YOKAHAMA, Japan – This year's Japanese Super GT championship battle will be shown live on YouTube across the globe on NISMO.TV.
The championship kicks off this weekend at Okayama in Japan with Ronnie Quintarelli and Tsugio Matsuda aiming to repeat their 2016 victory.
The new-look GT500 class this season features new cars with less downforce than was used previously compared to the 2014-2016 spec cars.
Nissan dominated during that period including another strong season in 2016:
- Victory in 12 of the 24 races staged from 2014-2016
- Three GT-R entries won races in 2016
- Championship success in 2014 and 2015
- Victory in five of the eight races in 2016
The NISMO.TV coverage can be seen on YouTube everywhere around the world outside of Japan. The coverage is a huge bonus for Nissan's international Super GT drivers including Quintarelli (Italy), JP de Oliveira (Brazil) and GT500 newcomer Jann Mardenborough (United Kingdom).
"Fans in Japan have of course known about the spectacular action that happens in Super GT, but thanks to NISMO.TV we've been able to share that with Nissan and NISMO fans around the world," said Quintarelli. "When I'm racing here in Japan, I am of course a long way from home in Italy, so it is brilliant for my friends, family and fans to be able to watch every race live. Tsugio (Matsuda) and I will hopefully give everyone something to cheer about. We missed out on the championship last year, but we're very keen to grab it back in 2017."
Former GT Academy winner Mardenborough will team with Hironobu Yasuda this season in his GT500 debut aboard the No.12 Calsonic IMPUL GT-R.
"I can't wait to get started in GT500 for the first race at Okayama," said Mardenborough. "Testing has been great, but I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into the race season. To have the entire year live on NISMO.TV on YouTube is brilliant too. I've had my family friends come over and see me race in the championship last year, but the fact the entire season will be live around the world is awesome. I'm really looking forward to joining forces with Hironobu (Yasuda), getting our Calsonic IMPUL GT-R to the front of the pack, and giving it our best shot for the fans."
NISMO Calendar
April 8-9
Super GT, Okayama, Japan
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Long Beach, California, USA
Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Symmons Plains, Tasmania, Australia
April 15-16
FIA World Endurance Championship, Silverstone, England
April 22-23
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, Monza, Italy
Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia
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Contact
Paul Ryan
Global Motorsport Communications
Nissan/NISMO
Marketing and PR Manager
Phone: +1 678 644 0404
paul@nismosupport.com