FYI: The Iconic Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo Returns to Wow Audiences at 2024 Monterey Car Week
The original IMSA GTP series remains legendary among U.S. road racing fans, known for its electrifying races, powerful machines, and intense factory-backed team rivalries. Among these formidable contenders was the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo, which dominated the series from 1985 to 1990, often overshadowing even the mighty Porsche 962.
Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo’s Racing Legacy
The Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo solidified its place in motorsport history when Geoff Brabham clinched the 1988 drivers’ championship. The following year, Nissan captured the constructors’ title, underscoring the car’s prowess. Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine derived from the 300ZX sports car, the GTP ZX-Turbo featured advanced engineering and the distinctive wedge-like design typical of prototype race cars during that era.
Restoration and Monterey Car Week Appearance
An exquisitely restored example of the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo is set to dazzle audiences at this month’s 2024 Monterey Car Week. Nissan has announced that chassis number 8801, meticulously restored by Z Car Garage in San Jose, will be showcased during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion from August 14-17 at Laguna Seca. This specific chassis, famously driven by Geoff Brabham and John Morton in 1988, racked up an impressive eight consecutive wins that season.
A Partnership for Performance
The initial iterations of the GTP ZX-Turbo were crafted by Lola Cars in the UK and were known as the Lola T810. However, subsequent versions were fully developed by Electramotive Engineering based in California, in collaboration with Nissan’s North American team. This partnership aimed to strengthen Nissan’s market presence following the phase-out of the Datsun brand in 1986.
Challenges in Endurance Racing
Despite its dominance in shorter races, endurance events like the 24 Hours of Daytona proved challenging for the GTP ZX-Turbo due to reliability issues. Nonetheless, the vehicle, along with its successor, the NPT-90, represented the pinnacle of Nissan’s success in prototype sports car racing. Unfortunately, multiple efforts to win top-level endurance races in the 1990s and a later campaign with the GT-R LM Nismo LMP1 in 2015 were unsuccessful.
Conclusion
The appearance of the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo at the 2024 Monterey Car Week not only commemorates a golden era of American road racing but also celebrates the innovative spirit and engineering excellence that propelled Nissan to the forefront of motorsport. Be sure to witness this iconic machine and relive its glorious past at Laguna Seca.
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Steven Hale, Editor of Automotive.fyi
