Nissan Australia has announced Michael Caruso will compete in the 2015 V8 Supercar Championships in the global motorsport colours of Nissan and NISMO.
REVEALED TODAY in Bathurst, NSW alongside the NISMO Athlete Global Team’s #35 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 that will compete in the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour this weekend. Beyond just a new paint scheme, Nissan says it heralds an increased commitment to V8 Supercars from the brand.
But todays reveal was about more than just ‘racing on Sunday and selling on Monday,’ it also gives us a first look at the 2015-specification Nissan Altima V8 Supercar which is showing off its new aerodynamic package. Simulation work was carried out between the Nissan Motorsport V8 Supercars team in Australia and NISMO in Japan. The most visible change is a switch from a centre-post mounted rear wing to an end plate mounted version.
“The 2015 season is a significant one for Nissan both on and off the race track,” said Richard Emery, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nissan Motor Co. Australia.
“We have discussed internally for some time now what options we can explore with our Nissan branding moving forward, be that across all four Altimas or a holistic presence on one Altima, to increase the Nissan identity of our V8 Supercars program.
“This option gives us great on-track presence and illustrates this program’s links to Nissan’s global motorsport activities.
“We are excited to have Michael racing in Nissan colours this year, but it is important to note that all four cars remain equal in terms of specification and status.”
Emery said it was fitting for one of the Nissan Altima V8 Supercars to campaign in global factory Nissan NISMO colours in 2015, highlighting the global motorsport activities of Nissan by giving one of the Altimas the ‘global NISMO look’.
Caruso said that he was thrilled to carry the company’s global colour scheme in 2015, his third season driving for Nissan Motorsport.
“It is an honour to race under the official factory colours of Nissan and NISMO,” said Caruso.
“For any motor racing driver, you always want to be aligned with a factory team, and that was the main reason why I joined Nissan Motorsport back in 2013.
“Now, to fly the flag for Nissan alongside my three team-mates is a dream come true.
“To see the car at Bathurst, alongside the GT-R NISMO GT3 in identical colours, is awesome.
“We had a strong season last year, but we still have a lot to prove. I’m confident that with the changes we have put in place and the great commitment made by the team over the off-season, Nissan Motorsport will be in a strong position this season.”
Nissan will also be represented this weekend at Mount Panorama, with the GT-R NISMO GT3 competing in the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour. The GT-R is entered by the factory NISMO Athlete Global Team and will be driven by Japanese star Katsumasa Chiyo and former Nissan GT Academy winners Wolfgang Reip and Florian Strauss.
