Mazda RX3 / RX5 / R100

[kurtiejjj]

I was wondering about the Mazda coupes that raced during the very late 60s (R100) and throughout the 70s across europe, for some reason is almost no information available about these cars. Even though they're actually pretty interesting with their rotary engines and odd designs.

There are photos here and there which show a couple of the cars. Could anyone shed more light on the 'Smith Kendon' RX-3 car that was tuned by Arian Automotive Developments? Anyone knows what happened to their cars?

In my home country Holland, there was a black RX-3 raced by the DNRT (dutch national racing team), also making appearances in european races.

I guess these cars with their rotary engines had great potential didn't they, for some reason though, in europe they never quite cut in when looking at the results. Perhaps they didn't handle terribly well?

Regarding the RX-5, that one also appeared with 'smith kendon' livery, apart fromt hat there seems to be no other information around.

Same goes for the R100 that raced in the late 60s and which actually looks like an escort, rather lovely I'd say, anyone know if that perhaps was a factory entry?

[Graham Clayton]

kurtiejjj,

Here is some information.

An RX3 was campaigned in the 1974 British Touring Car Championship by Wendy Markey, with sponsorship from the Penthouse Club:

http://www.markeymotorsport.co.uk/?page_id=84

She then competed in the 1975 Britax Production Saloon Championship as well.

[Lloyd.L]

Hi Kurtiejjj, I was a mechanic at John Markey's Arian Racing at that time. If you would like any more info about the group 1 RX 2 and 3, both saloon and coupe, and the Group 2 RX 3 and 5, please PM me.

Regards, Lloyd

[andy97]

Should be an RX3 racing in the CSCC's Future Classics series at Oulton Park on 1 Oct 2011.

[Al Weyman]

That'll go well especially if it has the pheritheral (spelling?) port conversion.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by andy97

Should be an RX3 racing in the CSCC's Future Classics series at Oulton Park on 1 Oct 2011.

There used to be a really quick one out in Post Historics and Pre74' a few years ago, but can't remember whose it was?

A red car?

[Malcolm Smith]

Originally Posted by chunterer

There used to be a really quick one out in Post Historics and Pre74' a few years ago, but can't remember whose it was?

A red car?

Perhaps this one, driven by David Nixon.

[275 GTB-4]

an R100 competed one year (I believe) in the production car races...as did RX2,3 and 4 probably also...

I remember an RX3 with rear wing and front spoiler at Bathurst so probably highly modified and in another class..

Currently there are quite a few RX(x) racing in Historics...some extremely quick...at least three RX2 in Group N and RX3 are eligible for Group A/C?? Ric Shaws??

Wayne Wakefield ran a very quick Mazda 808 IPRA wagon!

must be plenty more out there in Oz :-)

[Redzone]

There were plenty of RX3's raced successfully in australian group C touring

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Redzone

There were plenty of RX3's raced successfully in australian group C touring

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ????

[Stacy]

There was a heap of RX3's raced, and a large number documented in this book;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bathurst-Rot.../dp/0646487833

It's showing as not available but they were selling them in the Bathurst circuit museum shop a year or so back.

Yes the red RX3 is Dave Nixon's. Good car, better driver. The 3 is always compromised over a 7 primarily because the exhaust and more agricultural layout.

Not sure if the CSCC car will be running peripheral ports. They aren't eligible for much with them installed and it's very easy to tell. You'll get 90% of the way there with a good side port and other clever stuff anyway, but PP is much easier power.

S.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Malcolm Smith

Perhaps this one, driven by David Nixon.

Yes the very same!

Thanks Malcolm.

[lloyd12a]

Hi, I know its not Europe related. Australia had a few Mazda racing around the tracks, back in the 70's and still today.....Check out these links on another forum.
http://www.ausrotary.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=69685 Old Rx3's

http://www.ausrotary.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=71904 Today's Rx2's

[david5]

Gricey had one too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu6DBykJM3o

Ran it @ Amaroo a lot as well.

[Icarus_nz]

Originally Posted by Stacy

Yes the red RX3 is Dave Nixon's. Good car, better driver. The 3 is always compromised over a 7 primarily because the exhaust and more agricultural layout.

Depending on the rules you run under.

It took ages for the 7's to outperform the 3's in the SCCA classes - due to less weight and the unfortunate std rear link setup in the 7's. The series two RX7 was a little better.

[Stacy]

Hi,

Yes with open regs its easier to work around shortcomings.

Re the 7; There's always a development lag as new cars get learnt, but specifically I guess I'm saying that like for like the same engine in a 7 under the rules of the series referred to here will produce more power, and on a wider note I haven't as yet seen leaf springs available to the clubman in 10lb per inch increments.

I'd agree, the production rear link setup on a 7 is compromised, but the solutions/workarounds are out there. It just takes some thought.

A quick perusal of IPRA results in Aus demonstrate all isn't too bad with the 7.

The 3 is a nice looking car, I sometimes mull on getting a nice one for the road, but for lapping a track I know which one I'd want..

S.

[Graham Clayton]

Originally Posted by david5

Gricey had one too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu6DBykJM3o

Ran it @ Amaroo a lot as well.

david5,

Here is an advertisement with the Mazda shown at Amaroo in the background:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussief...ts/5972672011/