GRAND AM: Mazda says farewell to RX-8
09-30-2012, 10:12 AM
#27
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He was already several laps down, unfortunately. 
Poor showing all around, largely due to self inflicted injuries. #43 snapped the axle, #42 got a flat and had trouble getting up to speed, #70 spun himself out before the race to put himself down, then took a needless chance and took out the #40 as well. Only the #41 stayed out of trouble, outside of nearly getting hammered by the #31 Corvette and dodging that freight train, and it was enough for a 4th place finish. I think 5th and back all had damage from incidents.
Poor showing all around, largely due to self inflicted injuries. #43 snapped the axle, #42 got a flat and had trouble getting up to speed, #70 spun himself out before the race to put himself down, then took a needless chance and took out the #40 as well. Only the #41 stayed out of trouble, outside of nearly getting hammered by the #31 Corvette and dodging that freight train, and it was enough for a 4th place finish. I think 5th and back all had damage from incidents.
10-01-2012, 08:06 PM
#28
SHKWAV
They'd said they were going with a new car since Mazda is no longer producing the RX8 but they loved mine when i showed up the other day to talk with them about a job.
small world.
10-01-2012, 08:29 PM
#29
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Yep, just the dead-man lever on the fuel (constant pressure has to be kept on the spring loaded valve lever to allow fuel to flow down the pipes to the end that the gas man is connecting to the car), but still quite a bit of fun helping them out.
Yep, they moving to BMW powered Riley Daytona Prototypes. Would be cool working directly for them (or any of the teams really).
Yep, they moving to BMW powered Riley Daytona Prototypes. Would be cool working directly for them (or any of the teams really).
10-02-2012, 07:50 AM
#30
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Bad end to a wonderrful era of racing for the Mazda rotary. I enjoyed the races live and on TV hearing the rotary scream. Two Daytona 24 hour wins is something to be proud of showing the RX-8 had stamina and speed. Gonna miss it all and hopefully the rotary will rise to power again. Thanks to all the Mazda teams. We are gonna miss you.
10-02-2012, 10:06 AM
#31
SHKWAV
it's ironic that the race only allows cars which are in production because the RX8's that Sahlen runs have 3 rotary.
They also have a professional go-kart team as well. Love the smell of methanol in the morning.
They also have a professional go-kart team as well. Love the smell of methanol in the morning.
Last edited by Shinka_MJR; 10-03-2012 at 12:16 AM.
10-04-2012, 05:28 PM
#34
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from speedsource's website
SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 GT Caps a Five Year Career at Lime Rock Park
10/01/2012
The end of the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Series season also marked the end of an era in Mazda racing. This weekend’s race at Lime Rock Park was the final professional event for SpeedSource with the Mazda RX-8 GT car. Since their introduction in 2007, the SpeedSource built cars have achieved every measure of success including 18 race wins, numerous pole positions and the 2010 Grand-Am GT Championship. Two of those race wins came at the grueling Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The #70 Castrol ModSpace Mazdaspeed RX-8 GT closed out the 2012 campaign with an 11th place finish at the GRAND-AM Championship Weekend. The series finale featured a short, two day format with qualifying and the two hour, forty-five minute race on Saturday. The weekend got off to a good start for the SpeedSource team, setting quick times in practice. SpeedSource driver Sylvain Tremblay suffered a crash in qualifying, but not before setting the fourth fastest time. The top-caliber SpeedSource crew was able to repair the front end damage with time to spare before the race start.
Trouble would strike again, however, just before the green flag fell. An off-track excursion on the warm up lap left the #70 Mazda trapped in the wet grass. The race started under caution due to the incident. Tremblay was able to rejoin the race with little mechanical damage, but lost a lap in the process. To make matters worse, GRAND-AM incorrectly scored the car two laps down. Regaining the lost time would prove difficult on the tight, 1.5 mile course.
Tremblay worked up to 13th place before handing the car over to Jonathan Bomarito.The team gained another position before being punted off track by a fellow GT competitor. The contact sent the #70 nose first into the Armco. The impact caused significant driver’s side bodywork damage. A brief stay on pit lane was required to remove both left side doors before Bomarito could return to the track. Once back on course, he continued running consistent lap times and benefiting from other team’s misfortunes. The #70 Castrol ModSpace MazdaSpeed RX-8 GT car would take the checkered flag in 11th position.
This result saw Mazda retain their third place position in the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex GT Manufacturer’s Championship. Jonathan Bomarito and Sylvain Tremblay ranked fourth in driver’s points while SpeedSource also took fourth place in the team standings.
SpeedSource would like to thank Castrol, ModSpace, Mazdaspeed and all of the sponsors and suppliers that helped make the Mazda RX-8 GT program a huge success. While the career of the iconic matte-black Mazda RX-8 has come to a close, it marks the beginning of an exciting new racing program. Stay tuned to SpeedSource Inc. and on Facebook and Twitter as details on the new SKYACTIV-CLEAN DIESEL powered, GX-class racer are released. The next great endurance racing Mazda will make its competition debut at the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 26th.
SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 GT Caps a Five Year Career at Lime Rock Park
10/01/2012
The end of the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Series season also marked the end of an era in Mazda racing. This weekend’s race at Lime Rock Park was the final professional event for SpeedSource with the Mazda RX-8 GT car. Since their introduction in 2007, the SpeedSource built cars have achieved every measure of success including 18 race wins, numerous pole positions and the 2010 Grand-Am GT Championship. Two of those race wins came at the grueling Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The #70 Castrol ModSpace Mazdaspeed RX-8 GT closed out the 2012 campaign with an 11th place finish at the GRAND-AM Championship Weekend. The series finale featured a short, two day format with qualifying and the two hour, forty-five minute race on Saturday. The weekend got off to a good start for the SpeedSource team, setting quick times in practice. SpeedSource driver Sylvain Tremblay suffered a crash in qualifying, but not before setting the fourth fastest time. The top-caliber SpeedSource crew was able to repair the front end damage with time to spare before the race start.
Trouble would strike again, however, just before the green flag fell. An off-track excursion on the warm up lap left the #70 Mazda trapped in the wet grass. The race started under caution due to the incident. Tremblay was able to rejoin the race with little mechanical damage, but lost a lap in the process. To make matters worse, GRAND-AM incorrectly scored the car two laps down. Regaining the lost time would prove difficult on the tight, 1.5 mile course.
Tremblay worked up to 13th place before handing the car over to Jonathan Bomarito.The team gained another position before being punted off track by a fellow GT competitor. The contact sent the #70 nose first into the Armco. The impact caused significant driver’s side bodywork damage. A brief stay on pit lane was required to remove both left side doors before Bomarito could return to the track. Once back on course, he continued running consistent lap times and benefiting from other team’s misfortunes. The #70 Castrol ModSpace MazdaSpeed RX-8 GT car would take the checkered flag in 11th position.
This result saw Mazda retain their third place position in the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex GT Manufacturer’s Championship. Jonathan Bomarito and Sylvain Tremblay ranked fourth in driver’s points while SpeedSource also took fourth place in the team standings.
SpeedSource would like to thank Castrol, ModSpace, Mazdaspeed and all of the sponsors and suppliers that helped make the Mazda RX-8 GT program a huge success. While the career of the iconic matte-black Mazda RX-8 has come to a close, it marks the beginning of an exciting new racing program. Stay tuned to SpeedSource Inc. and on Facebook and Twitter as details on the new SKYACTIV-CLEAN DIESEL powered, GX-class racer are released. The next great endurance racing Mazda will make its competition debut at the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 26th.
10-07-2012, 08:49 AM
#35
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Speedsource will be happy to support you in your Grand Am race efforts in an RX-8 next year, as I'm sure other vendors would as well. Mazda is just pulling it's "factory" support from the series. I'll bet they even have some cars laying around to sell you.
I do agree with others, it's a sad day AGAIN, without a rotary powered sports car in the line up. They still use the ad on the Speed channel with the RX-8 in it however during Mazda sponsored events. Whats even sadder is all this "soul of a sports car" **** and all they have really is the Miata.
10-08-2012, 01:54 PM
#37
The Michigan "WANKEL"
According to one of the race announcers at one of the last races, privateers can still continue to race the Riley RX-8 but it would be without direct Mazda support (not going to happen).
10-08-2012, 01:58 PM
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^ not sure what you mean by Riley RX-8s.
Grand-Am rules allow teams to run the RX-8s for another 3 years. Mazda has stated that they will support teams that continue (Mazda Motorsports Development made a statement a couple months ago?)
However, all teams have decided to move on.
It's entirely viable that a lower budget team might pick up a car or two from Speedsource, Dempsey, or Sahlens to run next year. None of the existing teams will be back with the RX-8, but that is entirely because of their own decision. Not forced on them.
Grand-Am rules allow teams to run the RX-8s for another 3 years. Mazda has stated that they will support teams that continue (Mazda Motorsports Development made a statement a couple months ago?)
However, all teams have decided to move on.
It's entirely viable that a lower budget team might pick up a car or two from Speedsource, Dempsey, or Sahlens to run next year. None of the existing teams will be back with the RX-8, but that is entirely because of their own decision. Not forced on them.
10-10-2012, 02:46 PM
#40
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10-10-2012, 03:10 PM
#41
The Michigan "WANKEL"
^ not sure what you mean by Riley RX-8s.
Grand-Am rules allow teams to run the RX-8s for another 3 years. Mazda has stated that they will support teams that continue (Mazda Motorsports Development made a statement a couple months ago?)
However, all teams have decided to move on.
It's entirely viable that a lower budget team might pick up a car or two from Speedsource, Dempsey, or Sahlens to run next year. None of the existing teams will be back with the RX-8, but that is entirely because of their own decision. Not forced on them.
Grand-Am rules allow teams to run the RX-8s for another 3 years. Mazda has stated that they will support teams that continue (Mazda Motorsports Development made a statement a couple months ago?)
