Since turning to off road racing in 2001 after the premature demise of the national touring car championship, which it won from 1997 to 2000, Nissan has accumulated seven successive driver and co-driver championships and seven manufacturers’ titles.
Nissan will be aiming to extend this enviable record in the Absa Off Road Championship with its three-car team of 4-litre V6 Nissan Navara pickups. Two official factory entries will be in the capable hands of reigning champion Duncan Vos and 2006 champion Hannes Grobler, the latter competing in his 31st year of motor sport. Vos will again be accompanied by co-driver champion Ralph Pitchford, while Grobler will team up for the first time with Juan Mohr.
There will again be a third Navara in factory colours for Norwegian privateer Ivar Erik Tollefsen and English co-driver Quin Evans. Tollefsen and Evans entered last year’s championship to hone their skills for the 2008 Dakar Rally and they quickly got to grips with the local conditions. Tollefsen finished an excellent third in the drivers’ championship on debut behind team-mates Vos and Grobler, while Evans was fourth in the co-drivers’ competition after missing the last two rounds as a result of a broken leg he sustained in a motorcycle accident in England.
These are the same vehicles that dominated last year’s Production Car category. They have been rebuilt for the new season (Tollefsen’s Navara was specially prepared for the aborted 2008 Dakar) and will feature some innovations for the new season. They will also sport new livery with the familiar Nissan motor sport red still the main colour and blue added in recognition of primary sponsor Sasol.
According to Nissan Motorsport general manager Glyn Hall, ongoing engine and suspension development will see improvements in these departments. All three pickups will run with ‘fly by wire’ throttle control this season.
“The Nissan Navara was the car to beat last year,” said Hall “and it will be in the firing line again this year. The competition is getting fiercer each year and we expect a tough battle in the eight races that lie ahead. Duncan and Hannes’ cars are in their third season, so they have been stripped, thoroughly inspected and rebuilt with loving care to ensure that they are up to the challenge and arrive at the first race in tip top condition.”
Nissan’s official factory team will again be backed up by an enthusiastic band of privateers, who will enjoy Nissan’s support and encouragement.
“Without these privateers and the Nissan dealerships that back some of the teams, we would not have been able to win six manufacturers’ championships in the past seven years,” said Hall.
Nissan will also contest the Bridgestone Production Car Championship for the fourth year, with a two-car team of Sasol Nissan 350Zs for 2006 champion Leeroy Poulter and Tschops Sipuka in class A.
Poulter finished a close third in last year’s contest, losing the title he won in 2006 by just four points after 20 races.
“We should have won the title again last year,” said Hall. “Leeroy and the Sasol Nissan 350Z were the combination to beat throughout the season. It could have gone either way, but we fell just short and will be making a very special effort to regain this championship in 2008.
In addition to the official factory team, Nissan will again be supporting the privately-run Lee Philips-managed Nissan Dealer Team, which will feature three Nissan 350Zs. Marco da Cunha will again be at the wheel of the Tubular Technical Construction 350Z, while the names and sponsors of the other two drivers are still to be confirmed.
“Motor sport is an important marketing tool for Nissan, and we remain committed to an active programme,” said Hall. “In fact, Nissan’s commitment has been active for the last 49 years since Datsun first participated back in 1959. Next year will be our 50th in South African motor sport.
“To be truly professional and successful in motor sport requires a considerable investment and Nissan Motorsport could not have achieved what it has without the support of Nissan management and the commercial partnerships we enjoy, particularly with our main sponsor, Sasol, and also SKF and Ferodo.
“We’re very pleased to continue with these important partnerships in 2008. We’re also very fortunate to have the support of a loyal band of sponsor/suppliers – most of whom have been with us for many years – and we are working hard to ensure we enjoy another successful year in motor sport and add another two national championships to the 13 we have already won since 1996,” Hall concluded.
