Eventually month’s Choice x G-Works Tremendous Drag Pageant, two FC3S Mazda RX-7s caught my eye within the Central Circuit pits. Whereas the pair share some similarities – together with the truth that they have been each down from Hokkaido – they’re fairly completely different machines below their ultra-clean, white bodywork.
At a fast look from a front-end view, the primary automobile seemed rather a lot like another tuner-style FC3S we’d function on Speedhunters. However as I acquired nearer to the SWATT/Zeroyon Manufacturing unit RX-7, the small print you solely discover in a purpose-built drag automobile started to current themselves.
Weld Racing wheels and Hoosier tyres – 29×11-inch slicks out again – test. Flat rear wing and parachute, test. Polycarbonate home windows throughout, test. 5-inch tachometer with shift mild, test.
In comparison with a lot of the different automobiles competing on the Tremendous Drag Pageant, the Mazda seemed fairly inventory, however seeing the large side-exit exhaust sprouting from the fitting entrance fender, I knew there was going to be one thing undoubtedly not inventory below the hood.
The RX-7’s proprietor and driver, Akira Kato, was eager to point out me what his FC RX-7 was packing, and it’s some critical rotary firepower. We’ll begin with the Garrett GT4508R turbocharger (that includes an 80mm compressor inlet), with fist measurement for comparability. Given the dimensions of the turbo, I was stunned to study that it’s not even the most important Garrett out there; as much as 106mm variations can be found proper off the shelf.
The engine itself is a 3-rotor 20B from a JC Eunos Cosmo, however Kato-san has thrown rather a lot at it, together with a complete of enhance and a shot of nitrous oxide to get issues transferring. Based on the group, the engine has a 9,200rpm redline and makes 950ps, which is greater than four-and-a-half instances what the RX-7 left the Mazda manufacturing unit with. Yikes.
As a principally inventory chassis automobile operating a Jerico transmission and R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R rear finish, the RX-7 is not any light-weight, however Kato-san has made good progress with the automobile and is banging on the 8-second door having run a finest go of 9.052 at 233km/h earlier within the 12 months. That point is fast sufficient to say the quickest rotary spot within the Japan Drag Championship’s ‘RWD Over 2.5L & 3-Rotor Engine’ class (fourth outright).
I can’t discover any movies of the SWATT automobile operating on the day at Central Circuit, however you’ll be able to try this video from a Motegi occasion earlier within the 12 months to see and listen to it in motion.
The opposite white RX-7 storming down Central Circuit’s straight a couple of weeks again is considered one of Japan’s most well-known home drag automobiles owned by a real zeroyon OG. It’s been in Makato Watanabe’s fingers because it was model spanking new in 1986 and drag raced from day one, so I can’t resolve which is the most important legend – Watanabe-san or the Mazda. By now they might have absolutely fashioned some sort of symbiotic relationship, in order that they each deserve equally excessive reward.
For the primary 10 years of their relationship, the RX-7 dominated the Hokkaido road drag scene with an aggressive side-port 13B turbo setup. Within the early 2000s, the automobile was transformed to a full tube body chassis, which Watanabe-san bought by mail order from RJ Race Vehicles within the USA. The components arrived, and, relieved that nothing was lacking, Watanabe-san constructed a chassis desk in his workshop and welded the body collectively. Some modifications have been required, however the RX-7 physique panels match.
Over time the automobile has been run with completely different engine setups and gained many trophies, most earned on the now closed Sendai Hello-Land Raceway drag strip. Watanabe-san has additionally taken the automobile to Australia up to now, going heads-up with a number of the quickest sport compact drag automobiles on the earth at Willowbank Raceway throughout the Jamboree occasion.
At the moment, the RX-7 is powered by a naturally aspirated 4-rotor engine pieced collectively by Yashiro Engineering. Tuned by a MoTeC M800 engine administration system, the customized ‘YR26B’ produces 600ps.
The 2022 Choice x G-Works Tremendous Drag Pageant was a memorable occasion for Watanabe-san and his group. Not solely did they set a brand new class file early on within the occasion with a 8.707-second go at 247.42km/h, however on the final run of the occasion they dropped their finest ET to eight.559-seconds. How good is that?! You’ll be able to watch footage of the file go right here.
I’ve acquired yet another automobile from this occasion to share with you, and it’s an actual blast from Japanese drag racing’s previous. Look out for that quickly.
Toby Thyer
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