Beschreibung
For sale in our forthcoming auction during Le Mans Classic, on 30 June 2023:
Competition car
Chassis No R90C-07
- One of the fastest prototypes in Group C
- Appealing track record, one with Heinz-Harald Frentzen
- Documented history, careful servicing, ready to hit the track
Born in 1982, the Group C relaunched the World Endurance Championship and for almost 10 years, this category attracted many competitors, both from major manufacturers and also from more modest craftsmen wanting to try their luck. Nissan was interested in this Championship from an early stage, starting with the 1986 R85 V, fitted with a monocoque structure designed by March Engineering and a 3-litre V6 Turbo engine. The model has evolved over the years: for the 1989 R89 C, a structure built by Lola Cars, a Kevlar and carbon bodywork and a 3. 5-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. With this car, Nissan took fifth place in the Constructors FIA World Championship.
The R90 C is the culmination of this glorious design. Thanks to its very powerful twin-turbo V8 engine, this model proved to be extremely fast: during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1990, the car driven by Martin Brundle set a blistering best lap time in practice, 6 seconds faster than its closest rival. Its qualifying engine was renowned to produce 1, 000 hp… In the late 1990, Nissan claimed third place in the Constructors FIA World Championship, its best result. Additionally, this model won the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship (JSPC) three times.
For this 1990 season, seven T90/ 10 chassis were produced, six of which were with R90 CK specifications and one (R90C-07) set aside in reserve. This is the very last of 13 chassis manufactured by Lola and it was put together in December 1990 by Nova Engineering (Japan) to R90 CK specifications. In the yellow livery of its sponsor From-A, this R90C-07 car raced in the 1991 JSPC in the hands of A. Nakaya and Volkert Weidler. They claimed second place three times: the 500 km of Fuji, the 1, 000 km of Fuji and the 500 km of Sugo. The only race this car (chassis R90C-07) entered outside of Japan was the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1992, where Volkert Weidler, Mauro Martini and Jeff Krosnoff finished eighth. This was in fact the car's only outing during this season, since the Nova team used the reserve car (R90C-06 lent by Nissan) for the rest of the 1992 season before returning it to the manufacturer.
In 1993, the R90C-07 was modified to R93 specifications, the last evolution of that year which made it the only improved chassis of its kind. In this set-up, the car raced at the Suzuka 1, 000 km in August where it took second place with Mauro Martini and the young and promising German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen. This was its only race appearance in this form, as new regulations discontinued the Group C, as well as the concept of the World Endurance Championship. Except for Japan and Le Mans where turbo pressure and fuel capacity are restricted, Group C cars no longer had races to compete in.
After being withdrawn from motorsport competition, R90C-07 was put into storage before being purchased (via Mike Gue at Essex Racing) by historic racing driver and international Supersports Cup organiser Charlie Agg. Charlie entered the car in the new historic Group C series in Europe and the United States and took part in the 2002 HSR endurance races at Daytona and Sebring, as well as the Le Mans Legends in 2004. He then sold the car to George Purdle in 2008, whose son Andy participated in the Goodwood Festival of Speed that same year and also raced in historic events until 2010, when the car got sold to its previous owner. The latter used it in historic Group C racing events, including a return to Le Mans in 2012 for the Legends race.
Its current owner continues to race in this historic car and it comes today with a large batch of parts and components including 12 mounted wheels, a front bonnet, a rear spoiler to be restored, a gearbox, two new turbos, a complete set of moulds for the front and rear cowlings, a set of used turbos and an old wiring harness. These parts will be available to the buyer at Equipe Europe. It was fully restored and has since travelled less than 1, 000 km. It includes its safety equipment, fuel tanks certificates and a "crack test" report to search for potential cracks.
Extremely fast, this Nissan R90C-07 is one of the rare cars capable (if driven by the right person) of surpassing Sauber Mercedes Group C cars. With an attractive track record including prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and a race with a Formula 1 driver, this car showcases a consistent history while in the hands of enthusiasts who have continued to bring it to life in racing.
It is now time to continue this brilliant career in the exciting world of historic racing, including Le Mans Classic of course.
Photos © Kevin Van Campenhout
Auction estimate: €500 000 / €800 000
