While the new Nissan GT-R LM NISMO is one of the most forward-thinking race cars in the world, the Nissan Motorsports team are also pioneering technology looking backwards thanks to a partnership with the Gentex Corporation.
A world-leading supplier of vision-related technologies to the global automotive industry, Gentex have created a bespoke dimming exterior mirror, as well as installing a Rear Vision System into Nissan NISMO’s all-new LM P1 challengers which debut at the Le Mans 24 Hours this weekend.
These provide two vital advantages for the Nissan drivers: the dimmable technology in the exterior mirrors helps prevent their vision being blinded by the dazzling headlights of cars behind, while a miniature rear-facing camera feeds images to a full-display mirror video screen in the cockpit that provides constant accurate guidance to where the traffic is around them as they race at speeds up to 210mph.
As an Official Technical Partner of the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, US corporation Gentex, based at Zeeland, Michigan, has developed the systems in conjunction with the Nissan Motorsports engineers with the Le Mans round-the-clock classic in mind.
“At Le Mans, where you race day and night in wet and dry conditions, in close proximity to other cars at extraordinary speed, having visibility of what’s behind your car without being blinded by other headlights is a priority,” said Nissan LM P1 technical director Ben Bowlby.
“The Gentex dimming mirror and rear vision system both provide optimised rearwards vision for the drivers. We love the stuff they provide.”
Gentex, which has also forged a business partnership with Nissan Motor Company, is proving the Rear Vision System’s effectiveness on the track, and has already announced it will soon be transferring the technology to road-going vehicles.
“Our partnership with Nissan allows us to validate our Rear Vision System under the most challenging of driving conditions,” said Mark Newton, Gentex senior vice president.
“The full display mirror, custom camera, image processing software – it’s a comprehensive system for which Le Mans is the ultimate test. It helps ensure that we have a robust system when these technologies make their debut on passenger vehicles.”
For the drivers of the front-engined Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, it has proved highly effective. “Sitting so far back in a closed cockpit, naturally creates limited peripheral and rear visibility in the car,” said Nissan LM P1 driver Harry Tincknell.
“But with the Gentex rear-view display, the vision is the best I’ve ever had in a race car. It’s a fantastic bit of kit and a huge help when in a pack of cars.
“And I know from experience it’s so easy to get dazzled by other car’s headlights in the exterior mirrors at night time, and it’s great to have this dimming solution preventing a critical problem and improving safety.”
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