Mazda will go racing in the ALMS (American Le Mans Series) in LMP2 class!
Check these: http://rotarynews.com/node/view/564
or a bit in German (the same): http://www.der-wankelmotor.de/News__...ews__bliz.html

Engine will be a Renesis based 3-rotor, must be the absolute highlight in modern day Wankel engine development...

Maybe they'll return to the most famous of all circuits then someday?

 

I knew that, still ****** awesome though. im crossing my fingers that they will finish the race.

 

hey well, I had heared rumours, but it seems this is official. And some nice drawings of that car is always a nice reason to post.

 

One of the drivers that Mazda picked, Guy Cosmos. He used to race back in '02 in Formula 2000 here in Denmark. I have been on his mailing list since he went back to the States.

Here's his Web page:
http://www.guycosmo.com/guycosmo/

 

Funny to see that he used to race with Erik Byrgesen, the same guy which is helping us out with the race car.

 

Hi.

I would like to see that engine? Will it be a true RENESIS, or will it have periperal exhaust ports. Will the front rotors rear plate be thick like 20B, or not.

Have a nice day

 

No idea, but giving the numbers (400hp goal) I'd reckon it could be true renesis: 1.5 times 240hp would be 360 already, and race engines will be less restricted then the very restrictive RX-8.

 

360HP ? Maybe a little hint as to what the new RX7 will be packing ?

 

I'm afraid the new RX-7 (when ever) will be more a back-to-basics car again.
Lower cost as the "old" FD (read: lower power, remember the SA with the 105/115hp).

 

Truthfully I haven't checked around lately for the probability of a new "RX7", but the general concensus in Greece is that the new RX7 will be probably a whole class above the RX8 (in price). The RX8 goes for 30-40K (Challenge and Cosmo respectively), so the new RX7 will go for around 50K (a direct rival of the 350Z in terms of price). For that kind of money, we are expecting either a nicely turbo-ed Renesis, or a 3-rotor version

 

If a new RX-7 can be expected, I'm almost sure it'll be as Ace said. The "back to basic" car is obviously the RX-8: it's a lot cheaper then the other cars in it's class (just look at BMW at that power) and selling rather well. The new Seven will almost certain be the flagship of the range, and whereas the Renesis of the RX-8 is very "conservative" in rpm and power numbers (compaired to what a Renesis is really capable that is) you can bet the Seven will take it a step further. A three rotor version might well be possible, as it's easier (for the factory that is) to built a three rotor then to turbo a NA renesis and still be on the safe side. Remember the FD and you'll understand why Mazda will certainly want the car to be 110% reliable.
That is, if there's going to be a new RX-7 at all...
I still think downsizing the Renesis would be way more cool. What about a 10A-type version? 1.0l, about 180hp, lightwheight. Just perfect to power a sort of RX-3 car, under two liters even with FIA coëfficient for Wankel engines (or the usual double the displacement rule used by many countries to tax the Wankels), so possible to race in many classes, cheap enough to put on the road, powerfull enough to steal some Golf/astra/other mass produced ugly tin-boxes customers away.

 

One picture and a little vid from the first run at the Bugatti(Le Mans) track :
http://www.infoscourse.org/2005_ALMS...rage_Mazda.jpg

Vid from french tv , the car can be seen at the middle of the vid :
http://videojts.francetv.fr/regions/...loc_070405.wmv

 

for the vid , you have to enlarge the screen(full)...

 

Man it sounds great.
Isnt the LeMans track named "LaSarthe"??
I was there last year , definately going again when the wankel is back

 

The Bugatti-track is a part of the La Sarthe that is permanent. It's shorter.
I'd love to go to LM when Mazda would return, but the current project seems to focus on ALMS right now. Let's hope they'll bring the car over again!

 

Yea thats hinting that it will be packing al cars in the *** left and right.LOL!!!! Long live the Rotary! Btw...that lemans yellow and blue car is beautiful. i want me one...