those wheels! This is how you do aftermarket wheels people, not the gaudy mess so many choose. And you can tell Cali had a wet winter. Look at Willow Springs! It's green!
Cheve took Picasso's advice to heart, "a good artist copies, a great artist steals." Well done cheve
Great video. Great car! A masterpiece of American ingenuity. ..I would love to own and drive one of these as a daily driver, as I'm not a race driver, even though I'm a Mustang owner and fan.
Incredible content, as always and wonder, amazing narration on-board…. Love this….
Thank you 🙌🏾
I like Jesse's challenge at the end. That Z06 is special. I will buy a C3 Vette from a friend in the future here in the States. Another great video Rory!
I think Jesse could have another career as a car reviewer. That was fun.
Perhaps one day!
The c8 z06 in that color is awesome. What a difference a styling change and appropriate color can do to a car. The regular sting ray is like a 2, this is a 10
Love the wheels on it
@Jesse Iwuji your passion for motorsport oozes through! Fantastic color choice BTW.
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
It really has that oldschool "Ferrari sound" , hell it sounds more like an oldschool Ferrari then actual, modern Ferrari models.
You sir are the best reviewer period.
I was there I am a paid actor I was the wheels on the Z06 and I can confirm what he is saying is true 😂
😂😂😂
Wow, man. What a duo. Loved Jesse's commentary so much and him and Rory made this review awesome. Big up 🤜🏿🤛🏿
Thank you🎉🎉, great teamwork
That, was a cool video Mr Reid! When that prodriver retires, he's going to wnd up calling races somewhere!
Hahaha thank you
Commentary while driving was perfection. Thank you!
I like it but I also used to like the front-engine classic Corvette.
I would have loved if they could produce them both... 😇🤩
Older vetted had the pushrod V8 crosspplane engines
@@yusufgta4341 I know. They could have change or modernize it. I'm missing the classic Corvette shape. 🚙
great video, the most thrilling and energetic to date, you should do more videos with jesse, what a great duo
I’d have this over any Ferrari tbh it’s just so good
Jesse's lap commentary was amazing! Had me hyped and wanting to drive
This engine is more Ferrari than a Ferrari engine 🔥
As a Ferrari owner, I would agree for the price. Had put money down for the Z06 but postponed. Waiting for the 3rd year run on it to squeeze out first run problems. Hopefully they’ll still have Z06’s in 2025.
What an amazing video. Thank you Autotrader for getting with Jesse and making this great content! 🙌
👏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
prefer this wing
Just wait when Hennessey get there hands on make there performance pack for it 😅
I can't wait for this to get to Europe. It makes anything short of a 911 turbo or 750s seem redundant.
Bro could be a commentator for his own race
😂😂
Is Jesse a commentator? Coz he should be! Or at least the team racing driver.
Gunning it at over 140mph and still breaking it down is a top tier skill.