Legendary ‘Godzilla” Nissan Skylines to return to happy-hunting ground Adelaide

Two of the most iconic cars to conquer the Mountain, the 1991 and 1992 Bathurst winning Nissan Skyline GT-R R32s will be reunited at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and return to a track they once dominated.

Both Gibson Motorsport cars will entertain fans in their original and iconic liveries at the South Australian event on March 16 and 17.

It will see the Group A dominators return to the famous Adelaide street circuit where Jim Richards dominated the support races for the Australian Grand Prix when it was held in South Australia in 1990, 1991 and 1992.

Jim Richards in the Nissan Skyline goes side by side with Glenn Seton’s Sierra fighting for the lead at the Adelaide Grand Prix in 1991. Image: Auto Action Archives

“Godzilla” won its first race on the streets of Adelaide when Jim Richards converted pole to a dominant 4s win in the 1990 Group A touring cars support race.

Richards’ hopes of a clean sweep were denied by brake issues in race two won by Glenn Seton.

However, Richards got redemption a year later when he did the double in the infamous 1991 weekend where rain made the Formula 1 race the shortest Grand Prix ever at the time.

That year’s Bathurst and ATCC champion won both races, but only just beating Win Percy’s HRT Commodore by a single second in the first and Seton’s Sierra by 3 in the second as the street circuit brought the machinery closer together.

Fittingly the Group A era of Australian Touring Car racing came to a close in Adelaide at the 1992 Australian Grand Prix.

As the crowd said goodnight Godzilla, Richards ensured it was gifted the perfect sendoff.

The Kiwi and DJR rival John Bowe went head to head in two thrilling races but the Gibson Motorsport driver ensured the Nissan emerged on top on both occasion.

The 1991 Bathurst winning Nissan Skyline GT-R R32.

However, nothing separated the pair with the difference just six tenths and half a second in the two breathtaking races.

The Gibson Godzillas not only ruled the streets of Adelaide, but also dominated all over the country, cruising to the 1991 and 1992 ATCC crowns.

The 1991 triumph was one of the more crushing wins, taking pole position, the fastest lap with a victory margin of an entire lap.

Infamously and unforgettably the 1992 Great Race glory was more contentious, with the rain, the red flag, crash and “you’re a pack of” comment.

The Nissan Skyline GT-R R32s were devastatingly quick, featuring all-wheel-drive and a 2.6-litre twin-turbo straight six engine and fans can relive them next year in Adelaide.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION or subscribe HERE

Listen to our latest podcast episode here or on your podcast app of choice.

The P word also gets a run. The ongoing GT4 saga and a tribute to Allan Horsley.