If I were into motorsports...

"BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast." (boxerfanatic) 02/24/2014 at 16:11 • Filed to: race car, porsche, 914, mazda, RX7

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I would want a race car like this one.

914s cut down to open-cockpit race cars are cool.

The odd thing is, for the last few weeks, I have been wondering what a first-generation RX7 would be like, with the roof cut off in a similar way, with no glass, not even a windshield, and just the B-pillar hoop remaining, re-inforced with a roll bar structure.

If they can cut the car for a convertible... they could cut the car otherwise for an open-cockpit racer, leaving the B-pillar, but cutting off the windshield and the forward section of the roof. (of course, with a well braced roll bar and structural bracing up to the firewall and front structure.)

I know Porsche played a bit with a Wankel rotary in the 914 chassis, but didn't produce it. I know that Mazda-sourced wankel rotary engines have been installed in 914s, and I know that a properly built pineapple is a great racing engine, not strangled by road-car regulations and emissions equipment, stop and go slogging, and such. They thrive on revs, especially to keep oil pressure up, and fuel economy doesn't matter so much.

I wonder which would end up being the better race car, given both cars optimized for the track, similar weight, (914 would gain a long-tube water cooling system, RX7 would have a longer driveline), and an equivalent rotary engine, either two or thee rotors, and race-built.

Front-mid engined, or aft-mid-engined... I think I would have to do both, and give them lots of track time to really figure that one out. :D

Of course, as a disclaimer, If I ever were to be in a position to do this, (which I am not currently) either car would be built from a car that is not pristine, so not to take a pristine example of either car off the road, and un-used parts would be carefully removed to help keep other street cars on the road. (it irks me to see the car flip shows on TV that tear stuff up that doesn't need to be, and could be useful to someone else as parts.)

It's a "Porch-uh" > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 02/24/2014 at 16:31

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My friend's dad has a TR6 race car (not this one) with no windscreen.

They did hillclimbs in that car and saw another car go off into a fence and the driver was injured because there was nothing to keep the wire from hitting his helmet. After that they added a full cage (a-pillar & top).

Stef Schrader > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 02/24/2014 at 16:51

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My friend just bought this:

I love it SO much. Want want want want want want wantwantwant.

puddler > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 02/24/2014 at 17:20

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if i didn't want a roof or a motorcycle, i think open wheel is where to be.

i think a dwarf car would be fun to auto-x.