Nissan's Awesome Foursome Speak

NISSANMotorsport’s four drivers are champing at the bit to get racing following today’sformal launch of the Nissan Altima’s they will race in this year’s V8 SupercarChampionship.

The teamtoday confirmed long-running industry speculation linking James Moffat andMichael Caruso to a pair of Norton-backed Nissan’s.

Whilst Carusoand Moffat are new to the team, the Kelly brothers – who will continue torepresent Jack Daniel’s on their entries - have driven the project from both anon and off track point of view since it was announced 12-months ago.

“In these situations atthe start of a year, especially when you have to build all new cars and newteam, you never really realise what you’ve achieved, and you don’t really feelwhat you’ve entered into until you pull the covers of the car at the launchevery year,” Todd Kelly said.

“To pull the covers offthe car and see the Jack Daniel’s signage, with all the drivers standing therein their Sunday shirts for the first time and the actual car in its livery, especiallywith the Nissan badge, really hits home.

“To realise the greatdrivers and great sponsors we’ve got and also that we’re officially a factoryteam, I think that will really hit us all hard and I think everyone is quiteproud.”

New signings Moffat andCaruso both get their first chance at a factory V8 Supercar drive this year –both excited to have the rare opportunity to represent a works-supported brandin V8 Supercars.

In a move away from thenumbers previous utilised by the third and fourth Kelly Racing entries, Carusowill race with #36 this year, and Moffat with #360.

“Every kid who dreams ofbeing a racer wants to be part of a factory race team, so I’m delighted to bejoining Nissan and Norton 360 Racing to compete in the 2013 Championship,”Caruso said.

“This is a tremendouscareer opportunity for me, and I am looking forward to working with Norton andNissan to make this year a great success.”

“I am super pumped,”Moffat agreed.

“Stepping up to a full factory program with Nissan and to continue my longrelationship with Norton, it’s fantastic.

“I’ve driven the all-newNissan Altima a few times now and it’s a serious contender, there’s so much potentialthere. I think the Norton 360 Racing team will be in very good shape this year.”

Rick Kelly says themassive workload the team has experienced throughout the last 12 months wasmade worthwhile when looking at the finished product in front of assembledmedia this morning.

“Over the last 12 monthswe’ve gone through a huge process with the conversion from Holden to Nissan anda number of releases from the shape of the Altima, to the engine, to the actualrace car look,” Kelly said.

“From that point on we’vespent a lot of time with Jack Daniel’s and internally here at Nissan Motorsportdeveloping a livery that is a real departure from what you’ve seen for the pastcouple of years.”

“It’s a new time for us inNissan Motorsport, for the whole team, and this year we’re really hoping forsome fantastic results and we‘ve got all the tools now in the box to go and do that,and whilst we do that it’s important to look right and we really think we’vehit the nail on the head this year.”

The #7, #15, #36 and #360 Nissan Motorsport entries will all hit the track atSydney Motorsport Park this Saturday for the official V8 Supercars test day.