IMSA: Nissan open to GT-Rs in GTD

One of the benefits to come from Tequila Patron ESM partnering with Nissan to bring new Daytona Prototype internationals into IMSA next year is the manufacturers' agreement that opens the door to other Nissan models being used in competition.

It means that in addition to the Ligier-built Nissan DPis headed to race in the Prototype class at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January, Nissan's GT3-spec GT-Rs are also eligible for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's GT Daytona category. The Japanese brand has numerous teams using the GT-R in domestic and international series, including a pair of entries in the Pirelli World Challenge GT class (pictured) and, according to Nissan's global motorsport director, it would welcome the addition of the twin-turbo V6 supercar to GTD and provide trackside support.

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"It is really about what the customers want, and we will support accordingly," Michael Carcamo told RACER. "IMSA versus PWC, I think it is just a matter of what makes sense for the individuals racing. We want to focus GT3 on customer race programs, and we obviously want to grow the business as all the OEMs have. It's a case of where do our customers want to be, and why do they want to be there? We are happy to have more cars in any field of GT3, to be honest."

The chances of having GT-R teams cherry pick one or more GTD races is said to be the most likely scenario in 2017.

"People have the money and they want to race, go to Daytona, do Petit, I see those as fantastic – some of the best racing of the year," Carcamo added. "I would love to see teams doing more of that."

Nissan North America motorsports boss Rick Kulach echoed Carcamo's views, and believes teams competing in the Blancpain series or other global endurance events could be the first to sample IMSA's fiercely competitive GTD class.

"It would be great for some of the European teams to come over and get some experience running here," Kulach said. "It's probably the most likely first step. If you look at the IMSA endurance schedule, I think the GT-R would be an excellent fit at Daytona, Sebring, The Glen, and Road Atlanta. Those are some rich events with a lot of history that I think any [Nissan] team would want to experience."