NISMO Global Driver Exchange will see racers from Nissan’s international drivers compete alongside Muscle Milk Pickett Racing’s Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf. Luhr previously won the GT1 World Championship in Nissan GT-R with Michael Krumm in 2011.
Nissan P2 World Endurance Championship regular Alex Brundle joins the team for the Rolex 24 at Daytona being his 1st opportunity to contest a major U.S. championship. Nissan drivers will also drive the Muscle Milk ORECA 03 prototype class entry at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans. Nissan Muscle Milk Pickett Racing ORECA 03 will this weekend partake in “Roar before the Rolex 24”, the traditional pre-season test prior to the Rolex 24 at Daytona. 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship debuts at Daytona on January 25-26.
Darren Cox, Nissan Global Motorsport Director said, “We’re glad to welcome Muscle Milk Pickett Racing to the Nissan family and look forward to having our official drivers learn from such a successful team.
“Greg Pickett and his team have achieved incredible results in recent years and having them as part of the NISMO Global Driver Exchange program will be an outstanding opportunity for our drivers.
“It is also great to again work with Lucas Luhr who won the GT1 World Championship with Nissan with Michael Krumm back in 2011. Lucas and Klaus Graf have enjoyed amazing success in the U.S. in recent years and I’m looking forward to seeing them continue that run with Nissan power in 2014.
“We are also very proud to have brought Nissan back to the forefront of U.S. sports car racing. Our company has an incredible pedigree dating back to the old IMSA championship and I’m certain Nissan and NISMO will add to that history in the coming years.”
Greg Pickett owner Muscle Milk Pickett Racing said, “We’re extremely pleased to become one of Nissan’s partner teams and to have them as part of the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing family.
“Nissan are proven race winners throughout the world and together we want to build a strong relationship that will help us continue the success that we’ve both come to enjoy. We’re excited to not only have our prototype be powered by Nissan but to also be involved with them at a deeper level.
“Nissan has developed a great initiative with their NISMO Global Driver Exchange program and have a lot of young talent that we look forward to joining us throughout the season, starting with Alex Brundle at Daytona.
“I’m anxious to see Alex behind the wheel of our Muscle Milk ORECA/Nissan and I’m confident he will fit right in just fine with Klaus (Graf) and Lucas (Luhr).”
Alex Brundle, driver at Muscle Milk Pickett Racing said, “I am excited to go over to Daytona and race in the Rolex 24. The chance to fight for overall victory with Muscle Milk Pickett Racing and Nissan is a fantastic next step in my career.
“I am delighted to be finally getting the chance to compete at an event I have aspired to contest. I would like to say thanks to Darren Cox of Nissan and Pickett Racing for giving me that opportunity.
“Muscle Milk has a tremendous record in American sports car racing so to have the chance to join such a prestigious American team is excellent. I’m looking forward to making the most of it.
“Klaus and Lucas have driven in the American series for a quite a while now so I can learn quickly from them. I am looking forward to the challenge.
“The Nissan engine was so strong in the WEC last year that in reality there was no other powerplant to have, which brings confidence heading into the testing process. The engine produces a lot of torque with impressive reliability evidenced by the performance we enjoyed at Oak Racing in last year where we had two cars running strongly at the finish of the Le Mans 24 hours.”
