Asian Motor Sports

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Tokyo headquarters: Nissan announced their motorsport plans for fiscal 2006. A total of five Z33-type Fairlady Z (350Z) cars will contest the GT500 class in SUPER GT this season, with a further four privately-entered cars from three teams taking on the GT300 class.

Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) Managing Director Mr Kunihiko Kakimoto continues in the lead role for the team, with Yoshitaka Iijima taking up position as team director of the NISMO which will make entry with two cars as previous years. It was also revealed that technical assistance and vehicle development will be provided to the newly-entered KONDO Racing team (run by Masahiko Kondo), along with the Hasemi Motorsport and TEAM IMPUL entries.

“For the Fairlady Z (350Z) cars entered in the GT500 class this season, our priorities include: improving the turning characteristics (aerodynamics), improving power performance (engine output), and improving drivability (engine response)” declared Director Kakimoto before going on to say: “We missed out on the Drivers’ Title last year, but took the Teams’ Title for the fourth season in a row. Although we originally exhibited our ‘06 test car to the public at the NISMO Festival in December last year, we have since made major revisions to the car.” (The actual ‘06 car shows radical differences in the area of aerodynamics). He also spoke about the upcoming shakedown test which will be carried out during the three manufacturers’ private tests, scheduled for next week at Suzuka Circuit.

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.

Meanwhile, 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.