Published: Mar 24, 2011

Mazda Reveals MX-5 GT Racer

Mazda is preparing to challenge Aston Martin, Porsche, Lotus, and BMW at the upcoming Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011 with their new lightweight MX-5 GT racer. Weighing just 1,874 lbs (850 kg), the MX-5 GT will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only three seconds and has a top speed of 160 mph. Jota Sport, the race engineering team that's running cars in the 2011 series, has made sure that every component of the car was as light as possible.

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They then added enough power to the weight making it lightest and most powerful MX-5 ever built. Taking a total of 400 hours to build the shell that's 17 times stronger than required by FIA, the team had to overcome engineering challenges such as suspension adjustments, integrating the six-speed sequential gearbox, and even lowering the engine. More weight was taken off by stripping out the interior and dipping the shell in acid. The engine boasts 275 hp and there are carbon fiber doors and even Polycarbonate windows.

It's painted Spirited Green metallic along with the Jota Sport liveries in orange and grey. The timing of the MX-5 GT racer is especially symbolic considering Mazda has just celebrated the car's 21st anniversary, with a total of 900,000 units produced since its introduction back in 1989.

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