GT5 Transcripts/Nissan XANAVI HIROTO GT-R (JGTC) '01

Because the Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC) allowed engine swaps from the same carmaker in between seasons, Nissan considered switching to a lighter engine, but decided against replacing the iron-block inline-6 in the Skyline GT-R R34 despite being fully aware that it burdened them with a weight balance disadvantage.
In 2000, Nissan improved the weight balance of the R34 Skyline GT-R to make it more competitive, and the 2001 race car, based on the 2000 model, featured an even shorter engine height, improving the car's center of gravity, along with better aerodynamics via new body panels. The car's main strength was in its excellent reliability and handling stability.
Three GT-Rs were sent into the fray: two from Nismo and one from Impul. The No. 22 Xanavi Hiroto GT-R driven by Michael Krumm and Tetsuya Tanaka was a Nismo car. Struggling against the ever-improving performance of rival cars, the duo managed to take 4th in the opening race, 3rd in the next race, and an unexpected win in the fourth race after battling the fellow GT-R team of Comas and Kageyama.
Unfortunately, the car failed to keep its streak going because of the weight handicap system. While remaining a title contender up until the final race, it managed only a 6th-place finish after being slowed by an accident. It finished a disappointing 5th for the season.
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