GT Sport Motul Team RJN kick off Euro campaign for new GT-R

MONZA, Italy – GT Sport Motul Team RJN will give the 2018-spec Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 its European debut this weekend when the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup begins at the "cathedral of speed" – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, in Italy.

The newly evolved GT-R made its 2018 debut at the opening round of Super GT in Japan two weeks ago and also raced in last weekend's Blancpain GT Series Asia with NISMO ace Tsugio Matsuda qualifying third fastest for Sunday's race.

Nissan factory drivers Alex Buncombe and Lucas Ordóñez will race the new car this week alongside Matt Parry, who joins the No. 23 lineup for the first time. Parry made his GT-R debut in last year's Monza Blancpain event – pulling out a stunning performance to qualify sixth fastest.

"I'm really up for getting back on board the No. 23," said Buncombe. "The 2018-spec Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 is looking really quick, and I was pleased to see it went well in the Blancpain GT Series Asia last weekend. This is my favorite track and our lineup of myself, Lucas and Matt is really strong. We're right up for the challenge, but as always in the Blancpain GT Series, the competition is fierce with some of the best teams and drivers in the world. I can't wait to get the season started."

The No. 23 crew will be looking to make amends for last year's Monza start where Lucas Ordóñez was the innocent victim in a massive start-line crash that took out a number of competitors.

GT Sport Motul Team RJN will also field former GT Academy International winner Ricardo Sanchez alongside Struan Moore and Jordan Witt aboard the No. 22 entry this season.

This weekend's battle is the first of five rounds in the 2018 championship with Monza being followed by events at Silverstone, Paul Ricard, the 24 Hours of Spa and the season finale in Barcelona.

NISMO Calendar

April 21-22
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, Monza, Italy
Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

April 28-29
Road Atlanta Historics, Nissan Featured Marque. Atlanta, GA, USA

Source: NISSAN