Newsletter February Newsletter 2019

[LESmo]

February 2019 Newsletter

February being the shortest month does mean it's usually a quiet month in the club. As some cars, still sleep through winter and others slog through the ICE and the snow. Late February gave us what we can only hope is a glimpse of what this summer will be like. Back out came the cleaning materials for many members and others continued their projects. In this newsletter, we revisit the rebuild project as it really starts to take shape. We share views on the recent news about RJN and focus on the year's events.

There is still time to sign up for Karting, as well as the big club event this year the Silverstone Classic, Early Bird ticket prices are available until the 31st March, the club also announced a refund to members attending, so check that out on the Silverstone Classic event page.

Other great events include the return of the original and best Mod Day, Leeds Castle. Kimbolton and the Workshop Day, all are open for sign ups. Finally, anyone who has not signed up for membership yet details of how as well as a special 50th Anniversary 2 year deal can be found here.

This Month

The Rebuild

We drop back in on this epic 350z rebuild project, being carried out by club member nacnud

The Bodywork is starting to take shape as it is returned to back to better than its former glory.

New aftermarket splitter fitted to the front bumper.



Underbody coating work after removal of all the debris and rust previously.

Follow the progress of the build with regular updates posted here

Nismo Update - February 2019

NISSAN AND NISMO ANNOUNCE 2019 MOTORSPORTS PROGRAMS

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Formula E and Super GT racing will be among the highlights of Nissan and NISMO’s 2019 motorsports activities, along with the GT3 competition and the supply of engines to prototype sports cars.

Nissan and Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. announced the plans at an event in Yokohama. The event also featured an opportunity for fans to meet this season’s Super GT driver line-up.

Formula E

The ongoing season five of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship is Nissan’s first. Nissan is also the first Japanese company to join the all-electric street racing series.

The company is using Formula E to showcase the performance side of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, its vision for changing the way cars are driven, powered and integrated into society. Nissan has used its years of experience developing and manufacturing the Nissan LEAF – the world’s best-selling electric car – to create a new powertrain package for its Formula E car, including a new electric motor, inverter and gearbox and software.

Nissan’s Sebastien Buemi is the only driver to qualify in the top four in every race this season, most recently claiming the team’s first-ever Formula E pole position in Santiago, Chile.

“Our Formula E program brings together Nissan’s world-leading experience in electric cars, NISMO’s 30-plus years of motorsports engineering innovation, and the championship-winning Formula E expertise of our racing partner e.dams,” said Michael Carcamo, Nissan’s global motorsports director. “It’s giving Nissan valuable experience and data that will help us build even better electric cars for our customers.”

Super GT GT500

Nissan and NISMO have committed to strengthening their competitiveness in the Super GT GT500 class and recapturing the series championship. To that end, they’ve carried out a significant review of hardware and software.

Motohiro Matsumura, NISMO’s chief operating officer, will assume the role of executive director for the Nissan teams. Toshikazu Tanaka, corporate vice president of NISMO, will become team principal of NDDP Racing. Satoshi Motoyama, who competed in GT500 for 22 years and took home three series championships along with 16 wins for Nissan and NISMO, will support Matsumura as an executive adviser.

Customer racing programs Include

Customer racing – GT3 program
This season, Nissan and NISMO welcome Kondo Racing to the list of official partner teams in addition to KCMG and Gainer. NISMO will supply Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 cars and provide technical assistance to even more teams.

Intercontinental GT Challenge
The Intercontinental GT Challenge, featuring major GT3 competitors, includes the Bathurst 12 hours in Australia, the California 8 hours, the Spa 24 hours in Belgium, the Suzuka 10 hours in Japan and the 9 hours of Kyalami in South Africa. KCMG will participate with two 2018-spec Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 cars.

24 Hours of Nurburgring
Two 2018-spec Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 cars from KCMG and one from Kondo Racing will compete at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in Germany, from June 22 to 23, 2019.

Super GT GT300 class
Kondo Racing will be a new entry as a GT3 official partner team, in addition to two 2018 models that will compete for Gainer, continuing their efforts from last year. Tomei Sports and X Works will also race using the 2018 model GT-R, while NILZZ Racing will drive a 2015 model GT-R. Six Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 cars will compete in total.

Customer racing – engine supply program

Nissan and NISMO will continue to supply racing engines to prototype cars and to provide technical assistance. In the IMSA Daytona Prototype International class, they will supply VR38 engines to CORE Autosport. In addition, they will provide one-make VK50 engines to LMP3 class entrants.

Other racing programs

Micra Cup
In Canada, a Micra one-make race will be held as the Micra Cup. This series is entering its fifth year and will consist of eight events and 16 races.


Super Taikyu Series (Japan)
Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO RCs are set to compete in the ST-3 class of the Super Taikyu Series in Japan, with NISMO again providing technical support.


NISMO Driving Academy (Japan)
To connect with motorsports and road car users, the NISMO Driving Academy will continue to be held for NISMO road car, R35 GT-R and Fairlady Z owners (16 times in total).


NISMO Festival (Japan)
This annual fan appreciation event will be held Dec. 8 at Fuji Speedway.

