Nissan test for Formula 4's best

V8 Supercars team Nissan Motorsport will select one Australian Formula 4 driver to receive a test of its Nissan Altima V8 Supercar next year.

Ahead of the debut of the Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship at the Townsville street circuit this weekend, Nissan Motorsport driver and team owners Todd and Rick Kelly will assess each F4 driver during the seven round national championship and select one outstanding driver talent to test one of its Nissan V8 Supercars.

Both Todd and Rick Kelly began their professional racing careers as part of a junior driver program, and have maintained a strong connection to youth development.

Through their own V8 Supercars team, the pair helped establish the Shannons Supercar Showdown reality program and is now a key player in the Australian arm of the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy.

The Kelly brothers, who have three Bathurst 1000 victories between them, will select one driver who had displayed outstanding on-track skills and extemporary off-track attitude.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for us to have a hand in trying to bring the next generation of drivers through the ranks," Todd said.

"Developing young talent is something that Rick and I are passionate about, considering the hard work that we went through to become professional racing drivers.

"We know better than most the money, equipment and commitment that is needed to have a decent crack at a career in this game.

"We've tried a few different ways of giving young drivers a chance and this is another opportunity for us to be involved in the development of a future star."

Rick added that it was great to see the young talents they helped unearth progress in the racing careers.

"It's great to watch some of the young guys that we've helped in the past move forward, and we look forward to doing the same with one guy that we select from F4," he said.

CAMS General Manager Motorsport Development and ex-V8 Supercars driver Cameron McConville was pleased to see this level of support from one of the factory teams on the V8 Supercars grid.

"This is great news and great support from the Kelly brothers and Nissan Motorsport. We at CAMS are very appreciative and offer a big thanks on behalf of the young drivers who will be competing in the CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship," McConville said.

"Todd and Rick and Nissan Motorsport are clearly just as passionate as we are at CAMS in finding, developing and promoting the next generation of Australian motor sport stars."

The Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship is a developmental single seater open wheel race category.

The winner of the inaugural Australian F4 Championship will be awarded up to $250,000 (age and other conditions apply) to assist in the progression of their race careers, plus a test with international Formula 3 team Carlin Motorsport.

Formula 4 will hold three races over the Castrol EDGE Townsville 400, supporting the V8 Supercars Championship, which kicks off on Friday. Click here for TV broadcast details for the event.