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Corvette Boss Downplays ZR1's Chances Of Beating AMG ONE Record

Corvette Boss Downplays ZR1's Chances Of Beating AMG ONE Record

Miami Herald11-07-2025
With 1,064 horsepower, a mid-engine layout, and plenty of downforce, the C8 Corvette ZR1 is one of the most exciting cars to come off a production line, American or otherwise. All of the ingredients add up to something so spectacular that former Corvette engineer Jim Mero speculates it might even dethrone the $2.8 million Mercedes-AMG ONE at the top of the Nürburgring leaderboard.
But according to someone who works at GM right now, specifically Tony Roma, who replaced the legendary Tadge Juechter as executive chief engineer for the global Corvette and performance cars team, that may be a bridge too far. Speaking with CarBuzz, he said, "I wish the car was that fast. I've seen so many things online, but just stay tuned."
Car enthusiasts love to form a good conspiracy, and automakers (particularly American ones) love to hide Easter eggs in announcements, so when Chevrolet teased news from the Green Hell on June 28 (6/28), it naturally led to speculation that this was a coded message indicating a time below that of the AMG ONE (6 minutes, 29 seconds). But just as Ford downplayed the Mustang GTD's chances on the Nordschleife before setting the first sub-7-minute time for an American manufacturer, Roma reminds us that this is a unique place at which to seek a record, with numerous complexities.
"It's more difficult than it's [ever] been to set a record at the 'Ring. They charge you a lot of money to talk about it, and they want to have certified timing and scoring," said Roma. "You have to rent the track, get the safety marshals, pay the licensing fee, pay the filming fee. And if your day rains, oh well. We are not based in Stuttgart [where Mercedes is], so we can't just go back next week. That's why you haven't seen us set a lap record attempt."
Related: Can't Get A ZR1? This Tuner Has A Solution For Any C8 Corvette
These issues are all pertinent. While we would all love to see a plucky, twin-turbo, V8 supercar with a six-figure asking price be an American David to the German Goliath of a multi-million-dollar hypercar built by the might of Mercedes with the powertrain and expertise of a Formula One dynasty behind it, the reality is that mastering the Nürburgring with minimal real-world practice is a feat in itself. However, Roma suggests that the ZR1 should comfortably improve on the front-engine GTD's time.
"You can see the effort Ford had to put into the GTD. And they had to go back twice to get decent weather," said Roma, possibly suggesting the ZR1 could outpace the GTD even in less-than-ideal conditions. "All I can say is, stay tuned. We did go and drive around the Green Hell, and we're pretty proud of how the car did. And so, we're going to release more details when the time's right. Very soon, very soon." Corvettes wearing Stingray, Z06, and ZR1 badges have been spied on the Nürburgring, so perhaps multiple announcements will be made at once...
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From Racetrack to Ballpark: BrightView Builds MLB Field at Bristol
From Racetrack to Ballpark: BrightView Builds MLB Field at Bristol

