Racing In Honor:</br> The Always Evolving GT-R
Your New Favorite Series

When critics talk about big-time motorsport series like Formula 1 or NASCAR, one of the most common complaints you’ll hear is the lack of resemblance between the race cars and the vehicles you actually see on the street. It’s a perfectly valid argument.

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I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, ‘NASCAR should go back to running actual stock cars,’ or ‘where’s a race series that uses the same cars you and I do?’

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The thing is, there is a racing series here in America which does just that. It’s called the Pirelli World Challenge and for over 25 years it’s been offering racing fans some of the most exciting sportscar racing anywhere in the country.

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Spread among the SCCA-sanctioned World Challenge’s various classes you’ll find everything from almost-stock Honda Fits and Volkswagen Jettas, to Ford Mustangs and full GT3-spec McLarens and Ferraris.

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Whether you watch it on television or see a race in person, most will agree that the Pirelli World Challenge is one of the best showcases of production-based racing anywhere in the world. And the series gets exposed to large audiences due to the fact it shares many race weekends with IndyCar.

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Better yet, each of the World Challenge classes is full of teams that are often quite grassroots in their nature, with a lot of fascinating backstories behind them.

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One of those teams is Southern California’s Always Evolving Motorsport. It’s a name you’ve likely heard of, and not just because of its wide-reaching motorsport ventures.

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One of the team’s founders was Roger Rodas, who was tragically killed in a car crash along with his good friend Paul Walker in the fall of 2013. While Roger’s death was a massive blow to the newly-founded team, his business partner Erik Davis was determined to honor his friend’s memory by carrying on with AE’s motorsport efforts.

More Than Racing
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For Roger and Always Evolving, charity was as important as winning races, and Erik knew the best thing he could do was continue to help the community through a love of cars and motorsport.

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Among the charities that AE supports is Mustard Seed Ranch, an organization that offers equine-based therapy for abused and neglected children, as well as Dream Rides 4 Kids, which offers at-risk youth the chance to connect with cool cars and their owners/mentors.

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As for the racing itself, the team has been involved in the World Challenge series since its inception, but for the 2015 season AE decided to take things to the next level. They had their sights set on the top-level GT classes.

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Their weapon of choice would be the Nismo Nissan GT-R GT3 – the first of these cars to compete on American shores. Two of them to be exact. Not only would this add more variety to the GT class, it was a big statement by the Always Evolving team.

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Piloting the two GT-Rs would be American Brian Heitkotter and Australian James Davison. Both drivers have extensive resumes and were excellent fits to get the GT-R’s American racing adventures started.

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The cars themselves are built to the same specs as the rest of GT3 GT-Rs competing in racing series around the world, and they’ve fit in nicely among the exotic machinery that dominates World Challenge’s GT and GTA classes.

Early Returns
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Under the hood sits a VR38DETT not at all unlike the one that powers the street version of the GT-R. But in GT3 guise the setup makes about 550 horsepower right out of the factory. The gearbox is a Hewland 6-speed sequential.

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That’s combined with all the other exotic goodies like fully adjustable suspension, air jacks and 18-inch center-locking Nismo wheels made by RAYS.

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The cockpit features all of the necessary safety equipment for pro-level racing, including a HANS seat, quick-release steering wheel and a fire suppression system.

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The carbon-laden, wind-tunnel developed bodywork has also been coated in the familiar teal and black livery that can be seen on AE’s cars across many different racing disciplines.

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With just two rounds left before the close of the season, 2015 has seen great results for Always Evolving’s GT-R effort. Both drivers have stood on the podium throughout the season, with nine top three finishes coming in the last five races.

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For a first-year effort, AE could not be more satisfied with the results so far. Now they look to carry over the momentum with strong finishes at Sonoma this weekend and Laguna Seca next month to finish off the year.

Here’s a video that AE and Replay XD put together highlighting the team’s adventures at Long Beach this year, which is where Larry got his hands on the car.

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But rather than just getting results in a Nissan platform that is new to the North American racing scene, the Always Evolving team has continued to earn exposure for its charity programs and the organization’s desire to carry on Roger Rodas’ philanthropic causes.

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Whether it’s achieving success on the race track or helping out the community at large, there’s no doubt that Roger would be proud to see how Always Evolving has kept his vision alive.

Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia_media
mike@speedhunters.com

Photos by Larry Chen
Instagram: larry_chen_foto
larry@speedhunters.com

Always Evolving Nismo GT-R GT3

Engine
Nismo-spec Nissan VR38DETT, GT3-spec ECU, side-exit exhaust, fuel cell with quick fill system

Driveline
Hewland 6-speed sequential gearbox, 4-plate clutch, lightweight propshafts, lightweight driveshafts

Suspension/Brakes
Adjustable dampers, adjustable anti-roll bars, air jacks, Brembo brakes

Wheels/Tires
Nismo/RAYS 18×13-inch center-lock forged wheels, Pirelli race tires

Exterior
Nismo carbon composite body panels, polycarbonate windows, carbon front splitter, carbon diffuser, carbon GT wing

Interior
FIA-approved rollcage, fire supression system, full racing bucket with HANS device, quick-release steering wheel

More Nissan related stories on Speedhunters

Cutting Room Floor

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1
deleted_82067014_Abezzegh87

Show us the almost stock Jettas please!

