Simmons to determine Nissan GT plans

The location and orientation of Nissan Australia’s GT-R GT3 program in 2017 will be determined by the availability of PlayStation Academy racer, Matt Simmons.

Although it was reported by media (including motoring.com.au) yesterday that Nissan Australia had committed to campaigning a factory GT-R in the Australian GT Championship next season, in fact, the resources could be directed to an all-European season for the Aussie gamer-to-racer.

“Once we know what Matt’s obligations are [for the season] that will determine what his [local] program is next year,” Nissan Australia boss, Richard Emery told motoring.com.au.

“It could be he’s in Australia running the whole [Australian GT] series for us and not going back to Europe; he might do a selected number of races; or he might stay in Europe – at this point in time [the plan for 2017 is] not firm,” Emery said.

Nissan’s commitment, Emery asserts, is to continue Simmons career development.

“The commitment is to run a car for Matt,” Emery stated.

“If Matt’s back in Europe would we consider [running] a car in the Australian GT Championship. We’d probably consider doing that at an arm’s length level because that’s the way the category runs,” The Nissan boss aid.

“Certainly we want to support Matt, so that’s where our effort and resource would go. If that’s in Europe fine, if that’s back here, we have the structure and platform to do that,” he said.

It’s not clear whether the Australian GT effort would be in factory colours or under another sponsor. A two GT-R standalone operation has already been linked to the series via Porsche racer and ex-V8 driver David Wall.

“That would be something we’d have to sit down [and discuss] with the championship itself,” Emery said of the potential factory livery.

Nissan Australia has, however, confirmed a stand-alone two-car entry for the 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour.

That entry is expected to be run by a composite squad involving the Kelly-owned local Nissan Motorsport Supercars squad and an imported NISMO factory team.