Nissan NISMO driver Michael Caruso will compete in a brand-new Nissan Altima chassis at the Australian Grand Prix support races at Albert Park this weekend.
Both Caruso and James Moffat’s Altima V8s sustained significant damage at the Clipsal 500 last week, and due to the tight turn around between the events, Caruso will switch to the new chassis.
Caruso’s #23 NISMO Nissan collected the infamous Turn 8 wall during Saturday’s second race at the Adelaide street track, forcing the team to work until 4am (Sunday) to repair the damage.
The car was repaired and raced on Sunday, but the team deemed it needed further work back at the workshop before it could race again.
Moffat’s Steadfast-backed Altima was also involved in a heavy shunt on Sunday. He was the innocent victim in the controversial clash between Jamie Whincup and Chaz Mostert.
Moffat’s car has undergone substantial repair in the past week and is fit for a return to the Grand Prix circuit.
The introduction of Nissan Motorsport’s fifth chassis (KR-005) is the first time that the team has used a new car since it became the factory Nissan team at the start of 2013.
While there was damage for Moffat and Caruso in Adelaide, Nissan’s Kelly brothers fared much better. Rick and Todd Kelly currently sit in eighth in and 10th overall in the V8 Supercars Championship.
The V8s will be on-track on all four days of the Grand Prix event, kicking off on Thursday with two practice sessions and a single 20 minute qualifying session. Two 12 lap races will be run on Friday, followed by two more 12 lap races on Saturday and Sunday.
Michael Caruso, #23 NISMO Nissan Altima V8
“It’s definitely exciting to be in a brand-new Nissan V8 Supercar,” said Michael Caruso. “And it’s especially good to have it at a race track like the Grand Prix. We had a bit of success there last year, finishing on the podium, and after a disappointing Clipsal, having a new car will be the perfect way to get back behind wheel. “I’ve had a couple of new cars over the years, and you always feel more comfortable in something that is brand new. Just sitting inside it, you feel like it’s going to be faster than the last one you had! Hopefully that’s the case. “I’m really can’t wait to get out into it.”
Scott Sinclair, Racing Director, Nissan Motorsport
“We had a mixed start to the year – two cars in the top 10 and two with significant damage,” said Scott Sinclair. “Michael’s crash on Saturday was bad enough, and James’ shunt on Sunday topped it off. “With the tight turn around, we didn’t have time to get both cars on the jig, so the decision was made to fix James’s car and give Michael the new one. “The state the new chassis was in was ready for this type of scenario. It has been brought out early than anticipated, but the best thing is that we’ve been ready for it.”