Cody's Pontiac GTO Track Car with APEX Wheels

APEX: Tell us some details about yourself & your car.

Cody Presson: My name is Cody Presson and I live in the Detroit area. I work as an aircraft mechanic. Some of my hobbies include snowmobiling, track days and fixing anything with an engine. I own a 2006 Pontiac GTO, brazin orange.

– BC Racing ER Coilers – 8kg Front Swift Springs – 10kg Rear Swift Springs – Whiteline Control Arm, Radius Rod, Subframe and Eccentric Bushings – JPSS Camber Plates – 6 Piston CTSV Brembo Calipers with the CTSV 14.56 inch Rotors on the front – 4 Piston CTSV Brembo Calipers with C6 Z06 Rotors on the back – itsme4G63 Brake Caliper Brackets – Carbotech Brake Pads – Russell Braided Stainless Steel Brake Lines – Eaton Trutrac Differential – Harrop Large Capacity Structural Diff Cover – Gforce Level 1 Axle Shafts – Hotchkis Sway Bars – Whiteline Strut Tower Brace – Improved Racing GTO Oil Pan Baffle – Improved Racing Oil Cooler Adapter and Oil Thermostat – Setrab 34 Row Series 9 Oil Cooler – Pedders Fast Ratio Steering Rack and a Power Steering Cooler – Griffin Oversized All Aluminum Radiator – Relocated the Battery to the Trunk

APEX: What is your track day wheel setup?

Cody Presson: – APEX 18×9” ET42 EC-7 Wheels in Anthracite – 285/30/18 Bridgestone RE71R Tires – 7mm spacer on the front – JPSS Camber plates made for GTO – The camber plates are a must to install 285s on the front

I know that a 285 is a little bulged on a 9 inch wide rim but I have not felt any squirminess with the RE71R or RE11. On my GTO if the front rim is wider than 9 inches, it will hit the external reservoir on the coilovers.

APEX: Why did you choose APEX Wheels over the rest?

Cody Presson: APEX simply offered the best wheel size options, while keeping spoke clearance for the big brake calipers and they look amazing.

APEX: How did you get into track racing & for how long?

Cody Presson: I grew up right around the corner from Waterford Hills Raceway. Watching and hearing the cars out on the track every weekend gave me the itch, I needed to be on that track. After high school I bought a 1997 Camaro with plans to one day take it Racing, but I never had the money for tires, brakes…. basically anything I would’ve needed to pass tech inspection. Well a few years later after I sold the camaro and got a better job, I started shopping for a car again. I always wanted a new GTO, it wouldn’t make the best Track car, but it would be unique. So I bought my orange one in 2012 and 3 weeks later I took it autocross Racing. I have been doing a mixture of autocross and track days since.

What is your favorite memory or entertaining story from the track?

Cody Presson: At Grattan Raceway just before turn 5 there is a hill known as “the jump”. Most people that day were braking before the jump, because you would land in the braking zone for turn 5. I was rounding turn 4 heading toward the jump, and I could see a spectator leaning on the fence. He was video taping other cars but not paying much attention to me. So I made sure to get his attention. “I’m going to jump it and make sure he sees it” I told myself. As I felt all 4 tires come off the ground, I could hear him yell with joy. The next lap I set up again and he had his phone out this time. Sadly in the video it looks much less impressive than it feels in the car. The front tires came off the ground about 2 inches and rears maybe 1/2 an inch.

APEX: How many events do you participate in each year, care to share any track results?

Cody Presson: I try to participate in as many track days as I can during the short Michigan season. This year for the 2017 season I have attended 11 Track day events. My best time at Waterford Hills is 1:20.0. For a 3700 pound car that’s not too bad. The car just needs a better driver.

APEX: If you could give one tip to a new racer, what would your tip be?

Cody Presson: Never be too proud to ask for more instruction. Everybody has stuff to learn.

APEX: Where can we follow you?

Cody Presson: You find me on Instagram @cody_presson and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cody.presson

APEX: Do you have any clubs, shops or racing buddies you want to give a shout out to?

Cody Presson: Wretched Motorsports, Rob Anderson is a huge help in acquiring parts and knowledge for these rare cars.

Cory has been Domestic Fitment Expert at APEX since 2018, helping owners figure out the proper wheel fitments for their Camaro, Corvette, Mustang, Challenger, Charger, Cadillac, and Tesla vehicles. Prior to joining APEX, he worked as Service Advisor at an automotive performance shop. Never one to sit at a car show, Cory has had a lifelong passion for performance driving. His extensive track experience began with HPDEs in 2015. He soon got the itch to start competing in time trials, which he has been doing ever since. Among the cars he has tracked are three Mustang GTs (2005, 2006, 2011), a 2016 Fiesta ST, and his current ride, a 2010 Corvette Grand Sport with APEX SM-10RS wheels. Fun Fact: Apparently Cory’s love of speed isn’t limited to the racetrack; after not training at all, he recently ran a 5K and placed 7th out of 210 competitors.

Have questions about wheels for your domestic vehicle? Use our contact form and ask for Cory