In the past, during the late ’80s and early ’90s, Mazda created powerful four-rotor racing cars for various competitions like IMSA, Le Mans, and the Japanese Sports Prototype championship. Among these impressive machines was the RX-792P IMSA racer, a rare breed with only three ever produced. Surprisingly, one of these three, specifically the third model constructed, is currently up for sale at the price of $1.5 million.
This particular Mazda RX-720P four-rotor racer, bearing the chassis number RX792P003, is under the ownership of Jim Downing. Over the past few years, Downing has meticulously cared for, serviced, and restored this 31-year-old IMSA marvel. While some components have been replaced, the car still adorns its original paint, preserving its authentic appearance from when it first rolled off the line.
The standout feature of this car is undoubtedly its engine. Sporting a 2.6-liter four-rotor powerhouse churning out 670 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm, and mated with a manual transmission. All this power in a chassis weighing merely 1,850 pounds. The distinct noise produced by the four-rotor Mazda engine as it screams towards redline is truly mesmerizing. While rotary engines may not be as commonly used nowadays, their unique sound leaves enthusiasts wishing that more automakers incorporated them into racing.
Though fully capable of competing as a race car, the Mazda RX-792P has yet to see actual track time. Despite being driven at Road Atlanta by Downing and his team, this exceptional machine remains untested in a race. The hope is that the future owner will unleash its full potential on the track, rather than letting it gather dust in a high-priced garage. Such a remarkable race car, with its extraordinary engine, deserves to be experienced in action, sharing its soulful roar with the world.
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