As the editor-in-chief of Car and Driver, I've had the privilege of witnessing some of the most incredible performances on the Virginia International Raceway's Grand Course. The Lightning Lap, our annual event where we push the world's fastest cars to their limits, is a true test of a car's mettle. But what about the people behind the wheel? Can executives prove their cars are fast, or are they just a bunch of hype? This year, we invited a group of enthusiastic executives to join us at VIR, including Ford CEO Jim Farley, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, and GM president Mark Reuss. We asked them to bring their own cars and give it a go, and the results were nothing short of impressive. The Grand Course's 24 corners offer many chances to miss shifts or turn-in and braking points, and even a minor misstep can blow an entire lap. But that's ...
As the editor-in-chief of Car and Driver, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some of the most incredible performances on the Virginia International Raceway’s Grand Course. The Lightning Lap, our annual event where we push the world’s fastest cars to their limits, is a true test of a car’s mettle. But what about the people behind the wheel? Can executives prove their cars are fast, or are they just a bunch of hype?
This year, we invited a group of enthusiastic executives to join us at VIR, including Ford CEO Jim Farley, Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, and GM president Mark Reuss. We asked them to bring their own cars and give it a go, and the results were nothing short of impressive.
The Grand Course’s 24 corners offer many chances to miss shifts or turn-in and braking points, and even a minor misstep can blow an entire lap. But that’s what makes Lightning Lap so challenging – and rewarding. The experience is not just about driving fast; it’s about understanding the car’s capabilities and pushing it to its limits.
One of the most surprising moments came when I brought my own 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera to the track. I’d long wanted to lap it at VIR, and it did not disappoint. The Carrera’s 3.4-liter flat-six engine produced 282 horsepower, and it handled like a dream on the track.
But what really impressed me was the way the executives fared behind the wheel. Ford’s Farley, for example, got stuck in the Climbing Esses, a notoriously tricky turn, and had to recover quickly to avoid losing time. Toyota’s Toyoda, on the other hand, seemed to have a natural instinct for the track, navigating the corners with ease.
GM’s Reuss, meanwhile, was a bit of a wild card. He brought a Corvette Z06, which is a beast of a car, but it wasn’t exactly the most forgiving machine on the track. Despite this, he still managed to post a respectable time, thanks to his experience and skill.
The LLC-Suite category proved to be a fun addition to Lightning Lap, and it’s clear that these executives are just as passionate about driving as they are about their cars. Whether they’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the world of performance driving, they all shared a common goal: to push their cars to the limit and see what they’re truly capable of.
In the end, Lightning Lap is not just about speed; it’s about the people behind the wheel. And when it comes to driving, there’s no better way to learn about a car than to drive it absolutely as fast as it’ll go.
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