4 rotor race cars - SVRA - 767B, 787, IMSA RX-7
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4 rotor race cars - SVRA - 767B, 787, IMSA RX-7
Some spectacular luck this weekend running into the Mazda factory team at the SVRA Nationals. I've been around the rotary world for about 17 years now and seen some pretty neat things - but this ranks up there with the best of them. Came across three 4 rotor racing cars sent out to COTA to participate in the historics. The 767B, 787 and Jim Downing's old IMSA first gen. I'll upload videos to youtube and pictures to a shared folder on google. Heading back out tomorrow for another session with the rotary's and some other special cars, too.
Flyby's -
Warm up/backfire -
To keep some of these videos I've taken of rotary race cars in the same place:
2013 Mitty -
RX7-92P Startup -
RX7-92P Warmup -
Flyby's -
To keep some of these videos I've taken of rotary race cars in the same place:
2013 Mitty -
I was there too. Do you have a silver car with RE-Amemiya looking front bumper?
The action ground to a halt because of a downpour, but luckily the rotaries got their event done right before. There was a Renesis powered Pro Formula Mazda running around too.
The only first gen I saw was a purple '85 that wasn't too pretty up close. The IMSA GTO car is an FC, at least the roof is.
Photo from Saturday:
The SVRA races (especially at COTA) is small potatoes compared to Monterey Historics or Goodwood Festival of Speed. I didn't think it'd be on the radar for Mazda.
Most of the classic racers are private owners and teams, so it's great that the company big wigs directly support racing. John Doonan (Mazda Motorsports head) was running about and Robert Davis (North America VP) drove the 767B. I got to shake hands with David Haskell (Speedsource) and talk about the upcoming IMSA season.
The action ground to a halt because of a downpour, but luckily the rotaries got their event done right before. There was a Renesis powered Pro Formula Mazda running around too.
The only first gen I saw was a purple '85 that wasn't too pretty up close. The IMSA GTO car is an FC, at least the roof is.
Photo from Saturday:
The SVRA races (especially at COTA) is small potatoes compared to Monterey Historics or Goodwood Festival of Speed. I didn't think it'd be on the radar for Mazda.
Most of the classic racers are private owners and teams, so it's great that the company big wigs directly support racing. John Doonan (Mazda Motorsports head) was running about and Robert Davis (North America VP) drove the 767B. I got to shake hands with David Haskell (Speedsource) and talk about the upcoming IMSA season.
Last edited by j_tso; Nov 6, 2016 at 09:30 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 599
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From: Austin, TX
Hi J, not my silver FD. Saw it in the parking lot, though.
Were you the person talking about building a 4 rotor?
The driver's told me they bring them out to 2 events every year - Monterey is always one and the second is a revolving location. Think he said Road America was next year, though I could have misheard.
What a surprise to just stumble into them here. SVRA is always the neatest, from the 1960's F1 car, to Mark Donahue's Lola and Jackie Stewart's F1 car.
I got John's contact information - hoping to stay in the loop on future events Mazda motorsports does at COTA. Happy to share the info if you shoot me a PM.
Robert (I didn't realize he was VP for North America) stated to me pretty definitively there would be no new rotary when I asked.
Do you know who this is?
(i've forgotten how to embed pictures... if someone can tell me how, I'll include more pictures here)
Were you the person talking about building a 4 rotor?
The driver's told me they bring them out to 2 events every year - Monterey is always one and the second is a revolving location. Think he said Road America was next year, though I could have misheard.
What a surprise to just stumble into them here. SVRA is always the neatest, from the 1960's F1 car, to Mark Donahue's Lola and Jackie Stewart's F1 car.
I got John's contact information - hoping to stay in the loop on future events Mazda motorsports does at COTA. Happy to share the info if you shoot me a PM.
Robert (I didn't realize he was VP for North America) stated to me pretty definitively there would be no new rotary when I asked.
Do you know who this is?
(i've forgotten how to embed pictures... if someone can tell me how, I'll include more pictures here)
I was there too. Do you have a silver car with RE-Amemiya looking front bumper?
The action ground to a halt because of a downpour, but luckily the rotaries got their event done right before. There was a Renesis powered Pro Formula Mazda running around too.
The only first gen I saw was a purple '85 that wasn't too pretty up close. The IMSA GTO car is an FC, at least the roof is.
Photo from Saturday:
The SVRA races (especially at COTA) is small potatoes compared to Monterey Historics or Goodwood Festival of Speed. I didn't think it'd be on the radar for Mazda.
Most of the classic racers are private owners and teams, so it's great that the company big wigs directly support racing. John Doonan (Mazda Motorsports head) was running about and Robert Davis (North America VP) drove the 767B. I got to shake hands with David Haskell (Speedsource) and talk about the upcoming IMSA season.
The action ground to a halt because of a downpour, but luckily the rotaries got their event done right before. There was a Renesis powered Pro Formula Mazda running around too.
The only first gen I saw was a purple '85 that wasn't too pretty up close. The IMSA GTO car is an FC, at least the roof is.
Photo from Saturday:
The SVRA races (especially at COTA) is small potatoes compared to Monterey Historics or Goodwood Festival of Speed. I didn't think it'd be on the radar for Mazda.
Most of the classic racers are private owners and teams, so it's great that the company big wigs directly support racing. John Doonan (Mazda Motorsports head) was running about and Robert Davis (North America VP) drove the 767B. I got to shake hands with David Haskell (Speedsource) and talk about the upcoming IMSA season.
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Would you be able to confirm with John about Road America? They were there a few years ago.
What a surprise to just stumble into them here. SVRA is always the neatest, from the 1960's F1 car, to Mark Donahue's Lola and Jackie Stewart's F1 car.
Do you know who this is?
Some more shots:
This was the first gen I saw. I think the cut off year for most vintage cars is 1973, but later cars are given consideration. There's gotta be a race worthy RX-3 in Texas some where. There was a Datsun 240Z trailered from Mexico.
When I was gabbing with David Haskell the engine cover was off the 767B and for some reason it didn't occur to me to take snapshot.
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Joined: Jun 2001
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I didn't realize they'd be in attendance until I walked into the garage on Friday. What a surprise!
I've got you covered on the engine pictures.... from multiple angles
Google made some motion shots - lets see if this works -
I've got you covered on the engine pictures.... from multiple angles
Google made some motion shots - lets see if this works -
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Austin, TX
Holly just posted this up on Facebook. To the extent it contradicts what I was saying about where they bring the cars, the article is right!
Historic - SVRA: Mazda showcases 'Heritage' at COTA
Historic - SVRA: Mazda showcases 'Heritage' at COTA
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 599
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From: Austin, TX
Our plan for next year with the cars is to run the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway, as well as the SVRA race at Indy in June.
They'll be at Sevenstock, as well
