“Justin and I had a great back-and-forth run for several miles before I took over at about mile 55, but I didn’t see him again after that,” said Bacal, a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor who also uses his racing to inspire other cancer patients.

As with all of the races Bacal has run thus far, the San Felipe 250 course was rough and challenging. Deep sand and silt beds can consume otherwise tough off-road racers but it was relatively easy going for Bacal’s Lexus which ran trouble free for the entire event. Bacal and co-driver Bob Ditner even stopped to help a stuck Class 7 racer at about ¾ race distance. “The guy was in sand up to his axles, so Bob and I yanked him out quick with a tow strap. I think he went on to finish second in his class.”

Bacal credits his early 2010 season success with on-going development, careful vehicle preparation and the durability of his Lexus. “The LX is getting faster and easier to drive with every race which gives me confidence to push harder,” noted Bacal. “I’ve also done a lot of prep work recently and it has a similar effect on confidence. The Long Beach Racers deserve credit, too, for their outstanding race support work.”

Bacal’s approach to preparation is paying off. His win in San Felipe keeps his 100-percent finishing record intact, marking his fifth complete race since his start in the SCORE off-road racing series last year. The team has won three of five races entered since surprising the racing community with a rookie victory at the 2009 Baja 500. And Bacal continues do drive every mile of every race, giving him an edge in the SCORE Toyota Milestone Awards points chase.

Joe Bacal and his JTGrey team look forward to their next race at the SCORE Baja 500 on June 4-6 when they return to defend their 2009 title.

*NOTE: SCORE International has indicated that all results are provisional until final posting later this week.

Source: http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/lexus/joe-bacal-seals-victory-in-san-155317.aspx

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For 2011, its third year of availability in the North American market, the Nissan GT-R features a number of enhancements and a simplified model lineup. The previous GT-R base model has been eliminated, leaving the GT-R Premium as the only available 2011 model. Other changes include slightly darker wheel center caps, double clear coat on the front and rear fascias and the addition of rear cooling ducts to improve cooling performance around the rear floor area.

The suspension has been retuned and the rear bushing strengthened to enhance ride comfort while still maintaining the GT-R’s outstanding handling. In addition, auto on/off headlights and speed-sensitive windshield wipers are now standard, along with a USB iPod® interface, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® and DVD playback. The navigation system now includes XM NavTraffic® and NavWeather™ capability.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* for the 2011 Nissan GT-R equipped with standard 485-horsepower 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and high-performance, 6-speed, dual-clutch transmission is:

Nissan GT-R Premium: $84,060 USD

Three options and one accessory are available for the 2011 GT-R: Cold Weather Package (no charge); special Super Silver paint ($3,000); Ultra-High Performance Tire Package (no charge); and carpeted GT-R logo floor mats ($280).

The 2011 GT-R is available only through officially certified Nissan retailers that have met a number of strict sales, service and facility commitments, including dedicating a master technician to GT-R service. A complete listing of the nearly 700 GT-R Certified Nissan dealers is available.

Source:http://www.nissannews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1270&mid=1

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Albaisa succeeds Bruce Campbell, vice president, Design, NDA, and Victor Nacif, vice president, Design Business Aspect, NDA.

Campbell, a 30-year veteran with Nissan, will retire from NDA and become an advisor to Nissan’s Global Design Division. Nacif will become vice president, Nissan Design Europe, succeeding Albaisa.

All changes are effective April 1, 2010.

Albaisa joined San Diego-based Nissan Design America in 1988 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in industrial design from Pratt Institute in New York City. During succeeding years, he worked on a number of projects including the current Nissan Altima, Maxima, Rogue and minor changes for the Nissan Armada, Quest and Infiniti QX56.

After an assignment in Japan, Albaisa was named vice president, Nissan Design Europe, in 2007.

Campbell joined Nissan in 1980 worked as a chief designer for groundbreaking vehicles, including the Nissan Gobi Concept Truck, the “Hardbody” pickup, Pulsar NX, Maxima, Cocoon Concept and Xterra SUV. More recently he led design efforts for the all-new Nissan 370Z, Maxima and Rogue.

Campbell, who assumed his current position in October 2004, also played a key role in the design of the Nissan Americas building in Franklin, Tenn., headquarters for Nissan’s activities throughout the Americas. The Nissan Americas building opened in the summer of 2008, and its design has won several awards, including the American Institute of Architects Tennessee chapter’s Award for Excellence in Architecture.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Bruce for his passionate contribution to Nissan Design during his 31-year tenure since the establishment of NDA,” said Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer, Design and Brand Management, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and president, NDA. “Although Bruce will be leaving NDA, he will continue to play a vital role as advisor for Nissan Global Design.”

