<< Prev Page 2 of 2 Entered alongside the existing GTP ZX-T, the first NPT-90 made its debut at the May 5th Topeka round of the IMSA GTP Championship. Within a month after making its first appearance and in only its third race, the new Nissan racer was driven to victory by reigning champion Geoff Brabham and Derek Daly. Faced with ever growing competition from the All American Racers built Toyota-Eagles, the NPT-90 was driven to two more victories before the season was out. Helped by the wins scored by the GTP ZX-T earlier in the year, Nissan and Brabham managed to successfully defend their championship.
Nissan's added involvement was not all good news for the GTP effort as first Suzuka was called back to Japan to help with the development of the under-performing Group C car and later NPTI was tasked to run two of these Group C cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Summer of 1990. As a result of these personnel changes and added distractions, development of the NPT-90 was very limited. Renaming the car NPT-91 for the new season, did little to cover this up. All American Racers on the other handed readied a brand new Toyota-engined Eagle, which fortunately did not debut until late in 1991.
In its 1991 guise, the NPT-90 only managed to win two races, which did include the important Sebring 12 Hours. A very consistent season from Geoff Brabham did enable him to score his fourth championship win in a row. The team soldiered on in 1992 with only another minimal evolution. By this time the car created so much downforce that at Road Atlanta the load literally destroyed the tyres. Brabham and NPTI won just a single race in a season that was utterly dominated by the All American Racers. Nissan's stronghold on the IMSA GTP Championship had finally lifted after four seasons.
Meanwhile, orders from Japan prompted the development of an all new car that was built to the new 3.5 litre Group C regulations. Although at least four cars were built, this new NP35 was raced only once and at the start of 1993 the project was abandoned. NPTI folded soon after with Nissan's honour being upheld by privateers like Gianpiero Moretti. As the last of a great line, the NPT-90 extended Nissan's success in the IMSA GTP Championship but it could not quite dominate the series like its predecessors had done. << Prev Page 2 of 2
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Entered alongside the existing GTP ZX-T, the first NPT-90 made its debut at the May 5th Topeka round of the IMSA GTP Championship. Within a month after making its first appearance and in only its third race, the new Nissan racer was driven to victory by reigning champion Geoff Brabham and Derek Daly. Faced with ever growing competition from the All American Racers built Toyota-Eagles, the NPT-90 was driven to two more victories before the season was out. Helped by the wins scored by the GTP ZX-T earlier in the year, Nissan and Brabham managed to successfully defend their championship.