Nissan Motorsport History 2004 - 2007

BNR-series GT-R bids farewell to JGTC

ON SUNDY, October 16, 2003, the GT500 Nismo GT-R driven by Satoshi Motayama and Michaell Krumm rolled over the Fuji 300 season finale finish line in third place to win the 2003 JGTC title for the team Xanavi Nismo. Twenty four seconds earlier, first to the flag, was team Calsonic's Syline. A fitting end to the spectacular 15-year winnings for the legandary BNR series GT-R. It had been 17 year hiatus since the halcyon days of the KPGC110 when Nissan resurrected the GT-R nameplate to race in domestic Japanese touring car championship in 1990. With turbocharging and AWD, the R32 dominated the early'90s Group A. GT-R continued as Nissan's big-gun when, in 1994 the series adopted a Group C/LeMans-style formula and transformed into today's monstrous rear-driven JGTC category. The writing was on the pitwall in 2002. Nissan had not only finished production of R34 GT-R road car, but The JGTC Syline lost the last tangible hardware link between road and track that made the homologated BNR GT-R such a iconic supercar: their RB26DETT engine. The latter's VQ vee six twin turbo replacement was the final nail in the GT-R's coffin and also signalled two things. Firstly, that the new and yet-to-materialise revamped GT-R would run. The VQ30DETT or variant thereof, and secondly, that Nissan's JGTC torch would be passed on the higly succesful 350Z.

You can teach a new dog old triks
The new GT500 Z33 Fairlady is a spectacular looking bit of gear. But you do not have a squint very hard to start spotting common threads between it and last year's ultimate R34 GT-R. The technology obtained in the GT-R was utilised in developing the Zed. Nismo also acknowledge that the Z33 uses the same VQ engine as the Syline GT-R of last years. A quick glance at specification all bat confirms that there's very little separating Nismo's old with new, apart from the curvaceous new carbon-fibre skin work and touch of remodelling inside the cabin. And the GT500 Zed has proven its winning colours from outset. The reigning champs, Xanavi Nismo duo Satoshi Motoyama and Michael Krumm, were the outright victors at the opening round of the 2004 Autobacs JGTC series in April. The four GT500 version differ from the non-factory Zeds that debuted in, and went on to win, the GT300 class last year. Interestingly, where the GT500 car's three litre twin-turbo version (VQ30DETT) produces 373kW at a mere 5600rpm, the naturally aspirated 3.5 litre road-based VQ35DE if the GT300 racer screams to a lofty 8000rpm to take all of its claimed 230kW. This is, perhaps an insight into where Nissan will take theire road cars in the future. If Nismo have spent two years developing twin-turbo VQ engine in the GT-R for the current GT500Zed, it's not inconceivable that the current development of this very engine may appear in the road going and inevitable JGTC track version of the next GT-R when it's (hopefully) released in 2007. (Continue)

2004 Fairlady Z(33) GT500 won a sweeping victory in its debut year
2003 show the final of the Skyline era, before new Fairlady Z replaced Skyline GT-R R34. The 2004 Fairlady Z GT500 machine was the optimization of Nissan's FR package, using the Fairlady Z (Z33) as its base. The cars used were heavily modified and feature a longer nose and tail (requiring the production of the Type-E homologation special), carbon fiber bodywork, and a tube chassis. It was developed into superb maneuverability. Furthermore the Z which was two-seter, had a wide tread and sufficient wheelbase. It was an ideal match for the concept, the four wheels are designed to straddle securely, while the loed movement under acceleration, deceleration and cornering is minimised, reducing the amount of grip change and optimising the performance of the car. Overcoming the pressure of the debut year, defending champions Satosi Motoyama and Richard Lyons showed the strength of the car. The first season with the Z ended up with optimal result. Motoyama continued from the previous year, once again taking the Driver's crown, while NISMO won the Team title.

