The Nismo Competition, one of the vital iconic occasions on Japan’s automotive calendar, is a must-attend for any Nissan otaku.
However, this 12 months, the occasion appeared to mirror a turning level – one the place the trade’s rising give attention to EVs and modernity might have marked the start of the pageant’s decline.
For a lot of, the actual draw of the annual Nismo Competition isn’t testing the most recent hybrid and EV fashions already on show at your native dealership however witnessing a choose few of Nissan’s unbelievable Heritage Assortment vehicles hitting the monitor and making some noise.
Final weekend’s occasion was extra subdued than earlier Nismo Festivals, with simply 16 non-EV race vehicles lapping Fuji Speedway all through the day.
However slightly than dwell on the inevitable shift towards an electrified automotive future, let’s give attention to the legends that did take to the monitor this 12 months.
2024 marks the fortieth anniversary of Nismo, and 28,500 followers turned as much as have a good time that milestone with Nissan.
And what higher approach to kick issues off than with Nissan’s most legendary race automobile – the Group A Calsonic R32 Skyline GT-R? For a lot of in attendance, this was their childhood poster automobile, and its unmistakable blue and white livery is ceaselessly linked with Nismo’s legacy.
After which there’s the sound from its 550hp RB26 – simply unbelievable!
One other standout this 12 months was the Calsonic-liveried R390 GT1. With its 3.5L V8, as soon as utilized in Group C racing, the R390 GT1 was Nissan’s entry into the 1997 and 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans races. Whereas solely two road-going chassis had been ever made, one was just lately restored and remains to be pushed by former F1 and Nissan works driver Erik Comas.
For a lot of, the spotlight of the Nismo Competition is the Historic Automobile Exhibition Race, and this 12 months’s version definitely didn’t disappoint. Dozens of classics from the Nineteen Seventies raced wheel-to-wheel round Fuji Speedway, offering a glimpse into Nissan’s wealthy motorsports heritage.
Then there was the all-Sunny race, with at least 22 B110s and B310s lining up for a standing begin. The sound of their engines screaming off the primary straight grid was superb.
Away from the primary paddock, the Historic Automobile Exhibition Race pit supplied a extra relaxed expertise.
Small wheels, open carbs, and uncooked interiors – it’s important to love old-school race vehicles.
As Tokyo’s infamous Sunday site visitors started to construct, many attendees made their approach to Fuji Speedway’s exits at round 3:00pm. That left the Historic paddock practically empty, all set in opposition to the gorgeous backdrop of a traditional Fuji sundown.
On the fourth ground of the Fuji Speedway stand, tucked away from the crowds, sat extra iconic machines, together with the JGTC Motul Skyline GT-R.
Powered by the VQ30DETT, this automobile marked the ultimate chapter for the R34 within the JGTC, as Nissan switched to the Z33 Fairlady Z the next season.
Alongside the Skyline, the 1996 JTCC Sunny, with its naturally aspirated SR20 engine pumping out 300hp, added one other historic contact to the lineup.
Again in the primary paddock, the Heritage vehicles lined up for his or her last laps.
The R33 Skyline GT-R LM was basking within the late afternoon solar. Whereas the LM didn’t take pleasure in success at Le Mans, it’s an absolute stunner. What a sight!
Some of the thrilling moments was seeing the R91CP – a automobile that made historical past as the primary Japanese-driven and Japanese-made automobile to win outright on the Daytona 24 Hours in 1992.
Equally spectacular was the 1989 Reebok Skyline GTS-R, which dominated the All-Japan Touring Automobile Championship in ’89.
After all, Nissan’s give attention to present racing expertise is at all times evident on the Nismo Competition, and the automaker’s present lineup of Tremendous GT vehicles took centre stage.
Whereas these newer machines don’t make a lot noise, they nonetheless commanded consideration as they flew across the monitor.
With rumours of an S16 Silvia circulating on-line, I’m holding onto hope for a rear-wheel-drive Toyota GR86 competitor. However with Nissan’s rising emphasis on EVs and front-wheel-drive platforms, not to mention its present monetary woes, that optimism feels a bit strained.
With a barely much less intense on-track schedule this 12 months, I had extra time to discover the large spectator automobile park, which had became an unofficial meet of its personal. The sheer variety of GT-Rs was spectacular.
In actual fact, the automobile park deserves a standalone characteristic – keep tuned for that!
Strolling away from the 2024 Nismo Competition, I couldn’t assist however really feel conflicted. As an occasion, I’d nonetheless advocate it to any Nissan fanatic who occurs to be in Japan throughout the first weekend of December. However because the once-thriving Heritage lineup of working vehicles shrinks and EVs proceed their dominance, it feels just like the Nismo Competition is hanging within the stability. Let’s hope that’s not the case.
Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco
