Nissan to Defend Bathurst 12H Win

Nissan will return to Mount Panorama next February to defend its Bathurst 12 Hour win with the all-conquering Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3.

The NISMO Athlete Global Team will field a single factory entry for the third consecutive year, with support from the Nissan Motorsport V8 Supercars race team, as well as Nissan GT Academy Team RJN, the 2015 Blancpain GT Endurance Series PRO Class champions.

NISMO in Japan has built a brand-new 2015 specification Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 for the 2016 Bathurst 12 Hour, with the car to remain in Australia permanently following the race.

“It’s great to confirm that we will return to Mount Panorama next February to defend our Bathurst 12 Hour victory,” said Richard Emery, Managing Director and CEO, Nissan Motor Co. Australia.

“Last year’s spectacular win has been celebrated by Nissan and NISMO globally as a truly historic moment in our long and proud motorsport history. This included the winning car being honored and celebrated at last weekend’s NISMO Festival at Fuji Speedway in Japan.”

2015 has been a remarkable year for the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, with race wins on four continents and championship victories in the Blancpain GT Endurance Series in Europe and GT300 Super GT Championship in Japan.

Last year’s Bathurst 12 Hour win was the start of an outstanding year for the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, with wins following in the Blancpain GT Endurance Series in Europe, Super GT Championship in Japan and Pirelli World Challenge.

While the traditional racing number of Nissan and NISMO globally is the No. 23, the entry will carry the No. 1 at the 2016 Bathurst 12 Hour, to signify its status as defending race winner.

The driver line-up for the No. 1 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 will be confirmed at a later date.