Nissan Motorsports Revved Up for 2004 SPEED World Challenge Tour; Peter Cunningham Set to Race Sentra SE-R Spec V

Business Wire, March 16, 2004

Business Editors/Automotive Writers

GARDENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2004

Nissan Motorsports and TeamRTR will team up once again to compete in the 2004 SCCA SPEED Touring Car Championship. Veteran driver and six-time SCCA Pro Racing champion Peter Cunningham is set to take the reigns of the Nissan Sentra SE-R racecar.

Cunningham is coming off a successful 2003 season in which the team finished 4th in driver points, with a pole position at Road America, a podium finish at Atlanta and three other top-five finishes. More importantly, Cunningham put the Sentra in the winner's circle at Road America in only his sixth start with the car, in what is widely regarded as the most hotly contested road racing series in North America.

"We're excited to have Peter Cunningham back driving the Sentra SE-R," said Ron Stukenberg, senior manager, Nissan Motorsports marketing and operations. "Building off our success in 2003, we feel that we're in a great position to challenge for the championship in 2004."

The TeamRTR Sentra SE-R Spec V, which started life as a powerful street car, evolved into a top-flight racing machine. The 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine's output has been increased to 250+ horsepower and the stock SE-R's handling prowess has been enhanced with a full array of components from NISMO, Nissan's performance brand. The SE-R Spec V will also be easy to spot on the track with its custom silver and black paint with large Nissan symbols on the hood, rear and sides.

The first race of the 2004 SPEED World Challenge Touring Car takes place at Sebring International Raceway, and is part of the 52nd Mobil1 Twelve Hours of Sebring the week of March 17-19. In 2004, the series will visit Lime Rock Park, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Infineon Raceway, Portland International Raceway, Mosport International Raceway, Road America, Road Atlanta Motorsports Center and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com or contact the corporate media line at 310-771-5631.