787B no longer has the best engine sound...

"John Bulzacchelli" (johnbulzacchelli) 01/21/2014 at 14:35 • Filed to: REMEMBER THE ROTARIES

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Meet the Mazda 792P. I just learned of it today, apparently after FIA banned the 787B from competition in Group C, rotaries were still allowed in IMSA's GTP class.

Mazda then took their insane R26B wankel and put it in a freshly developed carbon-fiber tubed car. Only 2 were built - and unfortunately did not have a very good racing record.

Chassis 1 was ready for its first race, the Miami GP. The exhaust lit the bodywork on fire before the green flag even waived. At Sebring, the exhaust noise was measured in excess of 102dB and was immediately disqualified from the race.

Chassis 2 was completed in time for the 3rd race of the series, Atlanta. Both cars competed, with once crashing out and the other finishing 15th. Mechanical issues plagued the car, but the team did manage a 2nd place finish at Watkins and a 3rd/4th at Limerock.

Unfortunately, as the team was preparing for the '93 season Mazda pulled the plug on developing rotaries for racing and the team was cancelled.

But still... listen to that goddamn gloriously crazy engine!

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-…

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4249/Mazda…

YSI-what can brown do for you > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 14:39

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Yeah the car sucked majorly in racing, lots of DNFs and 7th and below finishes. BUT DAT ENGINE!

John Bulzacchelli > YSI-what can brown do for you 01/21/2014 at 14:42

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Yeah, I was just looking at the results. Many of their races that didn't end in a DNF resulted in finishes 10+ laps down

Brian Silvestro > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 14:43

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Literally sounds like something out of Star Wars.

DailyTurismo > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 14:44

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I saw and heard this thing at Laguna Seca a few years ago. In-cred-ible.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 14:47

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I think you're using that meme wrong...

John Bulzacchelli > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 01/21/2014 at 14:50

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No, you're a towel.

Ntovorni > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 15:10

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yes..butttt

John Bulzacchelli > Ntovorni 01/21/2014 at 15:14

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But... but...

Ntovorni > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 15:36

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buuuuttttttttt

Ntovorni > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 15:37

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However, bonus points for using footage from the Glen. I have a number of friends who live there. Love going there for the ALMS (TUDOR/whatever) races. It's handy having a free place to stay about a mile from the track.

The Real Dacia Sandero > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 15:43

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Check out the pile of soot on the ground from the exhaust in the first video.

John Bulzacchelli > Ntovorni 01/21/2014 at 15:56

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Oh man... Group B pulls at my heart strings

Ntovorni > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 16:14

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I just played both videos at the same time.

something....happened...to me.

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 16:34

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And this is why GTP is freaking awesome.

John Bulzacchelli > Ntovorni 01/21/2014 at 16:35

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Not my video, but I was at that race! I was doing an internship about an hour away. Sad to see the end of ALMS

Ntovorni > John Bulzacchelli 01/21/2014 at 17:35

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Oh nice! I was there as well. Yeah, I'm ok with it since the TUDOR series is still there. I think that means more LeMans style prototypes even if it's the LMP2's and I'm totally ok with it.