Driver Battles Season 2 Episode 2: RX-7 FD3s vs. Corvette C6 (Grand Sport)

[@stevenkronemberger8634]

Thank you for having me! It was such a unique experience!!

[@Calvin1911]

Great driving my man! Well done!

[@JohnsonMac]

Thanks for having me guys. This was one for the books!

[@Kinganytime]

Johnson Mac looking like a Asian step dad

[@luisbalderrama8145]

Mac! Dude its been a while since our UCR SAE Days! Im glad you are still building and ripping cars. That FD is fire. Keep it up!

[@JohnsonMac]

@@Kinganytime LOLOL

[@JohnsonMac]

@@luisbalderrama8145 Thanks man!

[@arifally3267]

Could have definitely minimized that track time

[@biggboysouth]

Looks like the corvette could benefit from a wing. Driver did a great job snapping it back into control every time it broke traction. FD driver said it all the car has more in it and he's slowly working his way up to it's potential. Would love to see them race again in the future.

[@TheBb6prelude]

The time difference can easily be the difference between the drivers. You can clearly see the vette was gettin on throttle much sooner.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Getting on the throttle sooner is a testament of driver, but also of grip and confidence. If the car isn't making you confident then you will wait on it. Corvettes have a track dominating presence because of torque off the corner and getting through that mid turn transition. It's hard to beat a Corvette...that's the bottom line. Stick a good driver in a Corvette and you really need to bring your a-game when building a different chassis, especially one much older like the FD. I built imports for years, then transitioned to Corvettes...Corvettes are simple, balanced, have massive rubber and a stiff chassis...just that base alone makes it an up hill battle for other cars.

[@TurboD16z6]

@@KnightDriveTV maybe because it's 400-500 plus all motor with no lags.

[@brunobegic3841]

If you look at turns 1 and 3 he is also braking a lot later

[@mariagus805]

Also don't forget the FD had a ton of downforce while the C6 was all stock exterior, add just a wing to the back of the C6 and it would be even better for corners! The C6 is such a amazing American car unlike the heavier Mopars and Mustangs and Camaros.

[@panderalexander]

Agree, goes to show what a beast a Corvette is with JUST driver, his is basically stock with no aero and just coilovers, where as the FD is full on track build.

[@josephryangervacio]

Was the rx7 hitting the corners wide or is that just me?

[@youtubesafe8011]

Yeah, he was, idk maybe it was trying to step out too much when he tucked in closer

[@Supercharged111]

He totally was, but he also seemed somewhat aware of that when he said he needed more driver mod. If you're beating your PB by a second plus, you're still a little early in the development stages as a driver. That or the track got repaved over the winter. The other guy really seemed like he had more experience behind the wheel as he felt he was very close to his PB and he knew what that was. This is my first view on this channel, and I'm impressed at how both drivers were not only so connected with their abilities, but also so honest about them. No egos, just truth.

[@lw_loki]

Wide af he missed the apex but it is a high speed course takes time to get used to your car ... better safe then sorry

[@jaynotsure670]

It all depends on the driver. They should make them switch to see that it's the driver not the car

[@michaelgomez4994]

Jay notsure So the car with more power,less wight,more aero needs a driver mod to beat a stock vette with coils on one of the highest speed tracks in the USA

[@doedatfeeuhgudbb]

Not sure when you guys started including the full hotlap, but I like it like this way better!

[@niban]

Going out to have fun, personal improvement and making friends. Those 2, are the best kind of car guys you can meet.

[@josephbrady711]

"Props to keeping a rotary in the rx7" thats the most American thing ive ever heard

[@AndyBettencourt]

In cases like this the driver variable is much more important. If you really want to know what the better build is, you need one Pro driver to drive both. And I love how 'it's hot out here' but this black jacket is a must. LOL

[@jonj4357]

Andy Bettencourt they should make another series called Build Battles

[@joshuafallet5690]

This was much better than I was expecting. Just wanted to see what performance you can expect from a GS.

[@seagrass7125]

Two nice guys using this experience to become better drivers while respecting each other!!! AMAZING!!! Great to see!!!!

[@C5nonZ]

Damn a stock Corvette did that to a heavily modified RX 7? God damn

[@driver_18]

Awesome race.. cars were quite even. It all went down to driver skill.

