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Cadillac Back On The Race Track

Cadillac is returning to racing.  The CTS-V Coupe will compete in the Sports Car Club of America World Series.  It was involved in that series from 2004 to 2007. 

"It makes sense for Cadillac, as a brand, to be back into racing," said Cadillac Marking Manager Don Butler, telling WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert that this will help them reach out to enthusiasts.

It follows Cadillac's decision a few weeks ago to sponsor PGA golf tournaments.

"What we really want to do, primarily, is connect with the passions of our customers," Butler said. " Both in the case of golf and in the case of racing, we've got customers that are passionate about those two sports."

Podcast

Cadillac Marketing Manager Don Butler talks with WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert.

Cadillac is working with Pratt & Miller, a New Hudson, Mich., engineering firm which specializes in motorsports, to develop the CTS-V Coupe racecar. While some of the production CTS-V components will be modified due to the unique demands of racing or to meet the SCCA series' technical rules, every effort is taken to maintain as much production content as possible.

"The SCCA World Challenge lends itself well to a natural transfer of knowledge," said Jim Campbell, GM vice president for Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, in a statement released by the company. "The series will become a key test-bed for Cadillac. We anticipate using what we learn on the racetrack to ensure the V-Series stays on the cutting-edge of performance."

The first event in the SCCA World Challenge is March 25-27 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Johnny O'Connell, a three-time GT1 champion in the America Le Mans Series, and Andy Pilgrim, who won the 2005 SCCA World Challenge GT class in a Cadillac, will be behind the wheel of the CTS-V racecars.

Competing in the GT Class with the CTS-V Sport Sedan, Cadillac captured the Manufacturer's Championship in 2005 and 2007 and the Driver's Championship in 2005.

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