Mazda Speed

Update on the latest with the Mazda Speed.

A recent attempt to take the money at Costal Plains Dragway has left us with a slightly crippled machine and the very obvious observance that it's days as a racecar are over.

Following the first time trial pass, a small amount of oil was found on the right side of the engine. After some checking it was determined that this oil was in fact coming from the motor mount. A number of runs continued to produce some oil which was wiped up until there was none left to come out of the mount. Now, we don't attibute the inconsistency with car to the motor mount problem, but there is the disturbing fact that the car is now all over the place - it actually ran it's best time ever during the first round - which for us was a double breakout. The problem is that the pass produced a time that was .017 quicker than we expected and left us with little choice but to gamble on the second round. A red bulb put an end to our evening, but the conclusion was that the car is no longer consistent. Whether that is the tire situation, normal clutch and engine wear or some part of the drivetrain, you simply can't bracket race a car that is moving all over the place in respect to elapsed time.

We had a lot of fun with the Mazda Speed, but it is now relagated to street duty and our full attention will turn to the Camaro and Dragster projects.