Pre-Order the Spark – 1:12 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) No.12 Calsonic JGTC GT500 2003 Benoit Tréluyer, Yuji Ide – Resin Model – 18SJ002

The All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC) was Japan’s premier sports car series, established in 1993 and sanctioned by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). The 2003 season marked the eleventh year of the championship and a pivotal moment in its history.

The GT500 class represented the pinnacle of Japanese motorsport technology, originally capped at around 500hp. Competition was kept fierce through unique success ballast regulations—race winners carried heavy weight penalties, ensuring no single car could dominate. The 2003 season featured eight rounds at iconic venues including Fuji Speedway, Suzuka Circuit, and Sportsland SUGO, regularly attracting crowds of over 50,000 spectators.

This season saw radical new “silhouette” regulations that transformed the cars from modified production vehicles into purpose-built race machines with only visual similarity to road cars. It marked the birth of the modern Super GT era, allowing unprecedented technical innovation while maintaining the visual appeal that made these cars gaming icons.

After a disastrous 2002 season without a single victory, Nissan entered 2003 with revolutionary new machines. Three factory-backed R34 GT-Rs featured completely redesigned chassis and the game-changing switch from the traditional RB26DETT inline-six to the compact VQ30DETT V6 twin-turbo engine.

The No.12 Calsonic Impul GT-R proved to be a race-winning weapon. Tréluyer and Ide delivered two crucial victories: Round 4 at Fuji Speedway and, most importantly, the season finale at Suzuka. Their Suzuka victory played a pivotal role in securing Nissan’s championship, as teammate car No.23 (Xanavi NISMO) clinched the title through consistent podium finishes rather than outright wins—a masterclass in strategic racing.

The championship battle culminated in an epic Suzuka showdown where Nissan employed team tactics, with the No.22 Motul Pitwork car deliberately holding back Toyota’s title contender while the No.12 Calsonic car stormed to victory. This tactical masterpiece secured Nissan’s GT500 championship in the R34’s farewell season.

Benoît Tréluyer: The Frenchman’s first full GT500 season proved to be the launching pad for an extraordinary career. After his race-winning performances in the Calsonic GT-R, Tréluyer went on to become one of endurance racing’s greatest drivers. He claimed three consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans victories (2011, 2012, 2014) with Audi Sport, became the inaugural FIA World Endurance Champion in 2012, and returned to Super GT to win the 2008 championship with Satoshi Motoyama.

Yuji Ide: The Japanese driver brought local knowledge and raw speed to the partnership. Ide’s career trajectory included Formula Nippon success before a controversial stint in Formula 1 with Super Aguri in 2006. Despite his F1 struggles, Ide remained a formidable force in Japanese motorsport, continuing in Super GT and eventually transitioning to successful GT300 campaigns. His partnership with Tréluyer in 2003 showcased his abilities at the highest level of Japanese racing.

The 2003 GT-R represented a radical departure from previous iterations. The switch to the VQ30DETT V6 engine was revolutionary—this compact, lightweight twin-turbo unit produced over 485hp while dramatically improving weight distribution compared to the traditional RB26 inline-six. The lower center of gravity transformed the car’s handling characteristics.

New regulations allowed the use of pipe frame structures replacing the production car’s front and rear sections, creating what enthusiasts called “the BNR34 LMP1 underneath.” The car featured a full flat floor, advanced aerodynamics with reduced rear diffuser size, and the ability to mount the engine and transmission in optimal positions using transaxle units.

Weighing just 1,080kg and producing over 735Nm of torque, the 2003 GT-R was a technological tour de force. Its double wishbone suspension, massive ventilated disc brakes, and 330-40-R18 racing slicks provided the grip and stopping power needed for Japan’s demanding circuits.

The Calsonic Blue livery is arguably the most recognizable Japanese racing color scheme globally. Team Impul’s partnership with Calsonic (specialists in automotive air conditioning and radiators) began in 1982 under team owner Kazuyoshi Hoshino, representing one of motorsport’s longest-running title sponsorships.

The stark blue base with bold white CALSONIC lettering created an instantly identifiable presence on track. For a generation of racing enthusiasts, this livery became synonymous with Nissan’s racing success through its prominence in Gran Turismo games. The 2003 car featured updated sponsor decals including Bridgestone tires, PIAA lighting, and various technical partners, all integrated into the classic blue design.

This livery’s cultural impact extends far beyond motorsport. It became a design icon replicated on everything from model cars to gaming rigs, representing the golden age of JGTC racing and the pinnacle of JDM performance culture.

The 2003 Calsonic Skyline GT-R achieved legendary status in the virtual world, appearing prominently in Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo 5, and Gran Turismo 6, as well as the Forza Motorsport series. Its inclusion in these games introduced millions of players worldwide to JGTC racing, making it one of the most driven virtual race cars in history.

In Forza Motorsport, the Calsonic GT-R became a favourite for its spectacular livery and competitive performance in online racing. Meanwhile, in sim racing titles like Assetto Corsa and rFactor 2, the car remains a popular choice for its balanced handling and iconic status. The GT500 regulations of 2003 created cars that were challenging yet rewarding to drive—powerful enough to be exciting but requiring skill to master, perfect for both casual gamers and serious sim racers.

For UK sim racing enthusiasts, recreating JGTC races with the Calsonic GT-R offers an authentic taste of Japanese motorsport culture. The car’s characteristics—high power, moderate downforce, and success ballast system—create close, strategic racing that translates brilliantly to the virtual world. Many consider the 2003-era GT500 cars the perfect balance between modern performance and classic racing feel.