View Full Version : Mazda Australia's Turbocharge RX-8 "SP" to race the Targa Tasmania
zoom44 03-08-2009, 12:20 AM HAHAHAH I BEAT ASH TO THE POST!!!
Steve Glenney - 2008 Targa Champ - will drive
Targa Tasmania 2009 will see the return to competition of Mazda's famed SP moniker.
A production Mazda RX-8 GT - the only rotary-powered performance car in Australia - has been turbocharged, given a roll cage and readied for the toughest test in Australian endurance racing.
The Mazda RX-8 SP will enter the hotly-contested Modern Competition, piloted by a man used to racing at the highest level: 2008 Targa champion Steve Glenney.
South Australian horse trainer Glenney and his co-driver Bernie Webb are accustomed to setting the pace on Tasmania's challenging roads, winning the 2008 event outright.
They jumped at the chance to give the Mazda RX-8 SP its motorsport debut. Glenney says nothing short of a podium finish will do.
"I'm excited to be chosen by Mazda Motorsport to play a role in the development of the Mazda RX-8, and to be driving it in its Australian rally debut," he said.
"The RX-8's a great-looking car, the rotary engine is synonymous with Mazda's Motorsport history in Australia, and I'm confident of getting a top result for Mazda."
Glenney is looking forward to his fifth Targa experience and says the RX-8's inherent attributes will give his rotary-spun rally car a competitive edge in the five-day event.
"The RX-8's perfect 50/50 weight balance will give it a huge dynamic advantage on Tasmania's twisting roads. That, combined with its torquey turbocharged engine, will make the RX-8 SP a standout at this year's Targa."
Mazda Motorsport manager Allan Horsley is the mastermind behind Mazda's most potent attack on Targa.
"It's great to be able to put together our biggest Targa team in ten years, especially in these challenging times. Competitive motorsport is an integral part of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom spirit."
Horsley says a lot of preparation has gone into making the Mazda RX-8 SP as competitive as possible, but is cautious about its prospects.
"Targa Tasmania is not a race to be taken lightly. It's a flat-out sprint over 2,000km in five tough days, and that's a real test of man and machine. The RX-8 SP has plenty of potential, but it is an unknown package in a rally environment. So it's difficult to know how it will perform at its first competitive outing."
The Mazda RX-8 SP follows in the tyre tracks of Mazda's four back-to-back 12-hour Endurance race wins between 1992-1995 with the Mazda RX-7 SP. Mazda's last competitive outing with the RX-7 SP was at the 2002 Targa Tasmania with Rick Bates at the wheel.
Targa Tasmania
The 2009 Targa Tasmania runs from April 28 to May 3 and comprises around 1890km, including 465km across 40 competitive closed-road stages.
The Mazda RX-8 will be competing in the Modern Competition. The Mazda3 MPS will be competing for honours in the Showroom 2WD Competition. All Modern and Showroom competitors are competing for outright honours.
Mazda RX-8 SP
Modern Competition
Driver: Steve Glenney, SA, Co-Driver: Bernie Webb, ACT
Engine: Rotary Turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, RWD
Power: 205 kW
Torque: 300 Nm
Fuel tank: 65 litres
Kerb weight: 1280 kg
Wheels: 18-inch MAZDASPEED alloys
Suppose i should take back some of my condemnation of Mr. Horsley now- since he is actually letting it race.
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134687&stc=1&d=1236458553
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134688&stc=1&d=1236458553
alnielsen 03-08-2009, 12:24 AM Someone else beat you and Ash.
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=168330
zoom44 03-08-2009, 12:48 AM well two things to say about that-
1. AWWWW BOOGER- i looked in the aussie forum real quick before i posted and didnt see it.
2. They kept it to themselves- sneaky bastards!!
and lastly i still beat ASH :)
alnielsen 03-08-2009, 12:53 AM Let's hope Speed TV shows us the Targa Tasmania again.
Highway8 03-08-2009, 01:08 AM So that is about 280 HP, 235 Ft LBS TQ and the car weighes 2820LBS.
It would be nice if mazda produced a car like that.
77mjd 03-08-2009, 10:03 AM So that is about 280 HP, 235 Ft LBS TQ and the car weighes 2820LBS.
It would be nice if mazda produced a car like that.
If Mazda is going to step up with a 370z killer, I would think those specs would just about do it. Hopefully the 16x can put out similar numbers.
Transam kid 01 03-08-2009, 10:22 AM If Mazda is going to step up with a 370z killer, I would think those specs would just about do it. Hopefully the 16x can put out similar numbers.
I still think that would put the RX-8 slightly behind the competition (which is how it always has been power wise).
I wonder what else is done to the car....
