Ron Carter

Guys looks like we are going to have between 8 and 11 Datsun's racing this year and it looks like there will be an IMSA Z running this year, as Bob Clucas is signed up with his IMSA bodied 240Z. This is the first year we have seen a 240Z run, and it promises to be another great race on the base!!

We will be racing, So there is not a place to meet, I think the San Diego Z club normally has car corral parking that will get you excellent parking for the event. Best! Ron

Hi guys, it's time again to race at Coronado. We will be racing on North Island in San Diego the weekend of September 25th. I hope a few of you can come out and make it, we should have a good turn out of Datsun's again this year, and I believe that Adam Carola will be joining us again this year to race with us on the tarmac. This will be our 4th year at Coronado, and this year promises to be a good one with a number of Datsun's out racing with us. From 1 datsun four years ago to 8 last year we are encouraged as vintage racing organizations are now inviting us to run with them at their more prestigious events. http://www.fleetweeksandiego.org/events/speed-fest.html Hope to see you there, I will be racing my 1967 Datsun 2000 Roadster.

Wow, what's with the BRE livery on all the Lemons cars... Rob at the Z Garage and now this car...Not exactly a "tribute" to BRE. At least it is still a GREAT paint scheme on a 240Z.

Yeah, those photos sum it up. We never want to see those kind of accidents in vintage racing...

From John Harris: John drove us home today from monterey. he is fine. the only injuries are a bitten tongue, a swollen hand and knee and a few sore spots on his head. he didn't even have a headache the day after the accident. His cat scan was negative...no broken bones. his helmet hit the ground, the car, the roll bar, etc. and held up beautifully. he was ok'd to drive on sunday but decided that might be embarrassing because everyone would think he was trying to look like superman and besides, his helmet has to be replaced, ( his nice new helmet that he got in april). He was at the track most of the day Sunday, repeating his story that was totally WRONG in the monterey paper. A brief summary, 3 fast cars were at the back (one of them was john in the scarab) two of them spun in the qualifying race (bowman in the lister and old yeller, the later model) and john dropped out to have his brakes fixed. at the start of the race old yeller and bowman took off and john held back, making sure his brakes were ok. old yellow came up behind a very slow car that moved over into his path..old yeller locked up his left rear and spun. bowman spun to miss old yeller and hit the guard rail. john went wide to the right since the accident was happening on the left and thought he was clear but bowman bounced off the wall across the track and hit john in the left side, lifting him up and sending him into multiple side rolls. john never even saw him coming because bowman hit the side when john was going straight..john landed upside down with the roll bar bent inward so they had to pull the door off to get him out. they pulled him out on his back onto a gurney and strapped him down (no standing and waving to the crowd as reported in the monterey paper) and took him to the hospital. there was no fire but liquids, probably coolant were coming into the cockpit where he was trapped. he never let go of the wheel so his hands did not go outside (though one hit something) - when the roll bar folded inward into the cockpit, he was in the turtle position so it jabbed the back of his helmet. the car...john's all time favorite...was scheduled for a total rebuild starting this weekend anyway (believe it or not) from the chassis up. Joey Cavaglieri is going to put the original chassis in the car, take the surviving pieces that he needs and make it into a museum piece. so the restoration plans have not changed. thanks for all your kind thoughts. he is ok

The coverage at the Mitty was good, but less than I expected. Nice to see we made the cover of the magazine.

Lon, I like your trophy! Great story!!

I have had the pleasure of knowing John Morton the Brocks for some time now. At 73 years young I am constantly impressed with Peter's energy level, passion and continued interest in a time 40+ years ago when a small team of amature racers set out on a quest. We are all very fortunate to share this time and Dana's account above of this is exactly what I am talking about. It would be wonderful to share such experiences with everyone who has the interest and passion that these guys have to this day. When I built my car, I didn't really know these guys, but now I do, and it is always a pleasure to see them and talk to them as they share a time, and a perspective that very few of us will know in our lifetimes. This special group of people are approachable, friendly and intested in our passion today. Dana's note above reminds me of my first experiences with the BRE guys. John & Silvia, Peter and Gayle are very gracious with their time. I know that John likes to get out and drive, so Dana, no one took pity on you. Rather you were the catylist to get John time out on the track and enjoy a hot afternoon in Nashville. I could tell by the smile on John's face when he got out of your car that he was having a good time driving your car. His advice to make your car better for the track is as good as it gets, I am sure that you remember his suggestions. I teased Dana of having a perma-smile after coming off the track with John. I know that is a memory that will not quickly fade. That made the trip to Nashville worth while for me. Dana now understands what I have seen and experienced for the last few years. I hope others get that same opportunity. Special thanks to Colin Price at Nissan USA for his help (Dana, he is the one that got your car out on the track). Many of us have been waiting in the wings for Nissan USA to take an interest in their history again, I can say that this is very refreshing. I hope that we can share these fun events agfain in the near future, because they are fleeting, and I think that makes them even more special.

