Spa Francorchamps, Belgium (26th July, 2009)
The all-new NISSAN GT-R race car driven by Michael Krumm (GER), Darren Turner (UK), and Anthony Davidson (UK) came through its biggest challenge of the year with flying colours this weekend, 25-26 July, when it tackled the fiercely demanding Spa 24 Hours. Built to the 2010 FIA GT1 technical regulations, and taking part in selected rounds of the 2009 Championship as part of its development year, NISSAN Motorsports entered #35 NISSAN GT-R qualified an impressive 8th position on the grid and finished 13th overall, 3rd in GT1 class - having run in 4th and 5th place overall for a full five hours during the night.
The car's 13th position meant it was the highest-placed car running to the 2010 FIA GT1 specifications - and it also took third in the GT1 class. Had it not been for the drivetrain problems at around 6.30am, which cost the team more than 15 places and at least one and a half hours in the pits to replace the necessary components, an overall podium finish would have been a real possibility. But once the car was back out on track at around 8.15am, the NISSAN GT-R continued to perform strongly, pulling itself back up the running order from 19th to 15th place.
Other than this one technical problem, the entire 24-hour race ran smoothly for the NISSAN GT-R, with neither the drivers, nor the team, making a single mistake. While losing an overall podium finish is a little disappointing, the team is delighted to have finished a 24-hour race at the car's first attempt.
The accomplishment at the Spa 24 Hours was a joint effort by NISMO, Gigawave MotorSport and three drivers. Following further development, the NISMO / Gigawave MotorSport team plans to participate in the FIA GT race at Zolder in October.
Michael Krumm
"Not one of the drivers made a single mistake throughout the 24 hours, and that is something really special, especially in such tricky conditions. We had oil on the track, we had water when we were on slicks, we had all sorts of changing weather. It was slightly disappointing that we missed an overall podium - but if you'd told me before the race that we'd be in with a chance, I'd have said, eCome on, that's not realistic.' I am really proud that we finished and I'm much more relaxed now about the NISSAN GT-R's final race of the season, at Zolder. Spa was the main test for us, and we now know we can last 24 hours!"
Darren Turner
"The team has done a cracking job and I think they should be very proud of what's been achieved this weekend. Normally, it's quite common for teams to do a 30-hour test prior to the event and to put as much mileage on the car as possible. But NISMO and Gigawave MotorSport have been brave and done this testing in a public domain, in the heat of competition, which adds a lot of pressure. The fact that the NISSAN GT-R has finished the Spa 24 Hours at the first attempt, it's a real credit to the car."
Anthony Davidson
"It's never easy running a new car for 24 hours and the team has done an outstanding job to get it to the finish. Aside from one technical issue, everything ran like clockwork. I've really enjoyed being here, racing with the NISMO and Gigawave MotorSport team, and my team-mates have been fantastic. We really gelled. As for the car, reliability seems good. The NISSAN GT-R's engine, in particular, has proven to be extremely robust. All three drivers have given it death over the weekend and it's hung on in there!"
