By Jordan Grim • October 24, 2025 • 12:30 AM (PDT)
By Jordan Grim • October 24, 2025 • 12:30 AM (PDT)
A tuned Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has made headlines after setting a new record at the Big Bend Open Road Race (BBORR) in Texas. The car didn’t just push limits — it quite literally melted them. During its high-speed run, part of the Corvette’s rear bumper was damaged by heat from the exhaust, proving how intense its performance really was.
The BBORR covers a 59-mile stretch of US 285 between Fort Stockton and Sanderson, Texas. Drivers make the full 118-mile round trip at incredible speeds, with many topping 200 mph. This year, driver John Anhalt piloted his 2019 Corvette ZR1 to a record-breaking average speed of 173.004 mph, narrowly beating the 2013 record of 172.249 mph set by a 2002 Corvette Z06.
Over the 41-minute run, Anhalt’s Corvette reached a top speed of 213 mph, an impressive figure considering the large rear wing that adds drag. But the incredible heat buildup created an unexpected problem. The ZR1’s plastic rear bumper began to melt, likely due to the powerful vacuum created by the wing that trapped hot exhaust gases around the back of the car.
This wasn’t a stock Corvette by any stretch. The car has been heavily modified, producing roughly 30 percent more power than stock. Anhalt revealed upgrades including a larger supercharger, ported heads, improved lifters and rockers, and a wider throttle body. It also features aftermarket headers and AWE straight pipes, which make the exhaust both louder and hotter than usual.
Despite the blistering pace and literal meltdown, Anhalt believes his Corvette could go even faster. He noted that fuel consumption at full throttle would have emptied the tank in just 20 minutes, forcing him to ease off at times to complete the race.
Still, setting a new record while scorching part of the car is no small feat. The Corvette ZR1 continues to prove why it’s among America’s most respected performance icons — capable of astonishing speed, a bit of drama, and now, a melted reminder of what happens when power meets persistence.