Business Wire

time41 minutes ago

  • Business Wire

From Racetrack to Ballpark: BrightView Builds MLB Field at Bristol

BLUE BELL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Major League Baseball has made a name for itself creating unforgettable venues for its most iconic games—from a cornfield in Iowa to the historic Rickwood Field and the heart of London. Now, MLB is adding another first to its list: a full-scale baseball diamond inside the iconic NASCAR short track at Bristol Motor Speedway. And once again, BrightView (NYSE: BV), the Official Field Consultant of Major League Baseball, is at the center of the transformation. 'Converting a high-banked oval racetrack into a world-class baseball field isn't something you do every day, but it's exactly the kind of challenge we love." - Murray Cook, BrightView Landscapes Share Over the past month, BrightView, alongside partners BaAM and Populous, has successfully turned the famed Bristol, Tenn., speedway's asphalt track and infield pit road to AstroTurf and infield dirt. The result is a regulation-sized field for the MLB Speedway Classic presented by on Aug. 2 between the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves. The game is the first American or National League game to be held in Tennessee. 'Converting a high-banked oval racetrack into a world-class baseball field isn't something you do every day,' said Murray Cook, President of BrightView Sports Turf. 'But it's exactly the kind of challenge we love. This project pushed us to get a little creative, while maintaining Bristol Motor Speedway's iconic charm. The result is going to be nothing short of spectacular.' To accommodate the dimensions and safety requirements of a professional baseball field, numerous modifications had to be made. Crews temporarily removed pit walls, select signage and lights, the Sunoco fuel tanks, and even half of the Goodyear building. The installation shares similarities with the London Series field BrightView built at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a project completed in just 18 days. However, the Bristol transformation, being a larger scale build, took 30 days to complete the changeover. 'In London, we used about 4,000 tons of gravel to level the field, but here in Bristol, we brought in nearly 18,000 tons,' said Cook. 'The banking of the racetrack's infield area created some engineering hurdles, but our team was able to precisely grade and level the space to meet MLB standards.' Like London, the Bristol field features a synthetic turf, but this time it is AstroTurf's Diamond Series—currently used only at the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays. In total, 124,000 square feet of turf was installed. BrightView also provided quality control oversite for additional field elements, including fencing, padding, foul poles, netting, and wall protection, all designed and installed to MLB specifications. 'I'm incredibly proud of our Sports Turf team who brought this vision to life,' said Dale Asplund, BrightView's President and CEO. 'Projects like this prove that BrightView is so much more than beautiful landscapes—we're problem solvers, innovators, and trusted collaborators on some of the most complex and creative builds, including sports. Congratulations to everyone involved in turning Bristol Motor Speedway into a world-class ballpark.' MLB Speedway Classic Facts Removed pit walls, some signs and lights, Sunoco fuel pumps, and half the Goodyear building 17,500 tons of gravel to level surface 340 tons of clay was used 124,000 square feet of AstroTurf was installed Field dimensions are 400 feet to center, 330 feet down baselines, and 375 feet to right field alley and 385 feet to left field alley 4,000 linear feet of drainage pipe, 60-foot foul poles, 275 new light fixtures, and 40-by-80 batter's eye The MLB Speedway Classic game joins a long list of celebrated games that BrightView and MLB have collaborated on throughout the world, including the MLB at Rickwood Field and MLB at Field of Dreams, and MLB Seoul Series, London Series, Fort Bragg Game, Japan Opening Series, Sydney Opening Series, and Puerto Rico Series. About BrightView BrightView (NYSE: BV), the nation's largest commercial landscaper, proudly designs, creates, and maintains the best landscapes on Earth and provides the most efficient and comprehensive snow and ice removal services. With a dependable service commitment, BrightView brings brilliant landscapes to life at premier properties across the United States, including business parks and corporate offices, homeowners' associations, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, retail centers, resorts and theme parks, municipalities, golf courses, and sports venues. BrightView also serves as the Official Field Consultant to Major League Baseball. Through industry-leading best practices and sustainable solutions, BrightView is invested in taking care of our team members, engaging our clients, inspiring our communities, and preserving our planet. Visit and connect with us on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Wesley gives first Roma interview: 'This was my dream.'
Wesley gives first Roma interview: 'This was my dream.'

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Wesley gives first Roma interview: 'This was my dream.'

Roma have acquired their new fullback in Wesley who has officially joined the club on a permanent deal from Flamengo. The Brazilian player gave his first interview to the club shortly after his announcement. 'I'm very happy with the welcome I received at the airport. They showed me so much affection. At 6 a.m., there were 100 people waiting for me, I'm happy about that. The sports center is wonderful, I can't wait to see the Olimpico.' 'My dream? I hope to win the Europa League and conquer the Champions League, which is a dream.' 'Leaving Brazil? It's very difficult, but coming to Europe has always been my dream. Now I'm at a big club like Roma and I'm happy. I feel the responsibility. I'm doing this for my family. I'm happy, I would still choose to leave Brazil.' 'Gasperini is an excellent coach, I can't wait to meet him and talk to him. He knows my style of play, very attacking, I like to keep the ball. I need to improve in many areas. I can play both wide in a back four and in a 3-4-3. If I'm good at attacking, I can also be good at defending. I hope to make a good contribution to the team.' 'I'm a very attacking player; I have a lot of work to do and I still have a lot to improve on. I like playing wide; I can play in a back four or a 3-4-3, always playing wide. As I always say, if I'm good at attacking, I can also be good at defending, and vice versa. That's why I hope to make a good contribution.' '43 is the number worn by a great player like Dejan Petković, but when you come into the first team from the youth ranks, you don't choose a number; Flamengo draws lots and assigns you one. My first number was 46, but the following year I switched to 43. After I got 43, I started to grow steadily, so I continued to wear it and even got it tattooed on my neck and leg, along with a lucky symbol. For me, it's a lucky number.' 'My teammates? Paulo sent me a message, asked me how I was, told me he was waiting for me here and to message him if I needed anything. When I read it, I jumped and started shouting around the house, to my wife: 'Dybala sent me a message!' He's a champion, I'm a big fan of his. I spoke to him, and he told me to message him if I needed anything when I arrived. I thanked him.' 'In Brazil, the term 'crazy fans' is used a lot. Roma's fans remind me a lot of Flamengo's. The fans are incredibly passionate, and today I saw it at the airport, I repeat, at 6:10 on a Sunday morning. There were so many people there, people who love this club so much and want the best for it. That's why the message I can send to Roma fans is that I will always give my all. When I can't get there with quality, I'll put in the desire and determination; that's what I've learned. Forza Roma!' 'It's an honor to wear the shirt these players wore. People like Cafu and Maicon are a source of inspiration for me, so I'm very happy to wear this shirt and hope that one day someone can take inspiration from me too.'

