Nothing brings out the best in people like competition. And nothing brings out the most chaotic competitive energy possible like putting 76 Nissan Altimas on a track at the same time, calling it a race, and telling them to have at it.
What could possibly go wrong? Spoilers: absolutely everything.
Like “Death Race,” But With Only FWD Economy Sedans
The Altima 600
byu/OfficialTornadoAlley inNissanDrivers
Here’s the Youtube link if that’s easier for ya!
The Altima 600 at the Freedom Factory
Imagine it: nearly 80 Altimas roaring (whining? buzzing?) around for 60 laps. Sparks flying. Bumpers dragging. Drivers who looked like they just rolled out of a Waffle House parking lot at 2 AM on a Wednesday night.
It’s automotive racing perfection. A distillation of everything fun about racing.
The race took place at The Freedom Factory, Florida’s newest venue for exactly this kind of wonderfully unhinged grassroots racing. The Freedom Factory is the brainchild of YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland, who somehow convinced a bank to let him buy an entire racetrack. We respect that hustle.
If you want a deeper dive into how Cleetus pulled off his racetrack dreams, this Ars Technica interview is a great read.
Meet Your Altima Champion
The winner? Car #4, the one flying a full-sized American flag and dragging a bumper. I’m not even sure they were the fastest. They were just one of the few drivers who didn’t crash out early in a hailstorm of sparks, tire smoke, and shredded plastic.
If you want to experience the glorious chaos firsthand, here’s the full race video. Highly recommend grabbing a snack first. You’re going to want to settle in for this one.
Long Live the Ultimate Altima
Say what you will about Nissan Altimas, but they can sure take a hit. Watching dozens of them clatter around the track at wide open throttle was, honestly, kind of inspiring. With reliability like that, it’s hard to imagine how the brand is struggling so much to stay in the American market.
