Skyline GT-R in Speed GT Series

RACECAR
with the exception of the SCCA mandated wing and the bodywork.
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I belive the aero will be the same for the car in SCCA trim, as the front aero is the same, a nd the wing looks about the same.
 
They've reserved two numbers, #69 (Igor Sushko), and #70 (TBA).

It'll be interesting to see just how badly the Skyline gets beat on.
 
FireEmblem62
I believe the aero will be the same for the car in SCCA trim, as the front aero is the same, and the wing looks about the same.
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its only a matter of time come sebring(which is 19 days away) for the SCCA to Overlook the rules compliance of the car. I still have a feeling that they are going to have something different from how you've said it, but on that same token maybe it might not.
 
Igor Sushko - #69 AutomotiveForums.com Nissan Skyline GTR: 24th position, DNF.

Started 25th, ran as high as 20th after the start, dropped back and held station in 22nd, then ducked into the pits. No word yet on exact problem.
 
Tough break for Sushko. I wished I could have seen more of the race. And at any time you enter a new series and not being used to the tracks and level of competition, you're going to stumble. It may get a little tougher for the Skyline racer since the next two races are St. Petersburg and Long Beach- two street courses. I'm usually the one defending street courses, but the going could be tough for the Skyline racer. I never had the Skyline to dominate, but I want to give it a chance. Kind of funny this car went up against not only Cadillacs and Vipers, but also Aston Martins. Competition's getting heated in Speed GT.

I hope the Skyline turns up the heat. Otherwise, the Skyline may get out of the kitchen. I want to see the Skyline win just about as much as any competitor who gets in, despite the fact I'm anti-Cadillac.
 
the #69 & #70 GT-R's was just completed (really, it was) right before the Sebring race. they are most likely still gathering data from the car and the car was not running 100%.

the automotiveforums.com Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) Z-Tune is a championship race car used in the super taikyu endurance series in Japan.

they unfortunately did have to retire as the car caught on fire around lap 17? i heard from their team after the race, and luckily it turns out the car is OK. i would expect a stronger showing from the GT-R as the season progresses.

another notable entry in this year's GT series is the ESX Subaru Impreza STi debuting at the long beach grand prix this April, with driver Gary Sheenan. should be fun watching these AWD turbo monsters going head to head along with the rest of the GT class. :)
 
DSC_2488.JPG
 
It's a proper race car if it comes from Super Taikyu. The cars may not have the same lineage as FIA or even Super GT, but they are mostly street cars lightly or even moderately modified for racing. You aren't going to see stuff like 500hp demons from a production car which normally hits 250hp. I wish I can know more about the series, but it's a proper race car, even a proper race car for Speed GT. I don't have this car dominating the series, but more as a car capable of pulling some upsets. I got this car and its driver down for at least one win. That's right. I think it's going to win a race, maybe a few more. It's only the first race, so don't write this team off like it's the Jaguar F1 team.

I am not a Skyline fanatic, but it doesn't mean I hate the car. It is a great car. The timing just didn't go well for them. So better luck on the next two events. Since the team is a Los Angeles outfit, it would sort of feel at "home" when they do Long Beach. I want to think that they may have some pressure on them to do well in Long Beach since it's a Los Angeles/SoCal thing there.

Well, good luck in future races, Skyline. Kick some ass.
 
I have this car pegged as 0 wins, and 3 Top 5's. It's not going to stand a chance against the cars that have been running this series for years, especially with a rookie driver. Henzler, McCann, Pilgrim, Angelelli, Gigliotti, and many of the other seasoned SWC-GT veterans are going to have a field day with him.
 
Actually, the Skyline GT-R's RB26DETT is rated at 276 brake, due to the Japanese 'Gentleman's agreement', but in actuality, it lays down about 330whp.
 
The rookie argument is a healthy argument in regards to the kind of season the Skyline will have. I have this as an underdog, a sleeper, and all that. Did Aston Martin win with their 400+ horsepower DB9s? The car may be weak, but whatever a car lacks in power, it COULD make up for with handling. I'm under the presumption that this is the four-wheel drive R34 Skyline, since this is the more popular choice among Skyline fans. If so, it probably has the same drivetrain as the Audis and the Subaru competitors.

Let's say the Skyline wins a race between now and the final checkered flag of 2006. What would a win like this do for Nissan as well as Skyline fans? Keep in mind that the R34 Skyline isn't sold in America. So what would a win do for a car not commercially available in America, yet well-loved by many American fans?
 
