Priced at less than $10,000, the Nissan Micra returned to Canada for the first time in some 24 years just over a year ago. Since then more than 11,000 have been sold, a big percentage finding homes in Quebec driveways.
Now, the manufacturer is extending the Micra marketing push with a spec racing series, the Nissan Micra Cup, which is set to debut in Quebec this year. Dubbed Canada's most affordable racing series, it will Begin May 23. In advance of the start of racing season, Nissan Canada invited a few lucky souls to sample the racecar at Circuit Mont-Tremblant, the undulating and challenging former F1 track.
On the drive from Montreal to the circuit, the vehicle of choice was the Nissan Micra S, the very tiny car that has revolutionized its segment. The car is basic—so basic, it may not be to everyone's liking. Generally accepted comfort and convenience features that are missing here include power windows, air conditioning and automated door locks.
Nevertheless, the Micra S is downright fun to drive. The 5-speed manual transmission is engaging, the steering is surprisingly direct and the car feels solid all-around. The quality of these building blocks is what convinced Nissan Canada that the car could be turned in to a racecar. And they were right—for an additional $10,000, the Micra S is ready for the drop of the green flag.
The less than desirable qualities of the stock car have been remedied in race trim.
The all-season tires have been replaced with racy Pirelli numbers, slicks for dry conditions and treaded rain tires that we used to attack the circuit on a damp day. The grip is astounding and this allows the Micra to carry a nice turn of speed through the corners. If one is overly ambitious when carrying speed, the new front brake pads completely transform the stopping power of the little Nissan.
Other significant modifications to the race version include the addition of a full roll cage and other safety equipment, as well as the inclusion of a Nismo suspension kit. This kit gives race teams the ability to adjust the settings of the front suspension to fine-tune the handling. They can also play with tire pressures, but attempting to adjust anything else on the Micra racecar is strictly verboten.
The 1.6L 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission are sealed. A 1020-kg minimum weight limit is set in stone. And technical directors for the series are more than ready to uncover anyone looking for an unfair advantage—the penalty for a first offense is $1500, while a second transgression gets a driver booted from the series for two years.
In designing the Nissan Micra Cup, the organizers are clearly placing the emphasis on driver skill—with all cars being equal, only the best will get to the front of the field. But the star of this particular show will still be the car.
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