Watching the American LeMans series race at Mid Ohio last Sunday, the commentator mentioned something about a major Japanese manufacturer joining the series soon.

Could this be Mazda? And if so, what engine? (I'm thinking a 4-rotor Renesis) Have any of you heard anything definitive yet?

I'd love to see Mazda back into factory sponsored competition in endurance racing. (and winning)

1991 was a long time ago.

 

Sorry bro. The rotary has been banned since the early 90s. I think this applies to ALMS as well. It always happens when something starts to dominate. It happened in the NHRA (turbos are banned) too. Remember, Mazda is more than just rotary .

 

The rotary engine was never banned, just the variable intake runners used on the 4 Rotor in the 787B.

 

precisely...

Jim Downing out of Atlanta currently pilots a 3 or 4 rotor Kudzu. Until mazda re-enters the game and provides a team with factory support then priateers like Downing are going to be the only ones keeping the Rotary alive in series like the ALMS.

Ray

 

thanks for the clarification, i was under the impression that the engine was banned after '91!

 

Oops. I haven't updated anything I said on this thread. Yeah the RE isn't banned. It would be nice to see Mazda in ALMS competition. I'd campaign an RX-8 as an underdog in the GT Class, but that's me.

 

Yeah, I don't know which class, the commentator said something to the effect that the class they chose might surprise you.

RX8 beating Porsche in GT would surprise me, but I don't know the rules and limits on modifications.

On the Rotary News website a while back there was some news of the rotary being banned (not eligible?) in the Rolex Series Grand-Am.

 

Yup. Thanks arvinC! https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-media-news-11/autoweek-mazda-return-sports-car-racing-34705/