Jalopnik
UPDATE:We have conformation of this rumor, read the whole post on Nissan Racing with quotes from Nissan Motors. We've heard from a little birdie that a new accountant at Nissan has determined that NISMO North America/Nissan Racing North America is too expensive and must end. That means no more Nissan-backed CORR, Grand-Am or Drifting teams. The announcement was apparently made internally a week ago so that teams can find new manufacturers. All before the Nissan GTR hits our shores. Awesome! The rumor is unconfirmed, but also un-denied, so take that for what it's worth.
Nissan Dumping All North American Motorsports Operations?
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Sounds like those teams need NisMo money now.
Oops...time to write buddy at NISMO...
So, what you are really saying is that they are suspending CORR, Grand Am and their mechanical figure skating exhibition team?
Nissan: Switch_Bean Counters.
@-chet: Don't start.
@SeanKHotay: Response: "It's true".
Good goin', Ghosn...Think he'll nix the F1 team next?
Nissan seems to do this every so often, and then spends more to re-aquire the knowledge and support they lost...
Look no further than the GTPs and their racing ops in the 1990s vs now.
As a long time Nissan/Infiniti guy I've been disappointed in Nissan's recent efforts in racing. When NPTI/Electromotive went bye-bye, Nissan was basically non existent in N. American motorsports. In comparison to their Asian counterparts, Nissan's level of commitment has been embarassing. Much of the work NPTI did in the 80s and 90s was transferred back to NISMO Japan who mostly focused on JGTC, with little corporate interest in US-based racing.
When the NISMO brand was launched in the US, it always seemed more like a marketing effort to steal mindshare from TRD than a legitimate racing effort. Looks like my gut feelings were right. NISMO should have been a direct attack on TRD instead of a decal kit on Frontiers and Titans. What a shame.
soooo... they finally bring their most highly anticipated performance car from JDM to American shores just in time to can all racing operations in NorAm?
Interesting decision making...
Were they still putting any money at all in the IRL's Infiniti Pro Series?
Way to quit, Nissan! Fail.
Now that corporate headquarters is in Tennessee, maybe they'll find some drifters who can chew tobacco and form a NASCAR team.
@smokeydog001:
why not throw some Frontiers in the Craftsman series??
This is kinda sad but then again is expected
@yellofury: The fact that they don't make standard cab Frontiers or Titans (the more logical choice, BTW) probably has a lot to do with that.
And yes, getting rid of your hoon-support division just as you're finally bringing your super-awesomest model to the U.S. is boneheaded, to put it gently.
Well it's not like Nismo had much credibility here. "Sport Compact Car" trashed the Nismo Sentra and Altima. They were probably selling more parts for 240's and B13 Sentras than they were for the new Sentra, Altima and pickups combined.
Grand Am. LOL.
A shocking bit of news from Nissan is that they are dropping out of all factory-sponsored racing here in North America for 2008.
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