LE CASTELLET, France – Ahead of the 2018 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, a pair of Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 cars are on track for pre-season testing this week at Circuit Paul Ricard with GT Sport Motul Team RJN.
Supported by long-time Nissan partners Sony PlayStation and Motul lubricants, the RJN squad includes Nissan factory drivers Alex Buncombe and Lucas Ordóñez, the first ever GT Academy winner.
Buncombe and Ordóñez are joined by Matt Parry aboard the No. 23 entry, which is a 2018-spec Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. Another former GT Academy winner, Ricardo Sanchez from Mexico, is joined by British drivers Struan Moore and Jordon Witt aboard the No. 22 GT-R.
"It's going to be the 10th anniversary of my win as the first GT Academy winner, so to drive the car with Gran Turismo colors, and Motul as well, is amazing," said Ordóñez. "Ten years as a Nissan driver! It's very special for me to continue my career with my Nissan family with RJN this year. I'm looking forward to the test at Paul Ricard this week and counting down the days until we get to the first round at Monza."
This week's test will feature two days running at Circuit Paul Ricard on March 13 and 14 – the first time the newly evolved 2018-spec Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 has run in Europe.
"I'm extremely happy to be back behind the wheel of car No. 23 in the Blancpain Endurance series in the PRO class again," said Buncombe. "I'm really looking forward to the season ahead in the 2018-spec Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. As ever, the competition is going to be extremely tough, but we believe the new car is going to be quick. I'm also thrilled with my driver lineup – my teammates with Matt and Lucas. Both are extremely quick experienced guys. I couldn't ask for better."
On my way to Paul Ricard 🇫🇷 for the official @BlancpainGT test! @NISMO
— Ricardo Sanchez GP (@RSanchezGP) March 12, 2018
Salimos a Paul Ricard para el primer test de la temporada! @Nissan_mx pic.twitter.com/KNcKaghZsk
Headed to the @BlancpainGT test in Paul Ricard tomorrow morning! Looking forward to testing out the #23 car! pic.twitter.com/fgJCwvHwJ5
— Matthew Parry (@Mattparryracing) March 11, 2018
Related:
Nissan announces 2018 motorsports programs
Nissan / NISMO Super GT drivers meet the fans at global HQ
Meet the Nissan / NISMO Super GT 2018 teams and drivers
NISMO Calendar
March 13-14
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, Official Test Days, Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France
March 15-17
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, 12 Hours of Sebring, Sebring International Raceway, Sebring, FL, USA
March 22-25
Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Albert Park F1 Circuit, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Contact
Anna Teslik
Global Motorsport Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: +33 7 7614 7286
ATeslik@nissan-europe.com
Paul Ryan
Global Motorsport Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: +1 678 644 0404
paul@nismosupport.com
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