We won't get the Bathurst cold shoulder: Nissan

THE last time Nissan contested the Bathurst 1000, winning driver Jim Richards famously described the booing fans as a "pack of arseholes".

Jim Richards flanked by Michael Caruso and Daniel Gaunt with Godzilla. Picture: Mark Watson

THE last time Nissan contested the Bathurst 1000, winning driver Jim Richards famously described the booing Mount Panorama fans as a "pack of arseholes".

Yet his co-driver in that rain-soaked triumph 21 years ago, five-time touring-car champion Mark Skaife, is confident Nissan will be welcomed back to Mount Panorama with open arms by the fans this week.

Rarely do Holden and Ford fans see eye to eye in V8s but they came together as one to vent at Skaife and Richards on the podium after their dominant Nissan, dubbed Godzilla, sealed back-to-back Bathurst crowns in 1992.

Richards broke character with his Gentleman Jim moniker and his frank reaction to the baying hordes became part of V8 folklore.

Skaife can see the funny side of the incident these days, as Nissan prepares to launch a renewed four-car attack on the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday. "I think they will be received very well," he said. "It was a different time and culture.

"The dominance of Godzilla was at that time very controversial and it wasn't a Ford or Holden that had won the race. There was quite a lot of animosity attached to that level of dominance. Today's sport is much more built around parity and specifications all manufacturers can achieve."

Skaife believes having the likes of popular Australian drivers Todd and Rick Kelly leading the Nissan charge will help the manufacturer - which returned to V8s along with Mercedes this year - gain acceptance from the Bathurst faithful.

Nissan was no Bathurst blow-in in the early 1990s. It had contested various categories since the 1960s at Mount Panorama. But it was the sheer dominance of the Nissan Skyline, coupled with the controversial early finish of the race, that earned the Holden-Ford faithful's ire 21 years ago.

Atrocious conditions forced officials to call off the race with 18 laps left and award Skaife and Richards the win.

Despite that day, seven-time Bathurst champion Richards reckons he only had fond memories of his time at Nissan. "Nissan is pretty close to my heart. Their return has brought back some new enthusiasm for me watching the V8s," he said. "They have been a breath of fresh air. Just Holden and Ford - that is boring to me."

AAP