[@randr10]

RX7 was braking really early at the end of the high speed straights but he was probably going a lot faster too so it might have been necessary. It looked like the Vette was taking the corners a bit faster too. Surprising with no aero mods. Those C6 Vettes are no joke right out of the box.

[@jeffreyelliott8912]

Just Imagine if the grand sport guy put headers and intake and cam he'd mod the floor with the fd

[@Jaredscott89]

@@jeffreyelliott8912 Imagine if the FD driver had real seat time...

[@Beezy_Builds]

As a c5z owner, im happy the vette Was able to take the win but the FD was always a realistic dream car of mine alot of people dont realize these cars are very similar, front mid ship, double wish bones all around, near 50/50 weight distrubution. The FD has alot more "feel" but corvette can take alot more tire...awesome vid

[@elmoz122]

Why can’t this stuff ever be on the east coast

[@ChrisP576]

I know right? I'd love to offer myself up to be on this but nope

[@MitchC-vr8nw]

Because east coast isnt a mecca of motorsports like the west coast and that sucks. It's illed with old fat guys in hotrods hardparking at car shows.

[@David-nb2bc]

@@MitchC-vr8nw There are tons of great tracks in the East coast. Watkins Glen, VIR, NJMP, Road Atlanta, Daytona, Sebring, do you want me to go on? There are also tons of great drivers on this side and the Endurance, club race sense here is big.

[@David-nb2bc]

elmo z if you want to look for events in your area, just go to motorsportreg.com/ and search for your local area. I bet there are tons of stuff going on.

[@MitchC-vr8nw]

@@David-nb2bc and yet nobody cares or uses them for fun events unless Gridlife. Most people don't even know where those tracks are.

[@vtctktk]

I would love to do a track battle like this one day! I have a track prepped C6 ZO6 (NA 613 WHP)

[@scoobygms210]

I just found this channel 2 hours before my flight to Tokyo I downloaded every episode for the plane ride can’t wait

[@ChutneyInc.]

The perfect clash of two worlds. Virtually the same platform with major differences

[@h.j.victory6103]

I would love to see an S2000 versus a Mazdaspeed Miata 😊 Battle of the roadsters 😊

[@fukkinkana]

On a track like this. S2k wins everyday assuming the driver is fast enough to catch it if it steps out. (Which from experience 80% of the guys who drive s2ks can't)

[@Two-Stack]

Love these, very underappreciated channel

[@MitchC-vr8nw]

This channel is underrated because normies prefer fake personalities like TJ Hunt and Adam LZ.

[@4bangermafia]

As soon as I heard his accent i knew he was gonna win 😆

[@arrivendrive6831]

Love that battle. The Fd is the japaneese vette. I would have loved to see that battle but with single pro driver driving both. This takes the driver equation out of it

[@Camarosindahood]

The idea of driver battles is really great. Very different cars but similar performance range is awesome to see.

[@charlesbaicy3295]

This channel is so underrated surprised it hasn’t blown up more

[@BoostAndRedline]

Where has this channel been my whole life ?

[@jamesoconnell5974]

American Muscle vs Japanese Muscle! And it’s a Rotary! It shows how much variety is in the car world! A basic ls6 corvette or a totally built FD Rx-7. This show is great! and this is a perfect example of why seat time is so important and needs to be understood by newer or younger enthusiasts. Anybody can throw parts at a car. But being able to handle the corkscrew at Laguna are too totally different things!

[@IZE83L]

this is my favorite automotive channel with a great new idea, I like "one takes", and all the drag and roll race channels but, its become so saturated, mostly builds and dyno numbers, or talking and driving vlogs..or car reviews ..... this is like my favorite motor trend show head2head but with cars with owners and with that comes modifications and different styles! way better than two new stock vehicles with the same driver....this really is a great concept owners battling it out time attack style ...the only way to make it better is find owners who will go wheel to wheel!!!!!

[@sr20det6789]

Man I love this channel, such a good idea these battles. If i lived in US I'd 100% be on your case to put my evo in there! Subbed

[@johnlilley1138]

Steven Kronenberger I believe drives a civic type R as well, one of the top type R drivers on the forums

[@rgee1023]

But honestly this was pretty cool to watch. Ive only ever drifted my vette i never thought about how it might do on a road coarse.

