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Bob Sharp's Datsun 1600 Roadster Campaigns, 1966-1969 B Y R O B B E D D I N G T O N |
With Nissan now taking a keen interest in competition, and following the team's early success with the Datsun 1500, Bob Sharp was well placed to build on his achievements with the launch of the 1600 in 1965. Indeed, with Dwayne Feuerhelm's Datsun Racing Team on the West Coast, Bob was one of only two dealerships to be engaged in the sale of factory approved non-Nissan competition roadster items. In 1967, Bob was asked by Nissan to become their competition consultant, in which role he produced the Datsun Competition Preparation Manual jointly with Nissan.
On the track, Bob continued to perform well. In 1966, his first season in F Production with the 1600, he qualified for his fourth Runoffs. By lap 19, after leading for a number of laps, He was looking good for his first national title, when a piece of track debris flew up, splitting a water hose and forcing Bob to retire
1967 was the most successful of all Bob's years at the wheel of the roadster, when he finished first in the Divisional standings once more. At the ARRC held that year at Daytona, Bob went on to win his first SCCA national title, ahead of Don Carmichael (Sunbeam Alpine) and the Datsun Racing Team's Dan Parkinson. More importantly for Nissan, this was their first ever National Championship. A landmark victory indeed.
1967 ARRC PAGES
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Bob continued to race the Datsun successfully in F Production in 1968 and 1969, qualifying for the ARRC in both seasons, whilst also campaigning the Datsun 2000, (during 1968 in C Producton, with Solex carbs, and 1969 in D Production, with Hitachi carbs).
BOB SHARP'S DATSUN 1600 RESULTS |
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YEAR |
DIVISIONAL STANDINGS | ARRC PLACING |
1966 |
N/K |
DNF, 19L |
1967 |
1st |
1st |
1968 |
2nd |
2nd |
1969 |
3rd |
5th |
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