[h=2]Cadillac Racing Special: Race-Inspired, Track Capable[/h] Wednesday, 17 January 2018


By George Tamayo / Images by Richard Dole


When racing a Cadillac DPi-V.R prototype sports car is your day job, getting behind the wheel of pretty much any street car has to be underwhelming, right?

Wrong. Very wrong.
When the street car in question is the Cadillac ATS-V coupe, a vehicle that's as formidable on the track as it is refined on the road, "underwhelming" is probably the last word that comes to mind.
As one exciting third of the Cadillac high-performance V-Series family that also includes the ATS-V sedan and CTS-V super sedan, the ATS-V coupe is a race-inspired, 189mph, 464hp thrill ride – and Jordan Taylor can't get enough of it.
Along with brother Ricky, Jordan drove Wayne Taylor Racing's all-new Cadillac DPi-V.R to five wins in the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – enough to earn Drivers' and Teams' titles in the headlining Prototype class for the Taylor clan. Two additional victories for Action Express Racing's helped secure the Manufacturers' Championship for Cadillac in the debut season for the DPi-V.R.
To celebrate the accomplishment, Cadillac has introduced the V-Series Championship Edition for all three of its high-performance models. And with only 200 vehicles being produced in total, they're sure to fly out of dealers.
"I want one!" declares Jordan, who's been given the chance to drive the ATS-V coupe version at Daytona International Speedway, home of the season-opening Rolex 24 endurance classic and scene of the DPi-V.R's stunning debut victory in 2017 with Jordan and the WTR team.
"The Championship Edition is an amazing way to celebrate what Cadillac and its teams achieved in 2017," he says. "Every V-Series is an incredible piece of machinery, but they're something else again when you get them on the track.
"I've driven both the CTS-V and the ATS-V in the Cadillac V-Performance Academy program at Spring Mountain Motor Resort, and I couldn't believe the level of capability these cars have for something that you can drive right off the showroom floor. I was driving them just like they were racecars on the track. The balance and the braking performance are phenomenal, and the power and torque are awesome, too – up there with my racecar.
"Then you take one out on the road, switch the Driver Mode Control from Track to Tour, and suddenly it's smooth, refined and relaxing – a Cadillac. It's a car you can drive to work or the grocery store every day. But flick it to Track mode again and the ride, the steering, the feedback you're getting – even the sound – the whole experience goes up a level, and you're ready to have a total blast again at a track day. I love this car!"
Dillon Blanski, Cadillac's Lead Creative Designer for road cars, played a significant role in the creation of the DPi-V.R racecar, working with Cadillac Racing and chassis-builder Dallara to integrate Cadillac style without compromising performance. And given his immersion in that program, it was only natural that he'd lead the way on the V-Series Championship Edition.
"Being at Daytona with the teams for the DPi-V.R's debut, and to watch it drive across the finish line for the Rolex 24 win was pretty special," says Blanski. "So to be able to bring it full circle to produce a special edition car for the street that celebrates a championship and all those wins, that just makes it even more special.
"With the Championship Edition cars, I worked in as much representation of the DPi-V.R graphically as I could to celebrate winning the championship. We drew inspiration from the graphics on the tail fins of the racecars and incorporated those into the special edition. Plus, we brought over things like the wheels and the Brembo brakes that are street versions of those used on the racecar. The visual connection is very strong."
Add in the track-capable performance of every V-Series model and the Championship Edition is a fitting tribute to Cadillac's newest racecar.
Only 14 drivers got to race a Cadillac DPi-V.R in 2017, but thanks to the V-Series Championship Edition, a couple hundred more will get to celebrate its success in exhilarating, high-performance style.


CHAMPIONSHIP CREDENTIALS
The ATS-V Championship Edition includes 18in. V-Series polished alloy wheels, red Brembo brake calipers, a carbon-fiber front splitter, rear spoiler and rear diffuser, and a sunroof all as standard.
Cadillac performance graphics on the hood and spoiler are an homage to the DPi-V.R racecar's fin stripes, while the accented high-gloss carbon-fiber interior trim and Morello Red stitching bring the visual theme to the interior.
RECARO performance seats provide confidence-inspiring support when the envelope's being pushed.
And like all ATS-V coupes and sedans, the Championship Edition is powered by Cadillac's 464hp, 3.6-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine. That translates to a 189mph top speed on the track and 0-60mph in 3.8sec – seriously impressive performance.
Cadillac's V-Series Championship Editions are a race-inspired, track-capable salute to the DPi-V.R's stunning debut season. Find out more about the entire range of V-Series vehicles HERE.


For more on the Cadillac DPi-V.R's multiple championship-winning 2017 season, check out RACER's 2018 Cadillac Racing Special digital magazine HERE.


Get the latest news on Cadillac's 2018 race programs HERE.

 

[h=2]IMSA sets BoP tables for Rolex 24[/h] Thursday, 18 January 2018


By Marshall Pruett / Images by Jake Galstad/LAT




1.1k Shares
IMSA has made adjustments to numerous WeatherTech SportsCar Championship models following the recent Roar Before the 24 test at Daytona International Speedway.

