As ways to get fired from a sweet job go, this has got to be one of the stupidest in history. 

Earlier in the week two GM engineers were arrested for street racing development prototype versions of the upcoming C8 Corvette. In Bowling Green, Kentucky. Where all Corvettes are built. Did they think people wouldn’t notice two brand new and mid-engined-for-the-first-time-ever examples of the car that defines their city doubling its speed limits? 

The geniuses in question are Alexander Thim, an engineer for induction and exhaust systems, and Mark Derkatz, an electrical engineer. The two were busted in red and white ‘Vettes on Lovers Lane “exceeding the posted 45 mph speed limit by more than 26 mph.” There was a blue one with them as well, because ‘Murrca, but it wasn’t involved in the fast and furious hijinks. 

“More than 26 mph” is Kentucky legalese for speeding fast enough to call for a court hearing and potential license suspension. It also gets you thrown in the clink and gets your brand new, as yet unavailable to the public, mid-engined freedom machines impounded. After doing a little digging I came across this comment on Jalopnik which claims that “more than 26 mph over” is actually 120 mph. In a 45 mph zone. Real smart there fellas. 

The engineers were charged with reckless driving and racing motor vehicles on a public road. I’d be astonished if they aren’t already on their way to the unemployment line too. Surely The General’s got a test track that they could have held their race at. Now it’s no more C8 fun for them. Silly.