Nissan honoured as the featured marque at the 2018 Rolex Moneterey Motorsports Reunion

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 14.04.2018

For the first time ever, a Japanese manufacturer has been named as the featured marque of the vintage racing celebration.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a celebration of vintage motor racing that coincides with Monterey Car Week, held at the famous Laguna Seca Raceway from the 23^rd to the 26th of August this year.

This is the first time ever a Japanese manufacturer has received the honour of featured marque, for now bookending a list preceded by such iconic brands such as Ferrari, Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Porsche and many more.

Most may not associate Nissan’s racing heritage on the same level as the aforementioned car makers; but here’s a quick crash course you might be surprised by.

In 1968, Nissan won its first (of two consecutive) wins at the Japanese Grand Prix with the R381.

In the US, Nissan holds the manufacturer record of over 80 SCCA championship titles.

They’ve won Daytona four times… consecutively.

And between their production cars and prototype racers; Nissan holds over 200 IMSA victories.

Their success in the SCCA series during the 60s was championed by Peter Brock (the American one, not ours) and his team, Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE).

Later in the 80s, Nissan found itself dominating the IMSA GTP (Gran Touring Prototype) division, with the help of Australian native Geoff Brabham (you may have heard of his dad) who won nine of the 14 GTP events in 1988.

On home soil, Nissan’s campaign in Group A touring cars throughout the late 80s and early 90s is well documented, and still draws fierce arguments in the Facebook comment section.

The gifting of the Monterey Motorsports Reunion featured marque will see the event pay tribute to Nissan’s deserved history.

With special displays, and possibly special manufacture-only racing events on track, this year’s event at Laguna Seca will be a treat for any fans of the Yokohama brand.

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