Nissan commits to V8 Supercars for 2017, 2018 seasons and vows to become genuine contender
NISSAN has vowed to become the next team to “emerge and contend” after announcing its commitment to race in Supercars for at least the next two years.
In a major boost for the series and Australian motorsport, Nissan confirmed it would continue its factory support of the four-car operation run by Todd and Rick Kelly for 2017 and 2018.
The deal means Supercars will continue to have the factory support of two manufacturers on the grid after Holden last month ended speculation about its future by signing a new three-year deal to continue backing two Commodores with the all-conquering Triple Eight team.
Nissan also confirmed the first seat in its driver line-up, announcing a two-year contract extension for its leading driver in the championship, Michael Caruso.
In its most recent incarnation, Nissan joined the Supercars grid in partnership with the Kelly brothers in 2013.
Nissan Australia managing director and chief executive Richard Emery said the company was committed to finishing what it started in Supercars and becoming a force on the grid.
“We have considered staying, going, changing teams, changing cars, you name it, we have put it on the table,’’ Emery said on Thursday.
“Nissan intends to remain a strong player in Australia’s motorsport scene into the future, with our GT3 and GT academy programs.
“We also intend to finish what we started in Supercars. Our Supercar program in partnership with Kelly Racing will continue for at least another two years.
“What the sport needs is for another team to emerge and contend and we intend that to be Nissan Motorsport.’’
Nissan announced it would continue to field four Nissan Altimas on the Supercars grid for the next two years, but would work with the company’s global motorsport arm to develop a new package for the future.
“We will work with Nissan global motorsport and Nismo to develop a potential alternate package under the Gen 2 rules for 2019 onwards,’’ Emery said.
Rick Kelly said the team was thrilled to secure the continued support of the manufacturing giant and vowed to repay the faith.
“For them to share this with us when there is so many other teams up and down pit lane and be loyal to us and trust in us in the future is a very big thing,’’ he said.
“We don’t take that lightly, we know we have got a very big job to do in the next two years to deliver the entire team at Nissan some fantastic results.
“It puts us in line with only one other team in terms of factory status and that’s something we’re very proud of.’’
While Caruso’s seat was confirmed, Rick Kelly did not give any more away about the rest of the driver line-up, but brother Todd indicated he was eager to keep driving in 2017.
Off-contract Holden Racing Team star James Courtney and new Supercars signing Simona de Silvestro, who will race a wildcard entry for Nissan with Renee Gracie at Bathurst, have also been linked to a drive at Nissan next year.