Sorry if I made a double post, but I wanted to paste my response from the CTS-V challenge thread, because I am looking for tips for my first day on the track. The guys at Cadillac suggested I use at higher grade brake fluid, but nothing much more. Can those of you who may have already done something like this give me some tips? I'm going to get instruction at the track.

All tips are appreciated, whether it be driving or the "little things" I may forget. I don't want to blow the experience and say, "I wish I would have ...."..

Thanks
Chris



url]http://cadillac.gmblogs.com/2009/10/23/meet-the-v-series-challengers-–-preliminary-list/[/url]

Where's the XF-R? THAT's a challenge I wanted to see.[/QUOTE]



I happen to be the lucky owner. I didn't realize I was eligible either. A buddy of mine always sends me links when the V is in the news. I wrote a quick note on the challenge site that I love my car and would love to see it on the track against the world.

To my surprise they called me and asked if I could be there next week. I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas now. Do any of you have any tips for me? I've looked at the "track days" thread, but what are some "little things" that a newbie like me might forget? I want to get the maximum experience since I probably won't be able to do something this fun for a long time.

Thanks

Chris

Wow, lucky you!

That track is fun, and challenging! I drove my '02 Z06 there a month ago at a NASA event. There are lots of tricks to driving that track fast, but the back straight separates the men from the boys both in terms of cars and drivers. The key to that back straight is entering it as fast as possible, which means taking the sharp right turn before it as perfect as possible - you need that turn's exit speed to be as high as possible, but it's a tricky turn, so it's not easy. Also, don't worry about the little right hand kink turn in the middle of the straight that goes downhill a bit after it. Instinct says to lift off the throttle there, and most newbies do, but you can stay in the throttle right through it - just be smooth and no sudden moves, and the car will stay planted.

The track's owner says the CTS-V can hit 165 MPH on that back straight, IF you nail the turn before it. If you're new, you should be happy to hit 140, and if you're good, 150. For reference, a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale with a good driver was hitting 156 mph on that track. I was hitting 140-142 in my C5 Z06.

Another trick is having faith in the brakes. The braking power in the CTS-V is phenomenal - you can brake much later than you think - just don't be afraid to stomp on 'em. They can take the heat, and they'll be there for you.

In my experience, most drivers don't fully utilize the power of their brakes on a track like Monticello, and powerful brakes can be just as important as a powerful engine.

Good luck, and have fun!

LUCKY BASTAGE. I have no tips for you, just congratulations. :thumbsup: Now don't let Bob kick your ass too badly. :) And have fun.

Chris - Cadillac was right, you should change out the brake fluid. Several fluids will work well, but I am running Motul 660 in my V and It has worked out really well at the track.

I found that fresh rear end fluid is a good thing with a new car, and think about fresh motor oil.

You may also want to pick up a CG lock (http://www.cg-lock.com/) to help keep you planted in your seat.

If you haven't been to a track or lapping event, quickly find a driving school to get some seat time with your car at speed. The new V is an amazing car for it's size, and will make you look like a better driver than you are. What I have seen on the track with this car, is how good the brakes are, and how little fade they have. When you want to brake at the end of a fast straight, keep in mind, this car can go another 100' past a new driver's instincts before you need to brake hard.

Get as much info on the track as you can before you go, and do what you can to memorize the track before you get there. Watch You tube clips with a track map in hand, and memorize what the turns look like, where the best braking points are at, and how far you can drive into the turn, so you don't apex early. Z06ified has some great advice, and track knowledge follow his advice in the straights at the kink, and you will go faster. This car WILL stick there, just trust it to do what you want.

On the track - This car likes to Apex slightly late, and the torque in the engine will allow you to build speed out of a corner. you can get on the throttle quickly to make the back end sit down and drive out of the corner. - Slow in/Fast Out.

Always look ahead, breathe and have fun. We know you will put up a good showing for the Cadillac Owner's forums. (P.S. Take lots of pictures for us!)

Good advice so far. I'd add the following for a trackday newbie- remember that the throttle isn't an on/off switch. It's human instinct to know that you're on a racetrack, so you look ahead, see all that empty racetrack and just floor it- it used to happen to me A LOT when I started doing track days. Just remember to be smooth on the throttle, and always "roll" in to it.

