Mazda Australia Contesting Targa Tasmania With Pair of MPS Cars

04-20-2008, 12:03 PM

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Mazda Australia Contesting Targa Tasmania With Pair of MPS Cars

MELBOURNE, Australia — Mazda Australia is running its brand-new Mazda 3 MPS rally car in the tarmac-based rally known as the Targa Tasmania. The event started on April 15 and runs through Sunday on the island off the southeast corner of Australia.

Australia's top-selling importer has unleashed direct-injection 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Mazda 3 MPS rally cars on the country's preeminent road endurance event, with professional rally drivers Rick Bates and Alister McRae spearheading the company's eighth Targa campaign.

As of Thursday afternoon, deep into Leg 2 ("The Eastern Trundle") of the event, the Mazdas were sitting comfortably atop the results lists in stages with colorful names such as "the Sideling" and Elephant Saddle."

The MPS develops 255 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with power transferred to the road via a standard six-speed manual transmission. It weighs 3,093 pounds and uses 320mm (12.6 inch) ventilated brakes in front and 280mm (11.0 inch) solid discs in the rear.

Targa Tasmania's racing regulations require that the Mazda 3 MPS rally car remain essentially standard. That means both cars are competing with standard audio equipment, power windows and carpets and upholstery intact.

Suspension springs, shock absorbers, brake pads, seats, belts and the steering wheel have been replaced. A PCD roll cage, racing seats with five-point safety harnesses, fire extinguishers and navigating equipment have been added for competition. Additional ventilation is provided for the brake discs, and mufflers and the Powertrain Control Module have also been modified.

Among the competitors in the "Showroom 2WD" class are a Mazda 3 diesel, a Peugeot 206 GTi 180, a Fiat Punto Sport and a Toyota TRD Aurion.
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Here in the States, we have been able to see a telecast of the Targa Tasmania, Targa New Zealand and another Targa in western Austrailia (I forget the name) for a couple of years now.

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