Nissan revs up, to Ray's surprise

SUPRISED: Former Nissan Motorsport engine builder Ray Lester of Iluka was surprised to hear that the Japanese company will enter the V8 supercar championship from 2013. Photo: Rodney Stevens/Daily Examiner

ONE of the men responsible for building the twin turbo engines that propelled the Nissan GTR Skylines to touring car success in the early 1990's was taken by surprise when the Japanese car maker announced it will compete in the highly competitive V8 supercar championship from 2013.

Iluka mechanic Ray Lester said the first whispers he had heard of Nissan's foray into V8 Supercars was on the news on Thursday night.

"I really thought Toyota or Mitsubishi would have dipped their toe in the water before Nissan," he said.

After Nissan's dominance with the GTR Skylines, the touring car rulebook was rewritten to outlaw the twin-turbo four wheel drive supercars, something Ray says will be different for Nissan this time round.

"I'm not sure what vehicle they are going to use, it can't be a GTR because it has to be a four door."

"And with the rules as they are now everything underneath the cars across all brands is the same."

With regulations stating V8 supercars must be powered by five litre V8 engines, and Nissan not having a five litre V8 in its stable, Ray said the easiest thing for Nissan to do may be to run either a Ford or Holden engine.

The announcement will see Victorian based family operation Kelly Racing switching from Holden sponsorship to become Nissan Motorsport, a good choice according to Ray who has known the family for around 20 years.

"I think they are as good an outfit as any in the paddock to take up the challenge."

After a successful stint with factory Nissan team Gibson Motorsport, Ray went onto be come the head engine builder at Holden Racing team, where he built the power plants that propelled the likes of Peter Brock, Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes to championship success.