JRM has announced that it will roll out an increased number of Race Driver Programmes in 2016 – giving competitors an effective and direct route into international GT racing.

The British manufacturer is the Official Partner of Nissan Motorsports International (Nismo) in GT3 racing and launched its inaugural driver programmes at the start of 2015 when it signed Sean Walkinshaw as its Development Driver, Craig Dolby as its PRO driver and coach and Martin Plowman as its PRO driver in Blancpain Endurance events.

All three drivers were recruited on merit and have benefited from multiple driving opportunities with JRM in 2015 (above). Walkinshaw’s skills have developed rapidly during the season and the 21-year-old has already finished on the podium and set fastest laps in the NEW Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, the same car that recently won the Blancpain Endurance Series PRO Cup.

Dolby, who earned his Race Driver Programme with JRM after a successful year of testing and a win in the GT Open series at Jerez, has been an instrumental figure during 2015 with his determined driving – illustrated by the fact he led the recent Blancpain Endurance race at Nürburgring for the whole of the first hour – and the support and guidance he has been able to give to Sean when necessary.

As a driver with a proven track record, Martin was given the chance to join JRM’s Race Driver Programme so he could develop his skills in his first year of GT competition. His progress has also been impressive this season and is likely to earn him a full season programme in North America next season, representing JRM as its PRO and coach.

JRM is building on the success of its maiden driver programmes by revealing plans to run new initiatives in 2016, catering for young drivers with all levels of experience and ambition.

It will team up with Silverstone-based iZone Driver Performance to deliver all of its simulator and driver performance training. Developed by three-time World Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx, iZone’s expert driver coaches – along with their in-house sport science specialists – take an inter-disciplinary approach to develop a range of driver skills, from technical and tactical skills, through to physical, mental and psychomotor skills.

JRM Partnership Manager, James Walters, said: “The programme with Sean has been a massive success and his development has been extremely fast. We’ve created a perfect environment in which he’s been able to learn and thrive as a young GT driver and he’s already at the point where he’s mixing it with the world’s best GT drivers.

“By expanding our Race Driver Programmes in 2016, we will offer other young drivers a similar opportunity to develop their skills and reach their individual career targets. Our programmes are driven by a desire to create a clear ladder of opportunity and to give drivers the chance to become part of the Nissan motorsport family.”

As well as offering standard arrive and drive, and driver coaching in 2016, JRM will continue with its Race Driver Development Programme that is open to one new driver each year and gives a guaranteed three-year route to becoming a paid PRO driver. JRM is also planning to launch a Young Driver Academy in the Blancpain GT Series with the winner receiving the chance to race in a PRO seat the following year.

Walkinshaw said: “The learning environment at JRM is fantastic. I think it’s important to have a link to a successful and respected manufacturer like Nissan so early in my career and it’s amazing having the support to help me become a professional driver.

“Craig knows the Nissan GT-R extremely well and exactly how the car drives. I know that he’s always by my side to give me advice and a steer. I don’t think many people would have thought we could have had a podium finish already this season but I think that illustrates the strides we’ve made in such a short space of time. I feel very comfortable in the driver programme and that shows on track.”

The first step towards becoming a paid PRO driver within JRM’s GT3 squad involves taking part in an official JRM factory test. Each test includes briefing sessions at the JRM factory to review video footage and data, a simulator session at iZone and a full day of driving in the NEW Nissan NISMO GT3.