Two GM employees busted for street racing C8 Corvette test cars in Kentucky
Parking attendants aren’t the only automotive “professionals” who just can’t resist taking a hot car for test drive. The new mid-engine C8 Corvette proved to be too alluring for a pair of GM employees, who were busted by police for street racing two Stingray test vehicles near the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
According to Kentucky television station WNKY, a Kentucky State Police trooper stopped Alexander Thim and Mark Derkatz on January 8 for exceeding the posted speed limit, reckless driving, and racing motor vehicles on a public road. Thim was caught driving one Corvette at 120 mph and Derkatz at 100 mph in a 45-mph zone. Both men were released on a $1000 bond. The driver of a third 2020 Corvette, reportedly not involved in the extra-curricular activity, was not ticketed.
Thim, 37, is from West Bloomfield, Michigan, while Derkatz, 30, is from Windsor, Ontario. WNKY reported that the Kentucky trooper smelled alcohol on both men, who admitted to having just left a local pub. Thim and Derkatz are scheduled for a pretrial conference in Warren (Kentucky) District Court on February 18.
“We are aware of an incident involving our test vehicles and are currently investigating,” GM said in a statement to Automobile. “Safety remains our overriding priority at General Motors. We have no further comment at this time.”
Speaking to Automobile, GM did not say whether Thim and Derkatz remain employed with the company.
One thing is certain, the men are among a short list of drivers who have personally experienced the C8’s acceleration. Buyers of the $60,000 sports car are still waiting to get their hands on one, since last fall’s UAW strike delayed production until February.
