It was the kind of meeting that you hear about, but never witness. I didn't realize how serious they were about having that "top spot". Yes, lots of money changed hands, but that's normal. I get paid for my services. Then he, the head of Cadillac's Racing Department, looked me straight in the eyes with an intensity that would melt paint off of walls, and asked me directly, ...."Can you get Cadillac back in that top spot?"
That's when I realized that everyone in the room was deadly silent, no one moved, all eyes were on me....they desperately wanted that answer to be , "Yes'! I hesitated for a few moments, looking down at the no. 2 pencil I was fondling on the table, and in spite of how badly they wanted my clear verbal response; I couldn't give them that pleasure. The best I could offer, as I slowly raised my head and calmly shifted my eyes around the table at them, was an ever widening confident smile and a slight nod in the affirmative. After all, what did it matter what I'd say....my "Yes" would come out on the track.
After 15 minutes of track time, above the background of engine roar, howling tires, and the visuals of this silver V12 Cadillac fighting to tame this serpentine coil of ashpalt winding through the hills of Sonoma.....they had their answer.
Production Car:NEW Cadillac and Viper times
Rerun improved time
1:30.357/Cadillac Cien/798hp/1450kg/S3/Gt3Emperor
T-1=19.690
T-2=58.897
Lap=1:30.357
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Race Car
Rerun improved time
1:18.579/Viper GTS-R Oreca '00/627hp/1150kg/R5/Gt3Emperor
T-1=17.159
T-2=51.932
Lap=1:18.579
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Production Car
1:37.820/Suzuki GSX-R/4 '01/184hp/640kg/S3/Gt3Emperor
T-1=20.991
T-2=1:03.660
Lap=1:37.820
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Race Car
1:08.914/Toyota minolta 88C-V '89/965hp/850kg/R5/Gt3Emperor
T-1=15.344
T-2=45.832
Lap=1:08.914
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I've got another couple times in an earlier post, Alrivers. On Page 4, Post #36 Jaguar XJR-9, TVR Cerbera Speed 12 and Toyota 7 Race Car.
Things are heating up in Somona!