For some reason there are a few roadsters that are not categorised as hairdresser’s cars. This includes Mazda’s MX-5. But to give it an even more masculine and serious attitude, Mazda has pulled out all the stops and create the MX-5 GT race car.
First of all, every detail of the car was analysed to save weight. These measures include polycarbonate windows and carbon fibre doors. They have gone so far as to dip the shell in acid to shave off another 15 kg. All this has helped to bring the weight down to only 850 kg.
Being a race car, which will compete in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship, it was fitted with an FIA approved roll cage, a fire extinguisher and all the other necessary equipment that a race car needs.
Instead of the usual manual gearbox, a six-speed sequential gearbox with paddles has been fitted.
The engine has also been tuned for race use. The 2,0-litre naturally aspirated unit now produces 205 kW, a whole lot more than the production car’s 118 kW.
Looking at the picture of the cockpit, one can see the use of carbon fibre for the facia, centre console and even parts of the steering wheel.
Unfortunately it is highly unlikely that any of these features will filter through to a future production model.