Nacif joined NDA in June 2004. He has participated in the Joint Design Policy Group with Nissan’s Alliance partner, Renault, and is a member of the Global Perceived Quality Group.

Before joining Nissan, Nacif worked for PSA Peugeot Citroen in France and for Ford Motor Co. He is a graduate of the College of Creative Studies in Detroit.

Source:http://www.nissannews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1276&mid=1

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“The new kid on the block, as it turns out, is also a long-time player in the global commercial vehicle market. As the first non-domestic nameplate to design, manufacture and sell CVs in the United States, we bring a more than seven-decade tradition of durability, quality and reliability to our products,” said Joe Castelli, vice president, Commercial Vehicles and Fleet, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA). “At the same time, we’ve taken a fresh look at every aspect of the CV business – including styling, powertrain, interiors, cost of operation and ownership, dealership sales and service operations and, most importantly, real world customer needs.”

The first production models in Nissan’s new North American CV lineup are the 2011 Nissan NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD. They will be available with a choice of 4.0-liter V6 and 5.6-liter V8 engines and in two body styles, Standard Roof (all models) and High Roof (NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD only) – with High Roof models offering stand-up walkthrough/work cargo area capability.

“It’s been too many years since any manufacturer in this segment has taken a ’clean sheet’ look at the needs of owners and operators in the CV segment,” said Castelli. “We’ve invested more than five years researching the comfort, style and smart functionality demands that will enable business owners to accomplish more throughout their day. We plan on coming out of the box with segment-busting vehicles, so customer input was essential.”

The NV planning team employed a wide range of innovative customer research methodologies, including focus groups, on-site visits and concept reviews. The quantitative and qualitative research took place all across America – Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, Dallas, Detroit, New York, Minnesota, Arizona and other markets. The team met with large fleet owners and managers, small business owners, aftermarket suppliers and converters and rode along with owners of competitive vehicles.

“The NV is one of the most researched projects ever in the history of Nissan. We touched the market at every point possible, with the findings reflected in every aspect of the final NV design,” added Castelli.

Comfortable Seating and Standing
Research showed that commercial van owners are the least satisfied of any vehicle segment, with many van owners disposing of their vehicles in favor of light duty trucks despite the compromise of convenience and utility. In developing the new Nissan NV, one of the overarching goals was to combine pickup truck-like comfort, interior amenities and drivability with a cargo van’s capacity and security.

“Looking at the CV market in recent years, there’s been a migration of van users to light-duty pickups due to the lack of comfort, image and dependability of the current outdated van platforms,” explained Castelli. “Yet many of these truck owners admit they need a van for weather protection, security and the convenience of a tall roof van to carry large items or equipment. With the Nissan NV, we’re giving them the best of both worlds.”

Answering one of the major unmet owner needs – driver comfort and roominess – the Nissan NV interior starts with wide front doors for easy ingress and egress, supportive bucket seating with extensive adjustability, large armrests and a truck-like driving position with ample legroom and foot room. The available center console (removable) provides a range of integrated storage features, while the fold-down passenger seat – which is unique to the segment – adds worktable functionality and enhances the cab’s feeling of openness.

Another major contributor to the pickup-like cab is the absence of the traditional CV engine “doghouse” that intrudes into the cab due to the setback engine placement. The Nissan NV utilizes a conventional truck engine layout with the engine and transmission located ahead of the firewall/A-pillar. This not only frees up space under the instrument panel and between the seats, it also provides easy under-hood access to the entire engine for routine service and maintenance.

“From the seats forward the NV looks, acts and feels like a pickup. You don’t have to take apart the interior to access the engine and you don’t have to worry about tucking your work boots into a cramped footwell,” said Castelli. “But, make no mistake, behind the seats the NV is pure, practical van.”

The NV’s ample cargo area offers a 120.7-inch cargo floor length and 70.3-inch maximum cargo floor width. NV Standard Roof models offer a maximum 55.4 cargo area height, among the tallest in class. The NV High Roof provides a maximum 76.5-inches of cargo room height – enough for most users to move about the cargo area while standing up straight.

“Standard Roof NV models are designed to fit in most garages or go through most car washes and fast food drive-through lanes – along with offering easier reach to access roof racks,” said Castelli. “But for so many businesses, the added cargo capacity and the ability to stand up and work inside the High Roof NV will be a priceless enhancement to their everyday operations and productivity.”

