Nissan Altima V8 Supercar

Since its inception back in 1999, the Australia-based V8 Supercars race series has been the preserve of just two manufacturers: Ford and Holden.

However, from next year, a factory Nissan Motorsport team joins the fray. It’ll be fielding a quartet of brand new Altima racers, which have just been unveiled in Melbourne. The outfit is co-owned by Todd and Rick Kelly, and the cars are built to the ‘Car of the Future’ regulations which utilise several common components to reduce costs.

Nissan Altima V8 Supercar 2013 Front Side 1

Obviously, power must come from a V8 engine, and Nissan has chosen the production-based VK56DE unit. It’s certainly a motor with pedigree, as it was used in the Nissan GT-R that enabled Lucas Luhr and Michael Krumm to win the FIA GT1 drivers’ championship in 2011. A somewhat less glamorous association is that it’s also related to the engine found in the latest Patrol SUV.

Commenting on the team’s next steps, Racing Director Todd Kelly said: “Once V8 Supercars has homologated the aerodynamic package on the Altima, we will begin our testing to ensure it drives as fast as it looks and sounds.”

Nissan Altima V8 Supercar 2013 Front Side 2

Commercial Director Rick Kelly added: “2013 will be the first time in my career that I will be a factory driver and it’s a responsibility that I am not taking lightly. A lot of hard work still lies ahead but we want to ensure that Nissan Motorsport is competitive next season and is a force to be reckoned with in the not-too-distant future.”

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