However, all teams have decided to move on.
It's entirely viable that a lower budget team might pick up a car or two from Speedsource, Dempsey, or Sahlens to run next year. None of the existing teams will be back with the RX-8, but that is entirely because of their own decision. Not forced on them.
10-10-2012, 06:03 PM
#42
Riley built all the RX8's that ran in Grand Am except one. That one was built for a pair of brothers that run an insurance company in Florida. It only ran in the 24 hrs of Daytona and never came close to finishing.
http://www.rileytech.com/
http://www.rileytech.com/
10-11-2012, 09:59 AM
#43
It's Not Easy Being Green
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Riley built all the RX8's that ran in Grand Am except one. That one was built for a pair of brothers that run an insurance company in Florida. It only ran in the 24 hrs of Daytona and never came close to finishing.
Riley Technologies
Riley Technologies
If I was Mazda I'd throw everything into their '14 Mazda6 wagon. It was funny enough to see a modified 35k car with 240hp at a mazda dealership racing against Ferrari 458s, Audi R8s, etc. Topping that with a diesel wagon in the 24hr in January would be a great storyline for Mazda. Pretty good bet they'll win GX since I haven't read any commitments from any other manufactures to get something before the 24. Gotta figure the ALMS merger would scare away manufactures and owners who don't want to waste money on a one year run.
Last edited by RK; 10-11-2012 at 10:14 AM.
10-11-2012, 10:06 AM
#44
Sorry, I mistyped that. I will correct that for clarity. I have never driven in a pro race.
The Riley chassis was tube frame and had no relation to the street car ( http://www.rileytech.com/PDF/GT.pdf ). The Florida brothers car was a race conversion of a street car.
The Riley chassis was tube frame and had no relation to the street car ( http://www.rileytech.com/PDF/GT.pdf ). The Florida brothers car was a race conversion of a street car.
10-11-2012, 10:13 AM
#45
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Also just an FYI but this is the only place I'd read a quote indicating that Mazda isn't completely shelving the 3rotor as a racing engine:
GRAND-AM Rolex Series
Like all rotary information this should be taken with a dump truck load of salt.
GRAND-AM Rolex Series
With arguably the best sounding racecar on any grid, Doonan says the triple-rotor won’t be heard in the immediate future, but it could return to competition once the next version on the piston-less powerplant is finalized.
“Lime Rock will be the end of a chapter–but not the book–for the Mazda rotary,” he confirmed. “While rotary production is on hiatus in Hiroshima, the program is far from over. Work continues on the next-generation rotary engine, and we look forward to sharing information with you about it, when we can. Right now, though, our 2013 Grand-AM and ALMS programs will be focused on the new SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel race engine, another industry-first for Mazda.”
“Lime Rock will be the end of a chapter–but not the book–for the Mazda rotary,” he confirmed. “While rotary production is on hiatus in Hiroshima, the program is far from over. Work continues on the next-generation rotary engine, and we look forward to sharing information with you about it, when we can. Right now, though, our 2013 Grand-AM and ALMS programs will be focused on the new SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel race engine, another industry-first for Mazda.”
10-11-2012, 10:21 AM
#46
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Sorry, I mistyped that. I will correct that for clarity. I have never driven in a pro race.
The Riley chassis was tube frame and had no relation to the street car ( http://www.rileytech.com/PDF/GT.pdf ). The Florida brothers car was a race conversion of a street car.
The Riley chassis was tube frame and had no relation to the street car ( http://www.rileytech.com/PDF/GT.pdf ). The Florida brothers car was a race conversion of a street car.
10-11-2012, 10:25 AM
#47
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Agreed about the GX class RK.
I want to say I think there is at least 1 other team running that is "not commenting" yet. But sure seems like it's going to be a sparse class for sure. Running at the same speed as the GTs will be interesting I think
Even better that the Speedsource Sky D engine is a stock block, so in theory, it's possible to get that kind of power out of the engine on the street as well. I assume different engine management, almost certainly a higher RPM, and a different T/C setup. But nothing impossible to get, or even ~75-80% of the gain.
I want to say I think there is at least 1 other team running that is "not commenting" yet. But sure seems like it's going to be a sparse class for sure. Running at the same speed as the GTs will be interesting I think
Even better that the Speedsource Sky D engine is a stock block, so in theory, it's possible to get that kind of power out of the engine on the street as well. I assume different engine management, almost certainly a higher RPM, and a different T/C setup. But nothing impossible to get, or even ~75-80% of the gain.
10-11-2012, 10:33 AM
#48
It was Goldin Brothers Racing that used the street chassis RX8.
http://www.garra-fans.com/Goldin_Bro...PR_010805.html
http://www.garra-fans.com/Goldin_Bro...PR_010805.html
10-11-2012, 03:03 PM
#50
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I was surprised that Audi didn't chime in at the GX announcement. You'd think their experience with the R8 this year and their love affair with diesel would be a match - particularly if they're running against another sedan rather than a true sport car platform.