ALTIMAS SET TO RUN IN AUSTRALIAN DUNLOP SERIES IN 2017

Melbourne, Australia: Nissan Altimas will do battle in the second-tier Australian Supercars championship known as the Dunlop Series in 2017.

Nissan Motorsport has launched a technical partnership with MW Motorsport to run two Altimas in the championship.

The partnership includes the purchase of two Nissan Motorsport developed Altimas as well as on-going technical support and upgrades.

For Nissan Motorsport co-owner Todd Kelly, the partnership is an opportunity to return to the second-tier category for the first time since 2012 (then as Kelly Racing).

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“It’s quite an advantage to either have your own team or have a relationship with another team in the Dunlop Series,” said Kelly.

“We always have our four cars in equal spec, so it will be easy to carry that over and have competitive cars in the Dunlop Series as well. We have been with Nissan for a while now and have accumulated a lot of stock, so to be able to put our surplus parts into good use is a big advantage.

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"This gives us the opportunity to work with one of the best teams in the category. Matt White has had a lot of success in the past and is a really good operator. He is also really close to our workshop as well, which will be beneficial next year.”

The announcement is also significant to Kelly for another reason, as MW Motorsport will inherit his current race car. Chassis No.4 is the Altima he had competed with in more than 130 races from when the model was first introduced in 2013.

The 2017 Dunlop Series begins alongside the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship on the streets of Adelaide for the Clipsal 500, March 2-5.