The Cars That Drive Us: Brian Jannusch and the Nissan GT-R That Refused to Be Forgotten
Some vehicles become more than machines. Over time, they become part of our stories, carrying the memories, milestones and experiences that make them meaningful. For Brian Jannusch, automotive enthusiast, professional racing driver, and the sales director at Toprank Importers, that vehicle is a Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R that many would have considered beyond saving. What began as an abandoned project eventually evolved into a championship-winning race car, becoming a testament to the passion, persistence and commitment that can transform a vehicle over time. Jannusch shares the story behind the GT-R, the memories he's created behind the wheel and what it means to keep a vehicle for the long run.
How many cars do you currently have in your collection?
I currently have nine cars in my collection.
What is your favorite car in your collection, and why?
Without question, it's my Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R race car.
When I found the car, it had been completely abandoned and was missing nearly everything. Most people would have looked at it and seen a lost cause, but I saw an opportunity to bring it back to life. I restored it into my dream street car, and after spending time on track, it eventually evolved into a fully competition-compliant race car.
What makes the car so special is what it represents. It's proof that no matter a vehicle's starting condition, these older cars can still be saved and enjoyed. Preserving enthusiast cars isn't always easy, but it's incredibly rewarding.
The GT-R has also opened doors I never expected. Through Pennzoil, we've had the opportunity to truly put the oil to the test in motorsports, and it's helped spark a partnership with Nissan and NISMO to bring this generation of GT-R back into the spotlight in the United States.
What's your most memorable drive in that car?
It's difficult to narrow it down to a single drive because the entire 2024 Nissan Challenge season was unforgettable. Watching the car go from an abandoned shell to a championship-winning race car was something I'll never forget.
If I had to choose one moment, though, it would be winning at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. It's one of the most iconic tracks in the world and a place where I'd always dreamed of standing on the top step of the podium.
Many of my friends who helped me with the car along the way were there to witness it, which made the victory even more meaningful. I'd won races there in Gran Turismo growing up, but winning in real life, in a car I'd rescued and built myself, was an entirely different feeling.
What does "keeping a car for the long run" mean to you?
To me, keeping a car for the long run means building a relationship with it rather than treating it as something temporary.
My R32 GT-R isn't just a vehicle; it's something I've invested countless hours into developing, maintaining, learning from, and racing. Every season adds another chapter to its story.
The goal isn't to keep it until the next interesting thing comes along. It's to continue evolving it, preserving it, racing it, and creating memories with it for years to come.
The true value isn't just in the car itself. It's in the experiences, friendships, and milestones that come from staying committed to a single machine over time. That's what makes collector cars, and the enthusiast community surrounding them, so special.
