Nissan LEAF Nismo RC set to electrify Clipsal 500 in Adelaide

Nissan is set to electrify the grid next week at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, when the electric Nissan LEAF Nismo RC makes an on-track appearance.

Like the road car, the LEAF Nismo RC is powered by an all-electric drivetrain consisting of a Magnetic Synchronous Motor that produces 80kW of power and 280Nm of torque. However, instead of driving the front wheels as in the road car, the race car is rear-wheel driven, with a mid-mounted engine. Its three-piece body is also made of carbon fibre, reducing the car’s weight by 595kg compared to the road car.

First made its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the LEAF Nismo RC is making its round in race circuits around the world, visiting the Le Mans in France and Goodwood in the UK. The Clipsal 500 will be the first time the car has visited Australia.

Fans at the Clipsal 500 will see the Nissan LEAF Nismo RC on-track in the ‘Nissan Time Attack’ on both Saturday and Sunday at the Adelaide Parklands street circuit, with the all-electric racer on-track against a Nissan Altima V8 Supercar and a Nissan GT-R road car.

Fresh from his drive of the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 at the Bathurst 12 Hour two weeks ago, former V8 Supercars champion Rick Kelly will drive the Nissan LEAF Nismo RC in the Nissan Time Attack, joining the likes of former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert and former FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm as drivers given the privilege of piloting the technologically-advanced racer.

Former Nissan factory driver and television commentator Neil Crompton will share driving duties in the GT-R with young Adelaide racer, Samantha Zanotto (nee Reid).