Report: Nissan GT-R LM Nismo to Begin Testing in Arizona

Photo: Nissan

Nissan’s new LMP1 contender, the GT-R LM Nismo, is set to shortly begin on-track testing in Arizona, according to Endurance-Info.com. (En Français)

The Japanese manufacturer, which announced its factory entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship in May, previously revealed the prototype would be launched on Dec. 8 at a to-be-announced venue in Florida.

It’s understood the car, believed to feature a front-engined V6 twin-turbo gasoline powerplant, will have its first rollout at Nissan’s North American technical center in Stanfield, Ariz., potentially late this month.

The 3,050-acre facility, located 50 miles south of Phoenix, features a 5.7-mile high-speed oval and four individual road courses, designed to test vehicle durability, reliability and ride comfort for its line of production vehicles.

The car’s first public test, meanwhile, is expected to come at Sebring on Dec. 9-11, shortly after its launch. The design and build of the GT-R LM Nismo has been done in the U.S., with the team having set up base in Indianapolis at the ex-Forsythe Racing facility.

While drivers have still yet to be announced, Stephane Sarrazin, Olivier Pla and Nick Heidfeld have been the three most-cited names in various paddock conversations at recent FIA WEC rounds.

Nissan GT Academy pilots Jann Mardenborough and Lucas Ordonez, meanwhile, are also likely to make up the driving squad, the former possibly just for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while some of Nissan’s Super GT drivers are in the mix as well.

The first driver could be revealed next month, with the identity of each of the nine drivers, and one test/reserve driver, being announced individually.

Sarrazin’s direction is likely to be revealed before then, as Toyota plans to announce its 2015 driver lineup by the end of the month.

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