RX-8 Reliability Race-proven in 24hr Round-the-clock Endurance Race

Mazda hailed the 2006 Britcar Silverstone 24 Hours a round-the-clock success as all three of its RX-8s saw the chequered flag on Sunday afternoon for the second year in succession.

Reliability is the key to endurance racing and Mazda’s strong showing was due to the RX-8’s outstanding durability and its unique rotary engine, coupled with immaculate teamwork under extreme pressure.

This weekend’s Britcar 24 Hour Endurance Race at Silverstone saw all three Mazda RX-8s that finished last year’s 24 hour race complete the round the clock marathon of flat out racing for the second consecutive year.

Reliability is the key to endurance racing and it was the outstanding durability of the Mazda RX-8 and its unique rotary engine coupled with immaculate team work under extreme pressures that ensured the three production cars could complete the 24 hour endurance, covering a distance of 1,597 miles on the same engines that have now done a season with Formula Woman, a season of endurance races and two 24 hour races without missing a beat.

Due to the success of the Mazda RX-8 in last year’s S1 Production Series of Britcar endurance racing the race organisers for this year’s 24 hour Britcar changed the Class classification for the Mazda Race Team. This resulted in Mazda RX-8 Race Car 96 competing with cars that were highly modified, significantly lighter and no longer resembling their production base. The Mazda RX-8 endurance race car still retains its original unmodified RENESIS rotary engine whilst others in this higher Class benefited from significantly increased power. The RX-8 Race Car 96 was placed in Class 2 due to its carbon-fibre doors, which gives a weight advantage of 80kg over the other two RX-8s which remained in Class 3.

The three Mazda RX-8s were essentially production cars with only the suspension changed to account for the slick tyres and safety equipment fitted to conform to RACMSA, (Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association), race rules. The rotary engine and gearbox are standard and the same as found on the road-going version.All three Mazda RX-8 race cars were entered by Mazda Motors UK/Guglielmi Motorsport led by Team Director Steve Guglielmi who commented: “The cars which we used in the 24 Hour Britcar Endurance Race are based on the standard, road‑going Mazda RX-8 sports coupés. The seats and many interior panels have been removed, and each car has undergone a number of essential safety modifications – including the addition of a roll‑cage, fire extinguisher, race seat and some suspension alterations necessary for racing.

“The revolutionary 1.3-litre, 231 ps RENESIS rotary engine is standard and the only slight modification we have made is to fit a racing gearbox.”

Mazda PR Director Graeme Fudge commented: “This 24 hour endurance success further reinforces the reliability and exciting handling of the Mazda RX-8 and the rotary engine. To enter three cars in this sort of reliability test and have all three finish is a testament to the quality of the Mazda RX-8 and the dedication and commitment of the whole team.”

Third 24 Hour Challenge for Mazda RX-8
The 2006 24 Hour Britcar Endurance Race marks the Mazda RX-8’s third 24 hour event which started back in October 2004 when Mazda set a total of 40 international records with two Mazda RX-8s during a 24-hour record attempt on the 12.3 km oval at the automotive proving grounds in Papenburg, Germany. The two 231ps Mazda RX-8s drove more than 5,000 kms during the 24-hour record attempt with average speeds of 212 and 215 km/h.

REVIEW: Upgrade your braking power for just US$10

No really, I’m dead serious. One of the most overlooked ‘upgrades’ when it comes to changing the bite of your car is the type of brake fluid you use. If you’ve got the cash to spare, nothing beats upgrading your pots, discs and pads for better braking power – but that normally costs thousands (especially if you go for Aragosta – Autoexe or Knight Sports). But if you don’t, try changing the brake fluid at the very least (go for steel braided lines too if you’ll got a couple of hundred bucks lying around somewhere).

The best brake fluid we would recommend – the Motul DOT5.1

It’s bloody cheap – US$10 (incl of the service), and it works wonderfully. You should be able to feel a noticeable difference in brake responsiveness and biting power.

Now who says ALL RX-8 mods are expensive? 😉

BBC Top Gear Host Richard Hammond Seriously Hurt in 300mph Crash

TV host seriously hurt in crash

The presenter is being treated at Leeds General Infirmary

Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond remains seriously ill in hospital after a crash in a jet-powered car while filming for the BBC programme. The 36-year-old was taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary’s neurological unit on Wednesday.

A hospital spokesman said: “He has seen some improvement overnight, but remains in a serious but stable condition.”

Mr Hammond had been in a dragster-style car capable of reaching speeds of about 300mph at Elvington airfield near York.

The hospital said his wife was at his bedside and, at the request of his family, no more information would be released.

The crash will be investigated by the Health and Safety Executive and the BBC.

The BBC said in a statement: “We are looking into all the factors of this accident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage until we know the full situation.”

He has brought an awful lot to the programme Quentin Willson, former Top Gear presenter Send us your comments

The dragster car he was driving was believed to have been travelling at about 300mph when it crashed.

Motoring expert Adam Rayner, of Fast Car magazine, said that at those speeds the driver would experience forces similar to those endured by fighter pilots.

“These cars accelerate at 6G – the force is breathtaking and stopping is a real difficulty,” he said.

Former firefighter Dave Ogden, who runs private firm Event Fire Services, was one of the first people at the scene of the crash.

He said: “We were down there with Top Gear who were filming him trying to break the British land speed record.

“On the previous run, the car had just gone over 300mph but I am not sure if it had broken the record.

The scene at the former RAF airfield where the crash happened

“They had just done one more run and were planning to finish when it veered off to the right.

“One of the parachutes had deployed but it went on to the grass and spun over and over before coming to a rest about 100 yards from us.”

He said his crew and an ambulance that was already on the airfield rushed over and found the car upside down and “dug in” to the grass.

Mr Ogden said he felt for a pulse and heard Mr Hammond breathing before the emergency crews worked together to turn the car the right way up and then cut him free.

He added: “He was regaining consciousness at that point and said he had some lower back pain. But he was drifting in and out of consciousness a little bit.”

Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson said the presenter was “irreplaceable”.

‘International personality’

He said: “He is a wonderful, unique and distinctive Top Gear presenter.

“He has brought an awful lot to the programme and his indefatigable energy, the fact that he tries absolutely anything once, may have been the reason that he has overstepped the mark a bit.

“He has turned Top Gear into a gang show with Jeremy and James and the three of them have wowed audiences all over the world and he is an international personality.”

Mr Willson added: “There is no pressure from the BBC or the producer to take undue risks.

“But that pressure is in your own head. You want to do an item on the programme which is mindblowing.”

The presenter, who works on Top Gear with fellow hosts Jeremy Clarkson and James May, grew up in Solihull, was educated in Yorkshire and lives near Cheltenham with his wife and children.

In addition to presenting Top Gear for the BBC, he is also presenting the current series of Brainiac on Sky One.