Kelly team staying with Altima
TODD Kelly has declared his Supercars team will be driving Altimas in 2019 despite Nissan Australia withdrawing support from the end of this season.
The Japanese brand has called time on its backing of the team, six years after Kelly Racing began their association with Nissan.
Despite their decision to pull support – which is more akin to a sponsorship loss than withdrawal of factory assistance – Kelly said they’d be trucking on.
“It’s business as usual for us in 2019 as we continue to race the Altima next year,” said Kelly of the Nissan model.
“This announcement won’t slow our development as we continue to push further up the grid.”
The Nissans have struggled to compete with dominant teams on the grid. Kelly Racing – rebadged as Nissan Motorsport since 2013 – has tallied two race wins and 11 other podium finishes during the six- year stretch.
Nissan is one of just three makes represented in the grid following Erebus Motorsport’s decision to switch from Mercedes to Holden in 2016.
Supercars chief executive Sean Seamer thanked Nissan for their support, saying they were open to a return. “Sponsors’ priorities change and develop over time. We look forward to welcoming Nissan back at some point in the future,” he said.
“Todd, Rick and the team have done a great job in developing the Altima into a package which has been highly competitive with dual podiums at Phillip Island and regular top ten performances.
“They will carry that form through the rest of this year and we look forward to the Altima lining up against the Ford Mustang and Holden Commodore once again in Adelaide next year.”