Nissan Confirms N24 Effort With Zakspeed, RJN

Nissan has confirmed a return to the Nürburgring 24 this year with a pair of Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3s.

Nissan GT Academy Team RJN will return to Germany to improve its 9th place finish in 2015, while former race winners Zakspeed will run the second car.

Zakspeed, winners of the 24-hour race in 1999, 2001 and 2002, and Nissan confirmed the new partnership today. The Zakspeed Nissan GT-R will debut in the Qualifying Race on April 17.

“We are delighted about the partnership with Nissan Germany and are looking forward to this new exciting challenge,” Zakspeed team principal Peter Zakowski said.

“The Nordschleife is not like any other track in the world and the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 is equally something special. We have been working on this project for a long time and therefore we are very pleased about it.”

The Zakspeed Nissan entry is in addition to its previously confirmed Mercedes-AMG GT3 effort for the race, as well as the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup.

“The Nürburgring is clearly one of the most demanding tracks in the world and a 24-hour race is an even greater challenge,” Nissan global motorsport director Michael Carcamo said.

“The fact that the 150+ entries represent virtually every brand in the world certainly showcases the iconic nature of this race. Last year we finished ninth which was the highest finish by an Asian brand in GT3 in the event’s history and we would certainly love to build on that.

“Having a customer team like Zakspeed with its amazing experience at the Nürburgring will certainly enhance our program and we’re really looking forward to working with them.”

Nissan veteran Michael Krumm is the only driver to have been confirmed for the Nürburgring 24, with other drivers to be announced at a later date.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 at the Nürburgring,” Krumm said. “The track is an enormous challenge and competing at the ‘Ring is an incredible opportunity for any driver.”