THE ANNUAL NISMO FESTIVAL IS ABOUT TO HIT JAPAN! BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS!
Nismo, short for Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd., was founded on September 17, 1984. It was established as a result of the merger of two of Nissan's motorsport divisions: the Special Car Testing division and the Special Car Development division. Initially, Nismo's primary focus was on developing high-performance parts and motorsports activities. They aimed to improve Nissan's competitive edge in various racing series, particularly in the domestic Japanese market. In the 1990s, Nismo expanded its presence in the global motorsport arena, competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship. Their efforts in Group C racing and later GT racing helped solidify their reputation. One of Nismo's most iconic projects was the development of the R32 Skyline GT-R for Group A racing. The "Godzilla" nickname was earned due to its dominance in racing circuits worldwide. Nismo continued to achieve success in motorsport, including notable victories in the Super GT series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They also began to focus on producing high-performance road cars and parts for Nissan's consumer vehicles. The Fairlady Z and 350Z models saw significant Nismo tuning, bringing enhanced performance versions to the market. In 2013: Nismo became Nissan's official performance brand, akin to BMW's M division or Mercedes-AMG. This marked a shift towards a more significant emphasis on producing performance variants of Nissan's road cars. One of the most famous Nismo-tuned road cars is the Nissan GT-R Nismo, featuring extensive performance enhancements over the standard GT-R. Nismo continues to play a crucial role in Nissan's global motorsport activities, including Formula E, Super GT, and endurance racing. Nismo acts as Nissan's in-house performance and motorsport division, developing and tuning vehicles for various racing disciplines. Their close relationship ensures that technology and expertise gained in motorsports can be transferred to consumer vehicles. Through Nismo, Nissan has been able to innovate and push the boundaries of automotive technology, particularly in areas like aerodynamics, engine performance, and lightweight materials. Nissan offers Nismo editions of several models, including the GT-R, 370Z, Juke, and more recently, the Leaf. These versions feature performance upgrades, enhanced handling, and unique styling cues. Nismo also produces a range of aftermarket performance parts for Nissan vehicles, allowing enthusiasts to upgrade their cars with high-quality components directly from the manufacturer. The Nismo brand has become synonymous with high performance and racing heritage within the Nissan lineup. This identity helps Nissan appeal to performance enthusiasts and adds a layer of prestige to their vehicles. Nismo's success in motorsports and performance tuning contributes to Nissan's overall brand image, emphasizing a commitment to engineering excellence and driving excitement.
That brings us to the annual festival held by NISMO for the masses of NISMO fans around the world. It’s almost time for the 2024 instalment, well in a few months which means you have time to save some money, and book those flights and that accommodation. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co., Ltd. just announced that the 2024 NISMO Festival is scheduled for December 1, at Fuji International Speedway in Shizuoka, Japan. The 2024 festival will celebrate NISMO’s 40th anniversary, paying homage to the brand’s rich heritage, racing achievements and the evolution of its high-performance road cars. Iconic vehicles, including the NISMO 270R, NISMO 400R, and R34 GT-R Z-tune, will be on display, along with models from the NISMO road car lineup extending from the March NISMO to the high-performance Nissan GT-R NISMO. A number of the motorsport icons that helped cement NISMO’s racing prowess, will take to the track for demonstration laps, alongside the exhilarating Nissan Formula E racecar and CNF-powered Super GT Nissan Z NISMO GT500 that showcase the brand’s trajectory and initiatives for the future. Now in its 25th year, the festival serves as a fan appreciation event and will feature the annual NISMO Cars Parade Run, comprising a comprehensive lineup of NISMO models from past and present. Attendees can also look forward to race car exhibitions, driver talks, interactive experiences, and merchandise shops. Takao Katagiri, head of Nissan's Motorsports Business Unit and president of NMC, expressed his gratitude for the continued support of fans: "We are immensely grateful for the dedication of our fans over the past four decades. The longevity of the NISMO brand is a testament to this devoted community. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you at the festival." Details and ticket information will be available this fall on the NISMO Festival website.
Take a look at the YouTube video from well-known YouTuber and photographer Dino DC that shoes off all the good bits of last year's festival - this is bucket list stuff: Japan's Biggest ALL Nissan Event - NISMO Festival 2023 | Dino DC
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe button!