I'm not familiar with this series....they allow any stage of modified cars in? If so, won't the RX-8 be out competed at those numbers?
Anyway, cool to see them running an FI RX8 competitively.
pdxhak 03-08-2009, 11:01 AM I hope the Speed Channel shows the race!
Do they make the previous MS front for the 2009?
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134688&stc=1&d=1236458553
CyberPitz 03-08-2009, 12:34 PM I really hope i can watch this some how....I don't have cable or anything.
05rx8mazda 03-08-2009, 02:39 PM hmmm this is gonna be interesting!!!!! god i wish i could be at that event in person and hear that ,monster roar =[[[
SayNoToPistons 03-08-2009, 04:29 PM I hope the Speed Channel shows the race!
Do they make the previous MS front for the 2009?
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134688&stc=1&d=1236458553
Noticed that also. Everything seems very well lined up though.
anet1737 03-08-2009, 11:45 PM Looks sick i want it :)
Ross_Dawg 03-09-2009, 12:11 AM needs some skirts bad...
alz0rz 03-09-2009, 12:34 AM No Mazdaspeed branding?
well two things to say about that-
1. AWWWW BOOGER- i looked in the aussie forum real quick before i posted and didnt see it.
2. They kept it to themselves- sneaky bastards!!
and lastly i still beat ASH :)
AH No NO NO!!!
Generis did 03/06/2009
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=2902098#post2902098
I also beat you to the pics :lol: :lol: :lol:
Didn't I ?? 07:13AM to 4:50PM...:lol:
http://www.targa.org.au/
http://www.targa.org.au/Competitors/entries.php
Brettus 03-09-2009, 01:37 AM AH No NO NO!!!
Generis did 03/06/2009
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?p=2902098#post2902098
I also beat you to the pics :lol: :lol: :lol:
Didn't I ?? 07:13AM to 4:50PM...:lol:
haha you pwned zoom 44
I am in the DOO DOO again with Charlie....
Always in trouble I am....:banghead::spank:
Gomez 03-09-2009, 10:05 PM I no longer own an RX-8, I dunno why I'm being nice to you scrotes.
We FD RX-7 owners look down upon you hairdressers with unmitigated scorn..... ;)
Enjoy :)
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6640/rx8sp1.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3373/rx8sp2.jpg
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/5290/rx8sp3.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2/rx8sp4.jpg
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1964/rx8sp5.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2234/rx8sp6.jpg
Gomez 03-09-2009, 10:09 PM I must be getting soft....
AngryBumblebee 03-10-2009, 12:06 AM i wonder what turbo components they used?
erx8s 03-10-2009, 12:37 AM I must be getting soft....
We know youre a softie at heart , a transformed hairdresser :lol::lol:
Hopefully joining your ranks soon .
Cheers
Michael
I must be getting soft....
Rack OFF you Shifty Bastard!!...
You Bloody Mongrel, why don't you P*ss Off back to your out-dated mode of transport and site with all your other Sheila mates!!!!...
Your not welcome here...you are a WANTED Man Here!...:lol2:
How are you Gomez, good to hear from you and thanks for the MOTOR article scan...do you need a Donation?
How is your Lucky 7...
My Lucky 8 is great (Chinese #8 is a lucky # too)
I am surprised NONE of you guys have pick it, this was supposed to be the latest GT (R3) modded wasn't it??...
"A production Mazda RX-8 GT - the only rotary-powered performance car in Australia - has been turbocharged, given a roll cage and readied for the toughest test in Australian endurance racing."
I thought there was something not right when I looked at the front (yeah I know it has a "Mazdaspeed" front nose), but these new pics show this car is a bitsa...
I think this is his original Black SP repainted with new Series II front guards and the rear end is Series I, with the rear centre FOG light which the Black SP had also....
Also under the Hood the inner skirts are black painted, and that is not a layout from a Series II under hood either, just a few things exposes this Fraud! ;)..
Tower brace is S1 and so is the air pump S1...
S1 Dash..
Mazda Australia on the CHEAP Again!
I wish the Speed channel would show this too. I hate the almost 24-7 NASCAR coverage on Speed.
chiketkd 03-10-2009, 08:54 AM ^ Normally Speed Channel has a highlight show of the race.
This news is the awesome-sauce!!!! :cool:
zoom44 03-10-2009, 11:14 AM No Mazdaspeed branding?
NO because it is not a Mazdaspeed project. It is a Mazda Australia Special Project done completely separate of Mazda Corporate.
Id be surprised if they are running it with a pcm tune since they dont have access to Mazda's tuning people for these things.
