The mid-engine C8 hit the dealerships earlier this year, and right out of the gate, the performance automotive crowd started pushing the envelope. Carlyle Racing strapped on a Nitrous Outlet nitrous system and was the first C8 to click off a 10-second pass with a 10.65 at 130 MPH in the 1/4-mile back in March. Fast forward seven months, and we have a new C8 Corvette record. This time, instead of nitrous being the power adder of choice, it was forced induction.

The team over at Extreme Turbo Systems (ETS) was able to take its C8 Corvette and make a 9-second 1/4-mile pass just a few days ago. Not only was this the first sub-10-second pass, but it’s also the first time we have seen the LT2 crack a 1,000 horsepower at the wheels.

In the video, you can watch the mid-engine Corvette make several pulls on the dyno. At 13-pounds of boost, the C8 puts down 872 horsepower. With just five more pounds, that number jumps to 980. From there, all it took was an additional 2-pounds, for a total of 20, for the red Corvette to hit 1,021 horsepower at the wheel. And it’s impressive at how smooth all of these pulls are. If the video didn’t show us the numbers during the process, we would not have guessed the horsepower based on the car’s attitude.

So, what does it take to get a C8 in the 9-second zone?

ETS installed a set of Precision Turbochargers (H-Cover ETS Spec) and two 46mm wastegates, ETS air-to-water intercooler, and an icebox. The Stingray also had a few other tricks up its sleeve including, MAHLE pistons, Ferrea valvetrain, a direct port methanol kit, Raybestos clutch, and a set of sticky Mickey Thompson drag radials in 19-inch.

The first pass netted the crew a 10.49 at 140.64 mph with a 1.84 60-foot time. ETS then made some adjustments to the launch control and managed a 10.05 at 145 mph. The final pass shown in the video was the fastest and set a new record. The mid-engine rocketship was able to muster the first ever 9-second pass with a 9.95 at 144.11 mph.

With the 9-second range conquered, how long will it be before we see eights? Considering this platform went from 11s to 9s in a few months, we expect it won’t be too long.

Congratulations to ETS on this record and all of those that helped along the way.