Street Racing In New C8 Corvette Leaves GM Employees in Cuffs
Triple-digit speeds are grounds for an arrest. And a staff meeting. And a revised employee handbook.
Think you’re having a bad day at work? Well, compared to these guys, you’re not. Alexander Thim and Mark Derkatz, two GM employees, were caught racing new C8 Corvettes through Bowling Green, Kentucky. The racing was very egregious, too, with Thim being clocked at 120 miles per hour, and Derkatz at 100. Louisville Courier first reported that the incident occurred on State Road 880, or Lovers Lane. This perimeter road around Bowling Green Airport has a speed limit of 45 miles per hour and is just south of GM’s Bowling Green assembly plant. It is just outside of Bowling Green, but not exactly a desolate road. On the north side is a neighborhood and is bookended on the south end by an industrial park
With speeds of that nature, they were not going to get away with just a ticket. Both were cited with reckless driving, racing a vehicle on a public road, and speeding in excess of 26 miles per hour over the posted limit. That was enough for police to place them under arrest. As well, the two Corvettes involved were impounded. That prompted GM corporate to retrieve them the next day.
Reports from Automobile Magazine indicate both Thim and Derkatz are engineers for GM, working on exhaust and electrical systems respectively. Understandably, they would have access to the Corvette being part of the engineering team, but we have to assume that this type of use is frowned upon.
Like disappointed parents, GM retrieved the Corvettes, and announced, “we are aware of an incident involving our test vehicles and are currently investigating. Safety remains our overriding priority at General Motors. We have no further comment at this time.” They didn’t say whether or not the two speeders were welcome back to work.
With access to proving grounds, or even the National Corvette Museum road course, it just makes you wonder why these two guys thought excessive racing was a good idea. Regardless, each paid their $1,000 bail. The fact that they were caught in the boss’ back yard just adds insult to injury.
Photos: Automobile Magazine
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