Cadillac Racing Ready For 2017 Pirelli World Challenge Season
February 13, 2017 by Cadillac![Cadillac Racing Ready For 2017 Pirelli World Challenge Season](images/articleimages/cadillac-2017-pirelli-world-01-400.jpg)
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Cooper is eager for the season to start and to drive with Ricky and Jordan. 'I've been counting down the days to the start of the season, so it's nice that it is almost here,' Cooper said. 'Being back with Cadillac Racing is still very exciting to me and I can't wait to get my sophomore season in the GT class started. I've already heard of some other high-caliber efforts being launched for this year, which is great news. I think we are going to see the competition take another step up in PWC, which means it will be that much more exciting to watch. All of the Cadillac fans should be as excited as I am to have Jordan and Ricky with us for the SprintX races this year. Jordan has tested with us numerous times the last few years, so I'm sure they'll slot right in and make their presence known. For anybody that has been living under a rock, they bring a wealth of endurance experience, having won the Rolex 24 and competing at Le Mans. They are a perfect fit for Cadillac Racing's SprintX program. 'The new Vector Blue livery on my No. 8 Cadillac ATS-V.R Coupe really makes a statement. It screams performance! I fell in love with the color when I saw it for the first time on the ATS-V street car. I've seen some teaser pictures of the race car and when I saw it in person it looked even better.' Ricky Taylor is looking forward to running in a sprint format again. 'I am extremely excited to share the ATS-V.R with the guys,' Ricky Taylor said. 'I have always been a huge fan of the ATS-V.R program and of Johnny and Michael, so getting a chance to contribute to the team and hopefully another championship is a great opportunity. I haven't done a real sprint race in quite a few years now, so it is very exciting. It will be more like a qualifying session than what I am used to, where tire wear is not a factor and the race is flat out from start to finish. I think it will be a different mindset than I am used to. While we have to be aggressive and track position is important, we still have to give the car off to our teammate in good condition to go win the race. Three of the five tracks where we race this year in PWC are places that I really miss going to. Lime Rock is an extra-special one for me as I have won there three times and it was my first professional win while driving with Max Angelelli. But they are all great circuits and all present very different challenges.' Jordan Taylor is excited about running at VIR and Lime Rock again. 'I'm really looking forward to getting back in the Cadillac ATS-V.R,' Jordan Taylor said. 'It's been a few years since I've been with the team in competition, but I've always kept in contact and kept my eye on them during their race weekends. I've known and driven with Johnny since 2011 and Michael since 2013. They've both won championships and races in World Challenge, so I'm looking forward to driving alongside them and learning more from them. These races have more of a sprint race feel from what we're used to. Our shortest race is 100 minutes, at Detroit and Long Beach. Those races also have just one pit stop, so I feel like we can draw from those experiences. You're going to have to be on top of your game to win these races; there is no room for error in such short events. 'It's been a few years since I've been to VIR and Lime Rock. Those are tracks that I always enjoyed. They are true, old-school race tracks in America. The layouts are very enjoyable for a driver and present a big challenge for the engineers. VIR has always been one of my favorite tracks, so I can't wait to get back there.' 'The championship-winning Cadillac ATS-V.R Coupe has established itself as a clear winner in the Pirelli World Challenge series,' said Rich Brekus, global director of Product Strategy for Cadillac. 'Competing with and beating other top brands demonstrates and confirms the Cadillac V-Performance abilities on race tracks across North America.' 2017 Pirelli World Challenge Schedule: March 10-12, Streets of St. Petersburg April 7-9, Long Beach Grand Prix April 28-30, Virginia International Raceway, SprintX May 19-21, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, SprintX May 26-27, Lime Rock Park, SprintX June 23-25, Road America, SprintX July 28-30, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course August 11-13, Utah Motorsports Park, SprintX September 1-3, Circuit of the Americas, SprintX September 15-17, Sonoma Raceway Since the Cadillac Racing team's inception in 2004 it has amassed 31 wins, 109 podium finishes (including wins) and 24 pole positions. The team won the World Challenge Manufacturer Championship in 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Team Cadillac drivers have won the World Challenge Driver's Championship in 2005 with Andy Pilgrim and in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 with Johnny O'Connell. Additional information can be viewed at Cadillac.com, GM.com, media.gm.com, world-challenge.com, johnnyoconnell.com; Twitter @MSCooper1, @JohnnyOConnell, @Jordan10Tyalor, @RickyTaylor_10, @Cadillac; Facebook, GM, Michael Cooper, Johnny O'Connell, Ricky Taylor, Jordan Taylor, Cadillac.
posted on conceptcarz.com
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