SEARCH FOR NISSAN ‘TOP GUN’ DRIVER IS ON!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

23 September 2009

SEARCH FOR NISSAN ‘TOP GUN’ DRIVER IS ON!

·       Nissan Race Academy back for its second year – this time for both 370Z and GT‑R drivers

·       Anyone placing their order by the end of September can compete for the title of Nissan Race Academy Top Gun

·       Overall champion wins a full racing season in the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup

·       Thrilling Race Academy tuition at the Silverstone circuit is also the top prize available to anyone taking a 370Z test drive by the end of the month

Start your engines – the Nissan Race Academy is revving up for action as the class of 2009 takes the wheel. Only this time it’s not just GT‑R buyers fighting it out for the overall Top Gun title, because a new crop of 370Z customers is joining the ranks to find the ultimate Nissan performance driving champ.

While the Nissan Race Academy has now opened its doors at the famous Silverstone circuit, there’s still time for budding hot shoes to claim their place. That’s because anyone buying either a 370Z or a GT‑R by the end of September gains automatic entry into the exclusive Nissan Race Academy ranks.

Between now and November over 600 adrenaline junkies will enrol in the Academy, opening their eyes to the true performance potential of their new Nissans and honing their own driving skills within the safe confines of the home of British motor racing –
                                                                                                       

Silverstone. Some of the fastest racing drivers in the country will be on hand to help new recruits to polish their skills in both 370Z and GT‑R models. And to add some healthy competition, there’s the prize of a lifetime on offer for the quickest driver of the lot…

For the driver that sets the fastest times in their Race Academy session, an even more demanding challenge awaits. The top 20 drivers of the year will meet for the ultimate high performance face-off as they compete for the title of Nissan Race Academy Top Gun 2009. Worth more than just the glory, the overall Top Gun then has a whole season of high octane racing to look forward to, as they are entered into the Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup behind the wheel of a specially prepared 370Z.

There’s even a chance for thrill-seeking drivers who haven’t yet placed their new Nissan order to get a slice of the Race Academy action. All they have to do is test drive a 370Z by the end of September to be entered into an exclusive prize draw to win entry into the invaluable driving skills training school.

Initially set up to give GT‑R customers the chance to experience the full capabilities of Nissan’s supercar up to 12 months ahead of taking delivery of their own car, the Race Academy was a huge hit in its debut year of 2008. An amazing 98% of the participants rated it as the best manufacturer driving event they have ever been on, and the thrills are only set to be bigger in 2009 with the addition of the 370Z.

ends…

Note to editors:

           Further information on the Nissan Race Academy is available from www.nissanraceacademy.co.uk

 Nissan in the UK

·         Nissan is the biggest new car producer in Britain

·         Over 26 per cent (1 in 4 cars) produced in 2008 came out of Sunderland Plant

·         Nissan Sunderland Plant has a workforce of 3,900

·         Micra, Note, Qashqai and Qashqai+2 are all produced at Sunderland Plant

·         1 in every 6 cars built in the UK last year was a Qashqai

·         UK is Nissan’s second biggest market in Europe

·         Over 80 per cent of production is exported to 45 markets worldwide

·         NMUK has been named as the biggest UK car plant for the past 11 years, and the biggest exporter for the last 9 years

·         Sunderland Plant has just received a Queen's Award for Export , the fourth received since the plant opened in 1986

·         The plant built its 5 millionth car in June 2008

·         Nissan’s European design centre is located in Paddington, London and employs around 50 people

·         Nissan’s European Technical Centre is based in Cranfield,  Bedfordshire and employs around 750 people

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