VIN: the Nova Engineering Porsche 962 / Sultan of Brunei Dauer 962 LM chassis 151
History of chassis 151
Chassis 151 was sold to Yojiro ‘Jiro’ Yoneyama who ran Nova Engineering, one of the top sports car teams in Japan. The new machine replaced Nova’s 1988-1989 example (chassis 132) and similarly appeared in the distinctive yellow colour scheme of long-term sponsor From A.
Yoneyama purchased chassis 151 to contest the 1990 Japanese Sportscar Championship and Nova’s home round of that year’s World Sportscar Championship: the Suzula 480km.
It was driven throughout the 1990 campaign by Akihiko Nakaya and Volker Weidler whose best finishes were second overall at the Suzuka 1000km (August 26th) and fifth overall at the season-opening Fuji 500km (March 11th). Nakaya and Weidler were joined in the car by Yukihiro Hane on three occasions, but chassis 151 failed to finish on any of these outings.
One such event was the season-ending Fuji 1000km on October 7th where chassis 151 had qualified as the fastest 962 in attendance with seventh quickest time. Unfortunately, on lap 98 Nakaya crashed heavily into the concrete wall at the last corner and retired on the spot.
Yojiro Yoneyama went on to purchase a new 962 for 1991: chassis 171.
The damaged remains of chassis 151 were subsequently sold to Jochen Dauer.
Back in Europe, chassis 151 was rebuilt to Dauer 962 LM trim; it was one of five examples that Dauer sold to the Brunei royal family, all of which were finished in different colours. Chassis 151 was painted silver and upholstered with a black interior.
Upon arrival in Brunei, the car was road registered BQ 7523.
It remains in the Brunei royal collection to this day.
Notable History
Sold to Yojiro Yoneyama (Nova Engineering - From A Racing)
11/03/1990 JSC Fuji 500km (A. Nakaya / V. Weidler) 5th oa, 5th C1 class (#27)
03/04/1990 JSC Fuji 1000km (A. Nakaya / V. Weidler / Y. Hane) NC (#27)
08/04/1990 WSC Suzuka 480km (A. Nakaya / V. Weidler) 10th oa, 10th C1 class (#39)
22/07/1990 JSC Fuji 500 mile (A. Nakaya / V. Weidler / Y. Hane) DNF (#27)
26/08/1990 JSC Suzuka 1000km (A. Nakaya / V. Weidler) 2nd oa, 2nd C1 class (#27)
16/09/1990 JSC Sugo 500km (A. Nakaya / V. Weidler) 7th oa, 7th C1 class (#27)
07/10/1990 JSC Fuji 1000km (A. Nakaya / V. Weidler / Y. Hane) DNF (#27)
Crashed at Fuji by Akihiko Nakaya
Sold to Jochen Dauer
Converted to Dauer 962 LM trim
Painted Silver with Black interior
Sold to the Sultan of Brunei
Registered BQ 7523
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed
