Mazdaspeed will tell us tonight

 

The new GX class announced by Grand-Am opens up "alternative fuels such as hydrogen, E-85, and diesel", as well as new technologies such as turbochargers and hybrids.

To me, this brings Speedsource's most likely selection for a new engine to be a SkyActive turbo diesel to change classes from GT to GX.

Frankly, I'm happy about the class addition. More mixup in the field, more "production car" video time, and a US based series that is getting serious about advancing technology. There is only advantages to be had for us, the consumers. Not to mention should lead to some great racing with the GT and GX field being relatively equal in speed, but not competing directly


But yeah, can't wait for the news to end the suspense!

 

Not much info, but Mazdaspeed Motorsports page on facebook has coverage from the unveiling at Motown.

 

Also found this article posted up just now.


http://www.racer.com/mazda-announces...rticle/243957/



Edit: More!

http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_News...cid=6383&sid=1

 

aw hell----- this is something i didnt want to see.
Oh well--the market prevails.

 

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MORE PICS!


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1425562&type=1

 

Twin turbos, smaller one up stream, larger downstream, both feeding the same intake track?

Feels odd. I know diesels run on detonation, but still a foreign look

 

Now who said Mazda Diesels will not be sold in North America!!??....glad to see you guys have joined the 21st century...

JOKE!...

Good news to see a racing program, just what is needed to promote Mazda in US..this will show the brand off really well..

NOW, guess what engine will be in the all new 2014 Mazda 6 (Takeri) next year?, and it won't be a V6.

 

Mazda SKYACTIV Diesel for Racing

Mazda to Make New SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel Engines Available for GRAND-AM's New Advanced Technology Racing Class

June 1, 2012 (DETROIT) Mazda Motorsports today announced that it will supply racing versions of its new SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engines to customer teams competing in GRAND-AM's new GX Class for advanced/clean technologies, beginning with the 2013 season.

"This opens a new chapter in racing for us," said Jay Amestoy, Vice President of Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "We've won with rotary technology, and now we're looking to again put our customers in the winner's circle with what we believe will be the most advanced and cleanest production-based powerplant the sport has ever seen."

The engines will be stock-block Mazda SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder, dual-stage turbocharged powerplants that, according to John Doonan, MNAO's Director of Mazda Motorsports, "will deliver outstanding performance and fuel economy coupled with the kind of quality, durability and reliability needed to produce great street cars and win endurance races."

Mazda remains the only Asian auto maker committed to bringing modern clean-diesel technology to the United States. The production Mazda SKYACTIV-D features include:
■14:1 low compression ratio
■New two-stage turbocharger
■A 5,200 rpm redline
■Compared to Mazda's current-production 2.2L MZR-CD diesel engine:
■Up to 20% reduction in fuel consumption
■20% reduction in internal engine friction
■10% reduction in weight

Mazda Motorsports is noted for many things, including grassroots dominance in road racing, and being the only Asian car company with an overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Its David and Goliath approach -- supported by unique powertrains, devoted teams and drivers, and sales of parts to all who wish to compete -- has made Mazda one of the most successful brands in motorsports.

Since 2007, Mazda has been competing with great success in the GRAND-AM GT class with the rotary-powered RX-8. Mazda racers have secured manufacturers, team and drivers championships, along with 2008 and 2010 GT-class wins by the SpeedSource RX-8 in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. With the RX-8 no longer in production for the U.S. market, Mazda needed a new challenge.

SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY will allow Mazda to chart its own path in racing, showcasing the latest in fuel-efficient, powerful and clean powertrains.

The engines are being developed jointly by Mazda Motor Corporation, Mazda North American Operations and SpeedSource Engineering. Dyno testing has already begun and on-track testing begins in late 2012. Engine pricing and terms will be announced at a later date.

The actual Mazda model in which the SKYACTIV-D racing engine will be installed will be announced after the conclusion of the 2012 GRAND-AM racing season.

John Doonan, Director, Mazda Motorsports, MNAO: "We operate our motorsports program as a business, selling everything from B-Spec performance kits for the Mazda2 to complete powertrains. We've won at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring with rotary power. While the SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine is all-Mazda, the teams will be independents. We look forward to taking customer orders later this year."

Sylvain Tremblay, SpeedSource Engineering: "As a motorsports engineering firm, we love a challenge, and starting a new program with a stock-block SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine gives us a wonderful opportunity. The ultra-low compression ratio stock engine has fantastic torque and fuel economy. Our job is to tune it such that it meets the needs of our racers. Once again, Mazda charts its own path, and we are pleased to be an integral part of this project."

About Mazda & MAZDASPEED

Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world's largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda's success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

 

Anyone care to speculate what body this new racer diesel will be in???

Perhaps the new Mazda 6..??

 

BTW..Other Mazda news, the Cosmo 110 turned 45 yesterday....happy birthday!!

 

The new 6 will be FWD right? Would the rules permit them to convert to RWD?

 

The Audi R8 is AWD, converted to RWD, so yes, I expect that it would be a RWD conversion. Although, if the next 6 had the SkyD engine offered in it in RWD or AWD configuration.... hmmm

 

maybe is a "silouhette" class....general exterior design would be a 6/takeri, but RWD and with a race,carbon made chassis...

it seems to me that this new class is between a true prototype DP and production derived GT...

Nice engine, tough...monster turbines...more than 300 hp for sure....

 

The diesel is 19th Century technology and predates the gasoline piston engine.
The Amish, back where I grew up, were allowed to have farm equipment with mechanical injection diesel engines. They aren't allowed electricity or gasoline tech.

 

^lol!

 

Won't be the same without the scream of the rotary. Sad day!

 

I bet the rotary is still raced by someone for multiple years. They are good until 2015 to race with Grand-AM.

Yes the 6 can be tube framed and converted to RWD. for more rules click below.

http://www.grand-am.com/portals/0/gr...2012GT-GCR.pdf


Stephen

 

No they don't. They run on controlled compression ignition. Big difference.

 

Pretty interesting engine design. 8 separate intake runners feeding 4 cylinders from a common plenum. No exhaust manifold. The runners are cast into the head. There is just one small straight pipe leading out of the block into the hot side of the small turbo. Interesting indeed.

 

Both are still compression ignition, no? One is controlled and the other isn't?

 

Yes and no. Don't confuse either with pre-ignition either.

 

I want to see it in an 8.

400HP FTW!

 

See it in an 8?

Paul.