A BRE Datsun 510 race car from the early 1970s is set to lead Nissan Motor’s lineup at the 2018 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (RMMR), which will recognize Nissan as its first Japanese featured marque. Held annually during Monterey Car Week, which features the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the RMMR is one of the most prestigious vintage racing events in North America.
This year’s Monterey Car Week is scheduled on Aug. 17-23.
According to Nissan, more than 50 Nissan/Datsun race cars have registered to compete on track at RMMR this year. These include the Daytona Le Mans-winning Nissan 300ZX Turbo of IMSA champion Steve Millen, and the BRE Datsun 240Z of John Morton. Comedian and vintage car collector Adam Carolla will drive his SCCA National GT-1 Championship 300ZX Turbo that was originally raced by Paul Newman.
“The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion has honored a variety of legendary marques steeped in racing history since the event began in 1974,” said Barry Toepke, vice-president of communication and historic racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “Never before has a Japanese automaker been so honored. We wanted to change that course and feature Nissan and Datsun because the brands resonate internationally and have fully established their racing pedigree.”
Nissan said its North America operation has chosen 14 cars for display in its paddock, three of which have never been shown in the US — the 1969 Japan Grand Prix-winning Nissan R382, the R390 GT1 road car and the GT-R50 by Italdesign. Other cars will include the original BRE Datsun 510 that won the 1971 and 1972 SCCA titles, the GTP ZX-Turbo Geoff Brabham piloted to eight wins and an IMSA driver’s championship in 1988, and Bob Sharp’s four-time SCCA C-Production Champion 240Z.
