Mazda Turbo Diesel...

[NismoZ]

For a Rolex GT Mazda6 (replacing the RX-8) at the Daytona 24... AND a P-2 car for Dempsey Racing at LeMans. Good news as far as I'm concerned...2.2, dual stage (is that the same thing as a bi-turbo or a twin turbo?)...400+ hp in Rolex trim...sounds like ALL will be customer cars, not any "factory" teams but the decision to support Dempsey at Le Mans is great news. I've been slow to pick up on this but the latest issue of Mazda's www.zoomzoommag.com has some good stories and videos. Check it out.:) Way to go, SpeedSource, Dempsey and Mazda!:thumbup:

[Gnam]

Here's the press release from back in June.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/mazda-skyactiv-d-diesel-to-power-dempsey-racing-lmp2-challenger/

The Skyactiv-D is a four cylinder engine. A wankel rotary diesel would have been cooler. :cool:

[Gnam]

Mazda will enter two Lolas in the LMP2 category powered by 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D engines.
Says their plans are to provide customer engines for the LMP2 category.

http://msn.foxsports.com/speed/sports-cars/sportscars-mazda-to-enter-factory-p2-program-in-tusc-series-2014/

http://s28.postimg.org/5xi45gkgd/2014_Mazda_SKYACTIV_D_Prototype_Racer_1024x685.jpg

[SteveH]

^ does not need paint

[Gopeddle]

Just get rid of the shark fin. I hate those.

[NismoZ]

"...gives a significant boost to the P2 ranks which should see a minimum of 6-8 cars..." Lord, I HOPE that is a minimum! The thing I look forward to MOST is a sort of "us vs. them" competition. A tiny turbo-Diesel Lola-Mazda, even WITH an ugly fin, tromping a Team Chip lump is something I dearly WANT to see! Dammit! I may just have to go buy another Speed3, even if it ISN'T a turbo...OR a Diesel! (Is it just me, or do any of you see D-Lumps just banging the little(er) guys off the track when they try to pass!? My guess is we'll see even MORE NASCAB guys making guest appearances!?:irked:)

[NismoZ]

Couple of things here...in checking Daytona test times it looks like the little Diesels are about SIX seconds/lap down on the DPs, the fastest P2s about 3 seconds down and -6mph top end...Do they want this thing to be fair or NOT!? Also hearing from DP people that their changes are too expensive and it would make more $$sense to go with a P2. Really? Doesn't seem to be a rush in that direction...yet(?) AND...Luhr/Graf back, announced last night, with Pickett/Muscle Milk in a new ORECA 03/Nissan LMP2. (picture please, Gnam?) THAT has to help. Anxious to see time comps at "The Roar" Jan. 3-5.

[Gnam]

Muscle Milk to run Nissan-powered ORECA LMP2 car

Muscle Milk Pickett Racing has announced that it will field a Nissan-powered ORECA 03 LMP2 machine for its Prototype effort in this year’s TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

Additionally, the team will bring back its championship-winning duo of Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf to drive the new car. Luhr and Graf finished off their run in the American Le Mans Series this past year by winning a second consecutive P1 class title for the team.


http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/19/tusc-muscle-milk-to-run-nissan-powered-oreca-lmp2-car/

http://www.motorsport.com/tusc/news/first-time-for-graf-and-lucas-luhr-with-the-oreca-03-lmp2/

http://www.motorsport.com/#!/tusc/photo/main-gallery/the-muscle-milk-pickett-racing-oreca-03/

http://s22.postimg.org/hco0njnmp/s1_1.jpg

[nissan gtp]

excellent :thumbup:

[NismoZ]

Think I'll go out and buy me some Muscle Milk! Need about TEN P2s to make it interesting...don't think it'll even get close to that:\ What a good looking little car! Hadn't seen that pic yet, just a little thumbnail on IMSA site...thanks, Gnam:thumbup: Reading Briscoe and Liddell at Corvette to round out the endurance races. Nice.

[Gnam]

Mazda announced the drivers for its SkyActive (SkyActive) (SkyActive) Lola P2 entries.
#70 Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long
#07 Tristan Nunez and Joel Miller

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/04/tusc-saturday-roar-news-and-notes/

All the drivers drove Mazda's GX Mazda 6s last year.
There are still two endurance driver slots that have not been announced.

I was hoping for some drivers with prototype experience to help push the Lola's toward the front and compete with the DPs.

[NismoZ]

Very true...was just wondering, will these guys get about 40mpg and spend a couple of less hours in the pits?:D