Category: Classic Motorsports

Classic Motorsports monterey cruise-in

8/7/2018

Old and New Friends Gathering for FREE Fun in Pacific Grove

by Dean Case

Monterey car week isn’t all about money and connections. The festivities kick off with a free welcome party that attracts top cars.

The Classic Motorsports Magazine Monterey Kickoff Cruise-In at Pacific Grove comes to downtown Pacific Grove on Tuesday, August 21, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. This laid-back gathering will fill Lighthouse Avenue with amazing cars, cool music and fun prizes, all within steps of great dining options.

Did we mention that it’s free to attend, whether you bring a cool car or not? There is no need to register. Simply show up.

“It’s a pleasure to host the Classic Motorsports Kickoff as the opener of Car Week on the Monterey Peninsula,” said Moe Ammar, president of the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce.

Tim Suddard, publisher of Classic Motorsports, added, “We love all types of cars. We’ll have classic European cars, American muscle cars, early Japanese cars, motorcycles, race cars, rat rods, vintage trailers and everything in between.”

Among the old friends returning to the show are Michelin, Hagerty, Reliable Carriers, Hillbank Motor Corporation, Moss Motors, Centerline International and Meguiar’s. Here are some of the new attractions lined up for 2018:

Vintage Camper Trailers Magazine will show off a classic trailer.
The Monterey Fire Department Museum will bring their 1912 Seagraves.
The California Automobile Museum in Sacramento will bring a caravan of member owned classic cars.
The SPCA for Monterey County will bring adoptable animals. You could go home with BFGoodkitty, Corkscrew, or Mr. K.
SAE International, and the SAE Mid-Cal section, will be represented by brilliant young engineering students from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Santa Cruz. They’ll display their Formula SAE race cars.
Gearhead Productions will bring the coolest punk-rock hotrod tunes and apparel.

Among the awards that will be handed out to cars in attendance are:

Best British: Presented by Moss Motors
Best Alfa Romeo: Centerline International
Best Nissan/Datsun: Presented by Nissan
Best Paint: Presented by Meguiar’s
Most Pet Friendly: Presented by the SPCA for Monterey County
Mayor’s Choice: Presented by the Mayor of Pacific Grove
Editors’ Choice: Presented by Classic Motorsports magazine

For more details on the event, visit classicmotorsportsmonterey.com

About Classic Motorsports: The Classic Motorsports staff has been taking enthusiasts behind the scenes of the classic sports car world for more than 30 years. If you grew up reading Sports Car Graphic and Road & Track, then you’ll feel at home with the pages of Classic Motorsports magazine. Request a free copy and learn more at classicmotorsports.com

Contacts: Dean Case 310-318-4582 Peter Mounteer 831-373-3304

Comments

Stars and Legendary Cars to Join Nissan/Datsun Featured-Marque Celebration at the 41st HSR Classic Motorsports Mitty presented by Hagerty at Road Atlanta

4/25/2018

Comments

- Television Star and Avid Automotive Enthusiast Adam Carolla Bringing ex-Bob Sharp Racing Datsun 610 to The Mitty

- Datsun 240Z that Brad Frisselle Raced to the 1976 IMSA Camel GTU Championship Headed to The Mitty with New Owner/Driver David Martin

- Updated Entry List Now Available for 41st Edition of The HSR Classic Motorsports Mitty presented by Hagerty at Road Atlanta, April 26 - 29
story by Adam Saul

BRASELTON, Georgia (April 5, 2018) - Stars and legendary cars that will join in the celebration honoring featured marque Nissan are part of the entry list that has been expanded and updated this week by Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) for the 41st HSR Classic Motorsports Mitty presented by Hagerty at Road Atlanta, April 26 - 29.

Stars from motorsports and Hollywood are headed to the HSR Classic Motorsports Mitty at Road Atlanta later this month, including recently added comedian, radio personality, television host, podcaster and avid automotive enthusiast Adam Carolla, who will be racing his ex-Bob Sharp Racing 1973 No. 33 Datsun 610.

Carolla is a longtime fan of anything fast and with four wheels, and classic and iconic Datsuns are among his favorites. He has several significant Datsuns in his collection and has chosen this particular 610 that will both compete in and be part of the weekend's celebration honoring all things Nissan/Datsun.

Carolla's 610 is the back-up car to the Datsun HSR and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America member Elliott Forbes-Robinson drove to the 1976 SCCA B Sedan Championship. Fully race-prepped by Bob Sharp Racing in period, the quick 610 has a L20B engine fed by twin Mikuni carburetors.

Another highlight Datsun set for the Classic Motorsports Mitty is the 1976 IMSA Camel GTU Championship winning 1970 No. 47 Datsun 240Z that is now owned and campaigned by David Martin.

Driven in period by Brad Frisselle, who was also supported the design and construction of the car, the familiar orange Z won three races in 1975 and carried Frisselle to IMSA's Most Improved Driver Award.

Frisselle went on to win the IMSA Camel GTU championship the following year in his team's 240Z, scoring eight victories out of 11 entered races - the first coming at Road Atlanta - and soundly defeating as a privateer the factory Datsun team.

Another notable part of the history of the No. 47 Datsun is that the chassis was the very first 240Z imported to the U.S. in 1970. Mac Tilton designed the suspension and built some specialized parts while the chassis, roll cage and body were all constructed by Dave Kent, who was assisted by Yoshi Suzuka.

Suzuka was also responsible for the design of the aerodynamics on the car while John Knepp of Electramotive built the engine. Upon completion, engineering expert Trevor Harris added his touch in the development of the chassis and suspension. In its prime, Frisselle's 240Z was generally regarded as the most advanced and fastest in IMSA in a standout era for the competitive GTU class.

Classic Motorsports Mitty Grand Marshal John Morton will also get in on the racing action at Road Atlanta. Morton, who wheeled Datsuns to multiple Trans-Am and SCCA C Production title in the early 1970s, will compete in an equally legendary 1970 No. 46 BRE Datsun 240Z later this month.

Morton also has a connection to Martin's 240Z, which he co-drove with Frisselle to victory later in the 1976 season in the Road Atlanta 500, giving the orange Z a sweep of both IMSA rounds held that year on the Georgia road course.

Off the track at the Classic Motorsports Mitty, Morton and Corolla will be featured in a commentary and Q&A session during a special Saturday night movie showing of Against All Odds, a period documentary about the Datsun 510's battle to topple the dominating Alfa-Romeos in Trans-Am. The movie event is open to all under the Classic Motorsportsbig-top tent in the Road Atlanta infield and also features free popcorn and a special autograph session with Morton.

More information on the Classic Motorsports Mitty, entry forms and up-to-the-minute event updates can be found at www.TheMitty.com and spectator tickets are available at www.HSRTickets.com. For the current Classic Motorsports Mitty entry list, please click here.

About HSR: Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) was formed in the mid-1970s with an event at Road Atlanta. There was one goal then and it remains true today: to celebrate the race cars from the past. As a "time machine" of sights and sounds, HSR provides a venue for competitors and spectators alike to share in the wonderful history and excitement created by the cars that competed at race tracks around the world. HSR currently sanctions eight vintage and historic racing events at some of the world's most renowned race tracks, including Road Atlanta, Sebring International Raceway, Daytona International Speedway and more. The complete schedule and full event information can be found on HSR's website at www.HSRRace.com. Look for the HSR Channel on YouTube and you can also follow HSR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HSRrace/
and on Twitter at @HSR_race.