John, did you LOOK at the R34 at Sebring compared to its main adversaries - the Viper and Corvette? The thing is - by my eye - about 4 to 6 inches TALLER than either sports car and approx two inches narrower, and according to SCCA Pro Racing SWCGT rules Appendix A the Skyline has to weigh in at 3200lbs. Viper is allowed 3100lb and Vette gets 2950 for C6's.

Sheesh, the GTR even has a piss-poor tire package: 305/35 all around, as opposed to the FR (except BMW M3) tire package of 275/35front, 335/35 rear.

Even with the smaller tires up front, that extra 30mm per tire out back means the lighter, lower, wider Corvettes and Vipers also have more grip.

So, tell me again, how is a Skyline, limited to its stock Z-tune NISMO engine package and 1.6bar of boost, supposed to hang with the Corvettes and Vipers in SWC?

Oh, right, it was SIX SECONDS off the pace at Sebring. It doesn't hang.
 
Gentlemen,

Let me just say that although I cannot get into the specifics, the car was braking and cornering at an extremely competitive level at Sebring. We are sorting out other issues and wish us best of luck in races to come!

Igor Sushko
 
Uhh... I think it's obvious the Skyline isn't as glamourous or as powerful as the bigger and badder competition. I know I said the Skyline MIGHT pick up a win as an upset prediction, but was the Skyline ever the favorite to win it all? Not to be "fanboyish," but if the Skyline could take it to the Australian cars way back when, it can probably do some damage in Speed GT. Keyword: PROBABLY. The Aston Martins have all that power and performance. How come THEY aren't potential favorites? I just hate being pro-American on this issue. I understand full well that the Skyline may have severe matchup problems against Corvettes and Vipers and Cadillacs. Maybe it just wants to take part in Speed GT and probably still be happy to finish a race even if they are 25 laps down running on three wheels. I'd like for them to win a race even if they are severely outmatched. Again, I never had this car dominating anyone. I'm at least giving the Skyline boys a chance.

Perhaps they can turn it around at St. Petersburg this weekend. Only 10 rounds left. Still plenty of time to make a statement.
 
Layla's Keeper
John, did you LOOK at the R34 at Sebring compared to its main adversaries - the Viper and Corvette? The thing is - by my eye - about 4 to 6 inches TALLER than either sports car and approx two inches narrower, and according to SCCA Pro Racing SWCGT rules Appendix A the Skyline has to weigh in at 3200lbs. Viper is allowed 3100lb and Vette gets 2950 for C6's.

Sheesh, the GTR even has a piss-poor tire package: 305/35 all around, as opposed to the FR (except BMW M3) tire package of 275/35front, 335/35 rear.

Even with the smaller tires up front, that extra 30mm per tire out back means the lighter, lower, wider Corvettes and Vipers also have more grip.

So, tell me again, how is a Skyline, limited to its stock Z-tune NISMO engine package and 1.6bar of boost, supposed to hang with the Corvettes and Vipers in SWC?

Oh, right, it was SIX SECONDS off the pace at Sebring. It doesn't hang.
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Exactly, the Skyline is stuck within the rules, has to weigh more, standard Z tune engine package, smaller tyres......... you cant expect the car to be race winning competitive like that.

The car appears to be not much more than a standard Z tune among the other cars that look very race modified, does the other cars have to stick with their standard engine packages?. (btw I am not familiar with this race series much at all, being Australian, I have never even seen it on TV)
 
igor@af
Gentlemen,

Let me just say that although I cannot get into the specifics, the car was braking and cornering at an extremely competitive level at Sebring. We are sorting out other issues and wish us best of luck in races to come!

Igor Sushko
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First of all,welcome to GTPlanet:) 👍 . I'll be the first to say it is a awesome pleasure have you here. wish I would have caught the race so I'm not exactly on par with the results yet, but I do wish luck for you guys as it should be an interesting season.

on topic, I wouldn't slam the hammer down just yet. you guys forget two things:
1. this is a newbie to the series therefore teething problems are expected
2. there is ten to go and thats a mightly long time for getting better.

