The Japanese automaker announced that it has signed a two year partnership with Signature
Racing which turns Nissan into the official engine supplier for the
Signature Nissan LMP2 class cars which will race at this year’s Le Mand 24 hours.
We’re
talking about the NISMO tuned VK45V8 engines, although performance
figures, along with the official car livery and driver lineup have not
been mentioned yet.
The first race under the Signature Nissan name will take place on March 19 at USA’s Sebring track, where the Signature Racing team will use these Nissan engines for the first time.
"We are delighted to team-up with such an innovative car manufacturer.
Nissan’s engine know how will be crucial to the overall performance of
the car, and we are sure this partnership will be hugely successful", said Philippe Sinault, CEO of Signature Group.
Nissan press release :
Japanese Car Giant to Supply Engines to Top LMS RacingTeam
Rolle, February 9th 2011– Nissan International SA announced today an exclusive two-year official partnership with Signature Racing, part of the France-based Signature Group. The agreement brings together Nissan and Signature on the race track in the new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), with Nissan providing the team its NISMO tuned VK45V8 engines for the LMP2 class.
Nissan’s heritage of technical innovation and excellence finds a natural place in the arena of International Motorsports where the company has a rich history of competition spanning over 70 years and encompassing everything from International rallying to Touring Cars, Le Mans, the Daytona 24 hours and the FIA GT1 championship.
Announcing the new agreement, Vincent Wijnen, Nissan Vice-President, Strategy and Marketing, said “Nissan is very happy to announce our new partnership with Signature and we look forward to working with such a professional and well respected team. I know our customers, fans and dealers will be following our progress when we start racing in March and will of course be anticipating our return to the Le Mans 24 hours.”
Beginning with their first race under the banner of ‘Signatech Nissan’ in the ILMC on March 19th in Sebring, USA, the Signature Racing team will be powered for the first time by Nissan’s engines.
Philippe Sinault, CEO of Signature Group, added “We are delighted to team-up with such an innovative car manufacturer. Nissan’s engine know how will be crucial to the overall performance of the car, and we are sure this partnership will be hugely successful.”
Although the official race car livery and full driver line-up for the new season will be announced over the coming weeks, F3 star Franck Mailleux has been confirmed for the ILMC and Le Mans24 Hours.
