In 1984, Nissan Motors brought Electramotive Engineering onboard as their official North American racing development arm in an attempt to establish Nissan in the United States. Nissan would provide the VG30ET motors (based on the VG30E from the Nissan 300ZX) and Electramotive would aid in developing the engine for the stress of racing. The chassis would be provided by Lola Cars as per Nissan’s specifications.

Through 1985 to 1988 Nissan and Electramotive Engineering would keep developing the GTP ZX-Turbo to contest in the IMSA GT Championship with some success but largely failures as the cars proved to be unreliable in long-run endurance racing. This was to change however in 1989 when the cars would finally get around their reliability issues and go on a winning streak by defeating Jaguar and also presenting as a formidable force against the unconquerable Porsche 962s.

The Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo would go on to win at 12 Hours of Sebring, Road Atlanta, Lime Rock, Mid-Ohio, Mosport, and Road America, Topeka, San Antonio, Sears Point and the season finale at Del Mar. With a total of 10 victories, this was the first time any manufacturer dethroned the mighty Porsche since the GTP class was established in 1983.