We've been racing as Nelson Motorsports since 1984, running in Formula Fords, Formula Atlantic, Formula Continental, C/Sports Racing, The IMSA Firehawk Endurance Series, The IMSA Camel GT series in a GTU Mazda, the Grand Am Series in a Porsche 3.8 RSR and a GT3 RS, and vintage Formula One in our 1988 Tyrrell 017/4.

As we race less in current machinery, the natural evolution is to take a more creative approach to motorsports, both two-wheeled and four, and to look at how we can be creative applying our thoughts to more robust street vehicles. To that end, we currently have a number of projects:

First---Competition machinery----restoration of Formula One machinery

We intend to restore and provide support for the fantastic machinery that has raced in the Formula One World Championship.

Our current projects are all Tyrrells;  one, the type 017--as raced in 1988 and early 1989, will be vintage raced this year; the other two, both 018 chassis, will be our next projects, as raced in 1989 and early 1990. Note: We now have spares for some model Tyrrells, ranging from the 011 to the 019.

Second--Street machinery

We're completely reconstructing a 1953 Studebaker. The idea behind the car is to take advantage of a classic Raymond Loewy design, the 1953 "C-K" coupe, which has been used so successfully in Land Speed Record projects, and entirely update the mechanical and interior package of the car. That means a modern chassis, up-to-date running gear, a great set of modern brakes, air conditioning, modern electronics, a current powerplant with sophisticated engine management, and an electronically controlled transmission. To accomplish this, while retaining the classic looks of the Coupe, is a challenge. At the end of the day, we'd like folks to think it was a fairly stock car, until they started looking closer--then the comparisons to Jay Leno's Buick Roadmaster will start.

As more folks become interested in America's past and their own youth, we're going to try to resurrect some classic designs, updated with modern appointments.

Third--Motorcycles

I've always been fascinated with two-wheeled machinery as well, and the gamut runs from the classic board racers of the early part of the 20th Century to modern race bikes. Though most of my interests are in Italian motorcycles, we have two current projects: the first is construction of Harley-Davidson's classic dirt track racer --the XR-750--as a street machine. Our second project is Harley Davidson's pavement racer, the XR-750TT, as a vintage racing motorcycle.

Lastly, trying to get accustomed to not racing in a current series is pretty frustrating, despite the rewards of the other projects. The one aspect of motor racing that can still be incredibly useful is to use that sport as a tool for fundraising. We are huge supporters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and if we can put a proposal together that makes sense, we'll go racing to raise funds for the JDRF.

Curious? Contact us at info@nelson-motorsports.com