News & Notes Roundup, 9.23

Photo: JRM

***NISMO has launched its new Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, which will be made available to customer teams for next year. The car, which debuted in the Blancpain Endurance Series Pro Cup this year, features a new brake system, an updated aero package, a number of changes to improve efficiency and balance, as well as a revised seating position.

***In addition to DC Racing, Graff Racing shook down its new Ligier JS P3 Nissan at Magny-Cours as well, in preparation for the car’s competition debut in next month’s European Le Mans Series season finale at Estoril. Onroak Automotive also had a third JS P3 present, with prospective drivers turning laps.

***After its initial shakedown at Hockenheim, the ADESS 03 will continue testing in Japan prior to its expected competition debut at Fuji for the opening round of the Asian Le Mans Series. Two cars will be present under the AAI Motorsports banner.

***Following their third consecutive GTE-Am victory at Circuit of The Americas, Victor Shaytar and Alexey Basov were welcomed home as heroes on their return to Russia. The two SMP Racing drivers signed numerous autographs at the airport.

***B-Quick Racing will return to the Sepang 12 Hours in December with an Audi R8 LMS, with Peter Kox, Daniel Bilski and Henk Kiks as drivers.

***Alvaro Parente will be taking part in this weekend’s GT Asia round in Shanghai, at the wheel of a FFF Racing by ACM McLaren 650S GT3. The McLaren GT factory driver will support Hiroshi Hamaguchi.

***BMW Motorsport junior driver Nick Cassidy drove the BMW M6 GT3 for the first time last week. The New Zealander completed laps in the car alongside BMW factory drivers Tom Blomqvist and Alexander Sims at Miramas in France. Cassidy and other BMW juniors will take part in next month’s 12 Hours of Brno in a BMW M235i Racing.

***Paddy McClughan has won the Sunoco 200 Challenge, which will see the 19-year-old Radical Sprint racer from Ireland race with Mitchum Motorsports’ Camaro in January’s Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge race at Daytona. Jonny Adam currently leads the Sunoco Whelen Challenge.

***The Nürburgring 24 will feature a TCR class for the first time next year, with the popular worldwide platform of touring cars allowed to take part in both the Qualifying Race and Race.

***Kyalami is undergoing renovation, with new asphalt and a pit complex being constructed as the famed South African circuit. Porsche South Africa recently purchased the track, which had been up in auction.

***Christian Fittipaldi and João Barbosa delivered the keynote address for the 50th Anniversary of the American School of Gas Measurement Technology on Tuesday. The defending TUDOR United SportsCar champion drivers head into next weekend’s season-ending Petit Le Mans with a chance of repeating the title.

***The provisional entry list for the Maxi Endurance 32H has been released, featuring 38 cars. The twice-around-the-clock-and-then-some race takes place at Portimao on Nov. 20-22., following its inaugural edition last December.

Laurent Mercier contributed to this report

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