Nissan Motorsport unveils four-car factory V8 Supercar team

Melbourne – Nissan Motorsport has stepped out in style at the team’s launch in Melbourne, Australia today.

The factory outfit unveiled its Nissan Altima V8 Supercars in 2013 race colours and driver line-up at the Melbourne Showgrounds, the latest chapter in Nissan’s long-awaited return to Australian touring car racing.

It was confirmed that James Moffat and Michael Caruso will both join Nissan Motorsport, driving Altimas backed by leading internet security company Norton by Symantec and becoming factory drivers for the first time in their careers.

The familiar black and white colours of global whiskey giant Jack Daniel’s have now been transferred to two Nissan Altimas to be driven by Nissan Motorsport co-owners Todd and Rick Kelly.

Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO William F Peffer Jr said that the team unveiling was yet another significant milestone for Nissan Motorsport.

“Last October we unveiled the Nissan Altima V8 Supercar but today, we’re unveiling the Nissan Motorsport team,” said William F Peffer Jr.

“Our Altimas are now in combat colours and ready for battle. Nissan is thrilled to be partnering with strong, global brands like Jack Daniel’s and Norton.

“Nissan has a raft of new models soon to be released in Australia, including the all-new Altima sedan.

“The 2013 V8 Supercar Championship is an important part of the Nissan Altima’s marketing strategy. Australian new car buyers will have an entire year to get to know the Altima name and shape before it goes on sale later this year.

“The V8 Supercar Championship is also a great environment to showcase our brand and the innovation and excitement Nissan seeks to deliver.

“2013 is guaranteed to be an exciting year for the sport of V8 Supercars, and especially for Nissan Motorsport.”

Nissan Motorsport Commercial Director Rick Kelly said it was a proud day for the team. “Today is an incredibly exciting day for our team and actually it comes almost 12 months to the day after we first announced our partnership with Nissan,” said Rick Kelly.

“Not only do we officially welcome James, Michael and Norton to Nissan Motorsport, but we also unveil our Nissan Altima V8 Supercars in race trim, including the first black and white Nissan Altima of our long-time friends at Jack Daniel’s, as well as marking the next significant step in Nissan Motorsport’s journey to the grid.”

Nissan Motorsport Racing Director Todd Kelly is confident that the team is ready for the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship. “I’m so immensely proud of each and every person at Nissan Motorsport,” said Todd Kelly.

“So much time and effort has gone into designing, constructing and assembling our four Nissan Altima V8 Supercars. We’ve strengthened every area of our team over the last 12 months in preparation for the 2013 season and I’m confident that all our work and effort will pay off this season.”

To date the first Nissan Altima V8 Supercar has completed a series of aerodynamic homologation test runs as well as circuit tests at both Winton Motor Raceway in Benalla, Victoria and Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek) in Sydney, New South Wales.

Nissan Motorsport’s four Altimas will be on-track at the annual V8 Supercars Championship pre-season test day at Sydney Motorsport Park this Saturday February 16.

Nissan Motorsport will then complete its journey to the grid on March 1-3 at the Clipsal 500 at the Adelaide Parklands street circuit in Adelaide, South Australia, the opening event of the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship.

Nissan Motorsport