A look at the Super GT Calsonic IMPUL GT-R35 racecar

Calsonic IMPUL team's latest contender in the Super GT series

When the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC) gave way to a new format and a new series name – Super GT – in 2004, Nissan’s formidable contender, the Skyline GT-R (BNR34) was retired in favour of the 350Z.  That car filled the void between 2004-2007, but 5 years later in 2008, Godzilla returned to the track.

Godzilla - a fire-breathing legend

The new Super GT spec GT-R competes in the GT500 class, which requires them to be limited to a maximum engine output of 500 horsepower.  The racecar uses the basic chassis of the road-going model, and retains both the A-pillar design and the roof structure.  The height however, was lowered to 1100mm and the width was expanded to 2000mm, to the very limit of the governing regulations.  The underside of the body featured a flat-cut aerodynamic plate; the front nose was lowered as much as possible, and the front and rear fenders were widened to accommodate the wide racing slicks.  Because of this the GT-R had an intimidating look that greatly set it apart from the rival NSX and SC430, crouching low as though ready to pounce.

Crouched low and ready to pounce

Apart from the new body rules, engine regulations in GT500 are considerably looser than most GT classifications, and teams are free to change engines with other models made by the manufacturer, change the alignment of the engine, or add forced-induction to models that do not normally have it.  Also, as drivetrain regulations stipulate the use of rear-wheel-drive (RWD) only cars, the race version of the GT-R35, like its predecessors, bore a semblance to the road cars only in appearance.

The racecar has come a long way from this

In an unusual move, the GT-R’s iconic hand built VR38DETT twin-turbo engine was replaced in favour of the naturally aspirated V8 powerplant lifted straight from the racing 350Z, which itself is a derivative of the road going V8 found in Nissan’s luxury models.  In race trim however, this engine is no slouch.  With restrictors in place, the Super GT VK45DE produces 493 horsepower and 380 ft/lb of torque.  Unrestricted, this engine is reputedly capable of nearly 790 horsepower without the help of turbochargers.  NISMO reasons that by using the VK45 instead of the VR38, turbo-lag is eliminated, making the racecar even sharper and more responsive on the throttle.

NISMO's VK45DE in race trim - a real monster of a V8

The new GT-Rs immediately took 2 successive wins as soon as the 2008 season began, and by its conclusion the car had won 7 races out of 9.  In its debut year, the car lacked consistency and hence no single car went as far as to dominate the series, but the GT-Rs still played the starring role in the 2008 season.

Calsonic IMPUL GT-R no.12 leads

As one of Nissan’s most prolific customer teams, Calsonic IMPUL renewed its support for the car by running a GT-R35 alongside the NISMO works car.  Behind the wheel of their familiar blue racecars was a new combination of drivers – Tsuigo Matsuda and Sebastian Philipe.  In the 2008 debut, they placed 2nd in Okayama in the second race, won at Suzuka in round 6, and won at the final round in Fujian.  They finished overall 4th in the series, just under the full Nissan works team NISMO, an impressive achievement to say the least.

Enjoy this clip of the Calsonic Impul R35 GT-R in action…