Nissan aim for Goodwood hill records

Nissan has set its sights on claiming two records at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 1-3 July – and it will be the Leaf and Juke that set them, rather than their flagship GT-R. The Nissan Leaf, 2011 Car of the Year, will attempt to become the fastest car ever to be driven up the famous hill climb course – backwards. Unlike petrol-powered cars, in which reverse gear allows only low speeds, the Leaf has an electric powertrain that, theoretically, enables it to be driven backwards as fast as it can go forwards. This means the car has a potential reverse top speed of 90mph! Mental! Nissan will also makes its first attempt at a two-wheeled record up the Goodwood Hill, with the Juke aiming to become the fastest four-wheeled machine to climb the entire course using just two wheels (pictured). Professional stunt driver, Terry Grant, will be the man attempting to set the records in the Leaf and Juke by performing the stunts once every day. Terry said: “I’ve experienced Goodwood before but never attempted to set a new record. To have the chance to grab not only one but two records at the same event will hopefully provide everyone with a very entertaining spectacle.” Nissan also plan to unveil the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC "Racing Competition” version of the electric car, which generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. And, in a more conventional demonstration run on the hill climb course, one of the 600bhp V8 Sumo Power GT team’s GT1 race-winning Nissan GT-Rs will blast up the famous hill climb, piloted by lucky Alex Buncombe, Nissan’s FIA European GT4 Championship and GT Academy driver. Meanwhile, the road going 2011 GT-R will also take part in non-competitive supercar run and is sure to be a star attraction in the Supercar Paddock. Joining the flagship GT-R in the Supercar Paddock will be the Nissan 370Z GT Edition, which not only celebrates 40 years since the very first Z-badged car arrived in the UK, Nissan’s GT racing success and the award winning GT Academy. And the Nissan stand promises to be packed with stuff to amuse Goodwood crowds. Good show Nissan!