Nissan GT-R LM Nismo to make racing return in 2016
Nissan's innovative LM P1 racer to complete test programme before returning to WEC
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - 1 October 2015: Nissan today announced that the innovative Nissan GT-R LM NISMO will return to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2016. The team has been working hard to address the technical issues faced at Le Mans in June and is in the middle of a comprehensive test and development programme to prepare the new car to race against the tough competition it faces in the LM P1 class.
As part of the development programme a recruitment drive has taken place to provide the race team with additional expertise and support, including the appointment of Michael Carcamo who has transferred from Nissan Mexico to NISMO to share the heavy load on Ben Bowlby's shoulders. Mike Carcamo takes the role of Team Principal, a position previously filled by Bowlby.
"Ben had his hands full trying to do everything; managing the design and build but also the race and test operation," explained Carcamo. "That's a lot to ask anyone to do, especially with a concept that requires this level of development. My knowledge of Nissan engineering processes and project planning experience will help Ben and the team concentrate on making the car deliver on it's promise. The challenge that we took on was a monumental task. We have to learn all of the dynamics of this new vehicle and all the performance tuning so it takes a long time to find the sweet spot of performance. We recognise that challenge and we've added the resources and infrastructure behind the programme to try and bring it to that next level."
Multiple changes have been made to the car since Le Mans but the original design principles remain. The team completed a two-day test at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas last week with Harry Tincknell and Olivier Pla at the wheel
Although running without KERS and new bespoke tyre specifications that are being developed from the knowledge gained from Le Mans by Michelin, the car went significantly faster than it previously had at COTA and did not experience any significant reliability issues.
"We are committed to competing at the highest level and we are not happy when we are not winning," said Shoichi Miyatani, NISMO President. "Let's not forget that while we have been pushing forward with the LM P1 challenge we have won the Blancpain Pro Cup Drivers title in Europe with the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 and are on target for another great year of success in GT500 in Japan. Racing is a vital part of our DNA and we will work to get this right."
Darren Cox, Global Head of Brand, Marketing and Sales, NISMO, added: "The welcome addition of Mike to the race team as we develop the car further, means that we are now well placed to address the technical issues we have faced. We keep our sights firmly set on 2016 and we are confident that with Mike's project management support, Ben and the team can reach the performance levels we expect here at Nissan, by focusing on the on track goals."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Nissan in the UK
- Nissan Sunderland Plant produces the Nissan Qashqai, Note and Juke and the 100% electric Nissan LEAF
- Production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles began in 2012
- Total plant volume since 1986 stands at more than eight million units with 80 per cent of production exported to 100 markets worldwide
- Total investment made and announced since then is over £3.5 billion
- 500,238 units were produced at Sunderland plant in 2014
- In 2014, one in three cars built in the UK was a Nissan.
- Sunderland Plant currently employs more than 6,700 people
- Nissan's European Design Centre is located in Paddington, London and employs around 65 people
- Nissan's European Technical Centre is based in Cranfield, Bedfordshire and employs around 1,000 people
- Nissan's sales and marketing headquarters in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire employs around 190 people
About Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 17,600 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last financial year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 675,000 vehicles including award-winning crossovers, small cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles and electric vehicles, including the Nissan LEAF, the world's most popular electric vehicle with 96% of customers willing to recommend the car to friends. Nissan now offers a strong line-up of 23 diverse and innovative models in Europe under the Nissan and Datsun brands.
