If the standard Mazda MX5 is too slow for you, then why not buy the full track-ready MX5 GT4 race car which is now on sale for £125,000. Powered by a turbocharged version of the standard car’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the race car is tuned specifically for the popular continental GT and GT4 championships.
Built by British firm Jota Sport, the GT4 has lightweight carbon-fibre doors, front splitter and rear diffuser, as well as a carbon-fibre rear wing. The glass windows have been replaced with lightweight Polycarbonate, too, while inside there’s a carbon-fibre dash. These weight saving measures have slashed the weight of the GT4 to a mere 1,000kg – that’s 175kg less than an standard road-going MX5 with an automatic ‘box.
The turbocharged engine, which now puts out more than double the standard 2.0-litre’s 158bhp, is teamed with a six-speed paddle-shift sequential gearbox, a racing clutch and adjustable traction control. Ensuring you stop as quickly as you go, there’s also a set of upgraded AP Racing brakes. Mazda hasn’t provided official performance figures yet, but expect major improvement on the road car’s best 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds.
The MX5 GT4 Racing at Snetterton
The MX5 GT4 isn’t road legal but, in order to meet FIA racing regulations, there’s mandatory safety equipment including a full roll-cage and fire extinguisher.
Mazda will debut its road legal 205bhp MX5 GT Concept at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 28 June until 1 July. The car will be on display throughout the festival on Mazda’s stand, as well as taking part in the hillclimb in the ‘First Glance’ category.
The MX5 GT Concept has been inspired by Mazda’s podium winning MX5 GT race programme and its debut at Goodwood is to test customer reaction to a high performance version of the iconic sports car. Built by race specialists Jota Sport, the Concept produces 205bhp from a normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine which is mated to the car’s standard manual gearbox. Suspension has been uprated to improve handling and is adjustable for different track conditions, aerodynamic assistance comes from a carbon front splitter, a rear diffuser and boot spoiler. The exhaust note has been enhanced with a sports exhaust system with a central tailpipe. Recaro seats enhance the driver stability and the interior features a number of carbon enhancements that help reduce weight. For customers who want to acquire the car for track use, it comes equipped with road slicks and body-coloured roll hoops behind the seats.
Mazda has also entered the World’s fastest and most powerful MX5 in the Goodwood hillclimb. Sponsored by SMH Fleet Solutions, Jota Aviation, Total Lubricants and Mazda Financial Services, the Jota Sport Mazda MX5 GT4 is currently contesting the 2012 British GT Championship and took third in class at Brands Hatch this weekend. Competing against Lotus, Aston Martin, Ginetta and Ferrari racecars, the MX5GT boasts a top speed of 160mph and a 0-60 time of just three seconds, making this a very special MX5 indeed.
Drivers for the Festival are regular Mazda racers Mark Ticehurst and Owen Mildenhall and kart racer Jade Paveley, who at just 19 years old, is one of the youngest drivers at the event. If you would like to see all the action click on the logo to visit the Goodwood site:
The Mazda MX5 GT race car competed in the British GT Championship at Rockingham circuit on Sunday 10th June, racing against Lotus, Aston Martin, Ginetta and Nissan cars. The first half of the two hour race saw the Mazda MX5 GT running third in class before being forced to retire due to a differential issue. Sponsored by SMH Fleet Solutions, Total Lubricants, Mazda Financial Services and Jota Aviation, the Mazda MX5 GT will compete in Round 4 of the British GT Championship at Brands Hatch on Sunday 24th June.
Mazda UK announced today that Total, one of the largest integrated oil and gas companies in the world, is one of the official sponsors of the 2012 Mazda MX5 GT race programme. Linden Thornton, Marketing Manager for Total Lubricants said: “With the MX5 GT race car doing so well in last year’s Championship and an attractive sponsorship proposition, it is an exciting time to support Mazda UK both on and off the race track. It is a fun, challenger brand which we are looking forward to working with to leverage business initiatives in the dealer network through the race programme.” (Pardon? – Fast Car.)
Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda UK added: “I am delighted that Total Lubricants have chosen to support our Mazda MX5 race programme as it is an important element to building Mazda’s profile as a challenger brand. Last year was a developmental year where we demonstrated the strengths of the MX5’s nimble handling and performance. We are looking forward to our first year in the British GT Championship and I am confident that Total Lubricants will be able to capitalise on its success.”
The Jota-prepared Mazda MX5 GT ran a successful campaign in the Britcar Production GTN Championship last year, finishing fifth overall and fending off challenges from the more powerful Porsches, Ferraris and Lotus. True to the Mazda brand promise to ‘defy convention’, the MX-5 GT race car will take on the challenge of competing in the prestigious Avon Tyres British GT Championship against supercars in the GT4 class, including Aston Martin, Ginetta and Nissan. The newly developed, 1000kg Mazda MX-5 GT race car features a modified Mazda engine which produces 315bhp and reaches 0-60mph in just over three seconds, a six speed sequential paddle shift gearbox and 17-inch racing tyres. On the exterior, the Mazda MX-5 GT boasts a Spirited Green metallic body colour sporting exclusive sponsor branding on the white bonnet.
For the third consecutive year, the line-up for the MX-5 GT race car is regular drivers Mark Ticehurst (right) from Hassocks, West Sussex and motoring journalist and racing driver, Owen Mildenhall from Dartford, Kent. The ten-race British GT Championship runs until October 2012 and is set over seven weekends at seven different circuits.
The Mazda MX5 GT race car made its 2012 debut at the British GT Championship race at the Nürburgring on 18-19 May, competing against Lotus, Aston Martin, Ginetta and Nissan.
The race saw the green machine prove to be very competitive, finishing fourth in class in the first race on Friday 18 May and fifth in class in the second race on Saturday 19 May after facing a 40kg penalty for being too fast in the practice! This is the full extent of Mazda’s press release so far, so more details as they become available….
The next race in the series is at Rockingham on 9th June, if you would like to see the car in action then click on the logo:
