Mazda will race in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011 with it's MX-5 GT racecar sporting 275 horsepower and weighing in at just 1875 pounds. This power to weight ratio will allow for 0-60 MPH in 3 seconds flat and a top speed of 160 MPH using a sequential 6 speed transmission.
he MX-5 production race car's modest power output, bullet proof reliability and nimble handling demonstrated last year how the MX-5 can be competitive against some of the purpose-built Lotus, VW and BMW race cars.With a higher power output combined with the durability, reliability and handling attributes that the MX-5 is renowned for; the MX-5 GT race car will be strong contender against the more powerful race cars in its class," comments Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK.
The completed MX-5 GT features a modified and turbocharged Mazda engine to produce 275bhp, a six speed sequential paddle shift gearbox, carbon doors and Polycarbonate windows. On the outside, the Mazda MX-5 GT has a Spirited Green metallic body colour complimented by Jota Sport corporate coloured liveries in orange and grey.
It took over 400 hours to build the shell to a specification that ensured it was 17 times stronger than required by the FIA. During development a number of engineering challenges arose such as suspension adjustments, integrating the six speed sequential gearbox, and lowering the engine. Weight saving strategies such as, the removal of interior components, reducing component weight and dipping the shell in acid lost just around 15kg.
