KANAGAWA, Japan - Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co., Ltd. (NMC) announced today that Nissan/NISMO driver Tsugio Matsuda will conclude his participation in the SUPER GT series at the end of this season.

Since signing with Nissan/NISMO in 2006, Matsuda has competed in SUPER GT for 20 seasons, driving successive generations of GT500-spec machines including the Fairlady Z (Z33), the Nissan GT-R (R35) and the current Fairlady Z (RZ34). During his illustrious career, he won two series championships with the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 and set remarkable records, including the most wins in the Super GT series with 25, 202 starts in JGTC/SUPER GT and the most points at 1,267.*
*Figures include wins and entries with other manufacturers and excludes the final round at Motegi.

The Nissan/NISMO team would like to extend its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Matsuda for all he has achieved, and to sincerely thank all the fans and stakeholders who have supported him throughout his career. Please join us in cheering him on at his final SUPER GT race at Round 8 in Motegi.

Tsugio Matsuda

"Achieving my 25th career win at Round 6 in SUGO made me feel that I still had more to give. However, I decided that stepping away upon achieving my goals would be true to who I am. At the same time, witnessing a young teammate claim his first-ever SUPER GT victory filled me with a mix of emotions - joy, as well as a sense of passing the baton to the next generation. To all the fans who have supported me over the years, to Nissan, NISMO, TEAM IMPUL, KONDO RACING, tire manufacturers, sponsors and everyone who has been part of my racing journey - and to my family - I offer my heartfelt gratitude. I love racing, the unique tension of the circuit and, above all, the feeling of driving. While I am graduating from SUPER GT, I won't be retiring. Tsugio Matsuda the race driver will keep racing."

NMC President Yutaka Sanada

"As a Nissan driver, Matsuda-san has made significant contributions over the past 20 years to the development of GT500-class vehicles and tires, while captivating fans and all of us with his exceptional driving skills. His passion for cars runs deep - not only in racing but also in drifting and production vehicles. He has enjoyed a wide range of models, from generations of the Fairlady Z and Skyline to the GT-R, and possesses extensive knowledge of them. We look forward to his continued involvement in various activities with Nissan/NMC in the future. For now, we will provide our full support as he gives his all in the final round at Motegi."