Today’s announcement by Nissan Australia CEO, Richard Emery that they will support the entry of Nissan GT Academy Team Kelly in the 2017 Australian GT season has been welcomed by category organisers.
“We are very pleased that the entry of Team Kelly in the final rounds of both our 2016 Australian GT Championship and 2016 Australian Endurance Championship will be continued into 2017,” said Ken Collier, Australian GT Manager.
“Nissan contacted us prior to the announcement and both Tony (Quinn) and I fully support the Nissan team in Australian GT.
“We hope the two car Nissan entry into the Bathurst 12 Hour will see both GT-R NISMO GT3s participate in Australian GT events next year.”
Nissan confirmed it would join the Australian GT grid for the New Zealand leg of the 2016 campaign, with Michael Caruso joined by 2015 Nissan Playstation GT Academy International winner Matt Simmons, who has competed in a GT-R NISMO GT3 in the Blancpain GT Endurance Cup in Europe.
“I recently met Matt Simmons at Phillip Island and he will be a welcome driver at AGT,” said Collier.
“Matt has had a huge 12 months and his enthusiasm to tell me how his life changed from being a delivery driver in Brisbane this time last year to now driving in the GT series was refreshing.
“I’ve no doubt Matt will fit in with our Australia GT family as he is genuine, humble person who appreciates the opportunities he is given.
“It is fantastic that Nissan will continue to support the Kelly Supercar team also,” continued Collier.
“The Supercar events are critical to Australian motorsport and all major motorsport categories need Supercars to be strong.”
New Zealand plays host to the next two rounds of the CAMS Australian Endurance Championship, with the inaugural Hampton Downs 101 set to take place on October 28-30.
Australian GT will open the newly extended circuit ahead of moving to the South Island for the Highlands 101 at Highlands Motorsport Park (November 11-13) near Queenstown for the final race weekend of the year.
The final weekend will also see the CAMS Australian GT Championship season finale, wiht two 60-minute races on the Saturday in addition to Sunday’s 101-lap enduro, making for an action packed weekend of GT racing for teams and fans.
