A belated post but here is the annual coverage of the pilgrimage/festival of all things Nissan and motorsport. This is also my first post using my first major post where I shot with my new phone (technically first was my exhaust post) which I just got a few weeks previously. Previous post were done in the beginning with an Xperia Z and then for the last 2 years an HTC U11. Now I am back to Xperia with their latest Xperia 1. Lovin the new cam of the Xperia 1. There is noticeable sharpness in the photos.
This year's first highlight was the hour long traffic line to get to the gate. The traffic management into the gate was a nightmare resulting in the above traffic. We (my good friend Nick who was back visiting after a long hiatus from Japan and Nismo Festival and I) were able to see the sunrise while waiting in line.
Finally we reached the gate after a very slow crawl which made me think about the convenience of the GR6 of the R35. It was great to be back though :). Sitting behind a rare Nismo BNR32 too was nice.
So it turns out if you have a Club Nismo Card, which is a credit card which you register with Nissan Financial Services which has the added benefit of giving you discounts off Super GT race tickets, Nissan's online store and free and reserved parking area for members for an annual subscription fee.
This year despite it being winter we were blessed with a clear day with a full view of Mt. Fuji.
The first car we saw was Super GT Motul Nismo GT500 driver Matsuda Tsugio and his recently acquired MY20 Nissan GTR Nismo.
Matsuda and the Pace car were there to lead the parade lap of cars which signed up for the drive on the Speedway. Cars from all the Zs to the KPGC10 Hakosuka GTRs and even a very rare 270R which I have never seen outside of Gran Turismo until this day. The 270R for those who have not heard about it was Nismo's first complete car before the 400R. It was a Nismo factory made S14 Silvia.
This year being historically significant year for both the Nissan's Skyeline/GTR and Z cars saw a historic road car dsiplay in the pits which was a very nice trip down memory lane. A good mix of the new and older including this absolutely pristine Autech 4 door BCNR33 Skyline GTR.
The racecars
The new addition to the race car display was the latest R35 GT3 car, the first R35 to introduce a full dry-sump engine.
Current Super Taikyu 370Zs and GT3 R35 cars
My two favourites R35 heroes. Bathurst 12hr winning R35 GT3 and GT1 class winning R35 GT1.
This green on the Kenmeri GTR test car is a timeless colour and favourite of mine.
My hero car, the Skyline GTR LM (R33) Le Mans GT1 car.
Some more Le Mans GT1 class R390 GT1 racecar.
50 years of GTR
As 2019 marks the 50th birthday of the GTR. Nissan had a display with the Gran Turismo concept car and the GT-50 by Italdesign. I really feel the GT-50 takes alot of design cues and inspiration from the R33 and Kenmeri cars.
Omori Factory tent
The star of the show for me was the new dry carbon GT3 inspired bonnet for the R35 GTR. I was amazed by it I forgot to take a photo with a better angle of it. The R35 is really becoming a fun prospect for factory research backed tuning...
The booths
I didn't spend alot of time at the festival compared to last year so did a quick tour of the booths bought a few die casts and that was about it. So here are a few quick snaps.
R's Connection show & shine
New to Nismo Festival was the R's Connection (a GTR owners club run my GTR Magazine) member's show and shine.
Thus concluded my 2019 Nismo Festival
Hakone
Main reason for our quick departure was to squeeze in a quick run of the Hakone Turnpike. Surprisingly it was clear of traffic so we got a clear run up the mountain and again a clear view of Mt. Fuji again to bring a nice conclusion to the day.
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