Alex Buncombe to return to V8 Supercars to partner Todd Kelly in 2015 endurance events

MELBOURNE, Australia – NISMO Athlete and English sportscar ace Alex Buncombe will once again partner Todd Kelly for Nissan Motorsport in the V8 Supercars Championship endurance events later his year.

Nissan confirmed the news last week at the Circuit de la Sarthe, where Buncombe was part of the driver line-up for the debut of the manufacturer's ground-breaking Nissan GT-R LM NISMO LM P1 car at Le Mans.

In a continuation of the successful Nissan Global Driver Exchange program, Buncombe will partner Kelly for a second-consecutive year, driving the #7 Nissan Altima V8 at the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 in September and October.

Alex Buncombe's V8 Supercar Debut from Sept. 2014
Alex Buncombe reacts to his first race in a V8 Supercar. His debut was at Sandown Park raceway and he finished a very respectable 10th position on his rookie drive of the series.

Buncombe, 33, was impressive in his V8 Supercars debut last year, finishing a solid seventh in the Bathurst 1000 alongside Kelly, making him the highest finishing "Great Race" debutant. Buncombe was also a standout in his very first V8 Supercar race, crossing the line 10th in his 20-lap single-driver sprint race at Sandown.

The V8 Supercar endurance role adds to a busy year for Buncombe. As well as his usual duties driving the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in the Blancpain Endurance Series, the NISMO Athlete made his LM P1 debut at Le Mans last week.

Buncombe has already been in fine form this season, recently winning pole position in a 60-car field for the Silverstone round of the Blancpain Endurance Series with a scintillating lap in the dying stages of qualifying.

Best First Lap Ever?
NISMO Athlete Alex Buncombe shows Porsche, Aston, Audi, Bentley, Mercedes, Lamborghini, BMW and Jaguar how to be the boss of the first lap of Monza.

Earlier this year, Buncombe was a late withdrawal from the Bathurst 12 Hour due to the birth of his first child, an event the NISMO Athlete Global Team went on to win. He competed in the factory Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2014, giving him two previous experiences at Mount Panorama.

The Sandown 500 will be run on September 11 to 13, followed by the Bathurst 1000 on October 8 to 11 and the Gold Coast 600 on October 23 to 25.

Quotes

Alex Buncombe - #7 Nissan Altima V8 Supercar:

"I'm delighted to be heading back to Australia for the enduros with Nissan Motorsport. Last year was tough, as it was my first time in a V8 Supercar, but what I did then will stand me in good stead for this year.

"Knowing the car is what it's all about, so I'll know what to expect and I should be a lot more comfortable than last year. I'll also have good knowledge of Sandown and Gold Coast, which are tricky circuits and were new to me last time out.

"Top 10 results would be great, and it would be good to improve on the P7 we took in Bathurst last year and maybe go for a podium there."

Todd Kelly - #7 Nissan Altima V8 Supercar:

"I'm really excited to have Alex back in my Altima for the endurance races later this year.

"It's great to be able to do it two years in a row. Last year was the first time he drove our cars and circuits, and it was always going to be a big challenge for him – especially at tracks like Bathurst and Gold Coast – so having that experience under his belt will make it a lot easier for him this year.

"Alex is one of the top Nissan global drivers, and the proof of that was when he was selected to drive in Nissan's three-car Le Mans line-up.

"For me, he proved how good he was by adapting so well to our unique cars last year. He's had the opportunity to drive a lot of fast cars over the past 12 months, and I really think we can be even more competitive this year. He's also a great match for me height and size wise, so we both fit in the car perfectly."

Richard Emery – Managing Director and CEO, Nissan Motor Co Australia:

"Alex did a great job for Nissan Motorsport in last year's V8 Supercars endurance events, so we are pleased that his busy schedule has allowed for him to return again this season.

"Not all international drivers take to V8 Supercars quickly, but Alex proved last year why he is regarded so highly by NISMO when he adapted almost instantly to our Nissan Altima.

"The Nissan Global Driver Exchange not only further strengthens our ties with Nissan and NISMO globally, it also brings an international profile to the V8 Supercars endurance events."

Darren Cox – Global Head of Marketing, Sales and Brand, NISMO:

"This news again shows the global nature of Nissan's motorsport thinking. All of our programs benefit from each other in many ways.

"Alex has come through the Nissan ranks and is now one of our most important drivers – from our LM P1 program to GT3. I think this move demonstrates our principles of rewarding loyalty, talent and sheer hard work."

# # #