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| Copyright © NISMO |
The 2007-model Nissan Fairlady Z (350Z) car displayed at the 2007 Nissan Motorsports press conference, the new #23 SUPER GT car, had only been completed at 8:00pm the previous night. According to the new technical regulations, the overhang on both the front and rear has been extended; and to this end, the shape of the front-lip and rear-fender is more defined.
"The concept of the 07 model is to create 'A Competitive Car on the Race Track'. Maintaining its high performance in corners, it now has a faster top-speed on the straights, becoming the 'Top Cat on the Straight.
"I am very excited because this is the first time in history the Nissan car has been this fast on the straight!" commented Kunihiko Kakimoto, Managing Director of NISMO, failing to hide the smile on his face.
The biggest change for the '07 model compared to the previous car is the normally-aspirated VK45DE V8 engine that's now mounted in the car. Although it was already introduced provisionally at the final round last season, the engine was further developed during the winter and gave a great performance in a straight line at the recent SUPER GT Official Joint test at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Utilizing the powerful new engine, the '07 model has enhanced aerodynamics and features an increased balance between downforce and drag. With new aero dynamics devices fitted, the car was tested and will be shaken down at the joint test in Okayama next week. With further development, the car looks forward to the opening round of the season.
Director Kakimoto referred to a regretful 2006 season, stating: "With a change of driver immediately before or even during the season, and the fact that after winning three consecutive team championship titles, the team lacked in vigilance. This year, we will start again as challenger. We will therefore work together and make sure that at least one of the five Z cars becomes Champion."
This season, the number 23 NISMO machine will feature 2004 season Champions Satoshi Motoyama and Richard Lyons. The number 22 car will have Michael Krumm and Tsugio Matsuda. Among the other Nissan teams, Hasemi Motorsports has signed Sebastien Philippe alongside Masataka Yanagida, while TEAM IMPUL retains Benoit Treluyer and Kazuki Hoshino as their drivers.
All four aforementioned cars will run on Bridgestone tires, while the KONDO RACING entry, with Joao Paulo de Oliveira and Seiji Ara, will have Yokohama Tires. With such strong team work, the expectations can only be high.
Before the announcement of the new car, Nissan's Motorsports Program Director and President of NISMO, Yuichi Sanada, announced this year's motorsports activities. He first introduced Ryuji Yamamoto (18), who won the scholarship to the British Formula Renault 2.0 Series after his successful result in the inaugural Formula Challenge Japan (FCJ) last year. He then introduced four young drivers, Hideo Kubota (19), Kasumi Sano (17), Katsumasa Chiyo (19), and Yoshitaka Kuroda (20) - who will all participate in FCJ this year through the Nissan Drivers Development Program (NDDP). These four drivers have no experience in any car race in Japan, though great achievements are expected from the quartet throughout the season.
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| Copyright © NISMO |
Yoshitaka Iijima, team manager of NISMO:
"We missed the championship title by only a very close margin. This year, we have a powerful V8/NA engine, and with our top drivers, we will definitely win back the Championship. We hope to do well, and that our fans will be happy to see us race. I am very sure that the whole team will make their maximum contribution toward that aim."
Satoshi Motoyama, driver of NISMO:
"I got better performance from the car with the new engine when we tested at Sepang. We will fight with all our might to retrieve the drivers' and the team championship title. I'm looking forward to teaming up with Richard once again, after taking the title in 2004. Anyway, we'll do our best to live up to everyone's expectations."
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