Cadillac CTS V Challenge: Privateer BMW M3 Posts Best Time of Challengers
Minggu, 24 Juli 2011 by admin
GM’s Bob Lutz offered to race a CTS-V against anyone with a production sedan and he found several takers. The event took place at Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, New York on a very nice 4.1-mile track. Former Car and Driver Editor-in-Chief Csaba Csere came out to verify the cars were indeed stock sedans and keep an eye out for any potential cheating in the pits. A few moments ago Csaba delivered the results and Michael Cooper of Long Island, New York posted a 2:50.424 in his BMW M3 sedan — very quick, even before you take into account he is the youngest driver here at 21.
Jack Baruth of The Truth About Cars followed with a very respectable 2:51.153 in a CTS-V. Third place went to Lawrence Ulrich, a freelance journalist, also driving a CTS-V, at 2:53.157. Bob Lutz had the fourth fastest lap at 2:56.321. Michael Mainwald, an M5 owner, came in fifth with a 3:05.398. Jalopnik‘s Wes Siler managed a 3:08.126 in a borrowed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring. Chris Fairman, a CTS-V owner, came in seventh with a lap of 3:14.292 in his personal V. An owner-driven Jaguar XF Supercharged, driven by Archan Basu, was next with a 3:15.670. Tom Loder managed a 3:15.702 with his Audi RS4.
Then some of GM’s ringers took to the track and posted very, very quick times. John Heinricy managed a lightning-quick 2:46.560 and a mystery driver posted the fastest time of the day at 2:45.537. Nobody is disclosing the identity of the mystery driver, but it’s quite obvious he has a few racing trophies at home.
It’s not surprising the best times of the day came from GM’s people who have spent countless hours developing and tuning the CTS-V. Out of the actual contestants, the BMW M3 placed first, but the times were so close it was likely a difference in driver skill that won today’s race — nothing shocking to those who follow racing. Even though the BMW technically won, Cadillac still comes out on top for this event. Few manufacturers would step up and challenge Lutz, the Mitsubishi Evo driven by Siler was the only vehicle to be provided by a competing manufacturer, which says a lot about the competition’s view of the CTS-V on a track.
The car is clearly built to stand up the rigors of a track day right from the showroom. There aren’t many other production sedans in the world that can claim that, and none of the others was represented here to prove it.
Jack Baruth of The Truth About Cars followed with a very respectable 2:51.153 in a CTS-V. Third place went to Lawrence Ulrich, a freelance journalist, also driving a CTS-V, at 2:53.157. Bob Lutz had the fourth fastest lap at 2:56.321. Michael Mainwald, an M5 owner, came in fifth with a 3:05.398. Jalopnik‘s Wes Siler managed a 3:08.126 in a borrowed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring. Chris Fairman, a CTS-V owner, came in seventh with a lap of 3:14.292 in his personal V. An owner-driven Jaguar XF Supercharged, driven by Archan Basu, was next with a 3:15.670. Tom Loder managed a 3:15.702 with his Audi RS4.
It’s not surprising the best times of the day came from GM’s people who have spent countless hours developing and tuning the CTS-V. Out of the actual contestants, the BMW M3 placed first, but the times were so close it was likely a difference in driver skill that won today’s race — nothing shocking to those who follow racing. Even though the BMW technically won, Cadillac still comes out on top for this event. Few manufacturers would step up and challenge Lutz, the Mitsubishi Evo driven by Siler was the only vehicle to be provided by a competing manufacturer, which says a lot about the competition’s view of the CTS-V on a track.
The car is clearly built to stand up the rigors of a track day right from the showroom. There aren’t many other production sedans in the world that can claim that, and none of the others was represented here to prove it.
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