Since other R32s from the 1994 Japanese JGTC series are still going through customs, I’ll start with the trump cards and that year’s most important R32 in the iconic Calsonic blue livery and amazing rims.
Short story behind: the R32, or as the Australians called it “Godzilla”, began to shake racing tracks since 1990, when this all-wheel drive monster broke into the world of auto racing and, step by step, took laurels at different circuits, in addition to Japan, including, in my opinion, the most juicy – Macau and Bathurst.
Nissan needed to improve its reputation after the relatively unsuccessful touring R31, and a little later the first racing R32s were also built according to Group A rules, the rules of which applied to both the JTC and the DTM and other series. In Macau, the R32 edged out the German DTMs (also built under Group A), while in Australia R32 didn’t leave a chance for the previously tough Fords, and in Japan it seized total career dominance. Another bonus was winning the 24 Hours of Spa in 1991.
In the twilight of Group A, Japan decided to make its own championship, the All Japan Touring Car Championship (JGTC, in the future Super GT).
In 1993, the first R32 skylines as part of the test races for the future JGTC immediately became favorites, most of fans probably know the white and blue Calsonic livery from Fuji and Suzuki 1000. But more on that later, this model is still on the way to me.
A clear difference from the R32 Gr.A is the aggressive bodykit and supreme rear wing.
By 1994, a full season JGTC championship started, and in addition to the existing chassis from 1993, NISMO prepared several more chassis for other teams.
Can also check out the older pit lane diorama with some of JGTC stars
It was immediately clear that R32 was the Queen of the ring. All stages of the season in the GT500 class were won by different teams and cars, including the Taisan 962C and F40, which I wrote about and showed earlier in the post.
Calsonic #1 won the very first race in Fuji, and eventually, driven by Masahiko Kageyama, they took the Cjhampionship title and became a legend in their own right.
what a beautifull rims
The Calsonic #1 was also one of the four wheel drive GTRs on the grid. Hasemi Unisia R32, for example, opted for rear-wheel drive, and their choice also paid off in the second round of the season.
By the middle of the next season, the teams moved to the new R33 chassis, which was even more beautiful for the bodywork.
For me, this JGTC season has remained one of the most beloved racing seasons in the world of GT motorsport, so this post will not be the last 🙂
…to be continued…
