Indy Cars Get New Race Team

Nissan, winner of four consecutive International Motor Sports Assn. Camel GT championships from 1988 through ‘91, announced Monday that it will switch to Indy car racing.

No date has been set for the Japanese manufacturer’s debut on the PPG Indy Car circuit, but Nissan will not compete in the high-profile IMSA GTP series next season in order to begin development of its Indy car. Geoff Brabham, who won the four GTP championships and has competed in eight Indianapolis 500s, will continue as the driver.

“This is a natural progression in the evolution of our successful motorsports program,” said Frank Honsowetz, motorsports manager for the Nissan Motor Corp. “The increased exposure and visibility associated with Indy car racing allows us to achieve a heightened awareness for our company and products.”

The new car will be designed, built and developed by Nissan Performance Technology, Inc., in Vista, under the direction of Kas Kastner and Don Devendorf, vice presidents of the company’s racing wing.

Nissan will remain in the two lesser echelons of IMSA racing--the Exxon Supreme Series for GTS and GTU classes. It has won driver and manufacturer championships in each. GTS champion Steve Millen and Jeremy Dale, who finished third, will return as GTS drivers. David Loring won in the GTU class, but will not return. The father-son team of Bob and Butch Leitzinger will drive the GTU cars.

Honsowetz also announced that Nissan will no longer field teams in the Mickey Thompson Off-Road Gran Prix series or in desert off-road racing. Roger Mears won 10 Grand National truck races during eight seasons for Nissan. Mears’ son, Roger Jr., also drove for the team.

Toyota, the 1992 GTP winner, announced the return of champion Juan Fangio II and P.J. Jones as drivers for the All American Racers team next season. Fangio has been with the team since it entered the prototype class in 1989. Jones joined Dan Gurney’s AAR team last season.