JRM Racing is pleased to confirm that it will run a Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 car as an official Nissan Europe entry in the Dubai 24-hour raceas a celebration of Nissan’s global motorsport success in 2011. The four drivers – who all became champions – include:

• Michael Krumm: FIA GT1 World Champion (JRM Racing – Nissan GT-R GT1)

• Alex Buncombe: Blancpain Endurance Series, GT4 Champion (RJN Motorsport – Nissan 370Z)

• Tom Kimber-Smith: Le Mans Series,LMP2 Champion (Greaves Motorsport)

• Franck Mailleux: Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, LMP2 Champion (Signatech Nissan)

Of all four Nissan drivers scheduled to take part in the race at the Dubai Autodrome, Alex Buncombe is the only one who has driven the GT3 GT-R previously, when he contested a round of the British GT Championship at Donington Park in September. Significantly, it will be the first outing in the car for Michael Krumm, who recorded his World Championship victory at the wheel of JRM Racing’s Nissan GT-R GT1 car last year, together with team-mate Lucas Luhr.

Tom Kimber-Smith and Franck Mailleux will also be driving the GT3 GT-R for the first time. And, although both are used to contesting endurance races, their Championship victories were achieved in Nissan-powered LMP2 (LeMans Prototype Class 2) machines and therefore, piloting the GT3 GT-R will be a new experience for them.

Over the past six-months, JRM has been carrying out a rigorous test and development programme for the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3, which has included three, three-hour races. Therefore, the annual Middle-Eastern endurance event – which starts at 2.00pm on Friday 13th January and finishes at the same time on Saturday 14th – marks the first time the GT3 Nissan will compete over a 24-hour period.

The race will correspond with the official launch of the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3. A press call will take place at 10.00am on Thursday 12th January at Autosport International, at the NEC in Birmingham, where another car will be unveiled on the JRM stand.

Quotes

Andy Barnes (Managing Director, JRM Group)

“We are delighted to be running the GT3 car in its maiden 24-hour race with a Champions line-up to celebrate Nissan’s motorsport success in 2011. It provides a great chance for us to run the GT-R in demanding conditions over a 24-hour race period. The event also coincides with the official launch of the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 and therefore gives us with an excellent start to 2012, as we begin to supply cars to customers in the coming season.”

Source : JRM