Nissan Skyline GT-R to Make North American Road Racing Debut in SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT

MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2006) - Bringing the Nissan Skyline
GT-R to a North American road racing series for the first time ever,
AutomotiveForums.com has announced its entry into the 2006 SCCA Pro
Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship.

The team, based in the Los Angeles area, is preparing to make its debut
March 15-17 at Sebring International Raceway, in Sebring, Fla., where
SPEED World Challenge will begin its 17th season.

The Skyline GT-R is a front-engine, all-wheel drive, two-door coupe, and
with deep technical support from Skyline GT-R teams from both Japan and
around the world, the AutomotiveForums.com team expects to be
competitive right out of the box.

"We are excited to have an opportunity to finally campaign the GT-R, a
car with rich Japanese motorsports history, stateside against the likes
of the Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911," Crew Chief Sean
Morris said.  "We have been working toward this goal for quite some
time."

Making his SPEED World Challenge GT debut along with the car, Igor
Sushko, 20, will pilot the GT-R.

And though another driver has not yet been announced, the
AutomotiveForums.com team has reserved two numbers, 69 and 70, with
plans of adding a second GT-R to the roster later in the season.

The 2006 SPEED World Challenge GT schedule could not be more perfect,
giving the team an opportunity to contend at a variety of circuits and
street course venues across the country alongside the American Le Mans
Series, Indy Racing League, Champ Car, and NASCAR Nextel Cup.

"As the product planner of the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, this car and its
heritage have a paramount place in my heart," Hiroshi Tamura said.  "I
am very excited to finally see the GT-R compete in a United States
championship series.

 

"I am fully confident in Igor and his team's ability to make the GT-R
community around the world proud and we wish them good luck."

 

Associate and technical sponsors for this effort include Rays
Engineering, Mackin Industries, Tilton Engineering and Brembo, with
further support to be announced shortly.

 

Launched in November of 2000, AutomotiveForums.com is today a leader in
connecting the auto enthusiasts via the Internet. Currently, more than
435,000 members enjoy AutomotiveForums, with 500 new users signing up
daily.