C8 Chevrolet Corvette drags an older C5 and it ends with a surprise
Published on Aug 09, 2025 at 12:16 AM (UTC+4)
by Callum Tokody
Last updated on Aug 10, 2025 at 6:32 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This C8 Chevrolet Corvette took on a C5 Corvette in a drag race that pitted modern engineering against classic muscle on the quarter-mile strip.
The showdown at Island Dragway put two generations of Corvette head-to-head in a straight-line test of performance.
With its mid-engine layout and advanced launch control, the C8 Chevrolet Corvette entered the race as the favorite.
But what happened next challenged assumptions about which car would come out on top.
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C8 Corvette vs C5 Corvette drag race
The race was documented by ImportRace on YouTube, capturing every moment as the C5 Corvette made its move early in the first run.
A quicker reaction off the line gave the C5 a slim but critical lead.
The C8 Chevrolet Corvette launched cleanly, but by the finish line, the C5 had crossed in 11.55 seconds, with the C8 following at 11.62 seconds.
A second race followed, giving the C8 Chevrolet Corvette a chance to close the gap.
Both drivers improved their reaction times, yet the outcome was the same.
The C5 Corvette completed the run in 11.43 seconds, while the C8 Chevrolet Corvette posted an 11.69-second pass. Two races, two wins for the older model.
No information was given about possible modifications to either car.
It’s common in grassroots drag racing for vehicles like the C5 Corvette to receive light tuning, but even with stock setups, reaction time and launch execution can make all the difference.
Why the C8 Chevrolet Corvette isn’t invincible
This C8 Chevrolet Corvette vs C5 Corvette battle shows that a drag race does not always follow the script.
Straight-line performance is about more than horsepower figures and spec sheets.
Reaction times, driver execution, and track conditions play a bigger role in determining who reaches the finish line first.
While the C8 Chevrolet Corvette continues to dominate on circuits like the Nürburgring, events like this highlight how older platforms like the C5 Corvette remain competitive in drag racing environments.
The result was a demonstration of how tight the performance gap can be between generations when preparation meets opportunity.
As Chevrolet looks forward with models like the ZR1 and E-Ray, these grassroots races keep the entire Corvette lineup in focus.
The C5 Corvette’s wins against the C8 Chevrolet Corvette at Island Dragway showed that latest might not always be greatest.
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Callum Tokody is a content writer at Supercar Blondie, where he covers the latest in the automotive world with a focus on design and performance. Callum has a background in automotive journalism and has contributed to a range of publications in Australia and the UK. Outside of work, he’s a design enthusiast with a soft spot for anything with a V8 and a good story.
