RPM Generation

Written by Lucio Maurizi

Photos by Mattia Veneziano

Nismo Festival is one of the largest and most anticipated car events in Japan every year. It’s when thousands of enthusiasts gather to witness the history of Nismo through the cars that take over the track, the pits, and the parking lot.

40 Years of Nismo: A Look Back and a Glimpse Ahead
The 2024 Nismo Festival also celebrated 40 years of Nismo’s legacy. The company took the opportunity to showcase what seems to be their direction for the future. This year, a significant number of electric cars took over both the pits and the track. While delivering impressive performances, one could argue that these EVs lacked a bit of the soul that many of us associate with Nismo’s iconic past.

Some of you may recall my previous blog entry on how I got into the car scene in Japan. One detail I never mentioned: Nismo Festival was actually my first large-scale event here, just over two years ago. I went again the following year, and in 2024, I finally managed to gain access to the track and pits.

Legends on the Track
All the legends were there: the Calsonic R32, the R33 GT-R LM, the Reebok Skyline, the R390 GT1, the R91 CP, and of course, icons like the 34 Z-Tune, the 400R, the Z S-Tune GT, the 270R, and more. Most of these heroes took a ceremonial fast lap on Fuji Speedway. They weren’t alone. This year’s Nismo Festival featured the largest number of electric vehicles I’ve seen on display and on track, including the Formula E S10 – GEN2.

The Rise of EVs in Motorsports
While these electric monsters make many of us engine lovers cringe, I can see why they’re becoming more prominent. For better or worse, whether we like it or not, the world is shifting toward electric, and motorsports will inevitably carve out a significant space for EV racing. Now, that’s not something I’m personally looking forward to, but I don’t think it signals the end of combustion engine sports.

I have to admit, the electric vehicles Nismo put on track were scary fast. They went from zero to “damn!” almost instantly. But I’m not kidding when I say that at least twice, I didn’t even realize they had left the pits. At one point, the S10 departed so quietly and so quickly that it literally burned rubber on the tarmac, leaving a trail of smoke. This phenomenal acceleration was paired with an eerie electric whistle, like an arrow slicing through the sky. It was almost comedic—surprising, to say the least.

So, here’s the big question: do we, the fans of Nismo, want to see the company move toward electric? Maybe our nostalgic side says no, but the pragmatic side understands that evolving doesn’t mean abandoning Nismo’s heritage. In fact, I like to think it’s adding layers to that history.

For those who believe electric will kill combustion, let me quote Mr. Sverdrup, chairman of Zenvo Automotive. When I asked him if EVs would eventually replace combustion, he laughed and said, “We still ride horses, don’t we?” (Go watch the whole interview if you can.) Now that I’ve tried to be objective, let’s get back to me being me: I know electric is the future; I just don’t want to be there when it fully arrives.

Back to What We Love: Historic Cars
Nismo Festival kicked off with its traditional historic car exhibition race. As these legends took the track and proved they hadn’t lost their luster, people gathered not only in the stands but also by the shops. Make no mistake: Nismo Festival isn’t just about looking at cars. It’s also about buying parts—often rare ones—as well as merchandise like clothing and limited-edition mini-cars.

This year’s hot collectible was a model of the GT-R R33 400R that I really wanted but couldn’t get my hands on, as it sold out before I arrived.

A Generational Bond Over Nismo
One aspect of Nismo Festival that’s often overlooked is that it’s not just about the cars themselves. It’s about the bond enthusiasts share across generations. While some scramble to cover the event, and others run left and right to snag rare items, many find the perfect spot on the grass. They camp alone, with friends, or with family, simply enjoying the day. Honestly, that looks like a perfect day, and seeing older and newer generations bond over the same love of cars is probably my second favorite thing about this festival.

Personal Highlights: Calsonic R32 and More
One of the highlights for me was seeing the Calsonic R32 up close for the first time in my life. I got so close that I could peek at the engine and interiors. I spent more time than I care to admit just listening to it rumble. Fortunately, I didn’t fully succumb to the 32’s spell and made sure to explore the rest of the pits and the cars inside them.

Most attendees don’t have open access to the pits or track-side areas. The good news is that one of the best shows is actually in the show-car area. Here, Nismo and Nissan lovers from all over Japan (and abroad) park their prized rides, and you’ll spot some of the coolest and rarest models you’ve ever seen.

This is where I saw a bunch of familiar “faces” with awesome builds.

But also my first in-person wagon Skyline and…

… I’ll challenge you all to name this mystery car I stumbled upon— the more you look, the more confusing it gets. Definitely another highlight of Nismo Festival 2024.

Roaring Engines and Lifelong Dreams
Back on track, I finally got to experience my favorite part of the festival. Seeing the ever-angry-sounding GT-R GT1 roaring down Fuji Speedway was almost tear-inducing. That wasn’t the only life-changing experience for this small-time car enthusiast who had never thought he’d be this close to such legendary machines.

Being near cars like the Xanavi Nismo Z, the R390GT1, and the R91—close enough that I could imagine jumping right in—and then watching them rip around the track was a dream come true. But the true peak was watching the Calsonic 32 followed by the 270R, the 33 400R, and the 34 Z-Tune approach the tarmac, and then send it at full throttle—even if only for a single, brief lap. Like many of you, I grew up admiring these cars in magazines, dreaming they’d materialize right before my eyes. Seeing them now, bringing tens of thousands of us together, reassures me they’ll never fail to inspire.

Until Next Year
As the end of Nismo Festival 2024 approached, I knew I’d want to return. If you happen to be in Japan next December, I highly recommend you experience it for yourself.