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Nissan taking orders for new GT3-spec Nismo GT-R

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:32:00 EST

What would a Nissan GT-R be without the racing pedigree that's helped make it what it is today? The truth is that we don't even want to know. But we don't have to, because the car known as Godzilla is as devastating on the race track as it is on the street.

Very different racing versions have been made to challenge the FIA GT1 World Championship and for Japan's own Super GT series, the latter powered by a naturally aspirated V8 to satisfy regulations instead of the twin-turbo V6 in the production model. Getting your hands on either of these, however, could prove a bigger challenge than passing one in a race. Fortunately, Nissan has just released a competition-spec GT-R you can buy.

Co-developed by Nismo (Nissan's in-house tuning department) and JR Motorsports (which campaigns a pair of GT-Rs in the aforementioned GT1 series), the GT3-spec model first debuted at the Magny-Cours circuit in France back in August, but is now available for order by privateer teams and gentlemen racers alike. It packs the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 as the production model, tuned to deliver 523 horsepower.

That may be slightly less than the current production model (due to the constrictions of GT3 regs) but the Nismo GT3 model also offers a fully adjustable suspension, stripped-out interior with roll cage and all the trimmings, extra cooling ducts and an aggressive aero package. The extra grip is where the extra speed comes from, and it can all be yours for a hair under 300,000 euros, or about $390k at today's rates.

Nissan taking orders for new GT3-spec Nismo GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan debuts new GT3-spec Nismo GT-R

Noah Joseph — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Nissan, Racing

The Nissan GT-R is no stranger to motorsports. Topping off its long history of racing around the world, Godzilla currently competes in Japan's own Super GT series and in the FIA GT1 World Championship, among others. But while those models are loosely based on and bear a visual resemblance to the road car, they're both largely purpose-built racers. In fact they're both powered by V8 engines instead of the turbo six in the supercar you can buy at your local Datsun store.

Enter the GT3 version. Jointly developed by Nismo (Nissan's racing division) and the JR Motorsports team that fields it in the Blancpain Endurance Series, the GT-R GT3 is much closer to the road car, powered as it is by the same turbocharged V6 engine (albeit tuned to GT3 specifications). The racer made its debut at the Magny-Cours circuit in France this weekend where it finished eighth out of 35 entries after 98 laps. That's an impressive debut for a new endurance racer, and you can read more about it in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan debuts new GT3-spec Nismo GT-R

Nissan debuts new GT3-spec Nismo GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Danica Patrick switching to NASCAR, keeping Indy 500

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

Danica Patrick is no stranger to NASCAR, but her regular ride is in the IndyCar series. That looks like it could be about to change, however, as Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants Patrick to join his JR Motorsports team as a full-time member. Running the entire 2012 Nationwide series will certainly take up the majority of her time, but it appears Danica will still be able to schedule seat time in her IndyCar racer.

The big question for Patrick is whether she can compete in the Indianapolis 500. It's a time-consuming event that would require Danica to give up most of her May, yet the Nationwide series runs three races over the course of that month. Still, it seems that Earnhardt and his team are looking to accommodate Patrick's desire to run at Indy, which would make her decision to sign on for a full NASCAR season a bit easier.

Danica Patrick switching to NASCAR, keeping Indy 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ESPN: Danica Patrick close to two-year NASCAR Nationwide deal

Alex Nunez — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:39:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Celebrities

Rumors of IndyCar's Danica Patrick dipping a toe into the stock car racing pool have been swirling for months, but a new report suggests that an end to the rumors is near. ESPN says that Patrick is on the verge of signing a NASCAR Nationwide Series contract with JR Motorsports, the operation owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Unnamed sources that spoke to ESPN call the talks "near their final phase" and comment that it'd be a "surprise if it didn't happen." In any case, don't expect a formal announcement until sometime after the Sprint Cup chase draws to a conclusion on November 22.

The potential move to JR Motorsports was made possible when driver Brad Keslowski jumped ship to join Roger Penske's NASCAR Sprint Cup team. According to ESPN, Patrick is angling to drive the number 7 car (the same number she runs in IndyCar), which would replace the current JR Motorsports number 5 car. Since Danica will continue to run the full IndyCar schedule as well, she'd be a part-time driver for JR Motorsports, sharing the race car with Junior and another unnamed driver. If the signing happens and NASCAR gives its blessing, Danica will make her first stock car appearance in the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA race on Feb. 6 during the Daytona Speedweeks, and go on to drive in 12 to 13 Nationwide Series races during the 2010 season. Frankly, given NASCAR's feel for marketing and Danica's undeniable celebrity, we see no way that she won't be in place for a debut during the February Speedweeks, assuming she does indeed ink the rumored deal.

[Source: ESPN | Image: Robert Laberge/Getty]

ESPN: Danica Patrick close to two-year NASCAR Nationwide deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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