Nissan Live reporting: The latest news direct from the Nissan Juke Nismo Live Event in Barcelona, Spain, where Nissan’s performance arm is being officially launched in Europe.
Barcelona, Spain 30 January, 2013 - The latest chapter in the Nismo story is the eagerly anticipated launch of the Nissan Juke Nismo. But the performance brand’s roots date back to the mid-Sixties, and every year that proud heritage is celebrated in a one-day event that’s an absolute must for any car fan – Nismo Festival.
Staged by the company as a thank you to the loyal fans who cheer on the Japanese brand’s race cars season after season, it’s a true carnival of Nismo past and present.
It has traditionally been held at the legendary Fuji Speedway in Shizuoka Prefecture, to the south of Tokyo and in the stunning foothills of Mount Fuji. The annual turn-out is a staggering 30,000 and it’s a genuine family event, with a host of Nismo-related activities for enthusiasts of all ages.
Aside from exhibition races and demo runs featuring the current line-up of Nismo cars – such as the GT-R Super GT, the FIA GT1 and the futuristic Nissan LEAF Nismo RC – a huge selection of historic machines from the road and track are always in action. Famous racing drivers and invited celebrities are on hand to meet their fans, and there’s a chance to take a hot-lap passenger ride around the raceway. For those who like to take things more slowly, there’s a coach-based ‘circuit safari’ with explanations of how drivers tackle the 16 bends and infamous 1.5 km straight – one of the longest in world motorsport.
Nismo Festival is all about interaction between the company and its fans, and so it includes a vast array of displays, pit crew challenges, slot-car races and rides for children. Interview sessions with drivers and pit lane access are always popular, along with the charity auction and souvenir stalls where Nismo lovers can buy a memento of their day.
Nismo Festival started in 1997 and was staged for the 15th time in 2011. There was no event last year because of preparations for Nismo to move to new corporate headquarters. However, the company has vowed to return in 2013 and make the 16th Nismo Festival bigger and better than ever. The date and location will be announced very soon.
