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Car HistoryPrevious performance/stats of RICESP: 1247kg Pictures
Movies of RICESP in action!
Limited edition, factory modified, FD RX-7. Dates of manufacture: 1995 (only)  History The Mazda RX-7 SP was designed to compete in production car racing - particularly endurance racing. The Series 6 RX-7 had won the Bathurst 12 hour production car endurance race in 1992, 1993 and 1994. In 1995, both BMW and Porsche released limited edition race special vehicles (BMW M3R and Porsche 911 RSCS) which threatened to take the glory form Mazda. Mazda Motorsport (Australia) responded by making modifications to the S6 RX-7 to produce the RX-7 SP. Homologation rules for production car racing required 25 road-going models to be produced. The RX-7 SP was only produced in 1995, and only here in Australia. The SP debuted at Calder in the GT Production category supporting the 2 litre series on 11-13 May and driven by Gary Waldon. This same car, driven by John Bowe and Dick Johnson, won the 12 hour event held that year at Eastern Creek. The RX-7 SP went on to compete in other production car events including Targa Tasmania and the Poolrite 3 hour "Showroom Showdown". It claimed pole in the 1998 3 hour event and won the race in 1999 at the hands of Terry Bosnjak and Mark Williamson. Eastern Creek, 1995 Mazda Motorsport entered 2 SP's at the Eastern Creek 12 hour - one white and one black. Both cars were sponsored by MMM. The white car driven by Bowe/Johnson won, the black car of Skaife/Waldon finished 4th. Allan Grice who was a reserve driver badly crashed the black car during practise on Saturday. The car was brand new and suffered severe damaage both front and rear. An amazing effort by the team mechanics repaired the car for the race, albeit in average looking condition. A 3rd SP at Eastern Creek was the privately entered Bosnjak/Jones car that may have even led the race at one stage but finished early. Speculation suggests that it was an ex Mazda car from the previous 12hour races privately upgraded SP spec. The race result was protested by the Porsche team due to what they claimed was a safety car error that gave the white car an advantage early in the race, but the protest was not successful. Additional controversy abounded over the Mazda team's use of chilled fuel, allowing denser fuel to be filled into the tank. Thanks to Greg E for much of this race information.      Production Numbers The exact number of SPs produced by Mazda is vague and widely argued. It is known that an initial pre-race batch of 25 road cars was produced, with a minimum of 10 required to meet homologation rules to allow the SP to race. Some view these as the "original" SPs. It is widely, though not universally, accepted that Mazda built another 10 SPs after its racing success at Eastern Creek. Different sources from Mazda Australia provide conflicting information on this. RICE RACING has provided the following letter from Mazda, dated prior to the Eastern Creek event and hence prior to any plans for a possible further 10 cars.  As many as 4 SPs were built as race cars, though only 2 were used in the Eastern Creek race. Conflicting information abounds over whether these cars were drawn from the initial batch of 25, or if they were in addition to those 25. Terry Bosnjak commissioned the 1994 Bathurst winning Series 6 to be upgraded to SP specification, though this likely does not count as one of the "official" SP builds. There is also speculation that 2 cars were used as press test mules, though it is unclear if these were drawn from the initial 15 or built in addition to them. Ian Pollard, responsible for fabricating parts for the SP, is quoted as saying: Factory Specifications Power Power: 204kW @ 6500rpm Torque: 357Nm @ 4600rpm Chassis Kerb Weight: 1218kg Wheel Base: 2425mm Length: 4295mm Width: 1750mm Height: 1230mm Track Front: 1460mm Track Rear: 1460mm Suspension Front: Independant double wishbone with coil springs and anti-roll bar Rear: Independant upper wishbone trailing link coil springs and anti-roll bar Brakes Front: 319mm Venitlated Disc Rear: Ventilated Disc Wheels Front: 8" x 17" 235/45 Rear: 8.5" x 17" 255/40 BBS alloy rims Miscellaneous Diff ratio: 4.3:1 Redline: 7000rpm Rev limit: 8000rpm