EVERY YEAR, NISSAN'S MOTORSPORTS PROGRAM, NISMO, HOSTS AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL of all things related to Nissan motorsports. In recent years, world-famous Fuji Speedway in Japan has played host to the NISMO Festival due to its proximity to NISMO Headquarters. Here, tens of thousands of fans take in a day of NISMO-related racing and racecars, vehicle displays and more.

Every manner of NISMO-prepped vehicle was on display or on the track for exhibition challenge runs. While the ban of tuned R35 GT-R’s was still in effect this year, there were plenty of R34s, R33s and R32s to hold down the fort for the Skyline GT-R crowd. NISMO’s own past entrants in Japan’s Super GT (formerly JGTC) Championship were on hand and available for up-close-andpersonal viewing. The current FIA GT1 R35 piloted by Michael Krumm was also in the pit area for attendee perusal. Z-car fans had their fair share of action to choose from as well. In addition to the numerous NISMO-sponsored JGTC/Super GT cars in attendance, the popular Z-Car Challenge race was held on the track during the day. Featuring tuned versions of Japanese Z-cars, this “one make” series would be a delight to watch or even compete in, should there be a NISMO festival of this scale in the States.

With the theme of this year’s festival being “NISSAN RACING DNA”, it was no surprise that both classic and future racecars were in attendance, on display and even on the track. A historical look at the Skyline’s road-going and racing heritage was on display, even as far back as the first Prince-branded Skyline prior to Nissan’s existence. Older GT racers that once graced promotional posters in the 90’s saw the return of their heyday as they were displayed in full race-ready outfits and livery. One possible future of racing was shown as the Leaf all-electric concept racecar took its futuristic-sounding motor through a few hot laps on the track. With NISMO’s move to a larger facility in 2012, the NISMO Festival has been put on hiatus until winter 2013. With that said, it will be a while before citizens of Japan and lucky enthusiasts worldwide are able to revel in the all-Nissan, all-motorsports celebration that is the NISMO Festival.