2

Love the article as it balanced and focus on the charity and motorsports will paying homage to the founder(Roger Roads) and the man(Erik Davis) who took it further to exceed all comforts of humanity and devotion to the AE team

3

Love the article as it balanced and focus on the charity and motorsports will paying homage to the founder(Roger Roads) and the man(Erik Davis) who took it further to exceed all comforts of humanity and devotion to the AE team

4
Gianluca FairladyZ

first of all, this is one wonderful car! I am a very big fan of their concept and targets as well. The idea of bringing the youth that had it hard in their past in contact with nice cars and it's driver's makes me just smile. this shows how much power and positivity cars and racing can create. If I had the funds I would do the same thing!

Second, it's so nice to see that Nissan or Nismo has created a network for customer racing. It allows the world to whitness the tradition and racing spirit of that brand. The fact, that it uses a just minorly modified stock engine brings up another smile!

Third, man i love that paint job design :D

5
Gianluca FairladyZ

first of all, this is one wonderful car! I am a very big fan of their concept and targets as well. The idea of bringing the youth that had it hard in their past in contact with nice cars and it's driver's makes me just smile. this shows how much power and positivity cars and racing can create. If I had the funds I would do the same thing!

Second, it's so nice to see that Nissan or Nismo has created a network for customer racing. It allows the world to whitness the tradition and racing spirit of that brand. The fact, that it uses a just minorly modified stock engine brings up another smile!

Third, man i love that paint job design :D

6

I would like to find some info about AE workshop - who can help me on that?

7

I would like to find some info about AE workshop - who can help me on that?

8

i'm actually surprised that the comments section isn't filled with "RIP PAUL" and "REMEMBER THE BUSTER" comments
show us the jettas!

9

Stunning photos Larry. The current crop of GT3 cars are superb, there really isn't a bad looking car among the bunch. Would love to see you point your camera at one of the many Z4 GT3's in use around the world before they replace them at the end of the year.

10

Stunning photos Larry. The current crop of GT3 cars are superb, there really isn't a bad looking car among the bunch. Would love to see you point your camera at one of the many Z4 GT3's in use around the world before they replace them at the end of the year.

11

I'm glad that the NISMO GTR GT3 was brought into the PWC series, and it will be another year before they are eligible for the IMSA Tudor series, as the GTD is going to be replaced. These are great cars, and they have been quite successful in making names for their drivers in the Blancpain series.

I'm also pleased that the AE team carried on after Roger's death. It would have been so easy to change direction, and this is a good testament to his legacy. Great article Mike, and as always, captivating photos Larry!

12

Kirk_B Thanks for the support as always.

13

tbtstt I've shot a few of them on track, but I have yet to do a full feature. I do have to say, I wish BMW would build a Z4 GT3 street car. I think it's one of the best looking sports cars of this generation.

14

@cancerman Or something about Tuna.

15

Larry Chen Kirk_B Careful Larry, I could just be sucking up for a shot at driving your Z someday. :)


If you ever get up to Ontario (Canada, not California) I have some great roads for you to try.

16

Amazing pictures!

17

Larry Chen nah... Everybody knows tuna sucks here...

18

Larry Chen nah... Everybody knows tuna sucks here...

19

Loved how stock the engine looks. It even still have the stock air filter box!

20

Loved how stock the engine looks. It even still have the stock air filter box!

21

I'm sorry... but what happened to racing and cars nowadays.. !?!@! I just watched the video of the #99 IMSA GTO Celica being raced by
Willy T. Gibbs in 1987 at Circuit Del Mar in San Diego from the 80's are back post and ( I understand that this was an epic comeback race, maybe the greatest of all time...) BUT, this was RACING!! Watching the clip in this post makes everyone look like a bunch of panzies.. crashing into each other and everything.. man! one step forward.. three steps back

22

I see a Realtime Racing car in one of the photos. You guys need to do a feature on them, theyve been in the game for sooo long.

23

That track looks like a demolition derby.

24

Smiggins It eats cars all the time.

25

Smiggins It eats cars all the time.

26

Cool article - RIP Roger, Paul. And a nod to Erik Davis for fighting on through tough times - with class.
 I
wrote a similar piece about Always Evolving back when Nissan first
announced they were bringing these European style REAR Wheel drive GT3
GT-R's to the USA. They have a lot of gnarly aero work to make up for
the 2wd. https://soulondisplayracing.wordpress.com/2015/03/02/aim-autosport-always-evolving-racing-to-debut-nissan-gtr-nismo-gt3-for-pirelli-world-challenge-season/
 I'm stoked to see both North American road racing and a
Playstation Gran Turismo Academy winner get coverage on Speedhunters.
But I didn't see any mention of the GT Academy program itself, I guess
it would've taken away direct
focus from AE? I'm Canadian so despite finishing 3rd in my country all
Canadian's were ineligible in 2015's GT Academy. #LetCanadaIn . I still
drove my best in tribute to some of my racing heroes - Keiichi Tsuchiya from Best Motoring, and Allan Simonsen.
 For those who are interested :
 -Always Evolving also own Replay XD (action camera's) 
 -They are the team that prep's and enters a GT-R for the most experienced GT Academy USA winner
 -One
driver mentioned, Bryan Heitkotter, is a GT Academy winner. He went
from playing Gran Turismo for ps3 in his parent's basement and in his
mid 30's, to pro racing full time for NISMO/Nissan within one year. Not
only that, but he regularly puts in similar lap times to his teammate
who's without question one of the best drivers in the paddock. Bryan's
fast enough that they had to bump him into the top class of the series
recently.
 Anyway, not trying to blast you guys for leaving this stuff out. I just realized I could fit a little more icing on the cake ;)

27

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