X-Nico

unusual facts about Mazda RX-2



1983 James Hardie 1000

The Holder Dealer Team Commodore finished a lap ahead of Allan Moffat and Japanese driver Yoshimi Katayama in their Peter Stuyvesant sponsored Mazda RX-7.

1993 James Hardie 12 Hour

Class T : Turbo and 4WD Cars - mixed class featuring small turbos, Ford Laser, Hyundai Scoupe and Mitsubishi Lancer but also larger Mitsubishi Galant and Subaru Liberty but was largely dominated by larger sports cars, Lotus Esprit, Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra and in particular the factory supported team of Mazda RX-7s.

Akagi, Gunma

Akagi is the home of the fictional Takahashi Brothers (street racers who drive two generations of the Mazda RX-7), and serves as the home course of the Akagi Redsuns (later reformed as Project D).

Berger BX-110

Originally powered by a converted NSU Ro 80 Wankel-type automotive engine, Berger later fitted a BMW 6012 turbine to the aircraft, and later still another adapted automotive Wankel engine, this time from a Mazda RX-7.

Criss Oliva

An oncoming car operated by a drunk driver crossed the median and struck Criss' 1982 Mazda RX-7 head-on, killing him instantly.

Jaguar R-D6

Designed by Ian Callum, the five-door hatchback features rear-hinged doors based on technology from the Mazda RX-7, which was part of the Ford group at the time.

Jim Downing

Sponsored by the Mazda factory for his entire IMSA career, Jim progressed up the competition ladder from the near showroom stock Radial Sedan series Mazda RX-2 & Mazda RX3, to GTU Mazda RX3 & Mazda RX7 and GTO in the Mazda RX7, then up to the ultra-quick purpose-built GTP category prototypes, all powered by two, three, and four rotor versions of the Mazda Wankel engine.

Mazda RX-7

Mazda introduced a convertible version of the RX-7 in 1988 with a Naturally aspirated engine — introduced to the US market with ads featuring Hollywood actor James Garner, at the time featured in many of Mazda's television advertisements.

This model was developed as a homologated road-going version of the factory race cars used in the 12-hour endurance races held at Bathurst, New South Wales, beginning in 1991 for the 1995 event held at Eastern Creek, Sydney, New South Wales.

Kelley Blue Book, in its January–February 1984 issue, noted that a 1981 RX-7 GSL retained 93.4% of its original sticker price.

Mazda RX-792P

A quick rebound would see fourth and fifth places at Road America before the team once again failed to finish either car at Phoenix.

Patrick Bedard

The first racing victory by a Wankel-engined car in the United States was in 1973, when Bedard won an IMSA RS race at Lime Rock Park in a Mazda RX-2.

Yoshimi Katayama

His previous visits to the race were in 1977 when he spectacularly rolled his Mazda RX-3 at Murray's Corner on lap 103 and 1982 where he finished in 6th place again partnering Moffat.


see also