The main Japanese domestic car makers - Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan and Toyota - all experienced motorsport success in various disciplines. Subaru and Mitsubishi excelled off-road (Nissan also had wins with various models such as the Datsun 240Z), but Nissan, Toyota and Mazda had much more success in circuit racing and other track-based motor racing such as drifting. Following are 5 stories of motorsport success from Nissan both in track racing and rallying, describing the car, driver and the triumph.
Silvia 200SX A 200SX, or Silvia was driven by Mike Kirkland in the 36th Safari Rally of 1988; it came second overall and also won the A4 class (over 2,000cc, 2WD). That year's Safari Rally was very hazardous due to heavy rain preceding the event and only 14 cars completed the course, but the Nissan March won in the A3 class (1,600cc-2,000cc), making Nissan a 2-class champion.
Skyline H/T 2000GT-R The 1970 introduction of the hardtop Skyline saw the 2000 GT-R become hardtop, too. With its short wheelbase, cornering performance was improved. Its 250bhp engine and 950kg kerb weight gave it excellent racing handling for a saloon car. Beginning with its 1969 debut race (4-door), it racked up consecutive wins to a record of 49. Then, on March 20 at the 1972 Fuji GC, round 1, K. Takahashi achieved the glorious 50th victory. This car is available for the public to view at the Racing Palae in Oyama Town.
Datsun 210 "Sakura" The Sakura was entered into the 1958 Around Australia rally. The newly developed OHV engine (nicknamed the Stone Engine) powering the 210 displayed extraordinary stamina. Both cars completed the rally, an achievement that is worth remembering considering the harsh environment. This contest, which was the longest in the world at that time, was a 16,000-kilometer endurance trial that went clockwise around the Australian continent. In fact, it was so grueling that after 1958 it was never held again.
1966 Prince R380-I Prince's defeat by Porsche in the Second Japan GP in 1964 saw it redouble its effort to win the next year. The 1965 Japan GP was cancelled, so the R380-I's first race was the third Japan GP at Fuji in 1966. Porsche was defeated by Sunako's No. 11 car, winning the championship. An R380 also came in second. Power was a respectable 147kW, and weight was 660kg. The 2-litre engine was a 6-cylinder in-line DOHC.
1967 Nissan Violet This machine was the overall winner of the 18th African Safari Rally in 1970. Eight years after its debut, it was both the class and category champion. In August 1967 the third-generation Bluebird (510) was launched. In 1971 Nissan repeated the feat with another Violet in the 19th African Safari Rally. No other manufacturer got a look in that year as Nissan held the top four spots!
Silvia 200SX A 200SX, or Silvia was driven by Mike Kirkland in the 36th Safari Rally of 1988; it came second overall and also won the A4 class (over 2,000cc, 2WD). That year's Safari Rally was very hazardous due to heavy rain preceding the event and only 14 cars completed the course, but the Nissan March won in the A3 class (1,600cc-2,000cc), making Nissan a 2-class champion.
Skyline H/T 2000GT-R The 1970 introduction of the hardtop Skyline saw the 2000 GT-R become hardtop, too. With its short wheelbase, cornering performance was improved. Its 250bhp engine and 950kg kerb weight gave it excellent racing handling for a saloon car. Beginning with its 1969 debut race (4-door), it racked up consecutive wins to a record of 49. Then, on March 20 at the 1972 Fuji GC, round 1, K. Takahashi achieved the glorious 50th victory. This car is available for the public to view at the Racing Palae in Oyama Town.
Datsun 210 "Sakura" The Sakura was entered into the 1958 Around Australia rally. The newly developed OHV engine (nicknamed the Stone Engine) powering the 210 displayed extraordinary stamina. Both cars completed the rally, an achievement that is worth remembering considering the harsh environment. This contest, which was the longest in the world at that time, was a 16,000-kilometer endurance trial that went clockwise around the Australian continent. In fact, it was so grueling that after 1958 it was never held again.
1966 Prince R380-I Prince's defeat by Porsche in the Second Japan GP in 1964 saw it redouble its effort to win the next year. The 1965 Japan GP was cancelled, so the R380-I's first race was the third Japan GP at Fuji in 1966. Porsche was defeated by Sunako's No. 11 car, winning the championship. An R380 also came in second. Power was a respectable 147kW, and weight was 660kg. The 2-litre engine was a 6-cylinder in-line DOHC.
1967 Nissan Violet This machine was the overall winner of the 18th African Safari Rally in 1970. Eight years after its debut, it was both the class and category champion. In August 1967 the third-generation Bluebird (510) was launched. In 1971 Nissan repeated the feat with another Violet in the 19th African Safari Rally. No other manufacturer got a look in that year as Nissan held the top four spots!
About the Author:
Vehicle histories are easy to fabricate, so it's essential to get a vehicle history check if you are thinking of purchasing any Nissan, especially one that has been raced. Nissans, particularly the Skyline and 200SX, are common in drifting and are often represented in drifting games
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