Nissan increases commitment to FIA GT1
The deal also includes an option for 2011. Nissan will supply four cars to SRO per event, with one of Nissan's high performance cars becoming the official safety car at each event.
Having been awarded full world championship status by the FIA World Motor Sport Council, the FIA GT1 World Championship will visit ten countries on four continents ,and will feature iconic marques such as Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, Lamborghini, Maserati and Nissan.
The 2010 Championship starts at the futuristic Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on April 17 and ends at the spectacular San Luis circuit, built around a volcanic lake, in Argentina on December 5.
The series features two, two-car Nissan GT-R teams – Sumo Power, run out of the UK, and Swiss Racing Team from Switzerland. It marks Nissan's first move into an official FIA World Championship in more than 20 years.
"From the very first time we discussed the proposals for a GT1 World Championship, Nissan we right behind the idea and have been a very enthusiastic supporter ever since," said SRO chief executive, Stephane Ratel. "We are therefore extremely pleased that we have reached this agreement, which will give Nissan a great global platform to showcase their range of cars alongside the full GT1 spec racing GT-R's. The Nissan GT-R is an iconic car all over the world and we are thrilled to see it competing at world championship level."
Soichi Miyatani, NISMO President and Nissan CVP, added: "At Nissan the idea of the FIA GT1 World Championship is a very exciting one, seeing the GT-R on track in competition with these other world famous brands will be spectacular. With the strong global Television exposure in place we are sure that this agreement will be a key to us further enhancing the reputation and stature of Nissan's high-performance cars. It also gives us added exposure away from the on-track action as we look to reinforce the Nissan brand within this core car-loving audience on a global basis." SportsProMedia