Samuri History - LAL

Rob Gaskin

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I was doing a bit of ebay searching this morning (retirement is wonderful) and came across this race programme:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255222665737?hash=item3b6c74d209:g:oQwAAOSwvrZhjO9P

Just look at the entry list - the quality is amazing e.g. Ickx, Mass, Peterson etc etc. Also entered of interest to Datsun owners are Percy, Richardson, Williams, Poole and Bob Neville who I'm thinking is of RJN the 350/370 racing team?

In the entry is Datsun 240Z LAL which was car 47. The original owner of the programme shows 47 at the back of qualifying. This was due to a fuel supply problem (long story - this car has it's own paragraph in the Samuri book).

Anyway the car ran with just a hastily assembled 190bhp engine and finished 20th even after a few laps lost in the pits repairing a fuel breather after the car was 'black-flagged'.

The car is shown as having drivers Clive Richardson and Bob Grant but in Spike's book he says it was Clive and Jeremy Walton (journalist). By coincidence I worked with his son Steve Walton for BT in Coventry.

The car LAL was bought as a 'banger' for £900 just 3 weeks earlier and viewed outside a chipshop. It was knackered and dangerous to drive home apparently but bear in mind it would only be a few years old in '77 so £900 was the deal. The Samuri guys worked night and day to get this car fit for the 'World Manufactures Six Hour' race!

This is a great story and just one of the 'escapades' that in my mind make Samuri stand out in the history of Zs.
 
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Rob Gaskin

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PLEASE ONLY POST ON HERE IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THE RACE CARS AND THE RACE.

SAMURI KNOCKERS NEED NOT GET INVOLVED.
 
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Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
You know that the car still exists, right?
 

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Rob Gaskin

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I've done some more research and it appears that the car was not classified as a finisher (along with a few more).

Only 19 cars completed the required number of laps to be classified. This seems harsh to me. It was the first non-classified car (shame about the time in the pits).

The cars have to complete a certain number of laps related to the winners total laps.

I can understand a rule similar to this in connection to qualifying time - that's a safety thing. But if there are classes for slower cars and they are allowed to start then they should be classified.

I used to do a lot of competitive running and every finisher is classified as finishing. In fact on a track if you are lapped you still have to do the race distance (unlike car racing).
 
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Paul_S

Club Member
Great find!

Yes, you are right about Bob Neville. RJN were involved with Nissan and the Driving Academy scheme when the 370Z was launched. Top bloke!
 

Albrecht

Well-Known Forum User
I believe Rahail is restoring the car using the #27 Brands Hatch round spec as his reference point, but is saving some 'patina' from its later use by Jonathan Bradburn as a hillclimb and sprint car as a nod to its past.

Good choice I think.
 

8658kv

Club Member
Also interesting to see Win driving the Samuri Capri

Hi JK

LAL, looked in good shape on the racks at MZR, looks fantastic now.

Do you know the whereabouts of the Capri? Would love to buy that car.

Steve

D619A0B3-876B-48B4-AE03-26E923FEA9DE.jpeg
 

grb184

Club Member

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
I believe Rahail is restoring the car using the #27 Brands Hatch round spec as his reference point, but is saving some 'patina' from its later use by Jonathan Bradburn as a hillclimb and sprint car as a nod to its past. Good choice I think.
He no doubt received some pertinent remarks and some excellent advice/archivage.
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
I've done some more research and it appears that the car was not classified as a finisher (along with a few more).

Only 19 cars completed the required number of laps to be classified. This seems harsh to me. It was the first non-classified car (shame about the time in the pits).

The cars have to complete a certain number of laps related to the winners total laps.

I can understand a rule similar to this in connection to qualifying time - that's a safety thing. But if there are classes for slower cars and they are allowed to start then they should be classified.
I thuink that that is a general rule Rob - at Le Mans, I believe it's the same (no pity for the slower cars) !

This is a great story and just one of the 'escapades' that in my mind make Samuri stand out in the history of Zs.

I see it as another reason why Nissan should have pushed a racing program in Europe and especially in the UK 'home of motorsport'. Even without an official team, they could have part-funded and assisted many privateers and teams much like in the USA.

Datsun Uk have a lot to answer for....





No, no mention of the Datsun Sunny driven by Han Tjan ?
 
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