If you’ve never seen a turbo Wankel in action, check out the Mazda RX7 IMSA GTO pushed to the limits in this race video. The incredible four rotor powered race car looks and sounds incredible. Piloted by Jeremy Barnes, the 1991 Mazda RX7 IMSA GTO video is filmed around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
This RX7 video was filmed before the 2016 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion race, and it’s visceral. In this age of electric hybrid race engines, and self driving race cars the RX7 is truly a throwback.
Jeremy Barnes also serves as the head of Mazda North America’s public relations department. He’s an amateur racer that got the chance to pilot the RX7, and it looks like an incredible car to drive.
At the heart of the Mazda RX7 IMSA GTO lies a four rotor 13J engine. Engine output tops 640 horsepower, and plenty of torque to power this rocket around any track. Couple this incredible powerplant to a 9000 RPM redline, and you begin to understand just how epic the Mazda RX7 IMSA GTO is.
We’ve seen some incredible rotary engine builds before, but considering the age of this IMSA race car it’s truly a testament to Mazda engineering. Where as this generation of RX7 known as the FC is commonly drifted or sport clown-like camber settings, this purpose built IMSA machine is truly function over form.
Road and Track took the Mazda RX7 IMSA GTO to task as well, as shown in the video above. Their review of the iconic race car describes an incredibly raw experience, with primitive engine management and an unforgiving clutch. This is to be expected however considering the RX7 is over 20 years old.
It’s fair to say that the RX7 has aged with grace, backed by championship pedigree.
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