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Everybody likes to be the big man on campus. Especially when you can do it in one of the most popular cars on the planet right now. However, giving a C8 Corvette a curb check in the middle of a crowded intersection is not the best way to get noticed. We’re not sure if the person doing the driving in this short video is the owner or simply the driver, but either way, they shouldn’t have been.
Moving the engine rearward in the mid-engine C8 brought so many handling benefits to the car such as its improved center of gravity, the view out the front glass, and much-needed traction to the rear tires. About the only improvement listed that could have possibly helped this driver do the intended donut in this people-crowded intersection is the better view out the front window. Sadly though, it appears his mind was so clouded the clearest glass in the world couldn’t overcome it.
This video, posted on Instagram by iamtaiboogie, starts out with the automotive version of, “hold my beer!” After sufficient time for everyone’s eyes to focus on the blue C8 situated in the middle of the intersection, the driver does a “yank and bank” to the left in an attempt to bring the car’s backside around like a $100,000-plus merry-go-round. Turns out, a day at Disney with the entire family would have been much more cost-effective.
Porsche enthusiasts know all too well about the rear-engine variant’s penchant for tossing the tail, especially when you send it with too much throttle or cut power entirely. With the C8’s mid-engine platform, the effect isn’t nearly as extreme and this video shows it was much less than the driver expected. It apparently takes the entire intersection and part of the sidewalk to get a full arc out of a C8 Corvette at full lock and under full power. At least, that’s how much it took for THIS C8!
We can only imagine what carnage resides under that composite body but the amount of toe-out to the rear wheels only begins to tell the tale!
Thankfully, karma was somewhat forgiving and it appears the wheel went up over a portion of the walkway that wasn’t as high as the rest of the curb. Rather than stubbing the rear tire and suspension into the midsection of the car, the driver’s lack of reason apparently only snapped a few joints in the car’s chassis. He was able to drive the car a short way (most likely in an attempt to shun the shame and ridicule) but in the end, he’ll have some ‘splainin’ to do to his insurance, the repair shop, and possibly the owner!
I guess if he was trying to be popular, he succeeded. Scores of viewers were seen following him down the road, cellphones in hand. Welp, you’re famous Mr. Corvette driver!
Whether or not this person ever sees the keys to this Corvette again, they’ll forever be remembered as that faceless soul whose attempt at greatness was brought short by the latest advancements in Corvette design – an almost perfect center of gravity and improved traction to those massive rear tires.