2005 Missed out on the Drivers' Title, but secured the Teams' Title for the fourth season in a row.
Nissan Motor Company & Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) announced its participation in the Super GT series for 2005 by sending four Fairlady Z (350Z) cars in the GT500 category, joined by three privateer-run machines in GT300. Adorned with the champion winner no.1 on the Xanavi Nismo Z retained the potent driver combination of Satoshi Motoyama and Richard Lyons for the season, aiming toward the third consecutive title. In the #22 MOTUL AUTECH machine, MIchael Krumm was joined by 2004 GT300 title winner Z driver, Masataka Yanagida. The biggest differnce between the 2003 model and the 2005 Fairlady Z GT500 version is its body shell. For the 2005 model, the overriding objective among the NISMO engineers was to further increase the amount of downforce, improve the ballance at the front and rear of the car, and increase grip, particulary in terms or rear-end stability. Additionally a decrease in drag would simultaneously increase the straight line speed of the car. Attributed to this improved shaping of the aforementation fenders was a more in depth re-assessment of the componets. In spite of boths cars showed their pase right from the opening moment, by continously collecting points and taking podium finises, it was their rivals who triumphed the final title fight. However team NISMO successfully secured the third straight Teams' title.

2006 More teams for the season but without smashing victory
Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) Managing Director Mr Kunihiko Kakimoto continues in the lead role for the team in 2006 season, with Yoshitaka Iijima taking up position as team director of the NISMO which sent two cars into the arena as previous years. It was also revealed that technical assistance and vehicle development will also be provided to the newly-entered KONDO Racing team (run by Masahiko Kondo), along with the Hasemi Motorsport and TEAM IMPUL entries. Major priorities for the Fairlady Z (350Z) cars entered into the GT500 class for this season were declared by Director Kakimoto. Improving the turning characteristics (aerodynamics), and power performance (engine output), and improving drivability (engine response). In spite of the originally exhibited '06 test car to the public at the NISMO Festival in December last year, NISMO made major revisions to the car. (The actual '06 car shows radical differences in the area of aerodynamics). Joining the factory NISMO squad this year are Tsugio Matsuda, already with five victories under his belt in an NSX; and Sakon Yamamoto, who showed such promise with his first GT500 victory last year. At Hasemi Motorsports, reigning All-Japan F3 champion J.P. de Olivera is joined by fellow F3 racer Naoki Yokomizo for a fresh new combination that is expected to be strong for the team. TEAM IMPUL have signed Kazuki Hoshino, son of Team Director Kazuyoshi, to replace Yuji Ide, according to rumors, on his way to Formula One. At KONDO Racing, the team's inaugural season will feature veteran SUPER GT driver Erik Comas and young gun Masataka Yanagida, for a potent combination of driving talent. In the GT300 class, the number of Fairlady Z cars increases from three to four. One all-new car is being built for this season, and it is said the drivers will include Masami Kageyama, with the names of Takayuki Aoki and Taku Bamba also being brought up.

2007 - Nissan challenges SUPER GT Championship with new V8 engined Z
Nissan's factory Fairlady Zs (350Z) powered by a stronger 4.5 L V8 engine were aiming at victory in 2007 SUPER GT championship season. Complimented by changes to the chassis and other key components, the competitiveness of the machines that won championships twice in the past three years were significantly improved. The 2007 model Fairlady Z has been developed with a focus on such areas as, countermeasures to regulations changes (recovery of lower downforce and higher center of gravity), taking maximum advantage of the normally-aspirated V8 engine, reduction of drag, improvement of body stiffness and weight-reduction. Continuing from last year, Mr. Kunihiko Kakimoto lead as General Manager of all the Nissan teams, while Mr. Yoshitaka Iijima continued as Team Manager of NISMO. NISMO will technically support and develop cars for teams entering SUPER GT with the Fairlady Z. A total of five Fairlady Zs from HASEMI MOTOR SPORT, TEAM IMPUL and KONDO RACING as well as NISMO entered the GT 500 class in 2007. Technical support will also be provided to privateer teams in SUPER GT GT300. After three good races out of nine this year the teams were very disappointed with the results, couldn't even finish the season happily, as the last race was not any better. In spite of the difficult circumstances and the hard team work, cars were not competitive enough againts the rivals, and everyone was looking ahead of the introduction of new GT-R to the series.