Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM
GM performance guru John Heinricy retires
The Nürburgring record-setting Cadillac CTS-V
Over the past two decades, John Heinricy has probably done more to enhance the performance image of General Motors than any other single individual. From the perspective of a petrol-head, Heinricy has for many years held what is probably the coolest job at GM as the director of the Performance division and top-dog test driver. We found out today that Heinricy is retiring after 38 years as an engineer and test driver for GM. In his off time, Heinricy has raced a wide variety of cars at many different levels and captured 11 SCCA national titles. Much of his best known work has been at the wheel of the last several generations of Corvettes along with the Cadillac CTS, but this year he got the most attention for his exploits in the new CTS-V. Specifically, he became the first driver to record a sub-eight minute lap time at the Nurburgring in a production four-door sedan with the new Cadillac CTS-V. When we attended the first track preview of the CTS-V a few months ago, Heinricy was on hand with the record setting car to talk about the big lap. You can check out video of Heinricy's chat and the record lap after the jump.Gallery: First Ride: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
[Source: Cadillac Driver's Log]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JDMlover 4:12PM (11/05/2008)
So....
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Pete 4:21PM (11/05/2008)
Not a biased opinion or anything...
You should just change your handle to JDM idiot.
PhattyDre16 8:15PM (11/05/2008)
Your pessimistic attitude earned you a thumbs down on my behalf, sir.
Serge 4:48PM (11/05/2008)
Unlike you JDM, Heinricy did NOT use a playstation to set any of his records...
aaron 4:24PM (11/05/2008)
38 years, wow. Not a bad way to go out with the CTS-V.
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pd 4:33PM (11/05/2008)
Move along to the rice boards JDM.
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Andi Baritchi 4:45PM (11/05/2008)
His departure is truly tragic for GM.
At least he went out in style.
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GENERALMOTORSMAN4LIFE 4:48PM (11/05/2008)
Thank you John for developing and bringing to market my Trailblazer SS-it is truely a wolf in sheeps clothing!
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carguy 4:51PM (11/05/2008)
He is a great guy. I got to drive the CTS-V with him riding shotgun...needless to say, that was a blast!
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IOMTT 4:54PM (11/05/2008)
First Wallace, now Heinricy? They had great careers and I enjoyed watching John drive at the runoffs. The question is who will fill the void? Does this say something about the future of Corvette and GM performance?
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easyrider425 5:18PM (11/05/2008)
So... there's an opening for my dream job!
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Sam 5:28PM (11/05/2008)
Maybe its the car or maybe it is his skill as a driver or both but that lap looks easy. The car doesn't sound stressed and he makes it look so drama free that it looks like anybody could do it.
My favorite Nurburgring run:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEnjqOjY0LA
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why not the LS2LS7? 6:07PM (11/05/2008)
What a bummer. I know he tried to pass on his racing cred to others before he left, but it won't be nearly the same without him.
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Rob 6:40PM (11/05/2008)
Anyone that can make people take a cobalt SS seriously has my respect.
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Johnnie 9:33PM (11/05/2008)
I'm personally glad to see the guy retire. I lost complete lack of respect for this guy many years ago as a result of his involvment with SCCA.
I have no respect for someone that drives race cars professionally at times, has the means to any performance part for free within GM and then goes out and races at an amateur level against actual amateurs who spent their own money to develop their race car. It's pretty darn obvious how he won 11 national championships.
The CTS-V is a work of art and I love what it is. I at some point would consider one.
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