Nissan: Promising run halted for Nissan in Hampton Downs 101 in Australia

HAMPTON DOWNS, New Zealand A promising weekend for Nissan drivers Michael Caruso and Matt Simmons came to a premature end during the Hampton Downs 101 in New Zealand.

After qualifying in third place after the top 10 shootout, Supercars star Caruso showed strong race pace in the Nissan GT Academy Team Kelly GT-R NISMO GT3, moving to the lead after his opening stint.

Australian GT Academy winner Simmons impressed in the early part of his stint but suffered contact with a lapped car. The damage to the Nissan to forced the No.35 out of the race.

“It was a tough way to finish our debut weekend in Australian GT,” said Simmons. “Michael had made a really strong start and we were in a good position, but unfortunately halfway through my stint I made contact with a back marker who went wide at Turn two hairpin. We had left front damage that had to retire our car. It’s hard to not finish with the speed we had, but the atmosphere at Hampton Downs and the NISMO supporters that came out made my first racing experience in New Zealand really special.”

The next time the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 hits the track will be in two weeks at the Highlands Park near Queenstown, NZ for the final round of the Australian GT Championship.

“It was disappointing to see the car crashed out after such a promising run through the weekend,” said Caruso. “We put the GT-R in a great position to get a result. It is such a shame that Matt had a clash with a lapped car. It was just a racing incident, but enough to rule us out. Despite the lack of result, it was amazing to finally get the chance to race the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. It is a mega car. I love it, and I can’t wait to get back in it at Highlands in two weeks time.”

NISMO Calendar

November 5-6
FIA WEC, Shanghai, China
Australian Supercars, Pukekohe, New Zealand

November 12-13
Super GT, Twin-Ring Motegi, Japan
Australian GT Championship, Highlands Park, Queenstown, New Zealand

November 19-20
FIA WEC, Bahrain

 

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Contact

Jane Johnstone
Marketing Communications Director
Global Motorsport Communications
Nissan/NISMO
Phone: +44 7979 710646
Email: jane.johnstone@nissan.co.uk

Paul Ryan
Marketing and PR Manager
Phone: +1 678 644 0404
Email: paul@nismosupport.com