Nissan has announced that British team Sumo Power GT will run two of its GT-Rs in the new GT1 World Championship this year alongside the pair of Swiss Racing Team entries.
The Japanese manufacturer had been searching for a new partner for its GT1 program after Gigawave Motorsport closed its doors in late December. Each brand entering the GT1 series is required to supply a pair of two-car teams with its cars.
Gigawave had conducted the initial development of the GT-R, which contested a handful of FIA GT Championship rounds last year in preparation for the new-look series, and had previously been expected to continue as Nissan's lead squad in 2010. The Sumo Power and Swiss outfits will each run two Nissan GT-Rs in GT1 with support from the company's motorsports arm, NISMO.
Entries for the new GT1 series close tomorrow. While Nissan, Matech Ford and Lamborghini have built cars to the new regulations, dispensation has been granted for teams to also run modified versions of the old-style FIA GT Maseratis, Corvettes and Aston Martins. A 24-car field is expected for 2010.