Other than that, you've got some good advice already: Change the fluids, brake late, slow in/fast out, enter the corners high, turn down into the apex. Smooth inputs on the steering and throttle, and have fun!

All tips are appreciated, whether it be driving or the "little things" I may forget. I don't want to blow the experience and say, "I wish I would have ...."

Others have mentioned some good tips. I'll add my 2 cents.

Car: Watch the DIC for differential overheating issues. I don't know if you'll be pushing your car fast enough in the straights to overheat the diff fluid. If you do, park the car. You don't want to toast the fluid and then continue running all day like that. You'll end up with a very noisy differential at highway speeds if you do.

Driver: This sounds like your first track day. You're a bad driver, just accept it. :-) Over the years, you've picked up bad habits, and also, you've never been properly trained to drive. None of us have, until we get on a track. So, you're going to spend some amount of time unlearning how to drive before you can learn proper track driving.

It might seem frustrating at first, but stick with it. The time it takes to "click" is different for each person, but you'll get it. Don't get discouraged if it seems like you're not fast right off the bat. You won't be. And it may take multiple visits to get that way.

Enjoy your fun day at the track. Watch that diff!

jas

Find the best, most aggressive track instructor the moment you get on site, and take some laps (if permitted). Have him wring you out on the last two laps of that session. The advice above about braking is good, the V is famous for "lack of" brake fade, use 'em, and use 'em hard. Be very sure of your target tire pressure. Wear flexible driving shoes. Tony's advice was great too, ease into the gas especially to keep the normally tail-happy Cts-V straight. 3rd gear is your friend at Monticello. Reel in every apex cone possible, and start unwinding the steering wheel and accellerating the second you pass that cone.
Get an in-car cam if possible! Have fun!

Oh, and pray for sun.

1. Try to be a smooth as you possibly can - no herky-jerky steering or throttle inputs. Nail the brakes if necessary...

2.As a newbie, try very hard to remember to follow this routine when going into a turn:
a) brake
b) turn
c) accelerate

Do your best NOT to brake and turn at the same time! Depending on slope and camber of the turn, the potential is there to upset the balance of the car and go into a skid. If your car is a manual, do not downshift while in the turn - get into the lower gear before entering the turn. If you mis-match the revs while downshifting in a turn, that can also upset the balance of the car.

3, Discipline yourself to look as far ahead as you possibly can rather than immediately in front of the car. If you are able to look further ahead, you will naturally steer the car to where you want it to be (and you will have fewer surprises!). The analogy is going down a flight of steps - you look at the bottom of the steps (where you want to end up) rather than at each step as you descend (where you are)

4. Learn your limits and the car's limits gradually!! This definitely requires discipline! You will be exploring where you have never gone before! It only takes a split second to find yourself in over your head and out of control. By all means, explore these limits, but work up to them gradually.

5. If you do put a couple of wheels off the track, stay off and don't try to get back on until you've stopped. The transition back onto the pavement can send the car careening out of control, back and forth across the track - not to mention that you could slice a tire and bang up a wheel or 2.

Have fun and be safe! It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on!:cool:

Best regards,

Elie

Thanks for all the tips everyone! I'm trying to learn all I can as fast as possible. I had a little bit of instruction from a golf buddy of mine who is an retired pro and he echos most of what I just read here.

It should be a blast. Christmas is coming early for me this year!

Chris

You're going to spend the first few sessions just figuring out the track. If you can get some laps in ahead of time with an instructor I'd HIGHLY recommend it.

If not, study you tube videos, track maps, and check out trackpedia's turn by turn guide. Memorize the layout the best you can, and pay attention to the videos to see where people are turning in or apexing. Not having to figure out the track from scratch during your first session will help you focus on driving.

Also, don't worry too much about taking the car to it's limits from an RPM and brake standpoint. The car has enough torque to pull our of corners regardless of rpm, so keeping things simple and shifting LESS will allow you to concentrate on learning the car and the track.

http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Monticello

Thanks for the trackapedia link. That should come in very handy.

Chris

Now, I'm looking for hotels. The receptionist at Monticello basically told me the town is a dump and there is nothing going on there. She recommended all the basic chains and told me there is nothing to do there outside of the track.

Anyone have a recommendation?

I always start with Holiday Inn EXPRESS. Most of them are newly remodeled. If they are full, you get a discounted stay offered at a nearby combined ownership chain of suites.