Nissan GT-R R35 GT500 2013

Nismo, the motosport arm of Nissan, entered the Nissan GT-R in the Autobacs Super GT race series in the GT500 class for the 2008 season, replacing the Nissan 350Z.

The 2008 GT500 version of the car has a completely different drivetrain compared to the production car. The race car is upgraded from a VK45DE 4.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 instead of the twin turbo V6 VR38DETT. It uses a 6 speed sequential manual gearbox and a RWD layout from its predecessor, the Z33 GT500.

A prototype was spotted testing around the Suzuka Circuit as well as Fuji Speedway in Japan. The car went on to win the opening race of the 2008 Super GT season at Suzuka scoring a one-two finish for Nissan. The dominant performances in the opening race has led to all GT-Rs being applied a 50kg weight penalty in addiion to the race weight penalty under the Special Adjustment of performance under the Super GT regulations.

Despite the weight handicap, it did in fact become the champion in the 2008 season through the Xanavi Nismo GT-R driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer, as well as winning 8 out of 9 races driver by 4 different teams using GT-Rs.

The GT500 version scored 4 victories in the 2009 Japanese SUPER GT Series GT 500 class.

In 2010, the VK45DE 4.5-litre engine was replaced by a newly developed 3.4-litre engine (VRH34A).

It also is the 2011 and 2012 Champion. Team Mola GT-R with drivers Ronnie Quintarelli and Masataka Yanagida got back to back championships in both Team and Driver in the Super GT500.