Nissan Formally Commits to IGTC, Six Brands Confirmed

Photo: SRO

Nissan has officially committed to the Intercontinental GT Challenge as a manufacturer ahead of this weekend’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

It becomes the sixth manufacturer to join the globe-trotting series, breaking the previous record of five and joining Audi, Mercedes-AMG, BMW, Porsche and Bentley.

Nissan’s manufacturer involvement in IGTC has been expected for some time, with KCMG confirming in December plans to run a pair of Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3s for the full five-race season.

However, at that time, the Japanese manufacturer itself hadn’t formally committed to the championship, even though KCMG’s announcement made it all but certain.

“Nissan’s addition to this year’s roster not only breaks the championship’s record for manufacturer participants in a single season but also ensures another new-generation GT3 model will be racing with us on five continents this year,” said SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel.

“Nissan already enjoys a successful history in SRO-rules racing on the world stage thanks to its FIA GT1 Drivers’ title – also achieved with the GT-R – in 2011.

“The GT-R NISMO GT3 demonstrated its potential at Suzuka last season and I have no doubt it will be a force along with KCMG throughout 2019.”

Sportscar365 understands that two more IGTC manufacturers are set to be revealed later in the week.

In addition to the cars from the six confirmed brands, the Bathurst entry list includes cars representing Lamborghini, Ferrari and Aston Martin.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.