Hi guys, glad you like the article, it was fun to be involved as Road & Track did a great job. It was a very long and warm day, and both cars did have some issues... Feel free to ask questions, I am more than happy to discuss the differences in the cars. Best, Ron

Brian, it was a pleasure, great to meet you. We really had a great time, this was a very special event.

I have been to a number of Z car conventions in the last 15 years, I have to say the the staff with the help of Nissan USA did a wonderful, thankless job. There are so many staff members that really made a difference, all of them keyed on the idea to make this an inviting and fun environment for all. I feel that they succeeded. I know that with any fluid situation there are always things that could or should have been done differently, however, the over all flow of events and planning was well done and a lot of credit needs to go to those who tirelessly planned executed and managed this event. I would like to thank Nissan USA for their involvement, without which we would not have been able to attend. I also want to thank the convention staff, Chris W, Chris K, Dan and Todd and many others.

flying back from the Z convention I picked up a couple of copies too. It looks great and was well done.

I have seen photos from the 1972/1973 time frame with the early fender flairs and this wing. Looks like it was also available in 72 in Japan, and like I said, it could have been used across several markets including the Japanese market. These types of parts are designed and fabricated to fit certain rules based on a racing class, or classification. Does your car have fender flares too? If so it could be a late C production car. Do you have any racing history that goes along with this car?

The Large three piece spoiler you have Z speed was based around the Trans AM/IMSA cars post 1973, and is an american part as far as I know. Although I am sure that the larger spoiler at that time might have been used and designed across several markets for racing. I agree spirited debate is interesting, provocative and a great learning experience. I just don't care for members calling each other out on a public forum. I feel that we are gentlemen (and ladies), and we could be a little kinder to each other and still get our point across. Maybe I am just too picky... Ron

Brian, Les Cannaday and I will also be at the Hilton Garden as well. We will be there Thursday afternoon.

In years past there has been a lanyard with your name and car information on it. I would expect the same thing at ZCON....Chris?

Wow, that is a good number for a special car. Alan, like you I hope to hear and see the car on the track in the near future. Ron

Jere Stahl builds a great header, it is expensive and it is good. Jere has forgotten more about headers than most people know. Burns stainless will fabricate a header for you, it will run around $1500 or more. However I think we need more information. What size motor, what intake and carboretors are you running. What is your goal in adding a header?

I am not surprized that the BRE 370Z is making an appearance as it will be on its way to Monterey for the historics shortly after ZCON along with my Z. R

Well we loaded up the BRE Z today on the transport, we were the first stop, next stop is Millen's shop in Costa Mesa, for a few more Nissans It's going to be a great event! See you guys in a couple of days!! Ron

Alan, Your correct. Most historical facts are riddled with pop culture tall tales. I think you can call this an opinion piece, because it is someone's opinion and not the actual facts. I have known Fred for a good number of years. The collection of items at the Datsun Heritage Museum are very special. I would suggest that as many of you as possible take the opportunity to get out and see the place, and be sure to leave a donation. Ron

No Alan, They can't afford me We help our friends out. The Brock's have been very good to me, I am more than happy to return the favor. It's a small world out there. Ron

I spoke to Gayle via email, explained the concern and the site has been modified to the following: "You've been asking for them and now they're available... our original BRE Datsun body parts as run on our Championship racers AND amazingly, made by the same company that made them for us originally in the '70s! The rear spoiler featured on this BRE 240Z (highlighted in yellow above) is a direct copy of the rear spoiler BRE ran on their 1970-71 Championship 240Z racers and is designed to balance the affects of the front BRE air dam. It'll fit 1970-1973 240Zs. Of course we had to also provide you the latest in technology. In addition to the original fiberglass body parts, we now offer them in carbon fiber. Be cool with either. Just select which you prefer when ordering. Carbon Fiber of course costs more and the drop down window will give you the addt'l charge for Carbon."

No trouble, we'll get sorted out. Best, Ron