Nissan will base its new-for-2015 LMP1 program out of Indianapolis in the United States, the Japanese marque has confirmed.
The Nissan GT-R LM Nismo LMP1 will be the only outright World Endurance Championship contender based outside of Europe, with all three existing factory teams – Audi, Porsche and Toyota – using locations in Germany.
Nissan is transforming a workshop that was once home to the former CART/Champ Car team Forsythe Racing.
The Japanese manufacturer aims to use its GT Academy as a method of unearthing an American driver for its LMP1 campaign, which will see it push for outright honours in the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hour.
“All the US winners of GT Academy have gone on to taste victory in major professional events around the world,” said Darren Cox, Global Head of Brand, Marketing & Sales, NISMO.
“But we have also been blessed with some other amazing talents in every year of the competition – an embarrassment of riches really.
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“We have our eye on some additional drivers that we would like to put through their paces again and see if we have somebody who could have what it takes to drive for Nissan in LMP1 at Le Mans.”
It is expected the covers will be taken off Nissan’s LMP1 fighter at a special reveal in Florida later this year.
Nissan will be involved in all three prototype classes for 2015 with confirmation it will be the sole engine supplier for the new LMP3 category for the European Le Mans Series.
LMP3 will see closed cockpit cars eligible for the ELMS and the Asian Le Mans Series next year.
The NISMO-tuned Nissan VK50VE 5-litre normally-aspirated V8 engine will be used for the third tier prototypes.
“We welcome this new series and congratulate the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) on providing a cost-capped entry level category where young drivers and gentlemen drivers can hone their prototype racing skills,” Cox said.
Nissan has a solid footing in the LMP2 class, highlighted by taking the top five places at the Le Mans 24 Hour in June, which was round 3 of the World Endurance Championship.
After a long break the WEC resumes this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas track at Austin, Texas, with round four of the sports car series.
Nissan has powered to the top of the LM P2 category in the past few years, most recently taking the top five places in class at the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hours, the pinnacle of endurance racing.
With a strong presence in LM P3, LM P2 and LM P1 Nissan is ready for another fantastic season of sports car racing in 2015.
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