Thanks to our friends at BRE for forwarding this information to us.  Sometimes change can be good.  It will be an interesting August with the Monterey Historics going through some big changes.  The BRE Datsun 510 has been invited to the new event at Laguna Seca, so keep these dates saved on your calendar.

RICH TRADITION OF HISTORIC RACING CONTINUES

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Announces New Name for Marquee Event

MONTEREY, Calif., January 20, 2010 – Automobile enthusiasts worldwide have been descending on the Monterey, California peninsula each August for three decades. They come to enjoy the world’s finest pre- and post-war race cars competing as they were originally intended on the challenging road course. This rich tradition continues August 12-15 with a fresh new look and name – the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is the confluence of historic race cars, legendary drivers and motoring enthusiasts. “It’s a new dawn for the event and we are embracing it by honoring the authenticity of the race cars and integrating social and lifestyle elements that present guests with new discoveries to keep it exciting and innovative,” said Barry Toepke, vice president of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Our new name and branding captures the spirit that has made this event one of the most respected gatherings of its kind worldwide.”

“The Rolex connection to motorsports is significant and we are pleased to formalize a new relationship with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and to become the inaugural sponsor of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. As always, we are proud to maintain a strong presence on the Monterey Peninsula,” commented Peter Nicholson, vice president of Rolex Watch USA, Inc.

Formerly known as the Monterey Historic Automobile Races®, the event is now produced exclusively by SCRAMP (Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula), a not-for-profit 501(C)4 corporation established in 1957. A professional staff is supported by thousands of community volunteers and a volunteer board of directors who are the backbone of every event.

“Each one of our 27 SCRAMP board members will spend hundreds of hours on this event, just as the board has done for all the historic racing held in Monterey,” explained Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Our directors and volunteers are amazing and are completely immersed in every aspect of the event to ensure its success.” In return, SCRAMP donates its net proceeds to the volunteer groups that help put on the races.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will continue the annual tradition of honoring one marque each year that is chosen for its historical significance and achievements. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will announce the featured marque and new logo in the coming weeks.

Approximately 400 cars will be accepted based on their racing pedigree for the 14 race groups. This year’s featured races are Formula 1, which celebrates its 60^th anniversary this year; Trans-Am; and for the first time ever, stock cars (with drum brakes) that competed between 1966 and 1975. Additionally, the Bugatti Club of America will celebrate its 50^th anniversary with an exclusive Bugatti Grand Prix, with cars entered from as far away as Australia, France, Germany and Switzerland.

For ticket and additional information please visit www.Mazdaraceway.com or call 800-327-7322.

A leader in the Swiss watchmaking industry, Rolex owes this reputation to the pioneering spirit and perpetual quest for perfection and innovation that have distinguished the brand since its creation over a century ago. In 1926 Rolex invented the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch and, in 1931, it created the first self-winding mechanism with a Perpetual rotor. Renowned for its privileged association with the worlds of sport, exploration, and culture, Rolex has had a long-time and deep involvement with both contemporary and historic motorsport – at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, the LeMans 24 Hour Race, the European LeMans Series, the Goodwood Revival, the long-running historic races in Monterey and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This distinguished timepiece is treasured by individuals in every endeavour.  Sports enthusiasts value its ruggedness, explorers depend on its reliability, and some simply value its elegance. Rolex has become a symbol of life’s crowning achievements.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s world-class 2010 racing schedule includes the American Le Mans Series Monterey presented by Patron May 21-23, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix featuring MotoGP World Championship July 23-25, the Pre-Reunion August 7-8 and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 12-15.

Who doesn’t love the BRE #46 Datsun 240z?!?!  The car is famous for putting the Z on the racing map and now is your chance to get in on the action and relive it’s past glory.  The main production run of these incredibly detailed models is 3000 pieces with a special limited production run of 146 models to be signed by Pete Brock and John Morton.  That’s right, you can get one of these signed by your Datsun heros.

Not very often are we given the chance to relive past Datsun greatness through an offer like this.  Buy one while you can.  If you are attending the Monterey Historics in a couple of weeks then you will get the chance to see these in person. (Go to ZONC.org to get your tickets and corral Passes)

The models are also available from the BRE website, HERE.

Official Info From BRE:

If you look up the word “detail” in the dictionary you’re liable to find a photo of this new 1:18 scale BRE 240Z racer by world renown model maker, Kyosho.  John Morton’s famous #46, ’70-’71 SCCA National Champ in so beautifully finished we didn’t we didn’t figure out that the shut lines for the doors, hood, and rear hatch weren’t just cast-in lines but actually opened until we’d had it in-hand for several minutes!  In fact, a special tool is provided to open the doors, as the fit is so precise your fingernails are too thick!

All these panels open to reveal wonderfully intricate, fabulous detail that only true racing enthusiasts could have persevered to replicate. Under the forward opening hood, in the engine compartment, you’ll find Stainless Aeroquip hoses, complete with red/blue anodized end-fittings, custom-spun black-alloy air horns on the triple Mikuni dual-chokes and BRE’s carefully crafted, gold-anodized heat-shield to keep those triple side drafts cool. The remote oil filter and Harrison military-spec ‘chopper oil-cooler just add to the fascination.

The weight of this model gives it a quality feel you’ll just love. Flip it over and you’ll see the headers and complete exhaust system Sperexed in bright yellow VHT paint, just like the real BRE race car….even the megaphones out the back are right to scale. You can almost hear the distinctive sound of this BRE L series engine with Morton, his foot hard-down on the back straight at Road Atlanta, on his way to winning his second straight National Championship!

The interior’s details are impressive with cloth seat belts, a quilted interior just like the cars had back then, the wooden gear shift knob. Not a detail has been missed. BRE’s custom red, white and blue race livery sets this piece off as something really special in any collection. Even the American Racing Le Mans mags with polished rims are perfect in every detail. If there’s going to be any BRE racer in your collection, THIS is the one.

Thank you Kyosho for making racing history available to all of us!

Peter Brock

The production run on this model is limited to 3000.  A special edition numbered 1-146 model is being offered with both Peter Brock and John Morton’s signature.  You can order either the regular model at $139 or the special edition at $189 through the BRE website at http://www.bre2.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=B&Category_Code=models .  Or if you’ll be at the Monterey Historics the weekend of Aug 14-16, be sure to stop by the BRE booth where BRE will also have the models in stock.