30697 view(s) ![]() Nissan's Skyline, has been one of the longest and most successful running
models in the Japanese championships In its original touring car guise
it was nearly unbeatable, winning consecutive Japanese titles in 92-93
and the Spa 24hrs in 91.
A Tourer tuns GT
With nothing left to prove Nissan graduated into the GT ranks of the
newly formed AJGT. There the NISMO build GT-R continued its winning
streak, so maybe it wasn't so strange that the Japanese firm thought
the Skyline would do well in the LM 24hrs.
Le Mans 1995
In 95 Nissan entered 2 GT-R's, both evolution models although each at
a different stage of development. They had mixed fortunes in the race,
No#23 retired after 15 hrs with gearbox trouble , but the less powerful
No#22 finished a "promising" 10th overall.
Le Mans 1996
Two completely reworked the GT-R's lined up on the grid. The 2,8l Bi
turbo 6 in line now produced 600bhp and had been lowered in the chassis
to improve the C.G. A new aero package gave the car better stability
and a in house developed"conventional" gearbox should bring
the needed durability.
But the goal post in GT racing had moved..once again. Against GT's like
the Porsche GT1 or the Mclaren F1, the Japanese"Tourer turned GT"
was completely outclassed. NISMO would have to come up with something
entirely new if it wanted to win .
Home sweet home
But there is life after Le Mans, back in Japan the Skyline GT-R
picked up its winning ways lifting the AJGT drivers title in 98 and
99 and the team title in 98. By the turn of the century the old GTR
had reached the end of its development. The inline 6 was no opposition
for the V10 of the Lark McLaren GTR.
GT-R V6 The last of the Mohicans
Once more the Skyline was completely revised with an all new Bi Turbo
V6 improving the weight distribution and enabling a more compact chassis.
Entered mid season in 2002 the GT-R V6 struggled as it lacked development.
But once this was sorted during the winter of 2002/03 the Skyline was
back to its winning ways. The last of the Mohicans taking the JGTC title
in a dominant way.
Nissan Skyline GT-R data
| Type |
(LxWxH) mm |
Wheelbase |
Tyres |
Wheels |
Top speed |
| Skyline GT-R (LM 1996) |
4670x1970x1300 |
2720mm |
Bridgestone
315/40 R 18, 335/40 R 18 |
Volk Racing 18" |
+309 km/h |
| Skyline GT-R (AJGT 1998) |
4670x1880x1280 |
2720mm |
Bridgestone
335/40 R 18, 355/40 R 18 |
Rays 12Jx18,12,75Jx18 |
+ 285 km/h |
| Skyline GT-R V6 (JGTC 2003) |
4600x18850x1270 |
2665mm |
Bridgestone
330/40, 350/40 R 18 |
Rays
12,5Jx18,13Jx18 |
+ 309 km/h |
|
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