Australian Simmons steps up to Blancpain GT Endurance Cup

Former GT Academy winner Matt Simmons will return to the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup in 2017 behind the wheel of a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3.

Simmons will drive the #22 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in the Pro Class, prepared by RJN Motorsports. Welshman Matt Parry and Brit Struan Moore will join Simmons as the trio do battle at Monza, Silverstone, Paul Ricard, Spa-Francorchamps and Barcelona.

Less than two years ago, Simmons held a full-time job at Australia Post before turning his life around when he won the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy competition, granting him a full season as a professional racer. The Australian enjoyed an impressive debut season in Europe last year – including a solid seventh place class finish at Silverstone.

"I am so excited about my racing journey continuing into 2017. This off-season was a little different to last year as I wasn't sure what I would be doing and was happy to race anything with Nissan," Simmons said.

"To be confirmed now, to have another crack at Blancpain in the GT-R NISMO GT3 is the best possible outcome. I can't thank Nissan Australia and RJN Motorsport enough for making this all possible.

"I feel extremely privileged to go to race tracks that I have raced at before. It will definitely be an advantage for me. That doesn't mean it will be easier though, as we are stepping up to the Pro Class so I am going to have my work cut out for me. I am looking forward to the challenge that this year will bring.

Parry, the 25th McLaren Autosport BRDC Award-winner, enjoyed a race-winning season in GP3 in 2016 and is set to make his GT debut this year.

“After racing in GP3 for two years, we evaluated our options over the winter and, while there were opportunities to continue in single-seaters, the chance to link up with a team like RJN and running in a championship-winning car like the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 was too good to pass up,” Parry said.

Moore moves to RJN Motorsport after making his debut the Blancpain Series in 2016 and enjoying a race-winning season in the recent Asian Le Mans Series.

Said Moore: "I learnt a great deal in my rookie season of GT’s last year and for me this transition to RJN and Nissan is a great step forward to help me fight for results and continue my development as a young driver."

The #22 GT-R will share a garage with the #23 official NISMO factory-backed entry to be driven by Lucas Ordonez, Alex Buncombe and Bathurst 12 Hour winner Katsumasa Chiyo.

Round 1 of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup will be held at Monza, Italy on April 22-23.