If that's true, then are the #25 and #00 6's the OLD 42 and 43 rx8's of Sahlens ??? Might explain why Sahlens only had the #49 on ebay.

RIWWP- Is this news to you? Any friends at Sahlens that can give u info?

 

Read up on this, guys.

Mazda 6 diesels in the garage at Rolex 24, but they are here to stay, says racing boss - Autoweek

 

The mode of failure was outlined in Ash8's post earlier.

 

A beautiful pic, but also so sad.... Timeline Photos | Facebook Thanks Racers Edge and please come to the Glen in June

 

Is there any further info on the breakdowns of the diesels other than the posting that a cheap nut that malfunctioned? Was it the same part on all of the cars?

What do they believe was the reason for being down on power and what will it take to remedy it?

 

this from Speedsource facebook page...

Mazda Motorsports at Daytona: Post-race note

RECAP: Mazda entered three all-new, production-based, SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel powered Mazda6s in the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona. These were the first ever diesels to compete in either the Rolex 24 or any GRAND-AM race. All-three cars qualified for the race, but all experienced problems after a few hours of competition. The No. 70 and No. 25 cars retired after losing a cylinder, while the No. 00 car experienced a rear main seal failure. Neither problem had been encountered in dynamometer testing.

QUOTE: John Doonan, Director, Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations: “Racing is a challenge. Launching a new product is a challenge. Launching a new car in America’s premier 24-hour race is a really big challenge. Mazda has taken the lead in using the new GRAND-AM GX class to push the envelope on advanced clean diesel technology. Today will be noted as a learning experience, a data point if you will. The Mazda and SpeedSource engineers had over 400 hours on the dyno, but only a few on the track. Our on-track testing was limited in part due to the timing of our Mazda6 production car launch which prevented the team from getting on track as early as desired. The easy way out would have been a mid-season debut, but Mazda has never taken the easy path. We are a company of passionate car people with a passion for racing. Mazda and SpeedSource will be back in action a month from now at the next GRAND-AM race.”

 

This is also is a good read...

Behind the Scenes with the Diesel-Powered Mazda 6 Grand-Am Racer

"animal based" fuel. Wait till PETA finds out about this

 

I just took a look at the final results.

WOW!! 45 laps impressive. NOT!!

 

It's certainly possible. It would be a way of minimizing the costs on the transfer. Once of the announcers during the race mentioned that these were actually just RX-8 chassis' lengthened, but it's also possible that they just used the same design but still built new ones.

I have no other specific info. Just theory.

The reference to significant vibration is probably at the heart of the problem. All sorts of random stuff can start failing if the car is shaking itself apart.

 

Here's a nice post-race pic...Timeline Photos | Facebook tough lil red 8. Hope to see it run again in '13. not just a one-n-done. If you look closely, Telcel stickers are off. Wonder if they lost them as a sponsor??

 

Here's the entry list so far for the March 2nd race at COTA...GrandAm > Schedule/Results > EntryList > 1 > EntryListDetail . Looks like the GX class is just a one trick pony

 

Well, a diesel will win it's first ever race in Grand Am.... think of it that way?

 

Not unless it completes the necessary number of laps so it doesn't get listed as a DNF.

I guess I'm wrong.

Grand-Am GSR
6.9 Race Completion. The Race officially ends when the overall leader crosses the Finish Line at the display of the checkered flag.
Finishing positions are determined according to the number of laps completed, regardless of whether the Car is running at the finish. Cars completing the same number of laps are ranked according to the time taken to complete those laps. The finishing position of a Car that does not complete one (1) lap is determined by its starting position in relation to any other Car(s) that do not complete one (1) lap.

With the Mazda diesel's, it could be the last one to brake down wins.

 

What happened to all the cars that it raced against in the First race?
Do they race in a different organization most of the time, and just come out to look good at Daytona?

BC.

 

Quite a few drivers and cars only race in the Rolex 24. There is a lot of prestige in that race that the season doesn't have. Not to mention quite a few of the people who own the cars and who race them tend to have too many things going on throughout the year to field a competitive team week in and week out.

The Mazda's knew they weren't going to be competitive in the 24 from a speed standpoint. They were running below the expected HP from the engine and didn't have enough time to get that increased. But they ran it anyway. And for a brand new car, not designed for high speeds (ie. not a Ferrari/R8/Lotus), with a new engine and a team new to the powerplant running 40 odd laps around Daytona isn't the most shocking thing in the world.

They'll keep tweeking and if they get the car up to the expected power they'll be able to be able to get to the level the Caymen's were running. The class system still boils down to weight and power. And I wouldn't be surprised if a few more cars get involved in the GX class before the end of the season. Speedsource was the only one with a big incentive to push into the 24 w/o being fully prepared because they represent a manufacturer.

 

look who popped up in the GX class at COTA...GrandAm > Schedule/Results > EntryList > 1 > EntryListDetail .... here we go.

 

first practice session is done at COTA.... #70 is 2.5 seconds slower than the cayman


race tomorrow is TAPED DELAYED on speed. race start is 3pm central time, 4pm est. speed's showing it at 5:30est.

 

#70 at least finished the race though not without lengthy pit stops.

[sarcasm] At least they got a class podium. [/sarcasm]

 

unless GX gets some more entries, ya gotta wonder how much longer Grand Am will keep it going. kind of a farce to see the #00 drivers up on the podium...https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater COTA girls are lookin good........ because texas.

 

 

With the ALMS merger next year i'm not sure why they would introduce a entire new class this year. GX is probably not going to last. Especially with LMP1 cars on the track.

 

GX class was in the pipeline last May when we were at NJMP for the race. Mazda being a major player/sponsor in Grand AM needed an outlet(new class) to run the turbo diesel 6 to help push/introduce it to the public. the rotary, yesterday's news. sad.

merger came later in the season, kind of a chance meeting between Panoz(ALMS) and France(Grand Am) set up by the guys at ESM ferrari (Patron) who were running both series . France made him an offer he couldn't refuse.So now GA has this ballyhooded class(new tech,inovations, yada,yada)they are kind of stuck with(thanks Mazda). What happens next is anybody's guess. Competition changes to the Cayman??

 

Not before mid season. Mazda/Speedsource needs to up it's game.

 

I agree

 

+1 the GX cars are damn slow.

Honestly, i don't see the point of racing with a so-small engine derived from series unit.

same for the LMP2 program (maybe stopped?).

fascinating , but not enough output, basically....