MOTORSPORT: Nissan launches Altima V8 Supercar assault

Nissan Motorsport launched its inaugural V8 Supercar campaign at the Melbourne Showgrounds this morning, announcing a four-car team that will take on Holden, Ford and fellow newcomer Mercedes-Benz in this year’s touring car championship.

The all-new Nissan Altima V8 Supercar was first seen last October, but today’s official team launch saw two cars revealed in two different 2013 liveries, and James Moffat and Michael Caruso confirmed as factory drivers for the first time in their careers.

While Moffat and Caruso will both drive Altima V8s sponsored by internet security company Norton by Symantec, Nissan Motorsport co-owners Todd and Rick Kelly will race under the familiar black and white colours of global whiskey giant Jack Daniel’s.

“I am super pumped about stepping up to a full factory program with Nissan, and to continue my long relationship with Norton, it’s fantastic,” said Moffat, who will compete in the #360 Norton Nissan Altima.

“I’ve driven the all-new Nissan Altima a few times now and it’s a serious contender. There’s so much potential there, I think the Norton 360 Racing team will be in very good shape this year.”

Caruso, who will race the #36 Norton Nissan Altima, said the opportunity was a dream come true.

“Every kid who dreams of being a racer wants to be part of a factory race team, so I’m delighted to be joining Nissan and Norton 360 Racing to compete in the 2013 championship,” he said.

“This is a tremendous career opportunity for me, and I am looking forward to working with Norton and Nissan to make this year a great success.”

Todd Kelly, who will race the #7 Jack Daniel’s Nissan Altima, said: “In these situations at the start of a year, especially when you have to build all new cars and a new team, you never really realise what you’ve achieved, and you don’t really feel what you’ve entered into until you pull the covers of the car at the launch every year.

“To pull the covers off the car and see the Jack Daniel’s signage, with all the drivers standing there in their Sunday shirts for the first time and the actual car in its livery, especially with the Nissan badge, really hits home.

“To realise the great drivers and great sponsors we’ve got and also that we’re officially a factory team, I think that will really hit us all hard and I think everyone is quite proud.”

Driver of the #15 Jack Daniel’s Nissan Altima and Nissan Motorsport Commercial Director, Rick Kelly, said his team’s conversion from Holden to Nissan over the past year was an exciting time.

“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,” he said.

“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.

“For us what you see today is something that we’ve spent a lot of time working on and something we think is quite different to what you’ve seen before.

“It’s a new time for us in Nissan Motorsport, for the whole team, and this year we’re really hoping for some fantastic results and we‘ve got all the tools now in the box to go and do that, and whilst we do that it’s important to look right and we really think we’ve hit the nail on the head this year.”

Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO Bill Peffer said the team unveiling was another significant milestone for Nissan Motorsport.

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

“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.”

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 Victoria and Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek) in Sydney.

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).

The 2013 V8 Supercars Championship kicks off with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on March 1-3.

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