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Climbing the Ladder – Dirk Stratton and his LS7-Powered #Driftvette

The Block - Dirk Stratton

Holley’s LS Fest (link is external) is an event near and dear to our hearts. We attend every year for a chance to witness drag racing, autocross and drifting, all in one weekend and all cars featuring an LS or LT engine. This is where Dirk Stratton comes into the picture. Two years ago, at the 2015 Holley LS Fest, we saw a grey C6 Corvette ripping through the gears at Beech Bend Raceway with a trail of white smoke behind it and we were blown away. It was refreshing to see a Chevrolet chassis dominating in a motorsport series comprised almost solely of small Japanese cars, so we have been keeping our eyes on the driver, Dirk Stratton, ever since.

As it turns out, he has grown leaps and bounds since we last saw him at LS Fest. That year, in 2015, he won the Midwest Drift Union Championship which earned him a spot in the Formula Drift Pro2 series, only one tier below the big dogs of Pro1. He competed in the ‘16 season of Formula Drift (FD) and came in a very impressive 4th place in the overall series points which earned him the prestigious “Rookie of the Year” title.

Dirk is now positioned to compete in the FD Pro2 series again in 2017, although his “Rookie of the Year” title did earn him a license to compete in Pro1. “You know, I just think my team and I should compete another year in Pro2 in order to refine a few things and continue to grow. We hope to enter the Pro1 series in 2018 as a better team and I’m confident we can dominate,” Dirk told us.

So, within a matter of just a few years, Dirk climbed the ladder from the grassroots level of drifting to a professional level, competing alongside some of the best drifters in the world. We were intrigued to find out how he got here and how he progressed so quickly, so we gave him a call to learn more about his story.

Read Article: https://theblock.com/news/climbing-ladder-dirk-stratton-and-his-ls7-powered-driftvette

ZR-1 of None

Lingenfelter’s “Gen III” LT5 provides a glimpse of what might have been with the original King of the Hill

It’s difficult to overstate the significance of the C4 ZR-1 upon its introduction. In the years leading up to it, rumors swirled and grainy spy phots of a royally dubbed “King of the Hill” high-performance variant captured the imagination of countless enthusiasts. At a time when any new vehicle with more than 250 horsepower was virtually guaranteed the cover of an automotive magazine, this first-ever Corvette supercar promised to be a game changer.

When its extra-wide 315/35ZR17 Goodyear Eagle ZR rear tires finally lit up the pavement in 1990, the ZR-1’s exotic LT5 DOHC V-8 was hailed as a marvel of mechanical achievement, and its 375-horsepower output equaled that of the Ferrari Testarossa’s V-12. The engine was famously developed in a joint venture between Chevrolet and Lotus, and assembled by marine-engine manufacturer MerCruiser.

Chevrolet indeed made a statement that its flagship performer could run with the world’s best. Everyone agreed. Unfortunately, they didn’t exactly acknowledge it with their wallets. Despite an initial stampede for the first few cars off the line, demand for the roughly $30,000 ZR-1 option—applied on top of the $32-$37K tab (depending on model year) for a base C4 coupe—quickly waned.

Corvettes at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show

Our friends from Lingenfelter Performance Engineering also had two Corvettes on display.

First up is the Blue and White Superformance Grand Sport we saw last fall at SEMA. The Superformance Grand Sport is equipped with the Lingenfelter enhanced LS7 that offers just over 600 hp on tap.

However, it was the Lingenfelter Red Corvette Z06 that really got our interest up. For the second year in a row, Lingenfelter is offering a Ken Lingenfelter Signature Edition Series. The car features all the great aerodynamics and braking from the Z07 Performance Package plus LPE’s enhancements to boost performance of the car to 800 hp!

The Arrow SAM Project

Arrow launched the Semi-Autonomous Motorcar (SAM) project in 2014. The current SAM car is a 2016 Corvette C7 Z06 modified so that a quadriplegic former IndyCar driver, Sam Schmidt, once again can drive using only his head to control the car.

Arrow and Schmidt have driven oval tracks, road courses and mountain summit runs at speeds up to 152 mph. The purpose of the SAM project is not only to push the boundaries of our transportation system, but also to rapidly innovate new technologies in ways never before thought possible.