If it is it would be using an aftermarket flash ability like Accessport or Hymee . Havent read gomez's article but they probably have just gone to a Motec.
zoom44 03-10-2009, 11:24 AM I must be getting soft....
getting? sir you've long since been more marshmallow then rock;) thanks for the scans
Bryan@BNR 03-10-2009, 11:32 AM Speaking of this race, a couple years ago there were 4 FD RX7's in this event and 3 of them were running my Stage 3 twins. Some turbo company knocked off what I did and I haven't sold anything else to austrailia.
Bryan@BNR
zoom44 03-10-2009, 11:40 AM I am surprised NONE of you guys have pick it, this was supposed to be the latest GT (R3) modded wasn't it??...
[B]
..
Yeah its pretty clear this is a series 1 although not THE black one. The article mentions this this is the 5th Horsley has played with. So thats at least the Red one
http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/2004_mazda_rx-8_motorsport_concept.jpg
the Black one
*cant find pic just now*
this repainted one and 2 combinations in between.
The red one had those hood vents and I think the black one did too.(mind you , I've always wanted those vents since the prototype;)) Its interesting what they did with the fenders putting the Series II on. Nice to know you can make them fit with bumpers designed for series I since i have been contemplating just that- Series II fenders with that new bumper from Autoexe that Mazmart sells.
Its also pretty easy to figure out whats in there since its a greddy kit mounting position we know what size will fit. and he's running 6psi according to the article..
Sorry but Alan for all his past credits is still in my eyes looking pretty lame with this . We have plenty of people on this forum doing just this thing and running it on the road for years- not to mention the Superchargers.
Ill give him and Mazda Australia the credit for running in- and hopefully winning- the Targa Tasmania but they are offering nothing new here and quite possibly something a bit behind where the after market is currently.
It s probably "just" a 3071 stuck on a greddy system with a motec running it.
I'd hump it.
Imagine he has to run a pretty conservative setup to keep from running afoul of Mazda. He puts something on there that isn't relatively tried and true or if he cranks up the PSI and then starts blowing engines I can see Mazda getting a tad peeved. They seem to like that the 8 has gained a decent rep for enduros even though it's rarely run with the 13b Renny when it competes in those.
Still nice to see someone in a semi-official capacity continuing the pursuit of FI rotaries.
Really makes me want to live in Oz.
alienRX8 03-10-2009, 12:49 PM from the engine pic it looks like a greddy turbo kit or something close to it since we can see the turbo is not a top mount and by the looks of the setup it resembles a greddy kit a bit
Aipex8 03-10-2009, 05:12 PM Love that vented hood. Very subtle.
CyberPitz 03-10-2009, 05:36 PM from the engine pic it looks like a greddy turbo kit or something close to it since we can see the turbo is not a top mount and by the looks of the setup it resembles a greddy kit a bit
It is a GReddy running 6 PSI. It's all in this post. http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=2905786&postcount=19
Yeah its pretty clear this is a series 1 although not THE black one. The article mentions this this is the 5th Horsley has played with. So thats at least the Red one
http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/2004_mazda_rx-8_motorsport_concept.jpg
the Black one
*cant find pic just now*
this repainted one and 2 combinations in between.
The red one had those hood vents and I think the black one did too.(mind you , I've always wanted those vents since the prototype;)) Its interesting what they did with the fenders putting the Series II on. Nice to know you can make them fit with bumpers designed for series I since i have been contemplating just that- Series II fenders with that new bumper from Autoexe that Mazmart sells.
Its also pretty easy to figure out whats in there since its a greddy kit mounting position we know what size will fit. and he's running 6psi according to the article..
Sorry but Alan for all his past credits is still in my eyes looking pretty lame with this . We have plenty of people on this forum doing just this thing and running it on the road for years- not to mention the Superchargers.
Ill give him and Mazda Australia the credit for running in- and hopefully winning- the Targa Tasmania but they are offering nothing new here and quite possibly something a bit behind where the after market is currently.
It s probably "just" a 3071 stuck on a greddy system with a motec running it.
Under the Hood inner guard skirts look black to me ;)
I have an exterior pic (on my other PC) of his All Black with SP plates.
I would like to see pics of his other RED 8, as I have not seen that one.
Ash
zoom44 03-10-2009, 09:42 PM i meant it might not be THE ONE black one you are talking about. since he claims this to be the fifth it could be the 4th one was also black and is repainted for this one. see what i mean?
Brettus 03-10-2009, 10:07 PM It is a GReddy running 6 PSI. It's all in this post. http://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php?p=2905786&postcount=19
don't know how you got to that conclusion from that post . The tube going to the thotttle body is not a greddy tube for starters .....
Gomez 03-10-2009, 10:35 PM Rack OFF you Shifty Bastard!!...
