NISMO University: How Do The Aerodynamics Work On The GT-R LM NISMO?

We are only three weeks away from this year’s 24 Hours of Le Man, and NIMSO is still sharing information about their unconventional GT-R LM NISMO racing car.  This edition of NISMO University has a lot more of information about the actual car than the previous commercial for Motul.  This time, NISMO is discussing the car’s aerodynamics.In the video, we get further confirmation that everything about the GT-R LM is front-biased.  The already front-engined, FWD car will also have a front weight bias of 65%, and have a front aero is free to make downforce while the rear aero is limited.  These are very unusual things that NISMO is doing with their already unusual car.  However, according to NISMO, the GT-R LM produces enough downforce that, theoretical of-course, the car can run 150 mph upside-down.  One of the specific ways the race car can produce this much downforce are two huge “vacuum tubes” that run the length of the vehicle that will fill a low pressure drag area behind the car.

Based on the way the racing engineers are discussing this front bias concept, most of the characteristics of the LM NISMO are a way of working around FIA WEC regulations.  We should not be surprised about this since working around the rules is one of the grand traditions of motorsports.  Who knows, the FIA might have to change a few rules after Le Mans this year.

As a bonus, Nissan posted a video yesterday that shows a time-lapse of the GT-R LM being built, and the reveal of the Group C inspired livery that the #21 car will be using at Le Mans.