Mazda back to LeMans?
08-09-04, 04:11 PM
#1
Mazda back to LeMans?
Anyone else see this?
Last week's Autoweek ran a brief clip that basically said Mazda was looking at returning to professional roadracing with a full factory effort. Autoweek basically left the class that Mazda intended to enter in the air.
During this weekend's broadcast of the ALMS weekend at Mosport the announcers said that it was finally official that Mazda would re-enter with a factory backed P2 effort with the intentions of moving up to P1 at some later date. The rotary was not specifically mentioned as the motor of choice but it would seem to be a natural selection. This would certainly include a return to LeMans!
The best part was the announcer saying that his ears were still ringing from the Mazda cars of the mid-late 80's.
Last week's Autoweek ran a brief clip that basically said Mazda was looking at returning to professional roadracing with a full factory effort. Autoweek basically left the class that Mazda intended to enter in the air.
During this weekend's broadcast of the ALMS weekend at Mosport the announcers said that it was finally official that Mazda would re-enter with a factory backed P2 effort with the intentions of moving up to P1 at some later date. The rotary was not specifically mentioned as the motor of choice but it would seem to be a natural selection. This would certainly include a return to LeMans!
The best part was the announcer saying that his ears were still ringing from the Mazda cars of the mid-late 80's.
08-09-04, 04:39 PM
#3
Hopefully someone will buy Jim Downing's Mazda Kudzu P2, get it back in action, *and* Mazda backs a two car team. Then of course there's the rules not favouring the rotary power plant . . . . but nonetheless it would be great to see a rotary back on the AMLS circuit full season.
08-09-04, 06:04 PM
#7
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completely different vettes from series to series. the ALMS vette's are amazing. Pratt and miller is one of the best teams out there and definately one of the elite in terms of sports car engineering.
I didn't see the results from the rolex race this weekend but when i was up by madness the PTG cars were absolutely dominating their class.
I didn't see the results from the rolex race this weekend but when i was up by madness the PTG cars were absolutely dominating their class.
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08-10-04, 07:03 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by C. Ludwig
For ALMS P2? Not quite.
ALMS currently has LMP1, LMP2, GTS and GT. They plan to add a new sedan class next season similar to the Speed Touring Cars in which Mazda will continue to run the RX-8...
I believe there is also discussion within ALMS of combining the LMP1 and LMP2 classes due to poor participation in both. They would regulate the cars with weight and inlet restrictors.
Last edited by DamonB; 08-10-04 at 07:40 AM.
08-10-04, 08:29 AM
#11
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After Mazda won the '91 LeMans with the rotary, the rules makers started restricting the rotaries so bad that they couldn't breathe. I doubt that the rules makers are going to cut Mazda some slack now.
08-10-04, 02:01 PM
#13
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Originally Posted by speedturn
After Mazda won the '91 LeMans with the rotary, the rules makers started restricting the rotaries so bad that they couldn't breathe. I doubt that the rules makers are going to cut Mazda some slack now.
08-10-04, 06:08 PM
#14
From autoweek. Looks like rotary is a possibility.
Is Mazda back?
Mazda is evaluating an attack on the American Le Mans Series with a full factory program, and it could begin as early as next year.
Mazda U.S.A. has looked to join the sports car series for some time. Company executives are in ongoing discussions with ALMS bosses and have already met with two organizations capable of masterminding its return after a 13-year absence. Mazda senior vice president of marketing Robert Davis said, "We have had an involvement with the ALMS through the Star Mazda Series [a single-seater support class], and now we would like to take part in the main event. If you look at what Mazda represents in North America, it is sports cars and that fits with the profile of the ALMS."
Davis said that the decision on which class Mazda might enter hasn’t been made yet.
Sources say Mazda is looking at the prototype division, though the possibility of a new ALMS class for four-door cars (see Flash) would allow it to run the rotary-powered RX-8.
Mazda’s prospective entry into the ALMS has been welcomed by series boss Scott Atherton at a time when the Pratt & Miller-run Chevrolet Corvette is the only factory team on the grid.
"There’s no question that they would be a boost to the ALMS," he said. "We already refer to them as a partner because of the Star Mazda series, but it would be great to have them in the ALMS."
Is Mazda back?
Mazda is evaluating an attack on the American Le Mans Series with a full factory program, and it could begin as early as next year.
Mazda U.S.A. has looked to join the sports car series for some time. Company executives are in ongoing discussions with ALMS bosses and have already met with two organizations capable of masterminding its return after a 13-year absence. Mazda senior vice president of marketing Robert Davis said, "We have had an involvement with the ALMS through the Star Mazda Series [a single-seater support class], and now we would like to take part in the main event. If you look at what Mazda represents in North America, it is sports cars and that fits with the profile of the ALMS."
Davis said that the decision on which class Mazda might enter hasn’t been made yet.
Sources say Mazda is looking at the prototype division, though the possibility of a new ALMS class for four-door cars (see Flash) would allow it to run the rotary-powered RX-8.
