Electramotive Engineering of California was started by Hughes Aircraft Corporation scientist and motor racing enthusiast Don Devendorf who had run in IMSA’s lower classes with success during the 1970s and early 1980s in modified Datsun/Nissan sportscars. Devendorf’s partner in the venture was his friend, John Knepp.
Electramotive became America’s leading specialists in the sale and preparation of road and racing Nissans, and when the Japanese company decided to enter the GTP category, they naturally approached Devendorf to run the project.
First of all, Don Devendorf bought a Lola T810 rolling chassis which was really a T710 monocoque, very similar to the tubs built for GM for their ‘Corvette GTP’ project. The T810 had slight detail modifications to allow for the Nissan engine, cooling and bodywork installations. The two chassis shared the same suspension installation and physical dimensions.
The John Knepp-developed turbo V6 engines, based upon the production ‘Z’ car engine, were built by Nissan and featured the stock iron block and aluminum heads of the original engine, but Knepp designed, developed and reprogrammed the engine’s sophisticated electronic brain. This engine was named the 3.0-liter VG30 and, in 3.2-liter twin-turbo alloy-block (Electramotive cast) configuration, was also used by Nissan in their March-based Group C cars. The Bodywork of the American GTP car was designed by Yoshi Suzuka.
Appearing first of all at Laguna Seca in May 1985, the Nissan ZX-T was not successful in its first year, but in 1986, at Portland, Geoff Brabham won pole. He and Elliot Forbes-Robinson led the race only to run short of fuel with just two laps left. Stopping for a top-up, they finished third.
LOLA T810:
HU-810/01 GTP ZX-T. Electramotive. Nissan V6 Turbo.
1985:
04/28: Riverside: Devendorf, #83; practice only. Withdrawn.
05/05: Laguna Seca: D. Devendorf/T. Adamowicz, #83; 11th
05/19: Charlotte: D. Devendorf, #83; Accident in practice.
07/28: Portland: D. Devendorf/T. Adamowicz, #83; 16th NR.
08/04: Sears Point: D. Devendorf/T. Adamowicz, #83; 9th.
08/25: Road America: D. Devendorf, #83; 43rd NR.
09/08: Pocono: D. Devendorf, #83; 40th NR.
10/06: Columbus: D. Devendorf/T. Adamowicz, #83; 13th NR.
1986:
03/02: Miami GP: E. Forbes-Robinson/T. Adamowicz, #83; 10th.
04/27: Riverside: G. Brabham/E. Forbes-Robinson, #83; DNF. (Acc.)
05/04: Laguna Seca: E. Forbes-Robinson, #83; DNF.
06/08: Mid-Ohio: E. Forbes-Robinson/L. Heimrath, Jr., #83; 7th.
07/27: Portland: G. Brabham, #83; Pole, 3rd.
08/03: Sears Point: E. Forbes-Robinson, #83; 4th.
08/24: Road America: G. Brabham/E. Forbes-Robinson, #83; DNF.
09/21: Watkins Glen: J. Lammers/E. Forbes-Robinson, #83; 18th.
10/05: Columbus: E. Forbes-Robinson/G. Brabham, #83; 5th.
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