Back in the late 80s, early 90s, Nissan was the dominant force in IMSA racing with Geoff Brabham taking four consecutive driver’s championships.

For the launch of the new TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, the Japanese manufacturer is back in major US sportscar racing – forging a partnership with back-to-back American Le Mans Series champions, Muscle Milk Pickett Racing.

Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr will return aboard a new Nissan-powered ORECA 03 prototype. A roster of young Nissan drivers will take the third seat for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans will Alex Brundle the first to appear in Nissan/Muscle Milk colors.

The son of ex-F1 driver and 1988 Rolex 24 at Daytona winner Martin Brundle, Alex has been a regular in the WEC and Le Mans in Nissan-powered P2 cars.

“We’re glad to welcome Muscle Milk Pickett Racing to the Nissan family and look forward to having our official drivers learn from such a successful team,” Nissan’s Global Motorsport Director, Darren Cox said.

“Greg Pickett and his team has achieved incredible results in recent years and having them as part of the Nismo Global Driver Exchange program will be an outstanding opportunity for our drivers.”

Nissan contested 121 IMSA events from 1985 to 1992, winning 33 races, taking 36 poles and earning four drivers’ and three manufacturer’s championships. Geoff Brabham won four consecutive IMSA driver’s championships 1988, 89, 90, 91.

Muscle Milk Pickett Racing has been the dominant team in the American Le Mans Series in recent years. Along with back-to-back championship success, the team has collected an amazing record of 21 victories, 39 podiums and 14 pole positions from only 46 races.

“We’re extremely pleased to become one of Nissan’s partner teams and to have them as part of the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing family,” team owner, Greg Pickett said.

“Nissan are proven race winners throughout the world and together we want to build a strong relationship that will help us continue the success that we’ve both come to enjoy. We’re excited to not only have our prototype be powered by Nissan but to also be involved with them at a deeper level.”