[@ballinvsxx]

Man, I think it was pretty clear it was over by the first corner. Vette guy dove in way harder braked way later and carried way more speed. Very much looked like he knows this place like the back of his hand.

[@arrivendrive6831]

Who believes the vette driver is a much better driver than the fd driver?

[@mg_streetkandi]

One of the best battles..very nice

[@djsonicc]

both of the drivers drove pretty well

[@Vittoreoss]

My PB at Big Willow is a 1:33.3, back when my FRS was NA, now it's supercharged and I haven't been back to Big Willow yet, so I'm curious!

[@liamhazardcornec7753]

So that’s a fucking lie

[@albertt7784]

These battles don't really demonstrate the real differences between the cars because at the very least you need to have drivers with similar abilities race each other...

[@markeywestskies6503]

This is a great channel...unique and thrilling driver track battles. Just discovered and subbed.

[@DrivingLine]

Thanks Markey! Glad to have you 😎

[@Th3_0_h8]

I know we have a clear winniner. But I want to bring up this is fairly a tie. Dude in rx7 was clearly not confident for the track and that's a big part of racing

[@alfie3836]

re-match!!! do it again, after some more driver mods and practice for Johnson.... i want to see him improve and see if he could beat steven

[@Endgameeffcee]

Both great cars, fun battle! Props to both drivers!

[@rafaelmarchiori]

Americans and brazilians are proud!

[@UnitiveWILLIAM24]

For real, the RX-7 is so beautiful.

[@f20kills]

Dropping comment..definitely can take those times 🙌😜. Great driving fellas!

[@mr.tomyum732]

Awesome page!! Great vid

[@moneyshift8190]

Love both of these cars big fan of the Rx7. I have a corvette now and for the price it's hard to beat! They only need tires and pads for the most part. LS motors are no joke.

[@sahuayoturbo]

I'm down for a battle! 92 RHD FD 270whp 2750lbs.

[@kashclark7275]

Hello my name is Kash and I am 16. I am not sure what the age restriction is for this driver battle thing but I am very interested. I have a 1988 Nissan 300ZX with a VG33E swap. This car has been raced many times in the "24 hours of lemons" but I have only raced this car one time. That race is the only track time I have ever had. The car does have some suspension, exhaust work, and a gutted interior. I do have some other options for cars but that is the one I feel most comfortable with. Feel free to get back to me with your thoughts and the best way for me to contact you guys. Thanks.

[@apolloandratti7922]

Nice work guys.

[@fernandofornazari]

Awesome battle! Congrats for both, rx line could be way more agressive, Steven knocked on that. Keep up the good work guys!

[@charleywaynehinkle6358]

that torque. peak power vs usable power.

[@johnwood2067]

Looks like fun! Great video

[@janeessex9004]

Also for the RX7 driver try put a track map on your steering wheel number the corners and always know where your at it should help pick up confidence in the track

[@JuanAntonEgo]

Great race! The Rx7 barely lost it on the last turns. I give it up for the Rx7 & driver.

[@FitzpatrickJohn24]

I love the JoJo stand type power display for the cars lmaoo

[@DanMarcelino]

The rpm of where the power figures are found and power band can make all the difference.

[@hasanm3707]

This is great, I love these battles and their format. I wish you guys choose the tracks a little more carefully as to not favor a certain aspect like aero or power, as it was the case in some of the previous battles.

[@mjd3625]

Would love to be in one of the battles someday. Time Attack 2017 Civic Type R with 12 track days under my belt and impressive lap times as a rookie 🤞🏼#AGILE R

[@chrislee8892]

Agile R vs 2007 Z4M Coupe at Laguna? We can make it happen @driving line ;)

[@540isilver]

i love seeing to actual people racing and not pro drivers!

[@ToryonDavis]

I feel for the RX7 driver he wasn't pushing his car and taking tight corners like he should be. Compared to the guy in the C6.

