The Anatomy of a GT3

When it comes to GT race cars, the GT3 is the benchmark. That is why you’ll find these cars everywhere. From local endurance championships to worldwide competitions - everyone is racing GT3s. We will take a closer look at the GT3 race car.

 

The basic idea behind the GT3 category was to come up with a set of regulations that made high-level racing more affordable and would therefore attract more constructors. On top of that, the regulations say that a GT3 race car must be based on an existing production model - but that’s about it. Constructors are quite free in what they can do with the rest of the car.

 

We took a closer look at the 2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3.

 

1: Body: The body of the Nissan GT3 is made entirely from lightweight carbon fibre, bringing the total weight of the car down to the required 1290kg.

 

2: Engine: The engine is based on the same VR38DETT that we find in the GT-R road car, producing around 550ps and 637nm. The biggest difference between the two engines is that the engine of the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 has been dropped 15cm and shifted 15cm backwards to improve the car’s centre of gravity and weight balance.

 

3: Cockpit: The cockpit is a state-of-the-art racing environment, like all the other top spec GT3 cars out there. But for the 2018 model, Nismo has introduced air conditioning to keep drivers cool in hot conditions, ideal for racing in places like Dubai. This is a particular advantage because all GT3 cars are available for customer racing teams who often field non-professional drivers, who tend not to be hard-core athletes like the factory drivers.

 

 

 

4: Brakes: The Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 runs a set of AP-racing brakes with a six piston set-up at the front and a four-piston setup at the rear.

 

5: Gearbox: While the regular GT-R road car has an automatic double-clutch gearbox, the GT3-racer has a six-speed sequential single (quad plate) clutch. The regulations also force the GT3-car to be rear-wheel-drive only, whereas the road car is four-wheel drive.

 

6: Wheels & tyres: The GT3 car runs a 330/710 square set of tyres on 18-inch race wheels. Because of the need for mechanical grip, race cars often run smaller size wheels than road-going cars because they prefer the movement and flexibility of a tyre with a higher sidewall.

 

7: Aerodynamics and air flow: A fully adjustable wing, front splitter and flat underbody, and a large diffuser at the back make for a highly aerodynamic package. Because the engine has been moved backwards, the space cleared at the front of the car allows for a bigger radiator and intercooler. Horizontal slats in the bonnet help hot air to escape from the engine compartment, decreasing drag.