Basically, give it a season and maybe you guys will see something different.(the keyword here is Maybe)
 
That's where I'm getting at, RACECAR. Don't just slam the car because it's the Skyline many of us got sick of seeing in GT games, especially in large numbers. The R34 Skyline is a solid car and this Los Angeles unit is trying to be money on the race track even if it isn't expected to be a favorite. I still want it to have the best possible season, even if the Cadillacs and such keep pounding away. If no one will give it a shot, then you have my word that I'll hope it has the best season it can muster.

Remember that I had this car and its driver down for one win, maybe more. I'll even put this car down for a couple of Top 10's and a few Top 5's. Do you think this car is capable of any upsets between St. Petersburg and the final race? How many wins/top tens/top fives do you have this car down for the rest of this season?
 
I think I'm somewhere between you and Ghost C, maybe a couple of Top 5's (if they're lucky), but no wins. Actually, I don't see that many Top 5's for the first season, but you never know... every first season for a team is a learning experience.
 
igor@af
Gentlemen,

Let me just say that although I cannot get into the specifics, the car was braking and cornering at an extremely competitive level at Sebring. We are sorting out other issues and wish us best of luck in races to come!

Igor Sushko
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Welcome to the boards. Can you get into the specifics of why the car DNF'd? I've read that the car had a fire, but what exactly caused it? Also, Automotive Forums has 2 reserved numbers but only 1 car, you guys planning for a second car and driver?

Good luck at Round 2!
 
I believe the Nissan Skyline placed 25th, DNF at St. Petersburg. I believe Porsche beat Cadillac in this race for the win. The next round is in Long Beach. Why don't we do a little Fact or Fiction? Okay, the statement in question:

Fact or Fiction: "The Nissan Skyline (regardless of its position) will DNF finish its first race, even if it is laps down."

Fire away.
 
Porsche beat Cadillac by sheer luck, not driver talent. The two V's were in 1st and 2nd until Johnny O'Connell's car suddenly shut off for no reason, then came back to life. The same exact thing happened to Pilgrim 2 or 3 laps before the end of the race. If I were a poor sport, I'd cry foul.

Anyway, the GT-R's fire at Sebring was caused by an oil line for a turbo dripping on the exhaust from what I read. What happened this time? I saw a few people who got knocked out of the race because of the poor driving of others. I was watching Igor's position (17th last I saw) and then he suddenly vanished off the grid. Anybody know what happened?
 
unfortunately it was a DNF due to mechanical problems. there should be updates on automotiveforums.com when they get back to LA.
 
Well, let me rephrase. Edits in bold letters.

"The Nissan Skyline, regardless of its position at Long Beach will finish the race and not suffer its third consectutive DNF."

Now, do you think this is Fact or Fiction?
 
Well, Long Beach is a high speed street circuit that's about as hard on equipment as Surfer's Paradise or Vancouver, so a third mechanical DNF is possible.

But it's hard to say without knowing if the second Mech. DNF is related to the first or not.

Now, as far as my little true or false....... I turn you to the qualifying times at St. Pete.

Speed World Challenge GT - #69 Igor Sushko - 1:26.434 at an average speed of 74.970mph, 23rd position

Speed World Challenge Touring - #66 Dan Aweida - 1:25.877 at an average speed of 75.456mph, 18th position.

For the record, the SWC GT pole was won by Lou Gigliotti's Corvette Z06 with a 1:17.796 lap.
 
The car is heavily restricted seems like. I'm giving this car a chance because I want to maybe see it either perform well or win a race. The best reason is because I know there are people who love the Skyline namesake, and a win for this Skyline would really give Skyline fans a chance to get jacked about this car. But if it wants to get the job done, they have a pack of autos to compete with. And just because I'm not sucking up to Cadillac doesn't mean that I don't want to belittle and knock this car because it isn't made or sold in America. The Aston Martin DB9s are in the series, how come nobody's pulling for the Aston Martins to beat Cadillac's asses on the track? What if this Skyline in question was the Nürburging Nordschleife-racing Falken GT-R? Would people be excited about this Skyline over the one racing now?

Simply put, I'm giving them a chance because there's a good fan base for the Skyline, and I want it to win something or some race. With the handicaps they have, they need to (I know he's a rookie, but) use their car to the best of their advantage and make something out of nothing. This isn't like NASCAR where passing is more important than racing talent. The team will have to work for it, but ANYTHING can happen if they try for it. And aren't sports (because racing IS a sport) better when you pull for an underdog who just might knock off the big names?

Give the car a chance. Long Beach this weekend.
 

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