The Balance of Performance changes will have a direct influence on how various manufacturers fare in Prototype, GT Le Mans and GT Daytona during the Jan. 25-28 Rolex 24 at Daytona.


Of interest in Prototype, Acura's brand-new ARX-05 DPi has received an increase in fuel capacity (+4L, 80L total) and will flow fuel faster during pit stops with a larger opening in the restrictor (+1.5mm).
Cadillac's DPi-V.R, which dominated every session at the Roar, has lost power to its 5.5-liter V8 engine with smaller openings feeding air to the motor (-0.6mm, 31.6mm total opening size), and has received an increase in fuel capacity (+1L, 68L total) and will flow fuel faster during pit stops (+0.5mm).
Mazda's RT24-P is the only DPi to receive a weight reduction (-15kg, 915kg total), has gained a rev limit increase for its 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine (from 8300 to 8600), lost boost at the bottom and top of the rev range, and will flow fuel faster during pit stops (+0.5mm).

The Nissan Onroak DPi has received an increase in fuel capacity (+2L, 80L total) and will refuel faster during pit stops (+1.5mm). On the engine front, its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 will have a bump in boost as it reaches a peak RPM of 7100.
Aerodynamic changes have also been called for with most of the DPis. Taller Gurney flaps attached to the trailing edge of the Acura, Mazda, and Nissan engine covers are required; Mazda's Gurney is the tallest at 20mm, and a high-downforce upper rear wing element must be used. Nissan's rear wing main plane will run at a steeper angle. Of the four marques, only Cadillac, which set the fastest trap speeds on the banking, escaped Rolex 24 aero BoP changes, but the reduction in engine power could be the method chosen by IMSA to pull the DPi-V.Rs in line with Acura, Mazda and Nissan.
As IMSA previously told RACER, despite any change of plans within the ACO and FIA WEC to make BoP adjustments to the spec LMP2 cars on the grid, it has not and will not follow suit in the WeatherTech Championship.
In GTLM, BMW's new M8 GTE is the only model to lose weight between the Roar and Rolex 24 (-10kg, 1240kg total). Boost increased throughout almost the entire 7000rpm rev range for the BMW's twin-turbo V8 have has also been applied, and the M8 will have an increase in fuel capacity (+6L, 93L total), and will flow fuel faster during pit stops (+3.0mm).

Corvette's C7.R (+1L, 91L total), Ford's GT (+2L, 91L total, and +1.0mm), and Porsche's 911 RSR (-3L, 92L total, -1.0mm) also have capacity or flow changes in store for their cars. Only Ferrari's 488 GTE was left out of fuel-related adjustments.
On the aero front, Corvette will lose top speed with a taller minimum rear wing angle (up from 0deg to 2deg) and Ford has also been hit with the same change (up from 2deg to 5deg).
In GTD, two cars have weight changes to make with Acura's NSX GT3 increasing (+10kg, 1310kg total) and Mercedes' AMG GT3 decreasing (-15kg, 1375kg total) on the scale. Three engine power modifications have been called for, with Audi's V10-powered R8 LMS GT3 going to air restrictors with smaller openings (-1.0mm, 39mm total) along with the Audi-based Lamborghini Huracan GT3 (-1.0mm, 38mm total), and BMW's M6 GT3 has received more boost at every step of the rev range with its twin-turbo V8.
From the nine GTD models, five have fuel capacity and flow changes for the Rolex 24. Acura (+5L, 105L total, and +1.0mm), Audi (-3L, 91L total, and -1.0mm), BMW (+3L, 106L total, and +1.0mm), Ferrari's 488 GT3 (+2L, 94L total, and +0.5mm), and Lamborghini (-3L, 92L total, and -1.0mm) complete the extensive BoP efforts.
Practice for the Rolex 24 starts next Thursday, Jan. 25.

 

'Rodney Sandstorm' preps for Rolex 24

By Marshall Pruett / Image courtesy Jordan Taylor


Rodney Sandstorm, the alter ego of defending IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Prototype champion Jordan Taylor, has posted his latest workout video. The Jeff Gordon-loving super fan is preparing to retain the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona victory he earned with his hero.


It's believed Sandstorm, who is regarded as a perfect representative of the fine state of Florida, has received special dispensation from IMSA to wear fireproof jean shorts in the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R.






on facebook............

 

Fernando Alonso, United Autosports Transition to Daytona

2,470 views

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGnUq14yo4k
IMSA Official
Published on Jan 18, 2018

Two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso and the United Autosports driver lineup give their thoughts on the 2018 Rolex 24 At Daytona and what it means to race in this iconic event. Watch the race live on FOX at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 27.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGnUq14yo4k

 

[h=1]Fernando Alonso Daytona Roar night pitstop[/h]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hLN4a9Sf_8

thomas27 sacco
Published on Jan 7, 2018

Fernando Alonso to Phil Hanson driver change Ligier JS P217

 

[h=1]Fernando Alonso @ Daytona 24H - Ligier LMP2 - PCARS in car video what Daytona looks like[/h]tps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQoF5TRs6pohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQoF5TRs6po

by Ivan M