Rick and Todd Kelly go retro for their road trip to the Bathurst 1000 in Australia

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MELBOURNE, Australia – Nissan Motorsport drivers Rick and Todd Kelly, along with co-driver David Russell, are going retro for their Bathurst 1000 road trip, with the team pressing into service a classic Nissan Figaro for the journey to Mount Panorama.

For over a decade now the Kelly brothers have made the annual drive to Bathurst in a series of off-beat vehicles, with the Japanese-sourced Figaro one of the more interesting cars used to date.

The 1991 built two door convertible boasts a 987cc turbocharged engine, mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.

Adding to the challenge of completing the road trip in time for Thursday's opening practice session, the Figaro is paired with a Bathurst Special Edition Jayco Caravan.

As a solid backup plan to the Figaro, a Nissan NP300 Navara will provide support, equipped with a Jayco Starcraft Caravan.

To complete the caravanning road trip theme, the team will make overnight stops at Jayco leisure parks en route.

Kicking the trip off in style, the Kelly brothers donned their finest 1950s threads, with the dress up theme now a staple of the yearly Bathurst expedition.

Once in Bathurst, the Kellys and Russell will be joined by five other drivers in Nissan's four-car attack on The Great Race in Australia.

The Nissan Motorsport convoy is scheduled to arrive in Mount Panorama's pit lane at 11 am local time on Tuesday.

On-track action is schedule to commence on Thursday with three practice sessions, before two further practices and qualifying on Friday, the top-10 shootout on Saturday, and the 161-lap race on Sunday.

QUOTES

Rick Kelly, #15 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima V8

"For Todd and me, the Bathurst road trip is a tradition. We've done it for 12 or 13 years now, and it all started back when Todd, I and Nathan Pretty drove a camper van up to Bathurst," said Rick Kelly.

"The whole idea was to take a day and half to get there and arrive in a good frame of mind.

"I think we certainly achieved that, and since then we have just carried on the tradition.

"Over the years it has developed into something quite unique; we generally pick a car now that is a little older, have a theme, whether it's 1950s, '60s, '70s, or '80s, and we dress accordingly to the era of the car, which just adds a little bit of fun.

"We take a couple of days to arrive in Bathurst, we try to come into town in style, and a certain sense of achievement getting whatever car it is that we've driven to Bathurst.

"This year it's hard. How do we top all of the cool cars and outfits we've had over the years?

"Of course, how could you beat a Nissan Figaro? It's a very unique car, it didn't actually get brought into Australia, and this one has come straight from Japan in only the last few weeks.

"Since we've taken delivery, I've absolutely fallen in love with it; it's a nice little car, a 1.0-liter turbo, and just a lot of fun.

"A road trip wouldn't be complete without a good caravan behind it, so we have a little Jayco Bathurst Special Edition van that we've managed to put together with the team at Jayco for the trip.

"And again, a Bathurst road trip wouldn't be complete without a solid backup plan, and that's where the new Nissan NP300 Navara and the Jayco Starcraft come into it.

"We've got something a little different, a little retro car, and a little bit of style following us up as well.

"We can't wait to jump in and make the annual road trip to Bathurst in the most unique and exciting car combination we've had."

Todd Kelly, #7 carsales Nissan Altima V8

"The Nissan Figaro is completely Rick's deal, so I can stand back and wipe my hands clean of the expedition if we get picked on, or I can say it was half my idea if people like it!" said Todd Kelly.

"It's a cool little car. It's got fairly reasonable technology and age for something that looks really cool and retro. I think it's going to be perfect for what we're doing, and it's comfortable too.

"I'm really looking forward to the road trip this year because we are making a few stops this time along the way at Jayco caravan parks.

"Doing a bit of caravanning along the way will be a nice change of pace.

"We've been doing this for many years now, and it all started with more a relaxed itinerary with a bit of roadside camping, then we moved into motels, which were as fancy as you could get on the back road to Bathurst.

"It was good, but I think it's better to get back to a caravan park at the end of a long day of driving, cooking a BBQ, and relaxing.

"This is really going back to how it used to be, and I can't wait to get on the road."

PREVIEW: Nissan Motorsport ready for racing pinnacle at Mount Panorama

Nissan Motorsport is looking to return to form at the 2015 Bathurst 1000 to be held at Mount Panorama this weekend.

The four-car Nissan operation suffered a difficult Sandown 500, but a successful 2014 Bathurst campaign has buoyed the team ahead of next week's event.

The duo of James Moffat and Taz Douglas will be looking replicate their performance in the Great Race after crossing the line in second place last year.

It was a strong showing for Nissan Motorsport who completed the 2014 race with three of its four cars inside the top 10.

The #23 NISMO entry of Michael Caruso and Dean Fiore will race in the same colors as the 1990 Nissan Skyline HR31, 25 years after Jim Richards used the Skyline to win the 1990 Championship.

Rick Kelly and David Russell will also debut a new livery on their #15 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima to celebrate the launch of the new Jack Daniel's Zero Sugar Cola.

NISMO Athlete Alex Buncombe will return to the mountain alongside #7 carsales Racing pilot, Todd Kelly.

Buncombe enters the 2015 Bathurst 1000 after taking out the 2015 Blancpain Endurance Series driver's title alongside fellow Nissan GT Academy Team RJN drivers Katsumasa Chiyo and Wolfgang Reip at the Nürburgring last month.

