Nissan will make its first British GT3 appearance since 2014 at Donington Park on September 23/24 following confirmation that JRM Racing are entering a GT-R NISMO GT3 for drivers Charlie Fagg and Ben Green.
JRM were previously responsible for the Japanese firm’s GT1-spec GT-R and subsequently ran the GT3 version in a variety of championships, including British GT, before stepping back from full-time competition at the end of 2014. However, JRM retained an active role in the manufacturer’s programme by providing engineers and parts supply to customer teams around the world.
The GT-R NISMO GT3 that competes at Donington will differ to the ones that last appeared in the championship at the same venue three years ago. JRM has reduced and redistributed weight as well as improving aerodynamics and braking performance to produce a car that is easier to drive.
Its teenage driver line-up features two GT3 novices. Fagg has spent 2017 racing a Nissan 370Z in the GT4 European Series Northern Cup and also made an impressive British GT4 debut at Spa-Francorchamps in July when he and Matthew Graham claimed both class victories aboard Ebor GT’s Maserati GranTurismo MC.
“I’m really excited to get started with JRM,” said the 17-year-old. “They have a fantastic history in motorsport and to be a part of their path into GT racing is a massive opportunity for me and one I am very much looking forward to start.
“I’m delighted to be able to race the GT-R GT3, a car that has such good history. It’s very powerful and I am looking forward to driving a car with a good amount of aerodynamic capability, something that I am yet to experience.”
Meanwhile, Fagg’s co-driver Green is a product of Ginetta’s junior classes and currently lies second in the manufacturer’s single-make GT4 Supercup standings. The 19-year-old, who - like Fagg - has also been named as an official JRM Young Driver, hopes this will be a first step towards a full-time sportscar career.
“This is a big step up but a natural progression for me and I’m really looking forward to testing the limits of the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 around a track I know very well, having picked up my first win here at the beginning of this season,” he said. “It will be my debut in British GT and with a good driver pairing in Charlie, as well as the support of JRM, we’re ready for the challenge.”
After several years away, JRM’s MD Jason King explained that now was the right time for the team to return to front-line GT racing.
“Getting back on the track with a newly built GT-R NISMO GT3 specification Nissan, driven by a new, young and talented team is what we have been waiting for.” he said.
“The past few years JRM has focused on our applied engineering and assembly manufacturing, working with major OEMs and clients around the world. The time was right to unleash the team and set the challenge to get back on the track with a car, garage support and drivers that we feel has serious podium potential. I look forward to great successes over the coming races, under the careful watch of Elliot Dason-Barber, our Technical Director.”
The final round of this season’s British GT Championship takes place at Donington Park on September 23/24. Click here to reserve tickets: adult prices start at just £12.60 while children aged 13-and-under go free!
DID YOU KNOW?
The Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 has achieved success all over the world but has only one British GT victory to its name. RJN Motorsport - which now runs UltraTek’s 370Z GT4 entries - were responsible for Jann Mardenborough and Alex Buncombe’s win at Brands Hatch in 2012.
Donington will be JRM’s first British GT appearance in name since 2013 when it entered two Nissans at Oulton Park. However, it also supported Strata21’s full-season entry in 2014.