During the winter of 1980-1981, the M1 was sold to another Japanese company, Auto Beaurex Motor Sports. Auto Beaurex had 4301077 repainted the traditional M1 Procar colour scheme of white with a diagonal BMW Motorsport tricolour. They continued to employ Naoki Nagasaka to drive and for the car’s two 1981 appearances he was partnered by Shinji Uchida.

Nagasaka and Uchida contested a brace of the Fuji Long Distance events that season; they failed to finish the 500km race in June (the car’s first DNF) but won their class in the 1000km event six weeks later.

For the 1982 season, Auto Beaurex had chassis 4301077 converted to Group 5 trim. In its new white and red-striped livery, the car went on to do five events that season, its busiest campaign yet.

Naoki Nagasaka and Fumiyasu Sato won four events outright in 1982 and took class wins in all five races. An enormously successful season saw 4301077 take overall victory in each of the three Fuji Long Distance events as well as the Suzuka 1000km non-championship race. In the Fuji 6 Hour World Sportscar Championship contest, Nagasaka and Sato placed fourth overall and won the Group 5 category.

Unfortunately, Fumiyaso Sato was killed on May 1st 1983 during practice for the Fuji 250km which was round two of the Fuji Grand Champion Series.

Sato’s seat in the M1 was taken by Masatomo Shimizu who accompanied Naoki Nagasaka for chassis 4301077’s two outings during 1983. They finished second overall and first in class at the Fuji 500km in June, but failed to finish the 1000km six weeks later which was the car’s last event in period.

In 1984, chassis 4301077 was sold to one of Auto Beaurex’s sponsors who retained it until the late 2000s. The car has since been restored to its original Group 4 / Procar trim.

Notable History

Silver with BMW Motorsport tricolour

Speed Star Wheel Racing Team, Minoh, Osaka

26/08/1979 IND Suzuka 500 mile (N. Nagasaka / K. Takahashi) 4th oa, 1st Gr.2 (#21)

01/06/1980 FLD Fuji 500km (N. Nagasaka / N. Fujita) 3rd oa, 1st Gr.C class (#6)
27/07/1980 FLD Fuji 1000km (N. Nagasaka / N. Fujita) 5th oa, 1st Gr.C class (#6)
23/11/1980 FLD Fuji 500 mile (N. Nagasaka / N. Fujita) 4th oa, 1st Gr.C class (#6)

Auto Beaurex Motor Sports

White with BMW Motorsport tricolour

07/06/1981 FLD Fuji 500km (N. Nagasaka / S. Uchida) DNF (#82)
26/07/1981 FLD Fuji 1000km (N. Nagasaka / S. Uchida) 4th oa, 1st Gr.C class (#82)

Converted to Group 5 trim

White & red livery

06/06/1982 FLD Fuji 500km (N. Nagasaka / F. Sato) 1st oa, 1st Gr.C class (#1)
25/07/1982 FLD Fuji 1000km (N. Nagasaka / F. Sato) 1st oa, 1st Gr. C class (#1)
29/08/1982 IND Suzuka 1000km (N. Nagasaka / F. Sato) 1st oa, 1st Gr.B class (#1)
03/10/1982 WSC Fuji 6 Hours (N. Nagasaka / F. Sato) 4th oa, 1st Gr.5 class (#8)
28/11/1982 FLD Fuji 500km (N. Nagasaka / F. Sato) 1st oa. 1st Gr.C class (#1)

Dark Blue with BMW Motorsport tricolour

05/06/1983 FLD Fuji 500km (N. Nagasaka / M. Shimizu) 2nd oa, 1st Gr.C class (#1)
24/07/1983 FLD Fuji 1000km (N. Nagasaka / M. Shimizu) DNF (#1)

1984 sold to one of Auto Beaurex’s sponsors

Retained until late 2000s

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Ecurie Bowden – https://www.bowdensown.com.au/