The Bathurst 1000 event kicks off on Thursday with three practice sessions, before qualifying on Friday, the top-ten shootout on Saturday, and the 161-lap race on Sunday.

BATHURST 1000 PREVIEW DRIVER QUOTES

Todd Kelly, #7 carsales Nissan Altima V8

"It is the big one of the year. Behind the scenes you quietly look forward to this weekend right from the start of the season," said Todd Kelly.

"The whole lead up to it is great with the road trip that we do every year and the fact that every one of your sponsors and supporters really put that date in their calendar and make sure that they watch.

"It is a big deal to everyone involved, and I can't wait to get there to get a few points that we missed out on at Sandown.

"We have changed the cars quite a lot since this time last year, so there is potentially a little bit of learning to do.

"The things that we have upgraded on the cars should be quite beneficial around that track. Sandown was a hard one for us pace wise but Bathurst is completely different.

Rick Kelly, #15 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima V8

"I guess I'm already anxious to get there, I can't believe it is already that time of the year to head to the big one," said Rick Kelly.

"It's one that nobody takes for granted, it takes a great team, great preparation, strong application by the team over the entire weekend, and also a lot of luck.

"As we saw last year, a car that started last won the race and here at Nissan Motorsport we scored second place with James Moffat and Taz Douglas.

"We could have had a reasonable shot in that race as well for our Jack Daniel's Racing Nissan if it wasn't for an electrical drama.

"It just highlights how important luck is on the day, but also how important preparation is.

"We've done a fair bit of work to ensure that we get there and have a good opportunity.

"The Sandown race for us was a really good preparation for the Bathurst 1000. We did a good job as a driver combination with David Russell. He did exactly what we needed from him in the race. We had a good driver change in the race, and a really good team environment.

"We had some challenges that we worked through really well, and it puts us in a good position heading into Bathurst.

"It's just such an important round for us, you don't head there with anything else on your mind other than trying to win the race on the Sunday.

"It's what we live for, and I'm excited it's that time of the year."

David Russell, #15 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima V8

"I can't wait to get to Bathurst. Always on the Monday afterwards I wish it were only a few more days until the next time we race there, because I just love driving at the place," said David Russell.

"To be in the Bathurst 1000 is a privilege, and at the same time you want to do the very, very best that you possibly can in the race.

"To team up with Rick again in the Jack Daniel's Nissan is fantastic.

"Both Rick and I have firm plans of being further up the result sheet than we were last year.

"Obviously we know that it takes a lot of effort and it can throw anything at you.

"We had a solid result at Sandown, but we definitely know where we can improve in a few areas, so we head into Bathurst knowing we can move forward.

"We had a good car there last year. We had a couple of little issues in the race that hampered our speed, but we know had that not have happened we would have finished further up the order.

"I'm not looking back at last year; I'm certainly eyes forward this year looking to get the best possible result we can."

Michael Caruso, #23 NISMO Nissan Altima V8

"I'm really excited about heading to Bathurst with the new livery. It's been 25 years since the first Nissan Australian Touring Car Championship title so it means a lot," said Michael Caruso.

"The car looks really good. I'm very proud to be a part of the heritage of the livery.

"Bathurst is a big deal to every driver. The heritage of that race is huge. I can't wait to get on track."

Dean Fiore, #23 NISMO Nissan Altima V8

"I'm feeling really good ahead of Bathurst. We had a great car there last year and it was unfortunate that we had a mechanical drama," said Dean Fiore.

"It was the best car I had ever driven around Bathurst so if we can get our car to a similar level this year we are in with a really good shot.

"Everyone gets excited about going to Bathurst and this year we have a new livery. It looks really cool and I think it will look great on the track.

"I'm honored to drive the car in that spec. I'm looking forward to it."

James Moffat, #99 Nissan Altima V8

"We had such a strong car last year, but it was a Bathurst like no other. We couldn't have anticipated the result," said James Moffat.

"I was so proud of the team for pulling together, it wasn't the smoothest of days for us but we pressed on and ended up with a great result.

"Taz did a great job; he didn't let the race get to him and just pushed on until the end.

"We can't wait to get there this year. I think Bathurst will really suit our car so we'll see."

Taz Douglas, #99 Nissan Altima V8

"Finishing second was amazing. But I think a lot of people expect you to do that again and that it's now a given that you will get on the podium," said Taz Douglas.

"Some people go there for years and years and are never lucky enough to get on the podium so I think what we did last year involved a lot of luck. It was a crazy race.

"We can't just rely on that happening again, but the car is really good, so if we can replicate that or go one better that would be amazing.

"Bathurst is the sort of place that you love driving at. Every corner is on the edge, and when you do a lap around there it is really rewarding. I can't wait to get there."

2015 V8 Supercars Championship
Driver's Points Standings after Event 9

1. #5 Mark Winterbottom 2215
2. #6 Chaz Mostert 2017
3. #55 David Reynolds 1855
4. #888 Craig Lowndes 1792
5. #14 Fabian Coulthard 1694
6. #2 Garth Tander 1634
7. #97 Shane van Gisbergen 1620
8. #1 Jamie Whincup 1586
9. #22 James Courtney 1301
10. #15 Rick Kelly 1301 (#15 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima V8)
13. #23 Michael Caruso 1186 (#23 NISMO Nissan Altima V8)
17. #7 Todd Kelly 1026 (#7 carsales Nissan Altima V8)
18. #99 James Moffat 950 (#99 Nissan Altima V8)

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