2015 Nissan GT-R driver lineup confirmed for Bathurst 12 Hour

Alex Buncombe, Wolfgang Reip and Katsumasa Chiyo return to The Mountain for the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour next month.

Nissan has confirmed the driver lineup for their single-car assault on the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour with Nismo Global Athletes Alex Buncombe, Wolfgang Reip and Katsumasa Chiy making their second apperance at the endurance race.

Rick Kelly, who drove with the team in the 2014 12 Hour isn't returning for 2015 due a scheduling clash with the V8 Supercars official pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The Nissan squad lines up against the likes of Bentley, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz in the GT3 A-class at the front of the field.

We never got to show the full potential of the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in 2014

2015 marks Buncombe's third trip to Mount Panorama in 12 months, with the Englishman partnering Todd Kelly in the Nissan Altima for the Bathurst 1000 where the pair finished 7th overall.

Buncombe says the team has unfinished business after last year's race.

"We never got to show the full potential of the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in 2014," he said.

"I can't wait to get back behind the wheel, especially as the flowing corners and long straights at Mount Panorama
are just what the GT-R loves."

Reip, who is only in this third year of professional racing after winning the 2012 Nissan GT Academy Europe, completed the first fully-electric powered lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe in 2014. Reip piloted the innovative Nissan ZEOD RC during warm up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race.

I would say it is as hard as the Nordschleife

The 28-year old Belgian likens Australia's famous scenic drive to Germany's Nordschliefe.

"It’s very difficult mentally; I would say it is as hard as the Nordschleife. I have raced on both and I would say that although
Bathurst is shorter it is just as challenging,” he said.

Katsumasa Chiyo returns to Australia having spent the 2014 season in Europe driving a Nissan GT-R as part of the Blancpain Endurance Series as well as both the Nürburgring and Spa 24 hour races.

Chiyo says he has learned a lot over the last 12 months and is "really looking forward to racing again at Bathurst for the revenge". 

The Nissan squad's 2014 race was cut short on lap 59 when Chiyo, blinded by dust, collided heavily with a spun Ferrari at the top of the mountain, near Brock's Skyline.

The accident rendered the Nissan GT-R undriveable, however all involved escaped serious injury.

The 2015 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour runs February 6-8 at Mount Panorama.