Nismo Festival, the HOLY GRAIL for all Nissan or Nissan motorsport fans to be precise. A celebration held yearly at the Fuji international Speedway. It is a pilgrimage not to be missed. Worshippers & freaks alike travel from as far as Europe and USA, to witness the showcase of past and present Nismo's champion race machines, technology and its drivers.
This celebration of fun and excitement begins as early as 6 a.m. An array of Nissans cars that are highly tuned includes signature Nismo body kit can be seen entering the circuits, causing massive traffic at the entry but is a traffic jam one would enjoy to be part of.
Once at the circuit, you can feel the atmosphere of celebration, fans young and old are seen dressed in their favorite team costumes, complete with flags. Most notable groupies are the Super GT Calsonic, Motul and the Xanavi teams. There's so much happening at the Festival, it has to be divided into three areas. Racing Course Area, Grand Stand Area and Paddock Area, each has its specialty and is not be missed.
You literally have to clone yourself to be at all 3 places at the same time.
Racing Course Area:
Over here we get to witness most of the famous winning race cars in action, from legendary KPCG10, Calsonic GTR32, JGTC Pennzoil GTR33, to the 2011 champion Super GT GT500 S-Road GTR and FIA GT1 GTR. All driven by their respective drivers, M. Krumm, Hasemi, Suzuki, just to name a few. Seeing all these legends congregate for this celebration was mesmerizing to say the least.
Fans also get a chance to be driven by their respective professional race drivers in race cars. An experience to die for.
Exhibition races by the one make race
GTR "Club Track Edition" and Z- Challenge (Z33 & Z34), Historical Car Race by KPCG10 and other old schoolers.
Race prepared R35 NISMO RC, Z34 NISMO RC and LEAF NISMO RC were also racing round the circuit to show off what they are made of.
Fans also could board the bus for Circuit Safari to see these race machines zoom past at light speed. The excitement over here never ends.
The Grand Stand Area
The main stage is located over here, Legend Drivers Talk Show, Race Queen showcase, Autograph session and charity auction were happening while the race cars were busy running around the circuit.
On the other corner were the Nismo merchandise booth. The only time of the year the merchandise were sold at a discount. Caps, model cars, Ket rings, etc were all there.
Fans could be seen walking alway with bags full of goodies.
One fan was seen struggling to carry out a used GT500 Calsonic Carbon Fibre front Bumper. Selected body parts of the actual race cars were sold at the venue, Fenders, Wheels, and other mechanical parts. Consider yourself lucky if you managed to buy any of these items, because the line to enter the booth were longer than the Shinkansen.
A variety of GTRs were also on display at the World of GTR corner. the "Club Track Edition" and "EGOIST" were the highlight. Nissan's latest car were also on display at the Nissan Touch and Ride Corner.
Paddock Area
This has to be my favorite area.
Race cars on display at the paddock when their are not doing their runs at the circuits. LeMans R91CP. NP35, R391, 2000GT-R, Reebok R31, ZEXEL R32, Rally legend 240 RS.
Trade booth we also located here, MINES, Blitz, Midori, Cockpit, Fujitsubo, Yokohama, Calsonic Impul, and many others. New and Used Nissan parts were on sale. A paradise for bargain hunters. From bumpers to complete exhaust systems, all priced so reasonable is a sin not to buy, but the trouble to bring them back to Malaysia stop me from doing so.
Licensed Super GT Model cars of past and current were also sold at a great discount. Many were seen digging for their favorite teams. So they could have them autographed by the drivers later on.
The Skyline GTRs were on display at level 3 and the opportunity to get autograph and photo opportunity with R33/34 chief engineer and test drivers are located here.
At about 5pm The event ended with the parade run by 27 of the legendary Nismo race cars,
The Super GT Champion S-Road GTR and FIA GT1 Champion GTR were the highlight.
The champion drivers were presented with bouquet of flowers by race queens for their success in 2011 championship locally and abroad. An effort which has brought much fame to the Nismo and GTR brand. Fans chanted and cheered while Miyatani (Nismo President gave his speech), thanking fans for their support and a promise for a more exciting racing experience in 2012.
Being as big fan of Nismo and as a owner of a Nissan GTR33, I'm very excited and fortunate to be part of this celebration. I would like to thank Nismo, Omori Factory,
their forever helpful staff, and my good friend Alan Khoo (Nismo Malaysia, Tan Chong) for all the effort.
