Prior to the 2016 Australian motorsport season kicking off, Nissan has taken the wraps off its two tweaked racing models.
First off is the 2016 Nissan Altima V8 Supercar outfitted with a refreshed livery more reflective to the liveries of Nissan’s global GT3 colors. Consequently, the potent, 600 hp+ rocket combines white, red and black elements as with the very best models from Nismo, the Japanese automaker’s dedicated performance division. As with 2015, the car will be driven by Michael Caruso.
Also for 2016, Nissan Australia will field a GT-R Nismo GT3 during the local GT3 series. It’ll make its racing debut at next week’s Bathurst 12 Hour looking to successful defend its 2015 title.
During a recent test day at the Phillip Island circuit, the two cars hit the track with Rick Kelly and Florian Strauss in the driver’s seats. Matt Simmons, the winner of the 2015 Nissan PlayStation GT Academy was also in attendance prior to his competitive debut during this season’s Blancpain GT Endurance Series.
Nissan Australia managing director and chief executive Richard Emery said “Today is a display of how heavily committed Nissan is to Australian motorsport. Elements from all three pillars of our local motorsport activities – V8 Supercars, GT3 and the Bathurst 12 Hour, and the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy program – were all at Phillip Island. All is now set for a huge 2016 season, beginning with the Bathurst 12 Hour next month where the Nissan GT-R will strive to win back-to back victories at Mount Panorama, just as it did in 1991 and 1992.”