Rick Kelly shines despite set-back in Tasmanian V8 supercar battle

SYMMONS PLAINS, TASMANIA – Rick Kelly was the shining star for Nissan Motorsports in Australian V8 Supercar competition on the weekend, scoring a top four finish on Saturday before brake issues struck on Sunday at Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania.

Kelly was on track for a repeat strong performance during the 200km Sunday event. After qualifying 12th, an early pit stop leapt the #15 Sengled Racing Altima into the top four, a position which he maintained for most of the race until the brake issue (broken rotor) forced his retirement.

"We had a car that was fantastic and we were genuinely in with shot of the top four or five today," Rick Kelly said.

"We're leaving Symmons Plans with pace and haven't done that in a lot of years. It a pretty significant credit for the guys to getting the cars to where they needed to be here.

"If we do a good job, we've been able to get well into the top six every race. It shows we've taken a step forward and we need to capitalise on that. Today hasn't helped on the points, so we need to put our head down and get those points back."

The remaining three Nissan Altimas finished 11th (Michael Caruso), 12th (Todd Kelly) and 20th (Dale Wood) in Sunday's race - improving from the 19th, 21st and 22nd place finishes by Todd Kelly, Caruso and Wood on Saturday.

Next up for V8 Supercars is a return to the fast flowing Phillip Island circuit in Victoria - a circuit more suited to the Altima's strengths. Last season Nissan Motorsport scored six top ten finishes from the three races at Phillip Island including Todd and Rick Kelly finishing fifth and sixth in the final race.

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