A Mazda RX-8 is to compete in the newly formed Production S1 class of Britcar. The car will be driven by Formula Woman race champion Natasha Firman and former Vauxhall Vectra SRi V6 Challenge and Alfa Romeo Champion, Mark Ticehurst.
The car, entered by Mazda Motors UK and Guglielmi Motorsport will be accompanied by a second RX-8 to be driven by journalists.
Following the growth in popularity of the Britcar series in recent years the organisers, the European Endurance Racing Club (EERC), decided to create the Production S1 category for production-based saloon and GT cars of up to 3-litres engine capacity for the 2005 season.
The series starts at Silverstone on 26 March and features races at Brands Hatch (16 April, 25/26 June and 19 November), Cadwell Park (1 October), Donington (5 November), Oulton Park (6 August) and Snetterton (21/22 May and 16 July) and includes the Britcar 24 Hour race at Silverstone on 10/11 September.
The cars used in the Production S1 series are based on the standard, road going Mazda RX-8 sports coupés. The seats and many interior panels have been removed, and each car has undergone a number of essential safety modifications - including the addition of a roll-cage, fire extinguisher, race seat and some suspension alterations necessary for racing. The revolutionary 1.3-litre, 231 ps RENESIS rotary engine and gearbox are standard.
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