In a digital age, old-fashioned watchmaking schools, including a new one from Rolex, are in demand
In a digital age, old-fashioned watchmaking schools, including a new one from Rolex, are in demand

Los Angeles Times

timean hour ago

  • Los Angeles Times

In a digital age, old-fashioned watchmaking schools, including a new one from Rolex, are in demand

Ever since watches began bringing order to the ephemeral passage of time, they also started doing something else: breaking. Own one long enough and something will probably go wrong. It'll run slow. Or fast. Or stop altogether. Decades ago, watch repair shops across the country were staffed with technicians who could service almost any mechanical timepiece when its intricate innards — tiny gears, wheels and springs — failed. But when the U.S. watchmaking industry declined in the mid-20th century, the number of craftspeople who could fix or fabricate timepieces began dwindling too. There were 1,880 U.S. watch and clock repairers in 2023, down from 2,430 just three years earlier, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That 23% decline, on top of previous losses, has led some in this niche industry to label the situation a workforce crisis. It comes amid renewed interest in mechanical timepieces and a modest rebirth of the American watchmaking industry — despite the omnipresence of cellphones and their effortless timekeeping. Rolex, the Swiss behemoth, alone makes more than 1 million watches a year. Who will be able to service all of them as they age? Or make the new ones being dreamed up? A dearth of new watchmaking schools — where students learn about repairs, fabrication or both — is central to the problem. After the closure of several programs in recent decades, only four full-time, independent watchmaking schools remain in the U.S. One watch company, Torrance-based J.N. Shapiro Watches — maker of the $70,000 Resurgence model — is among the handful of U.S.-based firms that has struggled to hire watchmakers. Rolex has a solution on the repair side. In September, the Geneva-based company debuted a new watchmaking school at the Rolex Watch Training Center in Dallas. The program's 18-month curriculum is focused on training students to service watches made by the brand. The last six months of schooling include an immersion component in which students repair Rolex timekeepers under the supervision of instructors. Upon graduation, participants can work for a Rolex-affiliated jeweler or for the company itself. Most of the school's first class, which graduates next February, have already secured jobs, a Rolex spokesperson said. They can expect annual salaries starting in the range of $75,000 to $85,000, depending on location. The school is free. The company spokesperson said in a statement that the Dallas program, which welcomes just 27 students per class, represents the company's 'commitment at a larger scale to meet the industry demand.' Rolex's focus on training watchmakers to work solely on its timepieces differentiates its program from independent schools, which typically teach students how to work on all sorts of watches, turning out graduates with expertise in subjects including micro-mechanics and repairs. 'I think we need a balance of technicians and then more full-service watchmakers,' said Tony Traina, who publishes Unpolished Watches, an industry newsletter. 'The way in which the profession is evolving right now — it seems like we're headed in that direction. There are the Shapiros of the world, along with the Rolexes of the world. I think we'll reach an equilibrium.' Rolex opened a more traditional watchmaking school in the U.S. in 2001 — the Lititz Watch Technicum in Pennsylvania, but closed it after its final class graduated this month. The Rolex school in Dallas is in high demand, with 400 applicants for its inaugural class and 560 more for the second one starting in September. Among the applicants, the spokesperson said, were Texans who'd initially been surprised that fixing watches could be 'a viable career with an established educational track.' The average student age among the first two classes is 28; some have been admitted straight out of high school and others have a college degree. Students have backgrounds in areas such as engineering and accounting, and have had careers as musicians, teachers and communications professionals. As head of an independent watch company, Joshua Shapiro said it was extremely difficult to find the six watchmakers who now work for him in Torrance. 'It took a lot of networking,' said Shapiro, who added that his team was assembled over several years, and that three of his watchmakers came from the Lititz school. One of those watchmakers is Spencer Torok, 25, who graduated from Lititz three years ago. After high school, the Hilliard, Ohio, native attended Ohio Dominican University, where he took accounting classes. But Torok realized during the COVID-19 pandemic that he wanted to make a change. He'd long been interested in watches, he said, and enrolled at Lititz. Torok said that the schooling only stoked his passion — and that he would never have gotten hired by Shapiro if not for the education he received at Lititz. 'No way,' he said with a laugh. 'It takes a lot of resources to train someone.' Some American watch companies have had to go abroad to make hires. Cameron Weiss, whose eponymous watch company was founded in L.A. in 2013 and later moved to Nashville, said he had to turn to Switzerland to recruit a watchmaker. 'I'd been looking for someone with that skill level for the last 12 years,' said Weiss. This month Weiss traveled again to Switzerland to scout for workers. He hopes the Rolex program in Dallas will help invigorate watch education in the U.S. One of the last remaining full-service watchmaking schools in America is at Paris Junior College in Texas. Program coordinator Garrin Fraze, 24, graduated from it in 2019. He was enticed back last year by a former instructor, who asked him to take over. 'Because we are independent, we have a little bit of openness in the curriculum,' said Fraze, who also serves as head instructor of the program. Like the Rolex school in Dallas, the Paris program is small, accommodating about 20 students. But Fraze hopes to expand it — he knows how strong demand is for watchmakers, including those who can repair Rolexes. After his graduation from the Paris program, he got a job as the in-house watchmaker of a Fort Worth jeweler. It was an authorized Rolex dealer.

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