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It’s official – the GT-R is going GT1 racing with Nissan factory backing. A NISMO car will run as a non-championship entry at four rounds of the FIA GT1 series this year, ready for full participation in 2010.

Nissan’s intention to bring its latest GT-R to GT1 racing has been the subject of conjecture and speculation since plans for the car were originally revealed. Confirmation of the Japanese company’s intentions was revealed today in a press release detailing Nissan’s motorsport plans for 2009.

‘To check the performance of cars to be sold to racing teams competing in the FIA-GT1 class, a NISMO-developed car will run as a non-championship entry in 4 races in 2009, entered in a team partnership with Gigawave MotorSport. It is expected that the car is to be driven by Michael Krumm (NISMO) and Darren Turner (Gigawave),’ says Nissan.



Gigawave MotorSport, a racing team based in Essex, England, has been competing in the FIA GT Championship since 2007. The team’s parent company Gigawave Ltd., as an official partner of the FIA GT Championship, provides on-board cameras for real-time coverage of the races. This established media production capability doubtless formed part of the attraction for Nissan, as the company machine has proven relentless in its effort to maximise the value of its biggest PR asset.

This year Gigawave is campaigning an Aston Martin DB9 in the GT series, and the race team wouldn’t make any comment about whether their commitment to Nissan will extend to a full championship entry in 2010 with the GT-R.



However a Nissan source told PH the company looked at 15 potential racing partners in 2008 before selecting Gigawave, and they were hoping for a successful longer-term relationship with the team.

Currently the NISMO GT-R GT1 is expected to make its race debut at Silverstone on May 3rd, before appearing at races in Italy, Germany and Belgium, says our source.