Η Mazda παρουσίασε το αγωνιστικό της για το πρωτάθλημα TUDOR United SportsCar

Η Mazda παρουσίασε επίσημα το SKYACTIV-D πρωτότυπο αγωνιστικό που θα συμμετέχει στο φετινό πρωτάθλημα TUDOR United SportsCar.

Το αγωνιστικό φορά έναν 2,2-λίτρων SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel κινητήρα απόδοσης 450 ίππων με 786 Nm ροπής που συνδυάζεται με ένα 6-τάχυτο σειριακό Xtrac κιβώτιο ταχυτήτων με paddles. Το monocoque σασί του είναι κατασκευασμένο από carbon με το αυτοκίνητο να ζυγίζει 900 κιλά.

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[Πηγή: Mazda]

January 4, 2014 (DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.) — Mazda has long believed in promoting from within, including filling those rare ‘factory team’ driver slots. Mazda Motorsports will field a pair of factory-backed SKYACTIV Technology-powered prototypes in the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship. Behind the wheel will be the four drivers who delivered nine race wins and the 2013 Grand-Am GX Manufacturers Championship for Mazda. Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long will share the #70 car while Joel Miller and Tristan Nunez will co-pilot the #07. The team took their first public laps at the annual pre-season “Roar Before the 24” test at Daytona International Speedway yesterday. The test concludes tomorrow with the season opening Rolex 24 Hour race on January 25-26.

“There is no shortage of great racing talent in America”, noted John Doonan, Director of Motorsports for Mazda North American Operations. “The decision for this year was relatively simple though as our 2013 line-up excelled both on and off the track. Sylvain, Tom, Joel, and Tristan are all talented behind the wheel, but just as importantly, they act as a true team, supporting everyone at Mazda and SpeedSource. Our objective is to demonstrate Mazda SKYACTIV Technology to both hardcore racing fans and the mainstream public. With so many changes in 2014, including the new series itself, there will be a steep learning curve for everyone and we needed the best students in the sport. We’ll announce our third drivers for the Rolex 24 at a later date, but rest assured they all fit the same mold of being team thinkers and both will have Mazda heritage in their blood.”

As part of its challenger frame of mind, Mazda is the only car company racing in the TUDOR Championship with a diesel engine. The SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel race engine is a true production-based engine and a carry-over from the development work done with the Mazda6 GX-class racing cars. The engine is 51 percent stock by parts count, and 63 percent stock by weight. Mazda chose this path as it is the most honest way to demonstrate the performance, quality, durability and reliability of Mazda powerplants.

2014 Mazda Prototype SpecificationsEngine Displacement: 2,191 cc (133.7 in3)Bore x Stroke: 86.0 mm x 94.3 mm (3.39 in x 3.71 in)Engine Weight: 143 kg (315 lbs)Horsepower: 336 kW (450 bhp)Torque: 786 Nm (580 lb-ft)Max. Engine Speed: 5,200 rpmEngine Block: Production Mazda SKYACTIV (Aluminum)Camshaft: Dual OverheadValves: Four Valves Per CylinderCylinder Head: Production Mazda SKYACTIV (Aluminum)Valve Train Components: Production Mazda SKYACTIVPistons: Mahle (Steel)Connecting Rods: Carillo Forged Alloy (Steel)Crankshaft: Pankl Alloy (Steel)ECU: Bosch Motorsport MS 15.2Intake Manifold: SpeedSource Race EngineeringExhaust Manifold: SpeedSource Race EngineeringTurbo and Wastegate: Garrett Motorsports, air-to-air Intercooler, Tial wastegateFuel Injectors and Pump: Bosch MotorsportFuel Rail: Bosch MotorsportOiling System: SpeedSource Race EngineeringCooling System: SpeedSource Race EngineeringTransmission: Xtrac 6-speed sequential with paddle shiftersChassis: Carbon-fiber monocoque coupeWeight: 900 kgs (1984 lbs) – Without driver or fuelLength: 4,634 mm (182.4 in)Width: 1,990 mm (78.3 in)Wheelbase: 2,890 mm (113.8 in)Top speed: Approximately 300 kph (186 mph) — in Daytona aero trimBrakes: AP carbon drilled discsSuspension: Independent double A-armsTires: Continental Extreme ContactFront: 320/650/R18Rear: 325/710/R18Wheels: Motegi EVO 14 Technomesh, Forged AluminumFuel: Dynamic Fuels Renewable DieselFuel Capacity: 73 liters (19.3 gallons)

About Mazda, Mazda Motorsports, and MAZDASPEEDMazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America among both club racers and professionals. Thousands of Mazda-powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world’s largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda Motorsports established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda’s success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Mazda Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

Consumer information can be found at www.mazdausa.com, with press information at www.mazdausamedia.com. Racers and fans can follow the action on Facebook (Mazda Motorsport), Twitter (@mazdaracing), and www.mazdamotorsports.com