Maserati, Nissan likely to return to 24    Hours of Le Mans

 Nissan and Maserati appear certain to end long absences from the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year.
Both manufacturers aim to take advantage of the decision of the Le Mans organizer, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, to allow the same cars that will race in the new-for-2010 FIA GT1 World Championship to race in the 24 Hours. That means Nissan's GT-R, which is built to the new GT1 rule book, and Maserati's MC12, which will be allowed to race in modified form for one more season, will be eligible for Le Mans.
Gigawave Motorsport--Nissan's development team in FIA GT competition this season--wants to take two GT-Rs to the 24 Hours in 2010. Should Gigawave land a Le Mans entry, it would be the first time that a Nissan has raced at Le Mans since 1999.
Meanwhile, Michael Bartels revealed that he plans to take up the guaranteed Le Mans entries his Vitaphone Maserati Racing team claimed for winning the FIA GT Championship in 2009.
"We have been trying to go to Le Mans with the MC12 since 2005 [when he established Vitaphone Racing]," he said. "The Maserati board is very supportive of the idea of racing there."