You Bloody Mongrel, why don't you P*ss Off back to your out-dated mode of transport and site with all your other Sheila mates!!!!...
Your not welcome here...you are a WANTED Man Here!...:lol2:
How are you Gomez, good to hear from you and thanks for the MOTOR article scan...do you need a Donation?
How is your Lucky 7...
My Lucky 8 is great (Chinese #8 is a lucky # too)
Hiya...nah I don't need a donation :).
My mighty 2001 twin turbo RZ is going great guns, no dramas.
This SP will hopefully do well, but it's up against a top field of Porsche's and R35 GTR's so I wouldn't be holding my breath hoping for an outright win.
That said, I hope it goes well. A good showing would put pressure on Mazda Australia to churn out a few dozen of the things.
Cheers :cool:
Renesis_8 03-10-2009, 11:11 PM don't know how you got to that conclusion from that post . The tube going to the thotttle body is not a greddy tube for starters .....
exactly it just says its a garrett turbo
________
CHILDREN NEXIUM (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/nexium/)
i meant it might not be THE ONE black one you are talking about. since he claims this to be the fifth it could be the 4th one was also black and is repainted for this one. see what i mean?
The 5th meaning his FIFTH SP Generation..
RX-7 (FD) SP (Local production)
Eunos 800 SP (1998) (local Production)
MX-5 (NB) SP (Local production)
Mazda 2 (DY) Extreme Rally (one of)
RX-8 (FE) SP (Black) (one of)
RX-8 (FE Bitsa) SP White, (formerly Black)
RX-8 (FE) Extreme
That makes number 5 SP's..
I am pretty sure he has not made 5 or 4 RX-8 SP's, for who and what reason.
http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134908&stc=1&d=1236804405
RED one Found!...remember that Charlie
zoom44 03-11-2009, 03:32 PM "the pearl white rx-8 on these pages is actually the fifth turbo rx-8 he's built"
A good showing would put pressure on Mazda Australia to churn out a few dozen of the things.
Cheers :cool:
HA.....HA.....Would like to see that from Mazda Australia...sure..
The only way they will do that is to shift all those GT's that are not selling..
Sad, I think this is the last year of new RX-8's in Australia..sad really.
Some dealer stock here has had a birthday. Want a 40th Anniversary?
Most of Europe are no longer selling the new 8 (never had it), South Africa no longer imports them.
Another victim of the times..
"the pearl white rx-8 on these pages is actually the fifth turbo rx-8 he's built"
Where are the other 4, where were they used?
zoom44 03-11-2009, 03:52 PM well the red "extreme" is 1 the black is 2 this white is 3 so only other "2" we are looking for;) probably just test cars with different set-ups. maybe they tried a top mount.
and note it says this is also just a development model and the full race prep one is still in the works.
erx8s 03-11-2009, 04:45 PM Where are the other 4, where were they used?
Once Mazda Australia had done its RD on the Turbo sp rx8 they were destroyed under the Supervision of the Jap masters :banghead::banghead:
I know because i had my hand up for one of them :eyetwitch
Cheers
Michael
CyberPitz 03-11-2009, 06:21 PM don't know how you got to that conclusion from that post . The tube going to the thotttle body is not a greddy tube for starters .....
Uhhh, misread while drinking? :p
Once Mazda Australia had done its RD on the Turbo sp rx8 they were destroyed under the Supervision of the Jap masters :banghead::banghead:
I know because i had my hand up for one of them :eyetwitch
Cheers
Michael
Seriass Michael!!!,
What a Blooooody waste
secret8gent 03-12-2009, 12:23 PM what do you think the [turbo] manifold is?
based on the description it sounds like [a similar configuration to] the greddy...
too bad we can't get more info about the setup~ (Engine management, etc.)
I wouldn't be surprised if it was using the AP and a MM upgrade kit ;-)
oh well, maybe a local can find out.
blackenedwings 03-12-2009, 12:50 PM what do you think the [turbo] manifold is?
based on the description it sounds like [a similar configuration to] the greddy...
too bad we can't get more info about the setup~ (Engine management, etc.)
I wouldn't be surprised if it was using the AP and a MM upgrade kit ;-)
oh well, maybe a local can find out.
It's a very similar setup if it isn't the actual GReddy kit base. They certainly have the expertise to fabricate whatever they want, but for their purposes if they are going with a low-mount turbo, its probably easier to use at least the GReddy manifold. Because of the location/size issues and the advertisement that it is a Garrett turbo I expect there is a 3071R down there, but the engine management could be anything. For a purpose built racer they are probably using a stand-alone ECU.
I do think its funny that the setup they are going with is basically the same as mine. :) Hopefully they do well.
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