[@DanMarcelino]

it would've been nice to see them swap vehicles and see the difference lol

[@MiniMan68]

Sickest I4 you've seen zooming by you on the freedom trail, there she sits Corolla . 10 woopwoop (airhorn sound)

[@chucka187]

Corvette driver was pretty smooth. Both fun cars but the vette just sold me on the grand sport 👍🏼

[@arvreezy3563]

Signed up for the next one! Hoping to get chosen!

[@roccopedreira5344]

2008 Honda Fit N2 car ready fo battle!

[@SamuRacing]

^_^

[@jrms_rs3]

I have 2017 ctr would love to get in this :)))

[@westonlieberum1]

Just found this I love this video style! To bad you guys are on the other side of the country I’d love to do this

[@petejoseph8257]

Is that a plywood splitter on the Mazda?

[@eastwingathletics]

How does one reach out about inquiring about getting on this show??

[@stuntdrvr]

what were they dragging around the track?🤷

[@stuartstlouis8260]

Dang I wanna do a time attack out there... love my BRZ and only gotten to run it at my local track in Albuquerque NM, i had an absolute blast!! With half their HP I’d never beat their times 😂

[@SuperiorGzon]

I think you need to do a visit here in sweden to do some oversea videos. 🙂 I run Fc3s and Fd3s both with 20b engines. Also have a r34 gtr available.

[@era562]

The stretch is what gave the Vette the advantage. That’s where he cut a couple seconds off his time.

[@smohan123]

The Nitto plugs are a bit heavy....

[@joshuashoemaker8184]

Stig_jdm wins!!! That was a great battle

[@Kinganytime]

Mannnn I need to get my car running

[@UnknownvV]

That rx7 sounds insane.

[@eddiesegal5541]

Driver mod .... jdm stig !

[@jonnnydshow]

Im always down for a challenge lets do this

[@mariagus805]

C6 such a good car, become America's beloved sports car like the Supra and FD is for JDM.

[@stisubaru1931]

Rx7 should of won bad cornering

[@houseboatin]

That ADD vision, though.

[@ThreeDaysOfDan]

To every one judging the drivers, Willow Springs is a fucking unforgiving track, getting even a few inches of dirt = instant grip loss + the track has virtually no curbs sooo getting it to the edge = balls of steel

[@professorfinessor5363]

focus rs with 380hp?

[@frankobrien4637]

Up for a challenge, 02 Vette 450whp NA Slicks brake mods suspension mods modest track time Location NY. Look forward to hearing from you guys!, love the channel!

[@anthonysaquinoworld839]

2 beautiful sounds 😘

[@DStead2239]

A second or two should be easily achievable. Not once was he hitting the apex whereas the vette driver was quite good under brakes and mid corner

[@mon3pit]

Love to enter this show. I drive a e46 m3

[@bigbird2523]

They both are gentle man drivers

[@janeessex9004]

Shane Essex: it's evedent where the Rx 7 is losing time and obvious disconfidence in the track a little tip.. focal point: establish your breaking points according to the apex use the. Complete width of the track doing so off the brake then turn in to the apex hugg close in also for slower corners once you have braked for them 2nd gear change to 3rd gear try left foot trail brake and decelerate before and threw the apex giving smooth power delivery and best results

[@veNombz]

This is where a camry control car would make sense.

[@lw_loki]

First turn vette already had a lead

[@311ZeroCool]

Looked fun :-). That RX7 given to the Vet (pro driver) would have dominated. Great run for an armature (I prob can't do any better).

[@86surge90]

That corvette looked harder on the driver to put the power down coming out of the slower corners judging by the power-oversteer; probably because it has way more torque available down low in the revs.

[@xavierpanohaya2647]

IIRC, the Vette makes peak at 3600, the FD at 5500-ish

[@anthonyfarrel356]

I want to join in my focus RS

[@anthonyfarrel356]

@b00rito on IG

[@carlosguzman9788]

Stig_Jdm using his slower car lmao

[@Vgk36]

The RX7 won in the first rolling video shot. It just looks special . The vette is nice but doesn't have the presence the FD has .

[@tonycrispin]

Do slow cars and have me on with my Honda Fit! Lol

[@SamuRacing]

Fit?! High five! lol

[@tonycrispin]

Samu Racing yea! A red GE8 too haha

[@JDM_FD]

Rotary power!