Nissan returns to top level US sportscar racing

DAYTONA, FL, USA – Nissan aims to return to its glory days of sportscar success from the late 80s/early 90s with Muscle Milk Pickett Racing joining forces with the Japanese manufacturer as its official partner team.

After taking back-to-back American Le Mans Series championship victories, Muscle Milk Pickett Racing will be powered by Nissan in 2014 for the inaugural TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

Nissan dominated US sportscar racing from 1988 to 1991 – winning four consecutive driver’s championships, three manufacturer’s titles and 33 IMSA races.

As part of the Nismo Global Driver Exchange, racers from Nissan’s squad of international drivers will compete alongside Muscle Milk Pickett Racing’s Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf. Luhr is no stranger to Nissan colors – winning the GT1 World Championship aboard a Nissan GT-R with Michael Krumm in 2011.

Nissan P2 World Endurance Championship regular Alex Brundle will join the team for the Rolex 24 at Daytona – the young Brit aiming to follow in the footsteps of his father Martin Brundle who won the American round-the-clock endurance classic 26 years ago in 1988.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona will be the British driver’s first opportunity to contest a major US championship event. The second-generation racer drove for Oak Racing in 2013 in the FIA World Endurance Championship – finishing second in both the championship and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LM P2 class.

Nissan drivers will also drive the Muscle Milk ORECA 03 prototype class entry at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans.

Launched last year, the Nismo Exchange provides opportunities for drivers in the Nissan “family” to contest major events across the globe.

The Nissan-powered Muscle Milk Pickett Racing ORECA 03 will hit the track this weekend at the “Roar before the 24” – the traditional pre-season test prior to the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship debuts at Daytona on January 25-26.

Darren Cox - Nissan Global Motorsport Director: “We’re glad to welcome Muscle Milk Pickett Racing to the Nissan family and look forward to having our official drivers learn from such a successful team.

“Greg Pickett and his team has achieved incredible results in recent years and having them as part of the Nismo Global Driver Exchange program will be an outstanding opportunity for our drivers.

“It is also great to again work with Lucas Luhr who won the GT1 World Championship with Nissan with Michael Krumm back in 2011. Lucas and Klaus Graf have enjoyed amazing success in the US in recent years and I’m looking forward to seeing them continue that run with Nissan power in 2014.

“We are also very proud to have brought Nissan back to the forefront of US sportscar racing. Our company has an incredible pedigree dating back to the old IMSA championship and I’m certain Nissan and Nismo will add to that history in the coming years.”

Greg Pickett - Owner – Muscle Milk Pickett Racing: “We’re extremely pleased to become one of Nissan’s partner teams and to have them as part of the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing family.

“Nissan are proven race winners throughout the world and together we want to build a strong relationship that will help us continue the success that we’ve both come to enjoy. We’re excited to not only have our prototype be powered by Nissan but to also be involved with them at a deeper level.

“Nissan, has developed a great initiative with their Nismo Global Driver Exchange program and have a lot of young talent that we look forward to having join us throughout the season, starting with Alex Brundle at Daytona.

“I’m anxious to see Alex behind the wheel of our Muscle Milk ORECA/Nissan and I’m confident he will fit right in just fine with Klaus (Graf) and Lucas (Luhr).”

Alex Brundle Driver – Muscle Milk Pickett Racing: “I am excited to go over to Daytona and race in the Rolex 24. The chance to fight for overall victory with Muscle Milk Pickett Racing and Nissan is a fantastic next step in my career,” Brundle said.

“I am delighted to be finally getting the chance to compete at an event I have aspired to contest. I would like to say thanks to Darren Cox of Nissan and Pickett Racing for giving me that opportunity”

“Muscle Milk have a tremendous record in American sportscar racing so to have the chance to join such a prestigious American team is excellent. I’m looking forward to making the most of it.

“Klaus and Lucas have driven in the American series for a quite a while now so I can learn quickly from them. I am looking forward to the challenge.

“The Nissan engine was so strong in the WEC last year that in reality there was no other power plant to have, which brings confidence heading into the testing process. The engine produces a lot of torque with impressive reliability evidenced by the performance we enjoyed at Oak Racing in last year where we had two cars running strongly at the finish of the Le Mans 24 hours.”

Nissan Nismo