In September 2016, Sam Schmidt became the first person with quadriplegia in the United States to receive an autonomous vehicle driver’s license. He has since driven the SAM car on the streets of Las Vegas, Nevada proving that the technology used in the SAM car is capable of much more than just turning laps.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering is proud to have partnered with Arrow to further enhance the performance capability of the Arrow SAM car. Original plans were made to push the SAM car’s factory LT4 supercharger to its limits. Ideally this would enable the SAM car to achieve more power for high speed runs. With further review of the tasks at hand, Lingenfelter asked Magnuson Superchargers for their support to join this incredible build.

With both partners on board, the SAM car was upgraded to an aftermarket supercharger. The Arrow SAM car will be the first Corvette C7 Z06 in production with Magnuson’s NEW LT4 Heartbeat TVS2300 kit.

Together, Arrow, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and Magnuson are working in the world of Five Years Out to turn what is possible into what is practical and help the SAM car reach its highest performance capabilities. Be sure to follow and share our journey on this incredible build. Stayed tuned for additional photos and video.

For more information, please visit www.arrowsamcar.com.

Lingenfelter Chevrolets Light Up the 2017 Chicago Auto Show

Hot wheels that will make your eyeballs hurt

First up is the 2017 Lingenfelter Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The red beast packs a V-8 engine that delivers a whopping 800 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The coupe also sports the optional Z07 performance package and carbon ceramic brakes.

The second car on display is a 2017 Lingenfelter Supercharged Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. It also has a V-8 that cranks out 800 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque. Lingenfelter’s ZL1 offers a 6-speed manual transmission to help keep things interesting on the street or track and sports a Chevrolet Flowtie, Brembo brakes, magnetic ride control, and slick custom graphics.

Last, but certainly not least, the modern beasts are sharing space with a Lingenfelter-powered C2 Corvette Grand Sport. The classic ‘Vette has a 427-cubic-inch Lingenfelter LS7-based engine under the hood that offers 603 hp at 6500 rpm. Other goodies include Lingenfelter CNC ported LS3 cylinder heads, CNC air cleaner, roller camshaft and valve train components, wet sump oil system, Holly dual quad low-riser intake, throttle bodies, and dominator ECM and wiring harness.

LINGENFELTER SUPER-HOT CARS OUTSHINED THE OTHER DISPLAYED BEASTS AT 2017 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Three cars from Lingenfelter Performance Engineering stood out among the supercars at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. The 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2017 Chevrolet Camara ZL1, and the Lingenfelter-powered C2 Corvette Grand Sport outshined the other hot cars on display.

When it comes to automotive performance engineering industry, the Lingenfelter Performance Engineering is a recognized brand. The 44-year-old company excels in engine building, engine and chassis tuning components and installation, especially for the majority of GM vehicles.

When the 2017 Chicago Auto Show opened its doors today, three cars from Lingenfelter Performance Engineering captured the hearts of many. Check below why these three cars are deemed to be superior to the other hot cars present in the show.

Seven-Time SCCA Solo II National Champion Danny Popp Talks Corvettes, LS Motors and How to be Successful

If you’re at all familiar with the grassroots autocross and time attack scene, chances are, you’ve heard of Danny Popp. He’s the guy that seems to always be holding giant trophies on Sundays at premier events around the U.S. and drives nothing but blue Corvettes. Well, it was high time we chatted with Mr. Popp to get his thoughts on just why he likes those blue Corvettes so much, why he races and see if there was any wisdom he could impart upon us.

Danny grew up in an essentially Chevrolet-dedicated family. Both his mother and father were NCCC (National Council of Corvette Clubs) and SCCA members. Danny’s father was an engineer at General Electric and had a passion for all things mechanical, which he instilled upon little Danny at an early stage. Danny grew up around a couple Corvettes (‘65 327/350 coupe and ‘72 LT-1 coupe), 70 1/2 Z28 and even a Corvair. On weekends, Danny said he would attend autocrosses with his mother and father where they became a bit of local legends.

