We love to see owners enjoying our Z Car Garage CV Axles in their vintage Nissans and Datsuns. This 1971 Datsun 510 is owned by Jay W and he replaced his old CV Axle kit with our ZCG CV Axles just over 3 years ago. Jay has been racking up the miles running numerous road rallyes in 2024 and 2025 including the Snowball Rally in April, DWA Classic in May, Motherlode 400 in June, Faultline 500, Tokyo Calling 4 in September, Socal TT in October. Here is his report from the Overcrest Rally.

Featured in Nostalgic Hero

 

Before we hear about Jay’s rally adventure let us congratulate him on being featured in the popular Japanese magazine Nostalgic Hero! See both of his 510s in the June 2025 Vol 229 issue:

 

2024 Overcrest Rally Redux

 

September 16, 2024, by Jay Whalen

Hi Rob, just checking in as my ZCG CV Axles #403 just clocked 20000 miles in 2+ years. I didn’t capture too many driving videos on Overcrest, but my wife and I have a few from Mother Lode and Faultline this summer. Also, we now have ~22,500 miles on the ZCG axles. Don’t worry I’m cleaning them up, but here are some recent pictures:

 

The opportunity to enjoy a car you love with like-minded enthusiasts against stunning natural backdrops is what I appreciate most about rallies. The adventure, camaraderie and community stands out to me about Overcrest and was evident when we drove in the Oregon 23’ rally. At their film festival in Oregon they announced the spring Redux 24’ rally was in Utah and I knew I needed to share the adventure with my father and son in my 1971 Datsun 510. I had followed online the 21’ Overcrest Rally in Utah I was blown away by the stunning backdrop and the cinematic journey the rally created. Plus seeing and driving with rally friends, I didn’t know were attending and meeting new ones from all over the country is a large reason I’m drawn to Overcrest.

 

The 510 is not just a mode of transportation for the rally; it’s a character in my family’s adventure story. There is a shared excitement of revving its underpowered engine, hearing the twin Mikuni carbs, and dancing the car on winding paved and dirt roads. There is also the collaborative effort required to navigate the rally route, endure hundreds of miles a day of hard driving and the collective pride in showcasing our classic amidst a field of diverse vehicles.

 

Speaking of diverse vehicles, our client Tony K also attended in his 1972 Datsun 240Z:

 Driving alongside my father and son adds a generational resonance to the rally. It’s a multi-layered narrative where the car becomes a conduit for shared stories, passed down from my father to me and now shared with the next generation. It is something my family holds close and we’ll remember for a lifetime. The rally becomes a living testament to the enduring legacy of our family’s love for cars and the
joy of driving.

 

Our rally journey took us 8 days and 2900 miles across the California Centra Valley, Sierra Nevada, Movaje Desert, Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau. We drove a large loop which allowed us to explore several National Parks and retrace my fathers HWY 50 drive when he moved to California in 1971. The 510 did extremely well, with no major issues. We had a flakey starter motor, wore out a pair of tires and went through a quart of oil.

 

In essence, the Overcrest Rally in Utah with my father and son was a celebration of heritage, a journey through time, and an opportunity to weave new memories into the fabric of our family’s motoring legacy.

 

Enjoy this video of Jay’s 510 in action on a few of the rallies he attended in 2024, volume up!:

 

We love Jay’s attention to detail and it shows in his rally prep! Check out the skid plate he CAD designed:

 

See more build details with photos of the 510 HERE. Follow his Datsun adventures on his Instagram.

 

 

WE LOVE RACING! Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) is hosting the Sears Point Challenge at Sonoma Raceway, October 3-5. Z Car Garage is participating and supporting several client’s Datsun 510 race cars running in B-Sedan Group. This vintage racing event is totally FREE to spectators so please join us! Bring the family, enjoy cool cars and charity rides around the track. Attention DRIVERS: there is still time to register to race! Sign up HERE.

 

Again, admission is FREE for this event and you will have access to all spectator areas on track, race cars and drivers. You can see our report from the 2024 Charity Challenge HERE

Z Car Garage Supports Five Datsun 510s!

 

It is our pleasure to bring more enthusiasts into the world of vintage racing. Our services do include full race support and car-preparation to help make client’s race days seamless and worry-free so they can focus on driving. One of our specialties is dyno tuning. Before a race weekend we confirm that your car is running well and make necessary adjustments while on the chassis dyno:

 

#88 Todd Rueppel

Todd enjoyed his Z Car Garage trackside support experience with us at the Laps For Laguna event!

#7 Kelvin Tse

Kelvin and his brother Kenny are regular ZCG trackside support clients…

  

#64 Kenny Tse

  

#6 Noah’s Bluebird Coupe

#72 Tom Dockery

We have helped Tom build and prepare his Ex-Norm Balzer/Koobation 510 for several years. You can view his race report below:

#68 and #30 Noah’s 510 and BMW 2002

#7 Rob Fuller

ZCG owner Rob Fuller, Bay Area Datsun Dealers tribute car

 

Vintage Spec Miata

 

We will also be supporting Vintage Spec Miata!

Join us for the 2025 Vintage Racing Season!

 

The Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) is excited to welcome Vintage Spec Miata (1990-1997) to all of their events! This is a fun, affordable way to get into vintage racing. If you have any questions regarding prep and presentation, reach out to Rob Fuller: rob@zcargarage.com.

Z Car Garage is amped for more racing this year. Please check the CSRG website and zcarblog.com for upcoming race events.

 

 

 

 

 

The ZONC Annual Car Show will be held Sunday September 7 in Brisbane, CA. This a fun event in a great location so bring out your Z, G, Datsun or GT-R! Pictures from previous shows can be seen HERE with more details below. Z you at the show!

