The GT500 racing series is getting started with practice and testing in Japan for 2024-spec models, including a Nissan Z GT500 car.
This new Nissan Z GT500 car spent some time testing a set of new Yokohama tires during a two-day test at Sugo. This test marks the beginning of track preparation for the upcoming 2024 GT500 racing season, which will get underway soon. Three GT500 manufacturers were in action at the Miyagi Prefecture track, each bringing a single test car for the event.
What tires were being used?
One of the biggest and most important tests is to ensure the new tires are right for these cars. The Nissan Z and Toyota GR Supra being tested for the GT500 series ran on Yokohama tires, while the Honda Civic Type R-GT was equipped with a set of Dunlop tires, which marks the first time this car rode on Dunlop tires.
Nissan has been testing different tires to find the right set for this new racing car. The first test occurred in July at Okayama when Team Impurl used a set of Bridgestone tires to take this new Z NISMO racing car around the track. The second test occurred at Montegi in early September with the car riding on a set of Michelin tires. This was unique because Michelin chose to leave GT500 racing after the 2023 season.
The tire testing isn’t complete with the Yokohama models under the car. In an effort to give all tire manufacturers a fair shot at being tested under the new Nissan Z GT500 racing car, the fourth test will take place on a second set of Bridgestone tires at the Fuji track late in November. It’s expected Bridgestone will be the tire of choice, but no announcement has been made, and one won’t happen until early next year.
More than tires being tested for the Nissan racing team
In addition to testing tires and all car components for the GT500 racing series, Nissan is looking for the right drives for the racing team. Sacha Fenestraz is set to pilot the new Nissan Z GT500 car around the Fuji racetrack in December as a tryout for the team. Fenestraz was part of the Toyota SUPER GT team from 2020-2022 before leaving the series to join the Nissan Formula E team. Since the idea of building the Z GT500 car became a reality, the opportunity for Fenestraz to drive this car during racing has been kept open.
Fenestraz might have an extremely busy schedule during the 2024 racing season as he pulls double duty in the Formula E car and potentially the GT500 series. The audition test requires a second racer. This could be Teppei Natori, who had an impressive season in the GT300 racing series, riding for Nissan.
Another potential racing partner could be Riki Okusa, but he is expected to switch to the Honda team in 2024, but that could change if Nissan puts the right team together.
The Nissan Z GT500 came first
Before the world got their hands on the new Nissan Z, the racing version was created for the Super GT Series. This car has been racing around the track since 2022 as the replacement for the GT-R that was previously part of this series. This car made good on the promise to bring a better car to the racing series and provide competitive balance in the Super GT series. This was part of the Nisan NEXT transformation plan that was announced in May 2021.
Nissan has been creating racing cars since the early 1970s with the S30 240Z, which took wins in the SCCA C Production Series. In the 1990s, the Z32 300ZX won several races in the IMSA Series, and it also participated in the JGTC/Super GT series with the Z33 in the 2000s, winning a series championship in the process.
The 2024 model continues Nissan’s passion for motorsports
The new Nissan Z GT500 is an incredible racing machine, and with the right tires and drivers, could be the next Nissan racing car to win the Super GT series. Will this car ride on the Bridgestone tires as planned, or will another brand be the tire supplier for this car and its team? Who will drive the Z GT500 during the 2024 racing season? We’ll know more once the testing is completed and the flag drops on the first race of the new season. Until then, we’ll allow the excitement to mount and for racing fans to prepare for the upcoming racing series.
Let’s get ready to go racing!
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