Mazda’s prospective entry into the ALMS has been welcomed by series boss Scott Atherton at a time when the Pratt & Miller-run Chevrolet Corvette is the only factory team on the grid.
"There’s no question that they would be a boost to the ALMS," he said. "We already refer to them as a partner because of the Star Mazda series, but it would be great to have them in the ALMS."
08-12-04, 10:53 AM
#16
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Originally Posted by igottafc
since the rotary was banned in the 24 hours of lemans, does that exemt the motor from the alms as well?
08-12-04, 11:33 AM
#18
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I don't think their sanctioning body banned the rotary engine from the LeMans. They just banned the variable intake runners associated with the R26B. Besides, Mazda never saw true greatness down the Mulsanne after 1991. As good as the 792P was on paper, the other car companies caught up and overthrew Mazda's one year of glory. Nevertheless, a victory is a victory, and I am proud to own part of Mazda's heritage. 
I wouldn't worry about the ALMS. Mazda is already starting to win various races on the grassroots level, like the Grand-Am Cup series (SpeedSource Inc.'s RX-8 won at the Phoenix Sport Touring 200, in April). I would be interested if Mazda pulled out all stops and campaigned an RX-8 to compete against the Porsche Class (GT Class in the ALMS). I believe the only thing stopping them is the four-door issue. I am sure the LeMans can change that.
I wouldn't worry about the ALMS. Mazda is already starting to win various races on the grassroots level, like the Grand-Am Cup series (SpeedSource Inc.'s RX-8 won at the Phoenix Sport Touring 200, in April). I would be interested if Mazda pulled out all stops and campaigned an RX-8 to compete against the Porsche Class (GT Class in the ALMS). I believe the only thing stopping them is the four-door issue. I am sure the LeMans can change that.
Last edited by badfish229; 08-12-04 at 11:36 AM.
08-12-04, 11:56 AM
#19
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Originally Posted by badfish229
I would be interested if Mazda pulled out all stops and campaigned an RX-8 to compete against the Porsche Class (GT Class in the ALMS). I believe the only thing stopping them is the four-door issue.
The Renesis is no match for the Porsche flat 6; they'd have to practically cripple the Porsche for the Renesis to compete.
08-12-04, 12:17 PM
#20
I agree with DamonB. The Renesis would need forced induction to be competitive in AMLS GT which I doubt they would allow.
Actually, Rx8 would be a great fit for Speed World Challenge Touring where the Protege is making 250fwhp and BMW's some more but SCCA bumped it up to Speed GT allowing supercharger. Did anyone ever supercharge a Renesis yet for Speed GT?
Actually, Rx8 would be a great fit for Speed World Challenge Touring where the Protege is making 250fwhp and BMW's some more but SCCA bumped it up to Speed GT allowing supercharger. Did anyone ever supercharge a Renesis yet for Speed GT?
08-12-04, 12:41 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by DamonB
Actually it would be the Renesis horsepower issue The Renesis is no match for the Porsche flat 6; they'd have to practically cripple the Porsche for the Renesis to compete.
The Renesis is no match for the Porsche flat 6; they'd have to practically cripple the Porsche for the Renesis to compete.
08-12-04, 02:04 PM
#23
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Originally Posted by badfish229
Yes, the 13B-MSP's power is girly-weak compared to the Porsche's turbocharged flat-sixes.
08-12-04, 02:31 PM
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porsche doens't need to be turbo to be fast. the gt-3 is case and point. however the turbo performance center 996's (not 996 gt3's) are supercharged and are kicking *** in their class.
Additionally the speedsource team is NOT mazda factory backed. They're doing fairly well but it's easy to podium with 5 cars. There are a LOT of rx-8's in the Grand am cup so it shouldn't shock or amaze when one podium's. nevertheless it's an acomplishment.
Back to competeing with the porsche's... we'll leave that to the new 1.5l rx-7
Additionally the speedsource team is NOT mazda factory backed. They're doing fairly well but it's easy to podium with 5 cars. There are a LOT of rx-8's in the Grand am cup so it shouldn't shock or amaze when one podium's. nevertheless it's an acomplishment.
Back to competeing with the porsche's... we'll leave that to the new 1.5l rx-7
08-12-04, 04:16 PM
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Mazda entering the Prototype class makes more sense than anything else. The P1 and P2 class is all dried up. Audi, Dyson, Audi and Dyson. Don't get me wrong it's fun to watch but it's just like Ferrari's dominance in F1. The fans and now ALMS want to see more. Why not consider Mazda with all it's racing history, unique RE and naming rights on one of the premier tracks in the world. Though I would love to see Mazda run the GTS class but coming to a happy medium between the established and new booty will prove difficult. There are top makes going through growing pains like Panoz, Lambo and Saleen(but starting to challenge). Maybe run a NA PP 3-Rotor in GT.. I don't know but it's fun to think about. I don't see anything truly productive and concrete till the 2006 season at the earliest.
