Nissan Bows Out of LMP2 With WEC Season Sweep

Nissan’s winning run in international LMP2 prototype competition has come to an end with G-Drive Racing earning the honor of scoring the final FIA World Endurance Championship victory with NISMO power.

The class transitions to a spec Gibson powerplant for 2017, which will be utilized in the WEC, European Le Mans Series and also eligible for IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition.

After scoring five race wins in 2011 in the WEC’s predecessor, the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, Nissan debuted in the WEC with five class wins in eight races in 2012.

However, since 2013, Nissan’s 4.5-liter VK45DEV8 engine has been unbeaten, recording a remarkable 35 consecutive WEC victories.

In that time NISMO-powered OAK Racing (2013), SMP Racing (2014), G-Drive Racing (2015) and Signatech Alpine (2016) to championship success in the class.

Nissan also powered the race victory in the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Greaves Motorsport (2011), OAK Racing (2013), Jota Sport (2014), KCMG (2015) and Signatech Alpine (2016).

In ELMS competition, Nissan also scored six consecutive LMP2 championships.

“We’re sad that our time as an LMP2 engine supplier has come to end in the FIA WEC but after five seasons and 37 victories we are immensely proud of our involvement and grateful to have had the opportunity to power so many teams to victory,” said NISMO Global Motorsport Director Mike Carcamo.

“The fact LMP2 was an open engine competition and we have become so successful that every single team in this year’s championship chose NISMO power is very rewarding.

“Despite the rule change for next year, Nissan remains committed to prototype-style racing through LMP3 competition. Our VK45DE engine will also remain available for teams competing in the Asian Le Mans Series.”

Two of this year’s LMP3 championship-winning drivers Mike Guasch and Alex Brundle (United Autosport) got to test LMP2 machinery in Bahrain after the final FIA WEC with Manor WEC.

Brundle has enjoyed a busy season. He not only won the LMP3 with Nissan power but also drove with Roman Rusinov and René Rast in Saturday’s LMP2 win with G-Drive.