NISMO University: Testing the New GTR LM NISMO

• Ben Williams


• 24 Apr 2015

Announced eariler this month, NISMO University is a program created by Nissan’s racing program that will be a “unique episodic multi-media program” that will incorporate behind-the-scenes videos available on NISMO TV , infographics, lecture notes, and literate photography, renderings and drawings in order to create informative lectures, all focusing on their GTR LM NISMO race car.  Earlier today, Nissan uploaded one of the first behind-the-scenes videos focusing on how they tested their new race car.

Something that was said during the video is that they designed the entire car to as fast as Le Mans as the possible could.  The aerodynamics, the power delivery and even the driver position was chosen with only one track in-mind.  While I am certain that NISMO has done their job well, I’m not certain why they choose to do that.  The GTR LM NISMO race car has everything to prove since it is the first modern LMP1 car to be front-wheel drive.  Many people are not certain how it will stand up against against the all-wheel drive Porsche, Audi, and Toyota LM cars.  If NISMO wanted to prove that this drive system will work at this level, why not prove that it will be fast every else besides Le Mans and race the full schedule?

Granted, this is Le Mans we are talking about, and this is the first year for this design.  If Nissan and NISMO have any sense, they will be running the full FIA World Endurance schedule with the car next year.  I, for one, cannot wait and see how this new design will fair at Le Mans this June.