Nissan Motorsport test for Krumm and Ordonez

Michael Krumm and Lucas Ordonez were granted a special opportunity to step behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar at Winton Motor Raceway today. In highly variable conditions, the pair visited the 3.0 kilometre circuit in rural Victoria as part of Nissan’s recently announced “Global Driver Exchange” program.

Greeted by icy temperatures, Michel Krumm took the wheel of Rick Kelly’s Jack Daniels-sponsored Altima, while James Moffat forfeited his Norton Racing #360 machine to Lucas Ordonez. Initially, both were equipped with wet weather tyres throughout the morning, however clearer conditions throughout the afternoon facilitated a switch to slick tyres as the track began to dry.

Ordonez steadily began to grasp Moffat’s Altima as the day progressed, however the session was not without several anxious moments during the morning. A red flag was deployed after the Spaniard visited the gravel, adding to several other dicey excursions off the Winton asphalt. In due course, the 28 year-old well and truly came to grips with the V8 Supercar later in the day, and Ordonez was glowing in his praise of the Nissan Motorsport prepared Altima, as well as the opportunity afforded by the motorsports division of the Japanese marque.

“It’s amazing. Lots of power, 650hp in the Nissan V8, so I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Ordonez. “It was very challenging for a new driver in these cars, but I was getting on the pace towards the end.

“It was very tricky on brakes, but I was pushing and trying to find the limit” continued the 28 year-old Spaniard. “I’ve worked well today with the engineers and the other drivers, and above all else, I’ve had a great amount of fun.”

Drawing on his extensive global experience, Krumm’s ability to come to grips with the Altima also impressed the Nissan Motorsport engineers. The 43 year-old German plies his trade in the Japanese Super GT sports car series; however he has also tasted competition in numerous GT championships around the world.

Despite his proficiency in many different disciplines, Krumm was taken aback by the raw power and marginal grip provided by the 650 brake-horsepower V8 Supercar.

“Driving the V8 Supercar was quite an experience. We prepared well, the team gave us all the information about the car, how it is to drive, but when you actually get it, they are awesome cars,” explained the 43 year-old. “The Nissan Altimas have a lot of power and not much downforce, so it’s not what I’m used to, but it was much better to drive than I expected”.

“It was great here at Winton. It’s kind of a crazy track. It’s a big challenge, bumpy and tight and has lots of different corners, but the cars are great fun. Everyone wants to come and race at Bathurst or the Gold Coast, so I’d really love the chance to drive these cars again in the future.”

Nissans Australia’s General Manager of Motorsport, Jeff Fisher, was thrilled with the vast opportunities that such a driver exchange may present.

“This test is absolutely significant for Nissan. It opens up V8 Supercars and Altima to the world of Nismo’s global motorsports program. It’s very exciting,” said Fisher. “Michael and Lucas are professional drivers who have a lot of experience around the world in different categories and different circuits. These guys will go back to Nismo in Japan, report on what they’ve done and they should be in the box seat to come out to Australia for the endurance races next year.”

The driver exchange will also see Rick Kelly behind the wheel of a GTR GT3 at next year’s Bathurst 12 Hour, and Ordonez is early anticipating the 30 year olds opinion of the car.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing his feedback and comments (on the GT-R) as it’s a very different car with more downforce, less power, but wider with lighter tyres,” he said. “I want to see him in the car having as much fun as Michael and me today.”

While Krumm and Ordonez will jet back to Japan for this weekend’s Super GT round at Suzuka, the Nissan Motorsport outfit and their primary drivers will remain at Winton Motor Speedway for another day of crucial testing ahead of the Winton 360 in less than two weeks.