MOTOR SPORT
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NISSAN Australia chief executive officer Richard Emery has vowed to continue fighting for a solution to the scheduling conflict between next year’s V8 Supercars test day and Bathurst 12 Hour even though he’s not confident of a result falling in his favour.
V8 Supercars’ test day at Sydney Motorsport Park next year has been set for the same weekend as the Mount Panorama race, over February 7-8.
It means V8 driver Rick Kelly will be unable to compete at Bathurst due to being under contract to attend the test day.
Emery had discussions with V8 Supercars chief executive officer James Warburton during their round at Sandown last month about the scheduling conflict, though there was no sign of a resolution any time soon.
He explained that the team sit in a unique position having factory operations across both events.
Watching the action unfold last week at Mount Panorama, Emery said he could empathise with the position of Warburton despite it being a hindrance to Nissan’s plans for February.
“I wanted to make sure that he understood our position corporately and as part of our global motor sport program, and that he understood that we see our circumstances as quite unique and therefore we’d like to think that the sport could consider our position in that light,” he said.
“That’s what I wanted to achieve with that, and he understands that. Is he as sympathetic to that result as much as I’d like at the moment? No.
“I understand V8 Supercars’ position on this and I said to James that I’d be taking the same stance as he did if I was in his job and he would be taking the same stance I’m taking if he was in my job.”
Last season the team supplied not only Kelly as a driver, but also provided staff and a transporter to assist the factory-supported Nismo garage.
Emery believes it would be wrong to make the focus entirely about the inability of Kelly to back up for Nissan, instead highlighting how everyone in both parties will be affected.
“It’s actually disappointing for all concerned. It’s disappointing that we’re in this position for the company and for the brand in Australia. It’s disappointing for the global motor sport program because it’s designed to share drivers around the world. It’s disappointing for Rick personally and it’s disappointing for the team not to be involved,” he said.
“The guys at Nismo have already understood that they can’t access the Kelly brothers in terms of personnel, trucks or logistics, so they’re adjusting what they’re bringing out from Japan for that.”
For now, Emery believes all he can do is continue the communication with V8 Supercars.
“It’s an ongoing discussion is the bottom line,” he said.
“Based on their response so far, we’re not confident but we’re not going to give up and we’re going to keep putting our message forward.
“We’re prepared to make some adjustments too to be at both events and find a way to do both. I’m not suggesting for a moment that Rick won’t be coming to Bathurst. We want to find a way forward, but it takes two to tango.”
The Nismo GT-R GT3 has confirmed it will be making its second assault at Mount Panorama travelling from Japan, whether it be with the support of Nissan Motorsport in Australia or not.
The team will be trying to put the memories of this year’s race behind them when driver Katsumasa Cyio collided with the Clearwater Racing Ferrari that had spun at McPhillamy Park and ended their race.
