(Associated Press) Two General Motors employees driving new 2020 Corvette Stingrays apparently had a need for speed.
The pair were clocked going about 100 mph (160 kph) on a public road in Bowling Green, news outlets reported citing Kentucky State Police. The speed limit was 45 mph (72 kph).
Alexander Thim, 27, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, and Mark Derkatz, 30, of Windsor, Ontario, were pulled over Wednesday night. Police said Thim reached speeds up to 120 mph (193 kph), news outlets reported.
The drivers told police they had been at a pool hall earlier in the night, according to the arrest citation. Police said a breath test detected the odor of alcohol but the drivers weren’t cited for driving under the influence, news outlets reported.
A third driver was also behind the wheel of a Corvette but police said that person didn’t participate in the race.
GM has an assembly plant in Bowling Green. The company said in a statement that it is aware of the incident involving its “test vehicles” and is investigating.
Thim and Derkatz were charged with racing a motor vehicle on a public highway, reckless driving and speeding. Both were booked in jail and then released on a $1,000 bond.
Corvette Wins Car of the Year Award
The new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette won the North American Car of the Year award on Monday.
The Kia Telluride took Sport Utility of the Year honors and the Jeep Gladiator won the Truck of the Year Award.
About 50 automotive journalists serve as judges, for the awards, which are announced every January.
They’re chosen from dozens of candidates and must be new or substantially changed. Automakers often use the awards in advertising.
The judges evaluate finalists on value, innovation, design, performance, safety, technology and driver satisfaction. The selection process started last summer.
Car finalists included the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Supra.
Truck finalists were the heavy-duty Ram pickup and Ford Ranger. The Lincoln Aviator and Hyundai Palisade joined were finalists for the utility award.
It’s the first time the awards weren’t announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The giant show has been moved to June to take advantage of warmer weather.
Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter said the award means a lot to the company because it was decided by expert judges. He said orders for the new Corvette have been so strong, the company had to add a second shift to its factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The car is due in showrooms next month.
