Report and photos by Bill Wagenblatt
The Portland Historic Races 2014 were held July 11-13 at the 12-turn, 1.967 mile Portland International Raceway in Oregon.
Staged by the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA), the 38th annual Portland Historics included a tribute to Datsun and featured over twenty 240Z and 510 sedans. John Morton, the Sports Car Club of America’s 1970 and ’71 National Champion and the ’71 and ’72 2.5 liter Trans-Am winner in the Brock Racing Enterprise Datsun 240Z and 510, was the weekend’s Grand Marshal.
Over 25 Datsun racers joined together for a group photograph. The photo shoot included Grand Marshal, John Morton, the car owners along with friends and crew members.
The original Datsun 1500 Fairlady that first raced in the mid-60s was brought out for the weekend. Another unique racer was the factory built race wagon, chassis number WPL510-897149, developed by the Nissan’s Oppama skunkworks in October of 1970.
HMSA’s schedule included seven race groups with over 120 cars entered. This year the GASS (Great American Stockcar Series) was added to the schedule. Group 5, the 2.5 liter Trans-Am group, was a throwback to the early ’70s when the Datsun 510, BMW 2002s and Alfa Romeos fought it out for the series championship.
The Northwest Car Clubs were represented in the Collector Car Clubs and all participated in the Club Parades during the Saturday and Sunday lunch breaks.
The Pacific Northwest event saw Friday and Saturday baked by temperatures in the mid-90s. Sunday morning experienced a cooler overcast sky with lower temperatures . Unfortunately, this was accompanied by lightning strikes. The morning’s warm-up sessions were completed before the rain arrived to cool everyone down for the afternoon’s races.
Portland Historic Races 2014 – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)
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[Source: Bill Wagenblatt]
“Row of Datsun B210 Sedans in the 2.5 Liter Trans-Am Class”
510s
This was a great event for racers and spectators alike. Fantastic variety of machinery, and huge turnout of Datsun race cars. Grand Marshall John Morton was as gracious with his time and autographing pen as one could ever expect. Thanks to HMSA for such a terrific weekend.
I towed over 1000 miles each way from Oceanside CA to do this race in an old Volvo. Had a total blast…when will I learn to bring rain tires to any Northwest race? Really needed them in Sunday’s race….just loafed around the track as second gear was just not useful. Still managed to spin it out on turn 4.
John Morton was a delight. Just received his new book “Inside Shelby American” in the mail with a sweet personal note. What a great read. We are lucky to get to meet these iconic treasures who are willing to take us back to a wonderful era of American racing.