123 – Jim Mero: Corvette Handling Engineer & Test Driver

123 – Jim Mero: Corvette Handling Engineer & Test Driver

Author: Ross Bentley: Performance & Race Driver Coach May 9, 2019 Duration: 58:40

Jim Mero joins me to talk about the Corvette, his contributions to its development over the past decade-plus, life as a development test driver, lapping the Nurburgring as part of one's job, and what's ahead for Corvette. Two things that came out of our conversation that I found especially fascinating was his explanation of "linear versus non-linear driving," and how test drivers rely on their subconscious to drive the car while the conscious mind is focused on developing the car. 

Jim spent 34 years at General Motors, with the last 15 as a Ride & Handling Engineer focused on the Corvette. No doubt, today's Vette is a direct result of Jim's engineering and test driving. He retired from GM in September of 2018, and now has his own consulting business, Jim Mero Vehicle Dynamics LLC.

Jim's Speed Secret(s): "Get a go-kart. Driving is a process. Your best friend is your instructor and the laps you drive. Data will set you free." 

For more info about Jim…

I also mentioned the online Chalktalk I'm doing on May 14, 2019. Yes, it's free, but to reserve your spot or join in, go to TrackAttack.io/SSChalktalk.


There’s a fine line between simply driving a car and truly connecting with it at the limit, and that’s the space where Speed Secrets Podcast lives. Hosted by renowned performance coach Ross Bentley, each episode feels less like a formal interview and more like a candid garage conversation with some of the most insightful minds in motorsport. The discussions go deep into the tangible details that make a difference on the clock: the nuanced art of trail braking, how to interpret data and video to find tenths, and the subtle interplay between steering input and throttle control. Whether it’s dissecting the ideal line through a complex corner or understanding how a specific car setup change affects handling, Ross and his guests break down complex concepts into applicable knowledge. You’ll come away from this podcast not just with inspiration, but with concrete tips and a clearer mental framework for your own time at the track, be it for competition or personal mastery. It’s a resource built on decades of professional experience, designed for anyone who wants to think more deeply about the craft of high-performance driving.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Speed Secrets Podcast
Podcast Episodes
No Dumb Questions With Jeff Braun: Episode 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:42
Did you miss us? We're back with another episode of No Dumb Questions. Jeff Braun and I sit down to answer your questions, and we promise – there are no dumb questions, maybe just some dumb answers. On this episode, we s…
No Dumb Questions with Jeff Braun: Episode 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:23
The start of April means… another episode of No Dumb Questions! Jeff Braun and I sit down to answer your questions, and we promise – there are no dumb questions, maybe just some dumb answers. On this episode, we discuss…
No Dumb Questions With Jeff Braun: Episode 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:26
Good news, we have a new episode of No Dumb Questions for you. Jeff Braun and I sit down to answer your questions, and we promise – there are no dumb questions, maybe just some dumb answers. On this episode, we address o…
No Dumb Questions With Jeff Braun: Episode 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:39
…And we're back with a new episode of No Dumb Questions! Jeff Braun and I sit down to answer your questions, and we promise – there are no dumb questions, maybe just some dumb answers. On this episode, we address how to…
No Dumb Questions With Jeff Braun: Episode 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:37
Welcome to a new podcast series, No Dumb Questions. Jeff Braun and I sit down to answer your questions, and we promise – there are no dumb questions, maybe just some dumb answers. On this episode, we address how to get c…
192 - Sim Racer Academy & Teamwork [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:34
Today's podcast is a "special" episode… that's because we just launched the Speed Secrets Sim Racer Academy, and I wanted to have a conversation here with my team who has helped make this happen. Anker Berg-Sonne, Conor…
Podcast 191 – Ross Bentley: Driving with the End in Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:35
This week is an important podcast episode with a special announcement. I'm taking a break from the podcast for "a while" to work on some new exciting things… :). How long is "a while?" I don't know. But I will record a f…
190 - Brian Ghidinelli: Making a Racing Comeback [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:01
On this week's episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, Brian Ghidinelli, founder of Motorsportsreg.com, joins me to talk about how to make a comeback in racing, focusing on the basics – vision, braking, steering, throttle – fi…
189 – Tom Long: The Fastest Driving Style [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:58
On this week's episode of Speed Secrets podcast, my good friend Tom Long joins me to discuss all things driving styles! We uncover what a driving style is, which driving style is the fastest, and different driving styles…
188 – Mark Martin: How to Win an Endurance Race Series Championship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:55
On this week's episode of Speed Secrets Podcast, I am joined by Mark Martin (who owns and runs the W2W race team in World Racing League events). We discuss the number one thing that successful teams do to win, what makes…