Nissan extends commitment to V8 Supercars to 2016

The Japanese firm will continue to field four cars, with Kelly Racing operating its factory Nissan Motorsport Australia team.

Nissan returned to Australia's top domestic championship at the start of last year. James Moffat gave the Altima its first victory at Winton in August last year, but the team has yet to win in 2014 so far.

Richard Emery, CEO of Nissan Australia, said it was highly likely that the company would remain in the series into its new rules era in 2017.

"Our intention is to stay in motorsport in Australia and if you are going to be in motorsport in Australia for all the right reasons - professionalism, technology, all the things that add to why you are doing it - I can't see that V8 Supercars is going to lose that status by changing whatever they do," he said.

Nissan currently runs Moffat, Michael Caruso and brothers Rick and Todd Kelly.

The team recently lost its Norton title backing for Moffat and Caruso's entries next year, but Nissan is committed to finding funding to sustain a four-car line-up.

2015 CALENDAR ANNOUNCED

V8 Supercars also announced its 2015 calendar ahead of this weekend's Sandown 500.

The schedule largely follows the 2014 pattern bar some minor reshuffles and tweaks to formats at individual events.

The most significant change is the move of the New Zealand round at Pukekohe back to its traditional November date after holding an April slot in recent years.

New Zealand will remain the only international destination on the calendar next year, but a series statement said the range was likely to broaden again in 2016, with an Asian event targeted.

2015 calendar

February 7-8          Sydney Motorsport Park  (test)
February 26-March 1   Adelaide
March 12-15           Albert Park * 
March 27-29           Symmons Plains
April 17-19           Barbagallo
May 15-17             Winton
June 19-21            Hidden Valley
July 10-12            Reid Park
July 31-Aug 2         Queensland
August 21-23          Sydney Motorsport Park
September 11-13       Sandown
October 8-11          Mount Panorama
October 23-25         Surfers Paradise
November 6-8          Pukekohe
November 20-22        Phillip Island
December 4-6          Sydney Olympic Park

* Non-Championship event and date to be confirmed