Cadillac returning to the ALMS

[Nick Koske]

I think the biggest problem with the CTS...it it wasn't designed with racing in mind like a BMW M3 is. GT2 class rules specify engine location and suspension pickup may only be slightly modified...if at all.
I think this section of the GT2 rules make it hard for the CTS:
5.1.1 - The original engine shall maintain its original location, orientation and position. However it can be :

• lowered in compliance with the article 5.1.2. below ;
• moved backward (*) provided the chassis and the dimensions of the c-o-c-kpit are not modified ;

Take a peak in the WC CTS...and you'll see that the dash board is not in the same location as the road car...because they needed to move the engine back for balance, moving the dash board changes the dimensions of the c-o-c-kpit.

Also the fuel tanks must remain in the same location as the street car...not sure if that applies to the WC CTS or not, Lou probably could speak to the specific changes the CTS went through.

There's also this portion:
b/ It is permitted to modify the position of the suspension
mounting points within the limit of 20 mm around the
centre of each original pick-up point.
c/ The hub carriers can be changed but the number of link
joints must be kept.

Not sure but I doubt the WC CTS has the same number of link joints to the hub carrier.

PS....had to use c-o-c-kpit because John's filters don't allow ****pit.

[John Thawley]

As I recall, one of the reasons for lower the motor and moving the dash was transmission related. They had a real bad angle that wouldn't allow them to get the proper alignment to a racing gear box. But, you're right... the driver's seat was literally behind the door pillar.

As Scott Atherton pointed out... in relationship to our rules, it's a "funny car."

Personally, I love the car... it is one bad ass hot rod.

[bullitt_60]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

I think the biggest problem with the CTS...it it wasn't designed with racing in mind like a BMW M3 is.

I disagree with this. The 3-series is one of the best selling cars in the world and, while a very good performing car, was not designed for racing either. Both the M3 and V-Series are highly modified versions of their base models.

I completely agree with everything else you said, my point is only that if BMW can make it work (potentially), why can't GM? They have a brand new car (which is the best car I've ever seen from GM...go look at one if you have the chance) that could be a big seller. GM should give it a shot!

[RennSport]

Another LMP car would be nice. The Cadillac LMP 02 car was pretty awesome.

[Hallen]

Originally Posted by bullitt_60

I disagree with this. The 3-series is one of the best selling cars in the world and, while a very good performing car, was not designed for racing either. Both the M3 and V-Series are highly modified versions of their base models.

I completely agree with everything else you said, my point is only that if BMW can make it work (potentially), why can't GM? They have a brand new car (which is the best car I've ever seen from GM...go look at one if you have the chance) that could be a big seller. GM should give it a shot!

BMW makes it work because the 3 series is a well balanced car with modest power out of the box (my car is almost exactly 50-50 weight distribution). Add more power and stiffer suspension, wider fenders with bigger tires and you have an M3.

A CTS is a brick out of the box... it is a typical American sedan. It is built to wow you with gobs of power. To make it into a race car you need to balance the weight and get the suspension right. These are things the BMW has out of the box. It is much easier to get more power out of an engine and go racing with a balanced car than it is to balance an ungainly car. The WC CTS-V proves that. Look what they had to do to it to race it.

Don't get me wrong. I like the direction that Cadillac is trying to take. I just wish they would concentrate more on making a balanced, light weight car instead of a stylish, unbalanced beefcake. But then again, the latter is always what Cadillac has built.

[Nick Koske]

Originally Posted by bullitt_60

I completely agree with everything else you said, my point is only that if BMW can make it work (potentially), why can't GM? They have a brand new car (which is the best car I've ever seen from GM...go look at one if you have the chance) that could be a big seller. GM should give it a shot!

GM can...but it seems they don't want to. The current CTS-V is to far from being a race car. It's further away from being a race car than a regular old 911 Carrera. Yet Porsche doesn't even use the Carrera as the homologation model for the 911 GT3 RSR, they use the the 911 GT3 RS. So until Caddy/GM comes out with a CTS that can hold the jock of a 911, 430, C6, Viper hell even a M3. It will be a long uphill battle trying to race the CTS in a 'proper' GT class. I'm all for Caddy trying to get there don't get me wrong...but they're not even on the same planet as the other cars in the class, as of now.

[HORNDAWG]

Nick pardon the liberty, but I think this is how your last sentence should read.

I'm all for Caddy trying to get there don't get me wrong...but they're not even on the same planet as the other cars in the class,< with the CTS>, as of
now.

Because Caddy does have a car that more than qualifies as a potential world class racer in "LM" style of GT in the XLR!

[Nick Koske]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Nick pardon the liberty, but I think this is how your last sentence should read.


Because Caddy does have a car that more than qualifies as a potential world class racer in "LM" style of GT in the XLR!

Yes thank you...all directed at the CTS...since the XLR shares the same chassis as the Vette (do we know which one?? C6 or Z06) it probably a very capable car, especially if they have P&M build it.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

Yes thank you...all directed at the CTS...since the XLR shares the same chassis as the Vette (do we know which one?? C6 or Z06) it probably a very capable car, especially if they have P&M build it.

C6. Because it is a Roadster (retractable hardtop) it needed to use the steel frame rails.

[Nick Koske]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

C6. Because it is a Roadster (retractable hardtop) it needed to use the steel frame rails.

Ah...so if they build a coupe version like the article mentions...they could potentially move to the Z06 frame.