Norton Hornets drivers James Moffat and Michael Caruso have revealed the 2014-specification Norton Nissan Altima.
While the livery of the 2014-specification Norton Nissan is similar to how it ended last year’s Championship, there are some subtle changes, including a pearl-based yellow paint, plus reflective white vinyl for the circle on Norton’s famous ‘tick’.
After Moffat and Caruso’s historic one-two race result at Winton last August, the Norton Nissan pairing will be armed with an updated aerodynamics package for the 2014 season.
This year sees five manufacturers compete in the V8 Supercars Championship – all cars have been aerodynamically homologated, subject to final paperwork, and are ready to race.
The new-look Nissan Altima V8 Supercars feature shallower scallops on the front bar, as well as revised rear wing uprights.
In the return year for Nissan to Australian Touring Car competition, Moffat and Caruso produced some fine results, adding to their Winton triumph.
“We had a number of highlights last year, and there were some tough times too, but we have put that behind us and we’re looking forward to the 2014 season,” Moffat said.
“Motor racing is a ‘must deliver’ business, but more so for Nissan Motorsport this year. In this industry, nothing speaks stronger than results, and that’s what we are here to achieve this year.
“It’s difficult to have any expectations before the season starts, as we’ll be heading into the new year with a new package. Until we hit the track for the first time at the Sydney test, we won’t be getting too carried away with expectations. Hopefully it will be an improvement, and I’m sure it will be, so all we can do is head to the test, put our best foot forward and have a productive day.”
The sydney.com V8 Supercars Test Day is free for fans to attend and includes a grid walk at 12.30pm, to get up close and personal with the cars and drivers on the Sydney Motorsport Park circuit. The Test Day is crucial for the teams, hoping to bank valuable data before the first race meeting of the year, the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, from February 27 to March 2.
“The re-homologated aerodynamics package should help us and that makes the opening test at Sydney very important,” Caruso said.
“It’s actually even more important for me, because due to some factors, I didn’t do the pre-season test last year. Given we’re racing there later in the year, it’s an ideal chance to log some miles around the track.
“For Nissan Motorsport and the two Norton Altimas, it’s important that we show strong improvement in our second year, and it’s critical that we start to win races.
“Whether that happens straight away, I’m not sure, but as more upgrades come through, then all the signs are there that we can start challenging on a week-to-week basis.
“As a driver, you aspire to be in a position to head to every race track with a realistic chance of winning, and I feel that we’re not far away from being in that place.”
