Mazda’s Furai Racecar Concept
Back in 1991 Mazda won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with, the last year rotary engines were allowed to compete. It was an exciting victory, as it was both the first win and last chance the Mazda Motorsports team would have at the most prestigious endurance competition in the world. Rule changes requiring only traditional, reciprocating 3.5-liter engines would prevent the acclaimed four-rotor 787 and 787B’s from qualifying.
Mazda’s chance for another victory at Le Mans may a thing of the past, however that’s not stopping them from commemorating the event with another rotary-powered racer. The company today leaked detailed information about a new prototype race car based on a previously used LMP2-class qualifier Courage C65 chassis with a body styled in favor of their Nagare concept.
The Furai, meaning “sound of wind,” is certain to make noise. Designed and built in cooperation with the racecar gurus at Swift Engineering, this fully funcitonal racer is powered by a three-rotor Mazda 20B rotary engine and makes around 450 horsepower running on E100 ethanol fuel. The car absolutely screams, literally.
While the racecar isn’t road worthy or even race ready, it may represent both Mazda’s unique and futuristic design language and their desire to make another run at Le Mans. Whether the car will ever make it to production or the track, it’s certainly making a statement. Definately one of the better looking motorsports designs we’ve seen.