In its very first season of competition, the JRM-built Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 - run by customer team "GT Academy Team RJN" - went to this weekend's tenth and final round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship at Donington Park lying third in the series' standings and as one of the 2012 title contenders. For over half the two-hour race things went perfectly, as Alex Buncombe pulled out a comfortable 12-second lead ahead of his nearest rivals and, if it wasn't for a broken shock absorber in the 65th minute, the Championship crown was there for the taking.
Since the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 was officially launched in Europe by JRM in January, the year has seen the car claim two outright race wins in Europe and two in Japan. One of these victories was round six of the British GT Championship at Brands Hatch, and, from that moment on, the GT Academy Team RJN Nissan was firmly in the hunt for the title.
Over the course of the season drivers Alex Buncombe and 2011 Nissan Playstation GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough, have shown the Nissan GT-R's potential, having amassed a total of 108.5 points in the British GT Championship, just five short of the leaders with one round to go. Therefore, the scene was set this weekend for an epic battle to decide the ultimate honours, around the 2.48-mile Grand Prix configuration of the Donington Park circuit.
Having struggled to get a clear lap during Saturday's qualifying session, the team started the two-hour race in 14th position, but a fantastic getaway by Buncombe saw him exit Redgate - turn one - in seventh. By the end of the first lap he was sixth, then fourth by the end of the second - and first by the end of the third! The Nissan then pulled away from the rest of the field, which included GT3 Aston Martins, McLaren MP-4s, Ferrari 458s, Porsche 911s, a BMW Z4 and a Mercedes SLS.
At the halfway point everything was going perfectly, with Buncombe able to extend his lead lap-by-lap. He then came into the pits for the scheduled re-fuel and driver-change. The stop went well and Mardenborough exited the pits all-set to continue the good work his team mate had done during the first half of the race.
But, as Mardenborough turned into the tight right-hander of Old Hairpin at the bottom of Craner Curves, it was obvious that something had happened to the car's left-rear suspension. He therefore had no choice but to return to the pits after just two laps, where it was revealed that a rear damper had broken. The team changed the component and, with 35-minutes remaining sent Mardenborough back out to complete the race, which he did without any further issues whatsoever.
Had it not been for the problem, it was clear that the title was well within grasp. However, for the two drivers, GT Academy Team RJN and JRM, it was an undeserving end to what could have been a championship title in the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3's very first season of competition. Even so, a sixth-place finish in the British GT Championship, added to the results and pace of the car during the year, has proved its potential and therefore, 2013 is looking very promising indeed.
Quotes
James Rumsey - JRM Executive Director"RJN has done a great job this year. To be in a position to challenge for the title in the final round and then to lead for over half the race, shows what potential there is in the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3. Although things didn't turn out the way we had hoped, everyone involved with this project should be proud of what has been achieved in the car's very first season of competition. With a revised specification 2013 model shortly available, I am more than confident this won't be the last time we see a JRM-built Nissan GT-R challenging for championship titles."
