Followers of the GT Academy program will be pleased to know that the mantra of eat, sleep, race, repeat isn’t letting up and there’s more from the men in white Nomex this weekend.
The action this time comes from the European Le Mans Series, where 2014 winner Gaetan Paletou and 2012 Russian winner Mark Shulzhitskiy will be teaming up for a tilt at the 4 Hours of Red Bull Ring in the LMP3 Ginetta-Nissan #2. Up against them in the #3 car will be Sir Chris Hoy and Charlie Robertson, who together won the first round of the series at Silverstone in April.
The teams will be hoping for a better result than the last race though, as penalties and technical issues bumped them from a pole position start to nowhere, leaving the two cars 3rd and 4th in the championship.
The race starts at 13.30 local time on 12th July (converted here) and you can follow it live on the ELMS website.
Wolfgang Reip is also in action this weekend, but doing something a little unconventional. Along with many of his fellow Blancpain Endurance Series drivers, he’s preparing for the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in two weeks time by participating in a 25 hour race at the same circuit… in a Volkswagen Beetle!
The VW Fun Cup 25 Hours at Spa is in fact the longest continuous circuit race in the world, and Wolfie’s participation is a first for a GT Academy driver. These 130hp, 760kg, rear engined antiques might be something of a departure from usual NISMO Athlete fare, but the challenge of a 25 hour race is not something to be taken lightly.
This marathon race gets underway at 16.50 local time on 11th July (converted here) and you can follow it live on the official Fun Cup site.
See more articles on European Le Mans Series, Gaetan Paletou, Mark Shulzhitskiy, Sir Chris Hoy, and Wolfgang Reip.
I watched a bit of the Pirelli world challenge this weekend with Doherty and Heitkotter running Altimas. Doherty did better in the first race, and they looked to do very well in the second, but a first or second corner incident took out Doherty. It was just a matter of wrong place, wrong time.
Did anyone see how Heitkotter did in that race?
Just as an aside, I’d sure love to see the Altima in Gran Turismo – yes, more Nissan! With a side order of Race Mod and Livery Editor to go, please. ;D
Jayson619 I won with the GT-R LM Nismo 7 times. I think you need a better think about your timing on pit stops better!
Damn R18 clone much . But still want them in gt6
Nice cars!
They should really add those lmp3 cars.
Yeah. I personally find the GT-R LM NISMO very disappointing with their FF layout, 655pp (604hp) and NOT being suitable to win 24-minutes of Le Mans in GT6!!!!!
I bet those cars in the pic had about 715hp in them!
I agree from the races I seen them in both Euro and Asia Le Mans online!
Those LMP3s only have about 420 horsepower. Additonally, those care are limited to a cost of 120,000 Euros to build.
*cars (auto-correct failed me).
@Jayson619
Don’t know what you exactly did in your attempt but I sure was able to win the 24 Minutes Of Le Mans with the GT-R LM Nismo, with a handy margin as well and I’m not exactly a tuning expert.
I’ve said this to lots of people. Set it up right and its a dream to race.
I just wish the GTR Nismo had the driveshaft options like in real life, then it would be really nice to drive!