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Mazda RX-8 Sets 40 FIA Speed Records

Fifteen Journalists Joined Mazda in its Quest to Set 40 Speed Records

For the third time in the month of October, Mazdas one of a kind RX-8 sports car has made the headlines. The Wankel-powered machine recently surpassed the 100,000 sales mark at the start of October, followed by the debut of a 362 horsepower turbocharged RX-8 Motorsport experimental concept. The third honor bestowed upon the four-door, four-seat sports car is for setting and breaking a number of world speed records.

While marques such as Honda may be chasing the speed title for diesel vehicles, and BMW for records with zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles, Mazda has aimed to excel in an

Mazdas unorthodox RX-8 is in the headlines yet again, but this time its not just another award. Rather, the 4-door, 4-seat sports car has broken 40 speed records. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

area that the automaker has great expertise. The Japanese firm entered two 231 horsepower Hi-Power RX-8s for speed testing in order to break records for FIA Category A (special vehicles) and FIA Category B (mass-production vehicles) with naturally aspirated rotary-powered engines.

Prior to the test, three vehicles were selected by German Motor Sports Organization DMSB e.V. in Antwerp, Belgium, and

Both RX-8s proved to be faster and more capable of covering greater ground in 24 hours than the 700 horsepower 787B racer entered in Le Mans. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

had their engines and transmissions sealed on site. Although extensive modifications to the vehicles were allowed for FIA Category A (special vehicles), Mazda chose to keep both of its entry cars essentially identical to production vehicles but for a few minor changes. For safety reasons, both vehicles were equipped with special racing seats featuring five-point harnesses as well as roll cages. Given the leeway for adding extras in Category A, the special vehicle RX-8 was fitted with an additional fuel tank and 19-inch light alloy wheels.

During the 24 hour time period where the cars lapped the 7.6

Through day, night and even heavy downpour, both RX-8s charged on averaging nearly 136 mph. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

mile oval raceway in Papenburg, Germany, a total of 40 records were set. Each car covered over 3,105 miles of testing, and the cars set average speeds of 132.239 mph and 136.039 mph. Over the day-long time span of the event, the driver team consisting of 15 journalists from 11 countries drove full-throttle around the best line, stopping only to refuel and change drivers. The only trouble the team faced was a snapped trunk release cable.

Admittedly, Mazda didnt face a lot of competition in this event as only a handful of automakers have ever made rotary engines, with the RX-8 the only vehicle currently in production to utilize the rotary configuration. According to Shoki Tokuda, a chief engineer at Mazda, this is beside the point. He said, "We cant think of a better example of reliability, strength and

The records were made possible because of a group effort from Mazda and the 15 journalists who helped pilot the two RX-8s to victory. (Photo: Mazda Motor of America)

power of the Mazda RENESIS engine than a round-the-clock race against time."

During the 24 hour time-trial, Mazda also set a company best for distance records traveled in 24 hours. The previous record was set in 1991 by Johnny Herbert, Bertrand Gachot and Volker Weildler at the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team drove a one-off 787B race car powered by a 700 horsepower rotary engine, racking up 3059.13 miles at an average speed of 127.463 mph. Amazingly, both Category A and Category B RX-8s driven at Papenburg were clearly faster.

Given recent events and those of the past, Mazdas designers and engineers should be proud that their efforts to create a totally unique sports car have succeeded. Not only does the iconoclast RX-8 stand as an award winner, but it also holds the title to a number of impressive records. Having passed durability and capability tests with flying colors, enthusiasts can only hope that Mazda will find yet more uses for of the RENESIS motor.

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