Norton Hornets look to continue hot form at Gold Coast 600; Jack Daniel's Racing riding crest of a wave

GOLD COAST, Australia – The Norton Nissan team returns to the Gold Coast this weekend, hoping to continue their strong form.

In what will be the final endurance event for 2014, James Moffat and Taz Douglas are looking to build on their incredible Bathurst 1000 result that saw them finished in second place.

The second Norton Nissan of Michael Caruso and Dean Fiore also proved to have great car speed at Bathurst. However, a mechanical glitch cost them a chance at a top result.

Track action kicks off on Friday with four practice sessions ahead of two 300km races with driver changes on both Saturday and Sunday.

James Moffat, #360 Norton Nissan Altima

"It is a quick turn around for the guys in the team, especially after a massive week at Bathurst," said James Moffat.

"It only gives them a week to turn them around, and fortunately we didn't have much major damage from Bathurst. Our car had a few battle scars, but mechanically it was fine.

"It has been a relatively smooth turn around, but we're heading to an event that is traditionally quite grueling on the cars.

"I'm looking forward to it. Gold Coast is always a great event, and we were reasonably competitive last year but weren't able to come away with any solid results.

"I'm looking forward to getting back in the car and sharing it again with Taz. It's the last endurance race meeting, so it's the final time I get to do it with him this year, but hopefully not the last time in our careers!"

Taz Douglas, #360 Norton Nissan Altima (co-driver)

"Last year at the Gold Coast we should have had a couple of top five results but things worked against us," said Taz Douglas.

"With the way the team is working together and the momentum, we have after Bathurst, we're all aiming to bank some solid points.

"James has always gone pretty well at the Gold Coast. He finished fourth there in 2011 and we started on the front-row last year. I think with a good consistent run we should be in a competitive position."

Michael Caruso, #36 Norton Nissan Altima

"The turnaround between Bathurst and Gold Coast is always a tight one, and the best way to get over a bad weekend is to get back in the race car," said Michael Caruso.

"Bathurst was a tough one for us, and I know how much it meant to the team.

"Hopefully we can make up for it and have a good one on the streets of the Gold Coast. We were quite fast there last year and there's no reason why we won't be as strong this time around."

Dean Fiore, #36 Norton Nissan Altima (co-driver)

"There's a heaps of positives to pull out of Bathurst. It was a result gone begging due to stuff out of our hands," said Dean Fiore.

"I'm getting to know the team and the way Michael likes his car, so it's such an easy proposition. It feels like I've been driving with the team for years.

"Nissan Motorsport's form at the Gold Coast last year was strong, and I hope we can build on that.

"I really know we can get a good result, and I hope we can take something out of this endurance campaign."

Jack Daniel's Racing Riding Crest of a Wave into Gold Coast

Following a double top-ten result at the Bathurst 1000, the Jack Daniel's Racing Nissan Altimas are looking to carry the momentum over to the final endurance event of the season at this weekend's Castrol Edge Gold Coast 600.

At the corresponding meet 12 months ago, Rick Kelly paired with Karl Reindler to register a sixth place finish, with the team looking to improve on that result with a year of developments on board.

For the event, Rick will once again team up with experienced V8 Supercars co-driver David Russell, who will once again be taking on double duty in the Porsche Carrera Cup, while Todd Kelly will be joined by British ace Alex Buncombe, who has quickly come to terms with the Altima on his rookie campaign.

2014 marks the second year that all Sandown and Bathurst co-drivers carry over to the Gold Coast, with the event format featuring a 300km race with driver changes on both Saturday and Sunday.

JACK DANIEL'S RACING QUOTEBOARD

RICK KELLY - #15 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima

"I'm really looking forward to getting on the track at the Gold Coast," said Rick Kelly.

"At Bathurst, David Russell and I had really good car pace, and if it wasn't for some niggling issues we should have finished well up the order.

"Last year Surfers Paradise was really good for us, so with a further year of developments under our belts, it's really quite exciting.

"It's now head down, bum up, and make the most of the weekend."

DAVID RUSSELL - #15 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima

"It's a track that should suit the Nissans, well it did last year. I really enjoyed driving there," said David Russell.

"We had really good pace, the Nissans ride the curbs well, and they're good on the tight stuff.

"Obviously with the improvements we've had this year, I'm really looking forward to going there and I'm expecting us to be right at the pointy end, that's for sure."

TODD KELLY - #7 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima

"The Gold Coast is going to be an interesting one," said Todd Kelly.

"Last year we had a fairly solid weekend, and on paper it's a track that should suit the Nissans, especially with all of the massive curbs in the chicanes.

"Alex now has a lot of miles in the car and he is on the pace, so for him it will simply be a case of learning which way the track goes."

ALEX BUNCOMBE - #7 Jack Daniel's Nissan Altima

"By the sounds of it, the Gold Coast is going to really suit us," said Alex Buncombe.

"Obviously we've got 10 or 12 days off after Bathurst, then on to the Gold Coast, and I'm really looking forward to that race.

"The car is going to be strong there, with regards to the circuit, I've never driven anything like that before, so it's going to be a really big challenge.

"I'm up for it, I know the car now, and I hope I can be on the pace quickly."

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