24h Le Mans
Since its return in endurance as an engine supplier in the LM P2 class, Nissan has not failed to keep everyone their toes, on the track as well as in its marketing - with as a first step in 2015 a televised message on Sunday, February 1st during the Super Bowl, the American football championship game.
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Photo : Jean Philippe BOYER (ACO/Nikon)
These last few years, Nissan has often chosen to employ aggressive and humourous communication, but always in tune with the evolution of today's communication methods and users. Such as creating the Nissan GT Academy which has attracted young people from all over the world who wish to take on a unique experience: to go from gaming to the track, breaking with the traditional driving school route. The result - a wave of drivers making their marks in endurance today, like Lucas Ordonez and Jann Mardenborough.
In terms of the track, in 2012 Nissan's unique voice was also heard in the inauguration of Garage 56 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, reserved for an innovative, unranked prototype. Nissan made a splash partnering with the DeltaWing, its first occupant. To that excitement was added the performance on the track, which compelled Nissan to repeat the experience in 2014 with the ZEOD RC and one goal: to complete the first-ever full lap of the 24 Hours circuit in 100% electric mode. Originality will also be the keyword for the LM P1 prototype to be unveield during the Super Bowl: we already know it will be a car with a front engine, like the GT-R, Nissan's emblematic sportscar.
Super Bowl half-time commercials are particularly popular, especially with Hollywood producers - who often release the trailer for their new summer blockbuster - and with car manufacturers. So on February 1st will be seen not only the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, but also the Mercedes AMG, BMW, Kia and Lexus - Toyota's luxury brand in the U.S. This showcase at the heart of the U.S.'s most followed sporting event of the year – and also one of the most well-known in the world thanks to the international efforts of the American National Football League (NFL) – confirms Nissan's desire to stand apart more than ever. And reminds as well that the program at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is based in the U.S., in Indianapolis. A site which, like Le Mans, hosts one of the oldest circuit races in the world.
The 83rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 14, 2015.
Jean-Philippe Doret / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, SATURDAY JUNE 14 2014, RACE. After the ZEOD RC in 2014, the GT-R LM NISMO - to be unveiled on February 1st during the Super Bowl half-time - promises to be equally original...
