february 4, 2015

(Images courtesy of NISSAN/newspressUSA)
Nissan revealed a glimpse of its Le Mans challenger – the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO – in a commercial during Super Bowl XLIX. The front-engined, front-wheel-drive machine designed by Ben Bowlby is powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine and a kinetic energy recovery system. The new car will contest the LM P1 class in the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. "Sustainability is at the top of our agenda, and the technical regulations for Le Mans give us the freedom to pursue new ideas in this area," said Shoichi Miyatani, president of NISMO. "Our record at Le Mans is third place overall, so we have unfinished business there. We want to win and we have the knowledge to do that – for our customers, our employees and our fans. The competition is exceptionally strong and we are excited by the challenge." The intensive test program for the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO began in Arizona last year and will continue in the U.S., with Nissan's full LM P1 driver line-up to be revealed soon. Nissan also announced three multi-year partnerships with TAG Heuer, Motul and Michelin. The French manufacturer has built special tires for the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO and has been an integral part of the car's extensive development program.

(BMW)
BMW has unveiled the BMW M6 GT3, giving the car its first run last Saturday at the test track on the premises of the BMW factory in Dingolfing, with Jörg Müller at the wheel. “This is a big moment for everyone who has worked so intensely and passionately on the development of the BMW M6 GT3 in recent months,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “This car incorporates all the experience we have gained in recent years on the endurance and GT racing circuits. We are well on schedule with the development, and are confident we will be able to take to the track in 2016 with a package that is competitive from the outset. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved with this fantastic project.” The BMW M6 GT3 is powered by a modified version of it 4.4-litre V8 M TwinPower Turbo production engine. The engine has dry sump lubrication and generates over 500 hp, with a total car weight of less than 1,300 kilograms. Other racing tricks include the transaxle drive concept, a six-speed sequential racing transmission, track-suited motorsport electronics and aerodynamic development in the BMW wind tunnel. BMW Motorsport developed and produced the FIA-approved safety cell, which complies with the very latest safety standards. The engineers also placed emphasis on efficiency, ease of maintenance and reliability, which is particularly crucial at the 24-hour classics. The BMW M6 GT3 will begin competition in 2016. Anyone in North America interested in purchasing a BMW M6 GT3 can send an E-mail to M6GT3NA@bmw-motorsport.com.
(BMW)

(Photo by Richard Prince for Corvette Racing)
Corvette Racing has confirmed its driver lineup for the 83rd running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ryan Briscoe will reunite with Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen in the No. 63 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R for the world-famous endurance sports car race set for June 13-14. The same driver lineup just won the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class at the Rolex 24 Hours to open the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Jordan Taylor, who drove for Corvette Racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans the last three years in the No. 73 Corvette, will team this year with Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner for the first time in the No. 64 Corvette. Both Corvettes will compete in the GTE Pro class at Le Mans – the equivalent of the GTLM class in the TUDOR Championship.