Nissan stokes passion at Nismo Festival

OYAMA, JAPAN-There’s nothing quite like the sight and sound of a fleet of Nissan Skylines and Fairlady Zs-that’s the GT-R and the 240Z to 370Z for us gaijin-to wake us up early on a Sunday morning. We were on the twisty road leading up to the Fuji Speedway, and in the dawn light of December 11, the Nissan faithful had already started their pilgrimage. They were there on the roads, they were there on the highway rest stop, and they were there at the gate of the track in the hundreds.

The “Nismo Festival at Fuji Speedway 2016 supported by Motul” is a celebration of Nissan motorsports. 30,000 fans trooped to the track to meet the drivers, as well as see and hear the awesome racing machines built by Nissan Motor Sports International (NISMO). Half, it seemed, were in various generations of Skyline and GT-Rs, while perhaps the other half were in Nismo-modified Notes and Z cars. (The event also marked the 50th anniversary of the Fuji Speedway.)

The bright sunshine helped warm up the chilly air, as an early morning assembly put together racing drivers, team managers and the living legends from the team’s past, up on the main stage. The Super GT Series pits some of Japan’s fiercest race cars against each other, such as the Nissan GT-R, the Lexus RC F and the Honda NSX. Participating drivers include ex-Formula 1 star Heikki Kovalainen and Nissan PlayStation GT Academy Graduate Jann Mardenborough.

General Manager of Nissan Super GT teams Toshikazu Tanaka said that although the team failed to win a third consecutive GT500 title, the Nissan teams won five of the season’s eight rounds. Later in the day, the Nissan teams took part in special talk shows on the main stage. These featured the NISMO GT3 teams which took part in the GT300 class of Super GT, the Super Taikyu and the European Blancpain GT Series. These included a crowd favorite, Team Impul of the iconic Calsonic Impul blue livery.

A popular attraction is the Circuit Safari. Fans can board a bus that makes its way around the track as the racecars run, allowing them to get close to the machines at speed. Running on the speedway were historic Super GT models and the
Group C machines from the 1980s-90s. Even better were race rides, which gives fans a ride in racing machines that were specially equipped with passenger seats. The Circuit Taxi event used current NISMO models to let fans experience hot laps with a professional driver.

Nissan has a rich motorsports heritage, producing brutally fast, raucous race cars, and it also has its gentle, environmentally-friendly side-its steak-chomping and vegetarian sides, if you will. The latter is embodied in the all-electric, zero-emission Leaf hatchback. Nissan Leafs, too, had their turn on the circuit in a silent charge around Fuji.

Behind the pits were a multitude of activities that allowed one to be immersed in the world of Nissan motorsports. The classic and heritage GT cars were being set up in a area where fans could walk right up to the tents as wheels were installed and engines tuned. Followers of teams like Calsonic Impul queued up to get their autographs and photos taken with the drivers.

Not least was the interesting variety of goods being offered for the festival visitors. These included team shirts and keychains, and specialist gear like racing suits and shoes (and even Head and Neck Support devices). Scale models from the 1/64 scale to highly detailed and dear 1:18 beckoned to be taken home for one’s collection. The special Tomica Autech quickly sold out from early morning. Nismo itself offered its team merchandise and car parts like brakes and clutches, as well as accessories such as gearknobs and interior trim.

The afternoon Grid Walk let fans walk right up the to race cars before they were driven in anger in the event finale. Mr. Tanaka explained to the crowd more about the GT500 series machines using the No. 1 Motul Autech GT-R. He recounted that big changes were made from 2013-2014, and explained that the 2017 season’s regulation changes would not be as drastic-a good opportunity for Nissan to make gains in the upcoming season.

After the crowd migrated to the grandstands, the racing machines fired up in preparation for the finale, the NISMO GP. These included the four Nissan GT-Rs each from the GT500 class and GT300 class of the Super GT series, and four from the Super Endurance series. The cars that took part in the Bathurst 12 Hour race and the Blancpain GT Series were also on the grid. Three Fairlady Z (370Z) race cars from the Super Endurance series also took part. A total of 18 current Nissan race cars roared their way down the straight as the 12-lap exhibition race started. The faster GT500 machines had a handicap of having to pit for a driver and tire changes. The No. 1 Motul Autech GT-R led from pole position. Later, the No. 12 Calsonic Impul GT-R overtook for the lead, and after a quick pitstop, the No. 12 car ran strongly to take the win.

At the event finale, President and CEO Takao Katagiri of NISMO addressed the fans, apologizing for not getting a third consecutive Super GT title this year. Their goal is of course to win the Super GT season in 2017.

The clouds cleared and Mount Fuji was visible in its majesty behind the speedway’s pit building. As the engines and the air cooled quickly, the passion for Nissan and its NISMO division continued to burn in the hearts and minds of the tens of thousands of fans who attended and watched online-including the next generation of young enthusiasts who were just as excited to see the cars and talk to the drivers.