News & Notes Roundup: 12.9

Photo: NISMO

***Nissan began a multi-day test of its revised LMP1 contender at NOLA on Monday, with a number of new drivers, including Memo Rojas, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Bruno Junqueira understood to have cycled through the GT-R LM NISMO, which continues to still not feature a hybrid powertrain.

***The complete 2016-spec car is not expected to begin testing until early February, with the Indianapolis-based LMP1 team having only reportedly received its new battery-based hybrid system from Renault for installation.

***Alex Zanardi is not expected to take part in any races next year, as the Italian focuses his efforts on the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. The multiple-time gold-winning athlete, and BMW brand ambassador, made his 24 Hours of Spa debut this year in a specially equipped BMW Z4 GT3.

***Magnus Racing had its first test with its new Audi R8 LMS at Sebring International Raceway, with team principal John Potter and co-driver Andy Lally behind the wheel.

***Rennsport One is selling its Porsche Cayman that Spencer Pumpelly and Luis Rodriguez Jr. took to an ST class-high four wins in the 2015 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

***Tom Kristensen has become the new President of the FIA Drivers’ Commission, replacing Emerson Fittipaldi, who is now Vice President.

***Jeff Hanson won the NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, and will receive a $100,000 donation from the foundation for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. CTF has been active in several divisions of sports car racing and Hanson’s CTF Art Car designs have raced in recent years.

***The ACO has announced a multi-year extension to its partnership with Rolex. The watch brand strengthens its support by becoming an Official Partner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and is expected to replace sister brand TUDOR in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

***CJ Wilson Racing has announced its first new partner since its switch to the new Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport, in the form of Forgeline wheels. Additional partner and driver announcements are expected this month.

Tony DiZinno contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John