Description
The Mazda RX-8 first appeared in 2001 at the North American International Auto Show. It is the successor to the RX-7 and, like its predecessors in the RX range; it is powered by a Wankel engine. Mazda introduced rotary engine vehicles in the US in 1971, beginning with the R100, RX-2, RX-3, RX-4, RX-5, and finally three generations of the RX-7 sports car. However, the lack of creature comfort and user-friendliness, coupled with the high price tag and declining interest in sports cars and coupes at this time, led Mazda to pull the RX-7 from most major markets except Japan. The RX-8 was designed as a front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive four-seat four-door coupé. The RX-8 has been campaigned and used in various racing series by privateers. It has seen a considerable amount of success, the most prominent of which being the 2008 and 2010 24 Hours of Daytona GT-class wins campaigned by Speed Source Race Engineering. Delaney Automotive Design built purpose built track versions of the Mazda RX8 using rare Daytona body panels. These lightweight models feature upgraded body work, suspension, brakes and an increase of engine power up to 260bhp.
This particular car was commissioned by the vendor in 2011 together with 12 other vehicles for a one make gentleman race series in the UK and Europe. It is unique and is built up using many original Mazda Sport and Daytona 24 Hour Race parts (full list upon request) however just a few of the upgrades included two race seats FIA approved to 2019, 6 point harness FIA approved to 2019, race exhaust, (sounds like a 1990s F1 car – awesome!) metal Daytona 24 Hour front wings with functional open brake vents. The engine puts out in excess of 260bhp with a 6 speed close ratio gearbox and 9,500 rpm red-line rev limit. The car also comes with a Daytona limited slip differential and lights which illuminate the side race number. The car was subsequently re-commissioned for UK road use in 2011 once all competition use has ceased. This fabulously exciting/exhilarating road car comes with tax, MoT and V5 documents. This surely must be the ultimate track day/road car on the market which sounds like a F1 car and provides any new owner with exciting performance at a fraction of its build cost. Not to be missed at No Reserve!
