6 replies to this topic

[Madkore]

I get invited to these car clinics every now and then. I'm not sure why, but I get invites once or twice a year.

A few weeks back I was invited to participate in the Cadillac V-Series Challenge.
I decided to sign up and check it out.

It was an invitation only event at the old El Toro Air Base in Orange County, California.

Cadillac set up a huge air conditioned tent with all of their cars and engines on display. Lots of Cadillac displays featuring available leathers, exterior colors, and cutaway engines.

Inside they also had free food and drinks. Nothing alcoholic, but really good, high quality, catered finger food. Crab cakes. Yummy.

After a short orientation, we got on buses that took us a couple miles away to the driving area. In the driving area they had several venues set up for the participants. We were broken down into groups of 10 - 12, and went to the different venues.

First our group went to an acceleration and braking site. We were told to take brand new Cadillac XLR-Vs, and do 0 to 60 to 0 as fast as we could. Nail the XLR-V from a standing start, take it to 60 mph, and stand on the brakes. Then do a short three cone slalom on the way back to the start. Two runs at a time, and we all got to go 4 or 5 times.

Then we went to slalom practice site. More XLR-Vs, with a higher speed and a lower speed three cone slalom areas. Drive the socks off the cars and don't hit the cones. Again we took 2 or 3 runs in a row, and got to go 3 or 4 times each.

Next was the 3 mile road course they set up with Cadillac CTS-Vs and STS-Vs. This was a lead-follow high speed grouping with a professional driver leading a group of five cars around the course. Every lap, the number 2 car would pull over to the right, and let us all pass so the next car in line could follow the pro around the course. We all got to follow the pro driver around the track at least once.

The next venue was an autocross course with STS-Vs and CTS-Vs. We all got 5 or 6 practice runs. Then we all got to race one lap for time. The best time got to go for a ride in the Cadillac CTS-V Race Car with Andy Pilgrim, one of Cadillac's professional drivers at the helm. Damn, I came in second.

Then we all piled into the cars on the road course for hot laps with professional drivers at the wheel. Man, what a difference with a pro driving. We hit 130 on the backstraight.

After a few short speeches, they bused us back to the reception area. Then, after filling out a short survey, we all got a photo plaque with our name on it, and a free pair of Piloti Driving Shoes.

Mind you, this entire event was absolutely free. That's right, FREE! The food, the drinks, and the great times driving some really fast cars.

What a Blast!

I never thought I would ever say this in a million years, but.......

THANKS CADILLAC!

Oh yeah, our Group Leader was some guy named Jeff Andretti. You might have heard of him.

so, if you get invited to the Cadillac V Series Challenge.......

GO!

Edited by Madkore, 16 July 2006 - 09:57 PM.

[duner]

did this cost you anything?

[Madkore]

did this cost you anything?

Nothing
Nada
Zip
Zilch

Everything was Free!

[duner]

Nothing
Nada
Zip
Zilch

Everything was Free!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that makes it an even better deal

[crxmobber]

how do you get invited to those? do you just get a random letter in the mail or you just have connections?

[Madkore]

how do you get invited to those? do you just get a random letter in the mail or you just have connections?

I'm not sure why I got invited.
I'm still trying to figure out why I'm on Cadillac's mailing list.

I got an invitation in the mail from Cadillac for this event.

Maybe it's because I'm a long time GrassrootsMotorsports subscriber and I've emailed Tim Suddard (the Publisher and Owner) several times. Tim has a thing for a clean, stock, 1985 Honda CRX Si. It's on his wish list for cars.

Or maybe it's because I took the time to answer a few telephone surveys on cars when they called my house, and they liked what I had to say. I spent a half an hour a couple of times talking to guys on the phone about cars, answering their questions, and giving my opinions on things.

Or maybe it's because I owned a 1997 BMW M3 and am on BMW's mailing list.

I did used to be a Honda service advisor and a Honda service manager, but that was 20 years ago, so I don't think that has anything to do with it.

But I have received these invitations before. I was invited to a BMW X3 demo, and a Mitsubishi Evo Demo during the last few years, but I couldn't make it to either one of those events.

So I guess I'm saying that I have absolutely no idea why I was invited.

Also, this event had to cost Cadillac millions to set up and run.
And it was probably only for about 500 or 600 people.

Friday was apparently a dealer day. Southern California Cadillac dealer owners and sales personnel only.

Saturday and Sunday, they ran two sessions a day, morning and afternoon.
Each session was probably only 80 to 100 people. That's only 320 to 400 people for the four sessions, plus the dealers and salemen on Friday.

Incredible.

Edited by Madkore, 18 July 2006 - 02:20 PM.

[Madkore]

http://www.vserieschallenge.com/

This is the website.

I had a Reservation Code on my invitation.

But there is an 800 number to call if you do not have a code.
Maybe you can register even if you don't have an invitation.
It's worth a phone call.
Try calling, be polite and civil, and see what happens.

Also, the links will tell you more about the event.
They said they were going to take the event across the country to other venues, so it might be coming to a location near you in the future.