Years later, and now Danny is a seven-time SCCA Solo II national champion (amongst many other wins) and is also a full-time certified Corvette specialist/technician at McCluskey Chevrolet in Cincinnati, Ohio. Danny tells us he also night-shadows as the Owner, proprietor and sole employee of RAFT Motorsports, Inc., a consulting firm for several national racers.

Enter to Win These Camaros With the New Beginning Children’s Homes Charity Raffle

camaro-dream-giveaway

The New Beginning Children’s Homes (NBCH) will open up a charity raffle on Febuary 5, 2017 for these two Camaros — one a 1967 with a 396 backed by a five-speed Tremec, the other a brand-new, 800 hp 2017 Lingenfelter Signature Edition ZL1. You can enter online at www.dreamgiveaway.com starting this Saturday, or by phone at (866) 600-0646.

NBCH works to house children who have been the victims of family violence, neglect, or physical abuse, providing stability for children working through the system — they also provide grants for the Disabled American Veterans, National Guard Educational Foundation, Smile Network International, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Bright Pink, and Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries.

Two Corvettes Will Be Awarded to One Lucky Winner

Dream Giveaway 2016 - Lingenfelter Signature Edition C7 Corvette Z06 Convertible

Two Corvettes Will Be Awarded to One Lucky Winner at the Dream Giveaway Garage On February 3, 2017

Special Guests Ken Lingenfelter of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and Andrew Marshall from Disabled American Veterans will attend.

Gravette, AR – January 27, 2017 – The 2016 Corvette Dream Giveaway, a nationwide drawing sponsored by New Beginning Children’s Homes–a charitable organization, ended on December 29, 2016. Sixty-nine-year-old John Wilson of Louisiana was the lucky winning ticket holder. Mr. Wilson will attend the award ceremony at the Dream Giveaway Garage in Clearwater, Florida, on February 3, 2017, at 3PM.

Special guest Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE), will attend the award ceremony to present Mr. Wilson with the keys to a classic 1965 Corvette Sting Ray convertible and an 800-horsepower 2016 Lingenfelter Signature Edition Corvette Z06 convertible. The grand-prize also included $50,000 towards the prize taxes.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, a globally recognized brand in the automobile-performance industry, is the Presenting Promotional Partner for the Corvette Dream Giveaway. The 2016 Lingenfelter Signature Edition Corvette Z06 grand-prize launches the brand-new Lingenfelter Signature Edition line of ultra-high-performance Corvettes.
Special guest Andrew Marshall, the Past Department Commander for the DAV Department of Florida, Director of Services, will attend the award ceremony on behalf of the national Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization. Mr. Marshall is a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army.

The award ceremony will be streamed live on the Dream Giveaway Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dreamgiveaways/.

For low-res and high-res photography and video assets, please contact Kim Meyers.

A 2016 Corvette Dream Giveaway spokesperson is available for press interviews for traditional print, broadcast and radio media, and digital-only sites. Please contact Kim Meyers to arrange a press interview.

Life Going Sideways: Dirk Stratton Born to Drift

There is a tradition in the Stratton family, of Beloit, Ohio, that has been rolling along since at least 1928, and most likely began when the last bolt on the first internal combustion engine was tightened down. The automobile is the steel, glass, power, and glue that binds this family and holds them firmly on the road together.

Beloit, population 978, is a tiny town some 63 miles southeast of Cleveland. It has no great landmarks, no notable historical markers except for the old Norfolk Southern railway that runs through it, and maybe a little history in the making in an up and coming native son—drifter extraordinaire Dirk Stratton.

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Blog

Climbing the Ladder – Dirk Stratton and his LS7-Powered #Driftvette

ZR-1 of None

Corvettes at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show

The Arrow SAM Project

Lingenfelter Chevrolets Light Up the 2017 Chicago Auto Show

LINGENFELTER SUPER-HOT CARS OUTSHINED THE OTHER DISPLAYED BEASTS AT 2017 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

Seven-Time SCCA Solo II National Champion Danny Popp Talks Corvettes, LS Motors and How to be Successful

Enter to Win These Camaros With the New Beginning Children’s Homes Charity Raffle

Two Corvettes Will Be Awarded to One Lucky Winner

Life Going Sideways: Dirk Stratton Born to Drift

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