What do you guys think of the methodology of this type of comparison review? I think it is pretty good, but comparing one year to the next is going to be hard because it will depend quite a bit on ambient conditions, like temperature, humidity, pressure, not to mention the drivers.

Lightning Lap 2006:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/best_worst_lists/the_lightning_lap_2006_feature
1. 2005 Ford GT - 3:00.7
2. 2006 Chevy Corvette Z06 - 3:01.1
3. 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe - 3:01.6
4. 2006 Lotus Elise - 3:09.2
5. 2006 Chevy Corvette - 3:09.3
6. 2006 Porsche Cayman S - 3:09.5
7. 2006 BMW M6 - 3:10.0
8. 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 - 3:11.0
9. 2006 Nissan 350Z Track - 3:12.5
10. 2006 Mitsubishi EVO MR - 3:13.5
11. 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 - 3:18.2
12. 2006 Mazda RX-8 - 3:19.0
13. 2006 Chevy Cobalt SS - 3:20.6
14. 2006 Ford Mustang GT - 3:20.9
15. 2006 Volkswagen GTI - 3:25.1
16. 2006 Honda Civic Si - 3:26.5
17. 2006 Mazda MX-5 - 3:29.3

Lightning Lap 2007:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/the_lightning_lap_2007_feature
1. 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - 2:58.2
2. 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 - 3:01.8
3. 2007 Chevrolet Corvette C6 - 3:03.6
4. 2007 Lotus Exige S - 3:04.5
5. 2008 Audi R8 - 3:04.6
6. 2007 Porsche 997 Turbo - 3:05.8
7. 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 - 3:05.9
8. 2007 BMW 335i Coupe - 3:10.5
9. 2007 Audi RS4 - 3:11.2
10. 2007 BMW Z4 M - 3:11.7
11. 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP - 3:15.7
12. 2007 Mazda Speed 3 - 3:16.0
13. 2007 Mini Cooper S - 3:22.9

For example, in 2006 the Evo 8 MR from 2006 did a best lap of 3:13.5 and the Lotus Elise did a best lap of 3:09.2. In 2007 the 335i had a best lap of 3:10.5 and the Lotus Exige S had a best lap of 3:04.5. Fastest lap so far was from the Corvette Z06 with 2:58.2.

I think the Lotus models are very intriguing with their combination of street legal racecar looks and performance.

What will we see in 2008? GT-R, Evo X, STI, new JCW Cooper S, G37, IS-350, M3, ... ???

While there are going to be differences, it is a good post, because it shows where various cars stand in comparison to cars outside of their class.

On a side note: This shows what a value the MS3 is... It's a couple ticks above the 420HP SRT-8... although lighter/smaller i'm impressed.

Kudos to the 350z, as well.

hope those laps were driven by "The Stig" for control purposes

On a side note: This shows what a value the MS3 is... It's a couple ticks above the 420HP SRT-8... although lighter/smaller i'm impressed.

I agree, the Mazda Speed 3 held its own on this test, though again, I wonder about comparing from one year to the next. The SRT8 was tested in 2006 and the MS3 was tested in 2007. I'm hesitant to give too much weight when comparing times for cars from different years on the Lightning Lap.

Then again, we compare lap times for different cars on the 'Ring all the time, and the conditions and drivers are always different!