Mazda's lightest, fastest MX-5 23 | 03 | 2011
MAZDA HAS introduced its all-new GT racing version of the MX-5, five months after we drove a race-prepared MX-5 in the Britcar 24-Hours at Silverstone. The new race version of the MX-5 is the lightest and most powerful version of the iconic roadster ever built ... but it won't be appearing in your nearest Scottish Mazda dealership.
Built as “an engineering challenge to get the weight as low as possible using Mazda’s gram strategy as the inspiration”, the car will race in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011.
The car, resplendent with its bespoke Spirited Green metallic paintjob, will make its first race appearance this weekend in a three hour endurance race at Silverstone.
Every last detail of the car — built by Jota Sport — has been examined to see where weight can be saved, before matching the power to the weight. Weighing just 850kg, the car is equipped with a 2.0-litre Mazda engine tuned to produce 275bhp and mated to a six-speed a sequential paddle-shift gearbox.
The car took 400 man hours to build and its lightweight features include polycarbonate windows and carbonfibre doors; the shell was also dipped in acid to shed another 15kg in weight. Other upgrades include race seats, a fire extinguisher and competition alloys and steering wheel, while the rear axle, suspensions, running gear and drivetrain have all been tuned for racing.
The Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship is contested over nine races from March to November including a race at the Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.
This is the fourth time Mazda has entered Britcar and this year the Mazda MX-5 GT car will be driven by two Mazda works drivers including experienced Mazda racing drivers Mark Ticehurst and Owen Mildenhall.
“The MX-5 production race car’s modest power output, bullet proof reliability and nimble handling demonstrated last year how the MX-5 can be competitive against some of the purpose-built Lotus, VW and BMW race cars," Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK, told Scotcars.
"With a higher power output combined with the durability, reliability and handling attributes that the MX-5 is renowned for; the MX-5 GT race car will be strong contender against the more powerful race cars in its class.”
Hopefully we'll get the chance to drive the lime green flying machine soon.
CLICK HERE to see more photos of the Mazda MX-5 GT racer.
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Jim McGill