But Nissan Say Goodbye to others.... Editorial

Reading the Nissan/Nismo press releases recently you would be hard pushed not to see the commitment Nissan still have to motorsports. Massive investment is being channelled into the new Formula-E venture and that's commendable. The hurried press release timing of the programme of racing, around the news RJN would be running Honda's this year, was more than a little co-incidental however.

Therefore, with sadness RJN move to Honda, after a very long relationship Nissan have pulled the plug on many factory supported teams for the 2019 season, across Europe and Australia. Reading the press releases this was mainly glossed over. So thank you RJN for everything - you were amazing.

As Nissan retract back to Japan domestic series, where does this leave the UK and Europe race series, the obvious lack of support for the GT-R and Z Series cars in racing should speak volumes. While Toyota appear to press ahead into the market of sportscars Nissan take a different tact even if they do not verbalise it. With an ever aging customer car portfolio. The link between Nismo road cars and Nismo race cars gets ever wider.

The end of the 2018 race calendar was a likely a major turning point, Nissan letting go many of the long standing drivers from the Academy and with it support for a number of Non E teams. I hope Nissan do not lose sight of the fact the brand has to still be exciting and inspire the next generation. While we look ahead - we should not forget the past.

Other Upcoming Events

Karting - Saturday 23rd March 2019 - Milton Keynes - Final Call

Its Back! - a chance for everyone to dust of their racing boots, climb into a race romper suit and head to the track. The club is planning a Karting event on Saturday 23rd March in Milton Keynes followed by for those interested a night at a Hotel close by. Further information will be added shortly, however, early planning is taking place. More details of how to sign up here

Mod Day - Saturday 20th April 2019 (Free to All!)

The Mod day for 2019 will be in April. A Mod day is whatever you want it to be, with a free breakfast. It is a chance to do some work to your car, with a helping hand nearby, or simply someone to keep watch if you are unsure, or you can try the charm and get someone to do something for you. Detailers are on hand if you need help with polishers at the ready. This is always a popular event. Click here to sign up.
Chilli Red

Leeds Castle - Saturday 11^th & Sunday 12^th May 2019.

After the success of 2016, 2017 & 2018, this event returns for the 2019 season. As before, this is a 2-day event and you can decide if you would like to attend just one or two days. Anyone attending will be able to visit the castle and all its attractions as part of their (reduced) entry fee. The castle has a lot to offer and there are places to eat and drink and get out of the sun!

More details and to sign up click here.

Paul_S

Kimbolton Country Fayre - Sunday 14th July 2019

Kimbolton Country Fayre is now in its 28th year, a charity event for the whole family, organised by volunteers from The Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle and The Sporting Bears Motor Club. It is held in the beautiful grounds of Kimbolton Castle in Cambridgeshire, the home of Kimbolton School. This is a free-to-attend event for full club members - with all other attendees welcome at the cost of £10 per car. More information and to sign up click here
LESmo

The Clubs 50th Anniversary of the Zed Cars at the Silverstone Classic - 26^th July - 28^th July 2019 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)

- Book you tickets by Midnight on the 31st March for Early Bird Pricing. Refund available for full 2019 members.

2019 is a massive year for Zed owners, from the classics of the 240z to the latest 350z & 370z with the many models in between. It will be a single chance for all clubs to get together and work together to celebrate a milestone - to make this one weekend not to forget. So put your names down today, we promise to have more information in the coming months as well as information about accommodation and booking club tickets. However, book time off work and make sure the Kennels know.

Super Early Bird has now closed but its still possible to register for Early Bird discount for a few more weeks - Two Adult and One Infield Parking on Club Stand Included in Above Price - Includes Paddock Entrance, Open Grandstand Seating, Concerts etc.

To sign up and keep up to date with the plans as well as club refunds available for full 2019 members - click here

Members only Workshop Day - Saturday 14th September 2019.

- Free Event for all 2019 Members - Only a Few Ramp Spaces Left.

The Club has again arranged for exclusive access to a Motor Vehicle workshop for the day complete with Ramps and members around to give help and advice. If you have just wanted to get your Wheels off to give them a good clean, wanted to look under your car or undertake that small task without squeezing under the car - this is the event for you. There will be a mandatory Health and Safety briefing by the on-site staff prior to commencing any work. For more information and to put your name down - click here. The first 10 names to request the Ramps get them a reserve list will also be opened for any ramps which become free.

This Event is open to Full 2019 Members Only - so please sign up if you intend to renew your membership in 2019

Club Events Calendar 2019

23/3/19 - Karting 2019 (EO: ChasGFL) - Register Interest.

20/4/19 - Mod Day 2019 (EO: Chilli Red) - Register Interest

11/5/19 (2 Days) - Motors by the Moat - Register Interest.

14/7/19 - Kimbolton Country Fayre (EO: LESmo) - Register Interest
26/7/19 (3 Days) - The Clubs 50th Anniversary of the Zed Cars at Silverstone Classic (EO: Paul_S & LESmo) - Register Interest

14/9/19 - (Members Only) Workshop Day 2019 (EO: LESmo) - Registration Interest

Key & Colours:

· (EO - ...........) = Event Organiser - name
· Green Planned nissansportz event or participation - National
· Red Planned nissansportz Local event or participation - Regional
· Black Third-party event with possible nissansportz club attendance

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