 

 

Enjoy these photos from previous ZONC annual Car Shows:

  

 

On June 20-22, Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) hosted the Corkscrew Classic vintage race at Laguna Seca. Z Car Garage participated and supported several client’s Datsun 510 race cars running in B-Sedan Group 3. It was a great weekend filled with competition, camaraderie and plenty of Alfas, BMWs and Datsuns sharing the track. Enjoy our race report with photos and video!

 

Z Car Garage Supports Four Datsun 510s

 

It is our pleasure to bring more enthusiasts into the world of vintage racing. Our services include full race support and car-preparation to help make client’s race days seamless and worry-free so they can focus on driving. One of our specialties is dyno tuning. Before a race weekend we confirm that your car is running well and make necessary adjustments while on the chassis dyno.

VIDEO: Dyno tuning Noah’s Nissan Bluebird and Alison’s Spec Miata.Volume up and enjoy!

 

Hoosier Tire 2.5 Challenge

 

CSRG hosted the Hoosier 2.5 Challenge TA/BS. This is an action-packed race group with B-Sedans battling for points in the series!

 

ZCG clients running at the Corkscrew Classic included:

#6 Noah’s Bluebird Coupe

 

#64 Kenny Tse

  

#88 Todd R.

 

#72 Tom Dockery

We have helped Tom build and prepare his Ex-Norm Balzer/Koobation 510 for several years. You can view his race report below:

 

TOM: Returning to Laguna Seca was a real treat—it feels like it’s been far too long. The track has a natural rhythm that just flows with you through every corner. While Sonoma may be more technically demanding and keeps you on the edge of your racing seat, Seca will always have my heart.
This CSRG event gathered all the B-Sedans under the Hoosier 2.5 Challenge banner, which meant a field full of fast drivers, many of whom were laser-focused on points and the podium. I was content to stay out of that mix, hanging toward the back and enjoying the experience. That was easy enough during the two races, but a bit more challenging during qualifying.

 

The event also brought back former owner and champion Jon Koobation, which was a highlight. A special thanks to Rial Barnett from B-Sedan Racing for taking the time to interview both Jon and me for the B-Sedan community—truly a special moment. As always, big thanks to Rob and the ZCG Team for their outstanding coaching and race support. And of course, huge appreciation for the extended racing family—Meghan, Laura, Chris, Kenny, Noah, Kelvin, and Kelly—you’re simply the best. Looking forward to Sonoma in October! 

You can view the B-Sedan interview with Tom Dockery and John Koobation here on Facebook.

VIDEO: Enjoy this in-car video of Tom qualifying at Laguna Seca with a chase camera view as well:

Paddock Action

VIDEO: Catch a glimpse of the Z Car Garage paddock and watch the Group 3 and Group 9 vintage racers rollout in the video below!

Rob recaps the event…

ROB:  Troy Ermish’s Hooiser Challenge Series was one of the special run groups and it was really cool to see all the 510s, Alphas and BMWs mix it up. We supported 510 drivers  Kenny Tse, Noah, Todd, and Tom Dockery. Todd took a year off racing and he did a fantastic job for hist first time back with a personal best lap time. Laura B and myself in our Spec Miatas and we had a new addition: Ara’s (who races 510s) wife Alison came to join us with her Spec Miata. We had a great time as the run groups were fantastic with 5-6 Miatas. Can’t wait to see 20 VSP in the field.

 

Kenny and Noah both got their PBs at Laguna. Tom Dockery had his B-sedan interview with John Koobation which was super cool. Unfortunately Meghan and I were busy on Sunday, so huge shout out to Josh and David Carroll for handling the Z Car Garage Sunday program.  Our staff is a well-oiled machine, and I had FOMO really bad on Sunday. Everybody did a great job. Can’t wait for the Sears Point event coming in October so thanks again for tuning into our races. Remember, all CSRG events are free for spectators. Contact Rob if you are interested in racing with us. We will guide and help you get faster as well.

 

Vintage Spec Miata

 

The Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) is excited to welcome Vintage Spec Miata (1990-1997) to all of their events! This is a fun, affordable way to get into vintage racing. If you have any questions regarding prep and presentation, reach out to Rob Fuller: rob@zcargarage.com.

A weekend of great racing and good times

 

We enjoyed sharing this experience with our friends and CSRG family. Special shoutout to ZCG crew including Cooper and Josh, running all of the cars above would not be possible without them. Big thanks to Meghan for taking photos and video around the paddock.  View all in the gallery below

 

 
…[read more]

 

On June 20-22, Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) will host the Corkscrew Classic vintage race at Laguna Seca. Z Car Garage will participate and support several client’s Datsun 510 race cars running in B-Sedan Group 3. It will be a great weekend filled with competition, camaraderie and plenty of Alfas, BMWs and Datsuns sharing the track. Remember to bring your family and friends as admission is FREE for spectators!

Hoosier Tire 2.5 Challenge

CSRG will be featuring the Hoosier 2.5 Challenge TA/BS. This is an action-packed race group with B-Sedans battling for points in the series!

 

Race Schedule

Watch these Datsuns Race!

Want a glimpse of what it’s like to see Datsuns racing at Laguna Seca? Check out our 2024 race report with video and photos: HERE, and view a sample of cars expected to race June 20 at the Corkscrew Classic:

Race car driver, restorer and Datsun Historian Glenn Chiou in his FAR Performance 240Z. This Z has a very rich racing history, driven in the 70’s by Loren St. Lawrence in VIPS Restaurant livery.