Nissan launches all-pro BES assault

Nissan will bid for overall honors in the Blancpain Endurance Series for the first time this year with an all-professional factory lineup.

The RJN Motorsport team, which has run the Japanese manufacturer's programs in the series since its creation in 2011, will field a GT-R NISMO GT3 in the Pro class for factory-contracted drivers Alex Buncombe, Katsumasa Chiyo and Wolfgang Reip.

RJN's move into the top class follows campaigns with graduates from Nissan's GT Academy gamer-to-race scheme in the GT4 category with the 370Z and subsequently with the GT-R in GT3.

"We are one of the staunchest supporters of the BES and have done well in Pro-Am," said Nissan global motorsport boss Darren Cox. "We have been able to run at the pointy end at different times and now want to give it a proper shot at winning races."

It appears certain that RJN will field a second car in the Pro-Am class of the BES for a roster of drivers including members of its GT Academy squad.

Cox said that the four winners of the its 2014 competitions (there are separate U.S., European, International and German academies) would be "split between the BES and LMP3" in the European Le Mans Series. RJN will also mount a attack on the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May together with Nissan's NISMO competition arm.

Originally on Autosport.com