Smart Functionality and Flexible Layout
Inspired by customer needs and usage, the Nissan NV offers an amazing array of smart functionality features, including storage pockets, spaces and compartments designed to provide secure access to the typical commercial customers’ everyday use objects. An under seat drawer, for example, fits small tools, stationary or first aid kits, while the deep door pockets fit flashlights, legal-size binders and clipboards. High Roof models offer an available overhead console designed to hold work gloves, legal size binders, safety glasses and system books. The available center console (removable) fits letter size files and laptop computers – and includes a computer or mobile phone charging point.

“A commercial van must serve many more functions today, including acting as a mobile office for time spent on the road or at a job site,” said Castelli. “We’ve made storage and productivity items integral to the design, rather than tacked-on afterthoughts. The result is a clean, practical and comfortable workspace for a wide variety of professions and businesses.”

Along with being conceived as a “mobile office,” the Nissan NV is designed to function as a “mobile workshop” – thanks to its simple, flexible cargo area layout. Along with offering wide door openings, the NV offers room between the wheelhouses to accommodate standard plywood or drywall sheets or pallets. There are also a range of cargo area tie-down rings and ample cargo area lighting.

The new Nissan NV was also designed to accommodate aftermarket outfitting and modifications. For example, the roof rack mounting brackets are designed for various rack systems without piercing holes in the roof, which can lead to corrosion and water leaks. The available “upfitter pre-wiring” allows easy access into the electrical system.

The NV also offers a full-length cargo area inner panel to protect the outer walls from dents and dings from the inside, and there are multiple weld-nut attachment points for shelving and racks – again requiring no sheet metal drilling. In addition, the NV’s nearly vertical sidewalls maximize the usable cargo space, accommodating common aftermarket storage systems, as well as a bulkhead behind the driver.

Three Well-Equipped Models
Cost of ownership and operation is a critical factor in the CV segment, whether for major fleet operations or individual business owners. “From the rugged fully boxed all-steel frame to the body-on-chassis construction, the NV is designed to the highest Nissan standards of durability, quality and reliability,” said Castelli. “The NV is designed to be affordable and to stand up to the abuse that real work trucks face everyday.”

The new Nissan NV will launch with a choice of two engines – a powerful yet fuel efficient 4.0-liter V6 or a powerful, torquey 5.6-liter V8. Both engines will be matched to a standard 5-speed automatic.

Safety systems include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors), 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, available supplemental front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags.

The 2011 Nissan NV will be offered in three well-equipped models, the NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD. All three models will be available with the Standard Roof, while the High Roof body will be offered in the NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD models only. Additional information regarding standard features, trim levels and optional equipment will be provided later.

Source:http://www.nissannews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1267&mid=1

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“These unique and very limited editions represent what Infiniti is all about – Inspired Performance,” said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. “Building on the popularity of the Monaco Red Leather and special Red-toned Maple interior that helped launch the G Convertible, the Anniversary Editions add a number of new styling touches that will make them instantly recognizable on the showroom floor and on the road.”

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP)* for the four available 2010 Infiniti G Anniversary Editions are:

• G37 Sedan Anniversary Edition $43,350 USD
• G37 Sedan AWD Anniversary Edition $43,550 USD
• G37 Coupe Anniversary Edition $50,550 USD
• G37 Convertible Anniversary Edition $54,900 USD

The Anniversary Editions are based on the G Sedan Journey and AWD, G Coupe Journey and G Convertible and come standard with a 3.7-liter V6 engine and 7-speed automatic transmission. Premium and Navigation Packages are included on all of the Anniversary Editions.

The Anniversary Edition Sedans and Coupe also receive the Sport Package and 4-Wheel Active Steer (not available on Sedan AWD). The Convertible is offered with the highly desirable climate-controlled seats.

Each Anniversary Edition comes in a new Graphite Shadow exterior color that was just added for 2010, with the interiors appointed with Monaco Red Leather. The Coupe and Convertible interiors are accented with special Red-toned Maple and the two Sedans have the new Shodo-finish aluminum trim.

Other Anniversary Edition equipment includes special aluminum-alloy wheels, W-rated summer performance tires, Midnight Black grille, unique front chin spoiler or front fascia, sport side sills (Coupe and Convertible) and rear spoiler (except Convertible). The Coupe also receives an updated rear fascia.

“We wanted to ensure that the G Anniversary Editions are the sportiest and most distinctive Infinitis offered,” added Poore. “Though they won’t arrive until April, we wanted to release pricing early to allow interested buyers to reserve the Anniversary Sedan, Coupe or Convertible of their choice before they are all gone.”

Source:http://www.nissannews.com/newsrelease.do?id=1269&mid=1

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