Track Stars is a new addition to our site. In this series we will showcase cars, such as this Datsun, built and raced by regular petrolheads at circuits all over our beautiful country. Not cars prepared by teams of technicians paid for by sponsors. If you have a racecar and would like to be featured here, drop us an e-mail: [email protected]. In the very first instalment we highlight a 1974 Datsun 1200GX raced by Jo’burger Cameron Foster.

Follow Double Apex on Facebook and Instagram, where we share more car content.

Buy now and take advantage of free delivery in South Africa on orders over R349.

Owner: Cameron Foster
Car: 1974 Datsun 1200GX four door.
Engine: Datsun A15
Cylinders configuration: inline four
Capacity: 1 500 cm³
Induction: naturally aspirated.
Boost pressure: n/a
Power: 102 kW at the wheels
Torque: 167 N.m
Drive wheels/transmission: RWD/four-speed manual
Best lap time: 1 min 14,9 at Zwartkops Raceway
Category: HRSA pre 1980 saloons.

Best championship position: 2024 2nd class F, 11th class E (moved up a class after some development during the year) 17th overall.

Continued below the gallery…

Click here for more classic car content on our site.

Why did you choose to race this car? When I started racing I chose to build a Datsun 140Y SDX. This is the same model my father raced from the end of 1981 until 1984 in Group 1. I raced that car from 2021 until the beginning of 2023 when the engine blew at Zwartkops. My father passed away very suddenly in 2022. As a result, I found it difficult to continue racing the 140Y due to all the memories associated with that car and my father.

When the engine blew up I decided not to rebuild it, but rather move on to something new. My friend Travis, and his father Franz, who built and maintain the car, both race Datsun 1200GX saloons, so it was the natural choice for me. I initially wanted to get a 1200GX coupe. But the more I planned the new build the more I fell in love with the square shape of the saloon. Travis found the shell on a farm near Sun City and I didn’t hesitate to purchase it.

What major challenges have you faced? The biggest challenge has been learning how to drive the car as it is quite a bit different. It is also much faster than the 140Y SDX. I am still a little bit off the pace from the front runners of class E, but as I learn the car, and develop it, I’m sure I’ll be fighting for wins by the end of the season.

Was it a good choice to go racing with this model? Absolutely! It is an amazing car to drive. I still can’t quite get my head around the cornering speed, it really is incredible, and I often have a massive grin on my face during a race. It is a proper old school saloon racecar.
The other reason why the Datsun 1200 was a good choice of racecar is that it is an incredibly simple car that handles well right out the gate, you do not have to do much to get them going. The entire rear suspension and brakes are completely stock for example. We just flattened the leaf springs to lower the ride height. All the parts are also locally available, the front end of the car is essentially a Nissan 1400 champ for example. While not exactly cheap, you still spend a lot less than you would on a similar spec Ford or Alfa Romeo.

What has been your best achievement with this car to date? My best achievement has been an overall 2nd place in class E at Redstar Raceway.