Jalopnik: grand-am

Rum Bum DP Riley BMW Plays Bulldozer In Laguna Seca Dirt, Goes Up In Flames

Mark Arnold — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:20:00 EDT

If you found yourself accidentally watching this past weekend's Grand Am race at Laguna Seca, you may have actually witnessed some entertaining stuff. Now, while it certainly was fun to see just about every car drive straight through the dirt and completely ignore the corkscrew, the hottest action of the race was this series of unfortunate events which happened to Matt Plumb's Rum Bum-sponsored Daytona Prototype. We knew that burying a fire with dirt will extinguish it, but who knew that burying a car with dirt will cause it to ignite? [SPEED]

Exclusive: Nissan Suspending All North American Racing Operations for 2008

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:40:00 EST

Nissan and Nissan Motorsports (NISMO) will not be sponsoring or officially participating in any motorsports activities in North American on the verge of bringing over the GT-R, the most ferocious sports car from Nissan ever for North America. Earlier in the day we reported on a rumor that Nissan was getting out of American motorsports and we now have confirmation from Nissan. According to Scott Vazin, Director of Product Communications for Nissan Motor Company, though they're getting out for [Fiscal Year] 2008, "we'll keep a presence around the world."

Vazin went on to say "It's not all or nothing, we're certainly reviewing it against a larger motorsports strategy, but for 2008 we're taking a pause." He wouldn't give a reason for doing so, other than saying they're working on strategy, but he did deny that it was at all a financial decision.

On the awkward timing given the introduction of the Nissan GT-R, Vazin responded with questions "The GT-R goes on sale in June, so we're a good six months away [and] the company is considering what to do with the GT-R. Can we go racing with it? What series could we be in that would be consistent across all markets?"

Though he insisted that Nissan was out of racing for FY2008, which for Nissan means March 31, 2009, the door was left open for the future "At the moment we finished CORR (Championship Off Road Racing) season for 2007 and felt pretty good about where we ended, and now it's a chance to reflect on what's the return and where we can make a difference."

You heard it here first. Nissan is out. Does this mean a great return in FY 2009 highlighted by a NISMO racing GT-R? Or will Nissan's reflection lead to them continuing their motorsports freeze? Only time will tell.

Nissan Dumping All North American Motorsports Operations?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:45:00 EST

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.

Show Us Your Hand: Joey's Endos

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:08:41 EST

Earlier this year, Rolex Sports Car Series driver Joey Hand turned his BMW into a bouncing Betty at Mid-Ohio. Thanks to YouTube, we can all count the endos. One, two, three, four, five, six ... [Thanks to Curtis and David for the tips.]

Mid-Ohio: Hand recounts race accident [Motorsport.com]

Related:
Katherine Legge's Champ Car Crash: She's OK [internal]