H Nissan μπορεί να μην συμμετέχει με δικό της αγωνιστικό σε κάποια από τις κατηγορίες του Le Mans, αλλά ανακοίνωσε ότι θα δίνει κινητήρες στα LMP2 αγωνιστικά. Συνολικά 11 από τα 18 LMP2 αυτοκίνητα που θα τρέξουν φέτος στον 24-ωρο αγώνα του Le Mans θα φοράνε τον V8 VK 3.4-λίτρων κινητήρα της Nismo, ο οποίο έχει αναπτυχθεί ειδικά για το Le Mans. Επίσης, στο πρωτάθλημα FIA World Endurance Championship (το οποίο τρέχει για πρώτη φορά φέτος) 6 από τα 9 αγωνιστικά θα φοράνε τον κινητήρα της Nissan με τα υπόλοιπα 3 να φοράνε κινητήρα της BMW, της Lotus και της Honda.
Η Toyota από την μεριά της ανακοίνωσε ότι θα συμμετάσχει σε όλο το πρωτάθλημα FIA World Endurance Championship με το TS030 Hybrid, και όχι μόνο στους αγώνες αντοχής του Spa-Francorchamps και του Le Mans, όπως αρχικά είχε ανακοινώσει. Επίσης, η διοργανώτρια αρχή του Le Mans, έδωσε το πρώτο promo video για τον φετινό 24ωρο αγώνα. Μπορεί η Peugeot να έφυγε, αλλά επέστρεψαν αρκετοί κατασκευαστές φέτος. Για να δούμε πως τα πάνε απέναντι από την Audi.
[Πηγή: Nissan, Toyota, YouTube]
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NISSAN IS THE ENGINE OF CHOICE FOR LE MANS 24 HOURS
Nissan is revved up for another powerful performance as 11 of the 18 LMP2 cars that have gained entries for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours will be Powered by Nissan.
The LMP2 class of the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours was dominated by Nissan power. The winning Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan and Signatech’s Oreca-Nissan in the runner-up spot flew the flag for the Japanese manufacturer at the blue riband endurance race.
This summer, 11 Nissan-powered cars will be going for glory at Le Mans, fighting against strong competition from Honda, Lotus and Judd-engined LMP2 cars.
Last year’s winners, Greaves Motorsport, will run with the father-son combination of Martin and Alex Brundle, alongside first GT Academy winner and Le Mans podium finisher, Lucas Ordonez. Signatech Nissan will also be running a special line-up as the second GT Academy winner, Jordan Tresson, is making his Le Mans debut.
“Nissan showed last year that our Nismo-developed engine was the one to beat and the proof of this is that 11 cars are running with our power this year at Le Mans,” said Darren Cox, General Manager, Nissan International SA. “The competition in LMP2 will step up a gear this year and this class could well see the fiercest battles being fought during the 24 hours. The competition and sheer duration of this race will provide an incredible test of endurance for Nissan.”
The new-for-2012 FIA World Endurance Championship also has a healthy showing of Nissan-powered cars. Of the nine full season LMP2 entries, six will be Powered by Nissan.
TOYOTA CONFIRMS FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY AND TWO CARS FOR LE MANS
– Toyota Racing enters 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship
– Toyota TS030 Hybrid to make debut at the Six Hours of Spa Francorchamps on 5 May
– Two-car entry for Le Mans 24 Hours
Toyota Racing has expanded its plans for the 2012 season and entered the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The team had originally planned only to take part in selected races – fewer than required to be considered a full-time entrant – but revised its programme after unexpected changes faced by the championship. This means the Toyota TS030 Hybrid will make its racing debut at the Six Hours of Spa Francorchamps on 5 May.
Toyota Racing has also confirmed it will enter two cars for the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16/17 June. The regular driver line-up of Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazui Nakajima are confirmed for the race, with details of the line-up for the additional car to be announced shortly.
Yoshiaki Kinoshita, team president, said: “The circumstances for the championship changed suddenly in recent weeks and Toyota Racing considers it important to work together with the FIA and ACO to establish a successful future for endurance racing. We have done everything we can to show our support and we look forward to an exciting season, including the opportunity to race two cars at Le Mans.
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