Long-standing Team ZAKSPEED premiers as Nissan Customer TeamPrestigious race on the most demanding track in the world
ZAKSPEED debuts for the first time this year with a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, supported by Nissan Germany. The participation in the “Green Hell” includes the VLN Championship as well as the entry for this year´s 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (26th – 29th May). The long-standing Team ZAKSPEED, who looks back at a long history in Motorsport, will be racing for victory in the prestigious race at the Nürburgring.
“The Nürburgring is clearly one of the most demanding tracks in the world and a 24-hour race is an even greater challenge,” Nissan’s Global Head of Motorsport, Michael Carcamo said. “The fact that the 150+ entries represent virtually every brand in the world, certainly showcases the iconic nature of this race. Last year we finished ninth which was the highest finish by an Asian brand in the event’s history and we would certainly love to build on that. Having a customer team like ZAKSPEED with its amazing experience at the Nürburgring will certainly enhance our program and we’re really looking forward to working with them.”
The conditions have never been better: Not only will the works-supported Team RJN Motorsport from England take part in the highest category of SP9 (FIA-GT3), but also the new motorsport customer Team ZAKSPEED will race in the 44th edition of the 24h-hour race at the Nordschleife. The team, who is suited close to the “Ring” in Niederzissen, looks back at a long racing history of almost 50 years in international motorsport. Founded by Erich Zakowski, the team has collected a total of 426 race victories and 23 national and international championship titles to date. ZAKSPEED, who also competed in Formula One from 1985 until 1989, has already won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 1999, 2001 and 2002.
One driver, who was part of the winning squad at all three victories, is the CEO and Team Principal of ZAKSPEED today, Peter Zakowski. “We are delighted about the partnership with Nissan Germany and are looking forward to this new exciting challenge. The Nordschleife is not like any other track in the world and the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 is equally something special. We have been working on this project for a long time and therefore we are very pleased about it”, says the 49-year-old.
The race will start on Saturday, 29th May at 3:30pm. For 24 hours, both drivers and cars have to conquer the 25.4 km-long track with all of its 17% gradients, inclines of 11% and a difference in height of 300 metres. The qualifying of the Top-30 will take place on Friday from 7:50pm until 8:30pm. The all-important six-hour qualification race will take place on 16th and 17th April, in which the teams can collect valid test kilometres around the Nordschleife and prepare for the 24-hours race later on in May.
