Tokyo - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motorsports International Limited, (hereafter "NISMO" ) today announced their motorsport activities for 2004. (NISMO is a 100% subsidiary of Nissan and is in charge for the worldwide motorsports activity of the Nissan Group.)
Nissan participates in motorsports to strengthen its brand and to support further improvement of its business results by promoting its exceptional technology and highly competitive engineering to customers. It also aims to provide fans with excitement and dream and to contribute to the development of motorsports worldwide.
Nissan will compete in the following two categories as a factory team.
1. All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC)
Nissan will be entering the Z33 350Z in the JGTC. Kunihiko Kakimoto has been appointed to oversee the GT500 class Nissan teams, while Hiroshi Degawa spearheads the NISMO team. NISMO also provides technological support to Hasemi Motor Sport and Team Impul, making a total of four Nissan-affiliated cars competing in the series. NISMO has responsibility for vehicle development.
Teams
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1 |
NISMO |
Hiroshi Degawa |
Satoshi Motoyama/Richard Lyons |
Xanavi NISMO Z |
Autech Japan |
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22 |
Masami Kageyama/Michael Krumm |
Motul Pitwork Z |
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3 |
Hasemi Motor Sport |
Masahiro Hasemi |
Toshihiro Kaneishi/Eric Comas |
G'ZOX·SSR·Z |
Tomei Engine |
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12 |
Team Impul |
Kazuyoshi Hoshino |
Yuji Ide/Benoit Treluyer |
Calsonic Impul Z |
2. Dakar Rally
Nissan's entry in the race will mark the third year of a four-year global project. Nissan will also continue to run the Rookie Development Program launched last year, with Yoshio Ikemachi and Jun Mitsuhashi continuing their training. In addition, Telefonica Dakar 2004 "Moto" champion Nani Roma is planned to test the works car. Details of the planning and teams will be announced when decided.
3. Local Support
Nissan provides support for a range of motor sports activities in Japan and abroad in order to give customers a taste of the enjoyment of motor sports.
1) March Cup race/Nissan Racing School
While the March Cup is introductory class, it is a real race and Nissan will be holding it once again this year. The vehicle will be based on the current K12 March, with enhanced performance and exhaust systems. Data loggers will be made standard, not only to improve the driving technology for the participants but to allow more customers to experience the joys of the racing car. In addition, a racing school will be held at each racing circuit before races for those driving March Cup cars, providing guidance on circuit manners, car maintenance and other important points.
2) Support for privateer in Japan
NISMO will support development of the 350Z to be driven by Team Daishin in JGTC's GT300 class. It will also provide technical support for the Team competing in a 350Z in the Super Taikyu (Endurance) Series. NISMO will also develop the engine for the "Falken GT‑R" to compete in the Nurburgring 24-hour race in Germany.
3) Overseas activities
(1) South African Offroad Championship Series
Nissan South Africa will enter all 9 races with the Nissan Pickup (local name: Nissan Hardbody), which has won the series for three years from 2001 to 2003.
(2) World Series by Nissan (in Spain and other countries)
Nissan is product and event sponsor for the Series, a single make formula series with the Nissan VQ engine and Dallara chassis. Based in Spain, competition will come from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Belgium, Germany and China. The event will consist of 9 two-heat races.
(3) Infiniti Pro Series (U.S.A)
A one make formula race with the Infiniti Q45's (Cima in Japan) VK engine and Dallara chassis, the Infiniti Pro Series is a stepping stone for the Indy Car Series (IRL) and will continue to be sponsored by Nissan North America. The series involves 12 races a year in the United States.
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