MOTORSPORT: Rick Kelly in GT-R 'gang' for 12-Hour

Nissan has named its driver line-up for its Bathurst 12-Hour title defence, which will double as its attempt to emulate its 1991-92 victories at Mt Panorama with GT-Rs in the longer-established 1000km classic.

Japan's Katsumasa Chiyo, the hero of last year's thrilling 12-Hour finish, is coming back to the Mountain for the February 7 enduro and will be partnered by Nissan V8 Supercar driver Rick Kelly and German computer-gamer graduate Florian Strauss.

Kelly missed last year's 12-Hour because of the clash with the V8 Supercar test weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.

V8 Supercars has since taken over promotion of the GT enduro from Yeehah Events and there is no longer a clash that stops V8 Supercar drivers from participating.

Kelly, the 2003-04 Bathurst 1000 winner and 2006 V8 Supercar champion with Holden, drove in the 2014 12-Hour, but Chiyo crashed the car early in the race.

He crashed again in qualifying last year, but in the race seized the lead after the last safety car and held his nerve to deliver a fabulous victory ahead of the diverse field of far more expensive GT3 cars.

This year's NISMO GT-R entry is a 2015 model with improved brakes, handling, aerodynamics and driver ergonomics.

Its engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6. The GT-R will remain in Australia permanently after the race.

The 12-Hour entry list includes 11 car brands and 15 models, 14 other V8 Supercar drivers and many international stars.

"We showed great pace and potential in 2014 but unfortunately our race ended early in the day," said Kelly, who is clearly thrilled to be back in Bathurst's other 'Great Race'.

"Then in 2015 the team, car and drivers all performed superbly to take a spectacular win. I was so pleased for Nissan to win, but it was tough to watch as opposed to being a part of it.

"So I'm really happy to be coming back to reunite with the NISMO team, with Chiyo-san, Florian and the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3.

"That car is just amazing to drive, especially around Bathurst, where it is unbelievable.

"The 12-Hour continues to grow from strength to strength, so I know the competition will be fierce, with lots of strong cars and teams and a great mix of local and international drivers.

"I think we can be right up the front," insists Kelly, "but Bathurst usually puts on crazy racing, so the idea will be to play it smart and be in the mix come the last hour of the race."

Victory in the last Bathurst 12-Hour was the start of a hugely successful year for Chiyo, who later won the Blancpain GT Endurance Series PRO Class title in Europe and the Super GT Championship GT300 title in Japan.

"Winning the Bathurst 12-Hour last year was the biggest race win of my career," Chiyo said.

"Driving a GT-R to victory at Bathurst was an honour for me and something I will never forget. The race was so exciting and stressful right until the end, and then to win was so emotional.

"That win gave me the confidence that I can race against the best because the competition at this event is extremely strong.

"I am so happy to be coming back to defend last year's win. We will have an even stronger car this year, but I know that the competition will also improve.

"It is very exciting to have Rick and Florian as teammates this year. Rick is a great driver and knows the Mount Panorama circuit well. I'm also pleased to race with Florian again. He did an outstanding job at Bathurst last year – a memory we will always share.

"The Bathurst 12-Hour is one of the biggest GT races in the world. I hope that we can do a good job for Nissan and NISMO and give the GT-R back-to-back wins like in 1991 and 1992."

Missing this year is Belgian Wolfgang Reip who, like Strauss, came through Nissan's GT Academy (won by an Aussie in 2015) for computer gamers.

Strauss was a late inclusion last year when Brit Alex Buncombe withdrew because of the imminent birth of a child, but the German did an excellent job – especially as he had only 18 months' experience of racing.

"It's great to come back to race again in the Bathurst 12-Hour," Strauss said. "The track is for sure one of the most spectacular in the world.

"Not only will it be great to be back behind the wheel at this particular place, but also the ability to defend the victory from last year – the absolute highlight in my career so far.

"I'm sure it will again be a breathtaking race."

Nissan Australia chief executive Richard Emery said it was "a very strong line-up" to defend the 12-Hour crown.

"We had very accomplished drivers from all over the Nissan world keen to race at Bathurst," Emery said.

"In the end we are pleased to be giving Rick a second chance in the Bathurst 12-Hour, alongside Chiyo-san, who had an outstanding season in 2015, and Florian, who did the GT Academy program proud with last year's win.

"That victory was a momentous occasion for Nissan and NISMO," said Emery.

"Our aim is to repeat the success of 1991 and 1992 [when the drivers were Jim Richards and Mark Skaife] and give the GT-R back-to-back Bathurst wins, but that will be a tough task given the very high level of competition in this year's race.

"It's also great to see the global collaboration that is going into our Bathurst 12- Hour entry, which is further evidence of how highly Nissan rates this event and how
seriously NISMO is treating our efforts."

Australian gamer-turned-racer Matt Simmons, winner of last year's Nissan PlayStation GT Academy International competition, will accompany the NISMO squad to Bathurst as part of his preparation for his professional racing debut in the Blancpain GT Endurance Series in a GT-R.