In 1957 a young marketing manager by the name of Yutaka Katayama convinced NISSAN Corporate Management that a racing or competition program would be a good way to build name recognition around the world for Nissan Motors and their line of Datsun automobiles. (Note - he convinced Corporate Management - after his direct chain of management had turned the idea down as being too risky. This becomes important to know, later in the life of Nissan and Mr. Katayama).

He was allowed to enter a couple of cars in the "1958 Around Australia Mobilgas Trial". A grueling Pro-Rally tour around Australia. If Datsun did not do well, there would be no harm done, as the rally was considered to be very hard on cars, and very few competitors finished each year. If on the other hand Datsun did show well, the publicity would be world wide and would improve the image of the Datsun Automobiles and the NISSAN Corporation that produced them. So the chance was taken. Mr. Katayama was assigned as Team Manager, and given drivers: Mr. K. Okuyama, Mr. Y. Namba, Mr. Y. Oya and Mr. Y. Minawa.

At that time they knew they were off to the races, but we know they were off to the history books as well! The 2 car team of Datsun 210s that competed in the 1958 Round Australia Trial. Car #19 ("Fuji-Go") won the class A event.

The car #14 (Sakura) also finished the gruelling event. DATSUN WON the 1958 Around Australia Mobilgas Trial, Mr. Katayama's career was advanced, and his association with DATSUN COMPETITION was firmly established.