Fuel consumption: 13L/100km (city) Standard Equipment The RX-7 SP included most of the standard equipment of the base model RX-7: - ABS - Alarm - CD Player - Cruise Control - Power Door Mirrors - Power Steering - Power Windows - Rear Spoiler - Electric Sunroof Standard equipment specific to the SP includes: - 17" BBS alloy rims - Intercooler water spray - Recaro kevlar seats Optional Equipment - Air conditioning - Leather seats (from S6) Factory Modifications Engine Bay Carbon fibre ram-air ducting to airbox Carbon fibre airbox Flywheel Turbos (Hitachi) Battery Larger intercooler Intercooler water spray (redirected from headlight washer) Exterior Vented aluminium bonnet (to lessen underbonnet temperatures) Carbon fibre nose cone (larger intakes, splitter) Carbon fibre rear wing (more downforce than S6) 17" BBS alloy rims Other Larger brake discs (Unbranded, but sourced from Brembo) Complete 3" exhaust (downturned 4" tip) 4.3:1 Differential Carbon fibre fuel tank (110 litre) Rear wiper removed (not done on all cars) Recaro kevlar seats Badging Window corner plates with kangaroo design "SP" rear decal Wheel centrecaps with kangaroo and wreath design "Mazda Motorsport" badge on strut brace Performance The following figures are for a completely stock RX-7 SP on street tyres. Tested by Motor Magazine, June 1995 0-100: 6.07s 400m: 13.98 @ 100.66mph Tested by Steyr, August 2001 0-100: 5.77s (G-Tech) 400m: 13.75 @ 102.66mph (Calder Park) Timeslip (left lane) Common Aftermarket Modifications The RX-7 SP is not as commonly modified as standard models, due to it's rarity and hence value in original condition. The two areas most commonly modified are: - ECU - Exhaust The factory modified 3" exhaust still retains the standard S6 muffler, with the standard twin-tip replaced with a 4" downturned tip. The two holes exiting the muffler are retained and restrict the exhaust flow. The muffler can easily be changed and the original unit kept for later restoration if desired. The factory ECU is often replaced to provide additional tuning flexibility (typically more boost). Modified Performance With exhaust restrictions removed and boost increased to 13psi, 1/4 mile times are typically in the high 12s/low 13s. Magazine Articles Wheels Magazine, June 1995 Article reprinted with the kind permission of Wheels magazine. Article first published June 1995.            Motor Magazine, June 1995 Article reprinted with the kind permission of MOTOR magazine. Article first published June 1995.              Genuine RX-7 SP Identification Following is a list of VIN (and vehicle colour) for the 25 RX-7 SPs (plus 3 race cars). JM0FD103300100007 SP RED JM0FD103300100033 SP RED JM0FD103300100035 SP BLACK JM0FD103300100037 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100038 SP SILVER JM0FD103300100040 SP RED (Owned by RICE RACING) JM0FD103300100041 SP RED JM0FD103300100042 SP RED JM0FD103300100045 SP RED (Also reported as being black) JM0FD103300100046 SP BLUE (Owned by Steyr) JM0FD103300100047 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100048 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100049 SP RED JM0FD103300100050 SP BLACK JM0FD103300100051 SP WHITE JM0FD103300100052 SP SILVER JM0FD103300100053 SP RED JM0FD103300100054 SP WHITE JM0FD103300100056 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100057 SP RED JM0FD103300100058 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100069 SP WHITE JM0FD103300100076 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100077 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100079 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100080 SP WHITE JM0FD103300100082 SP BLUE JM0FD103300100083 SP BLUE DAZ-13B wrote: The SP list you see on this forum and on a couple of others was originally consolidated by myself using the Mazda identification program that I use everyday to find out trim codes,paint codes,warranty expiry dates,ect. The process involved was basically all chassis numbers in the series of JM0FD1033......were punched in and if it came up as an SP then it was recorded. Links Discussion on the RX-7 SP RICE RACING's RX-7 SP project to challenge the Ferrari F40 Craig's Rotary Page Fast Fours & Rotaries, Dec 1995  |
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