The information contained within this thread is not guaranteed to be complete or correct. If you are able to supply additions or corrections, please reply with your information or PM Steyr.

Mazda RX-7 SP
Limited edition, factory modified, FD RX-7.
Dates of manufacture: 1995 (only)


History
The Mazda RX-7 SP was designed to compete in production car racing - particularly endurance racing. The Series 6 RX-7 had won the Bathurst 12 hour production car endurance race in 1992, 1993 and 1994. In 1995, both BMW and Porsche released limited edition race special vehicles (BMW M3R and Porsche 911 RSCS) which threatened to take the glory form Mazda. Mazda Motorsport (Australia) responded by making modifications to the S6 RX-7 to produce the RX-7 SP. Homologation rules for production car racing required 25 road-going models to be produced. The RX-7 SP was only produced in 1995, and only here in Australia.

The SP debuted at Calder in the GT Production category supporting the 2 litre series on 11-13 May and driven by Gary Waldon. This same car, driven by John Bowe and Dick Johnson, won the 12 hour event held that year at Eastern Creek. The RX-7 SP went on to compete in other production car events including Targa Tasmania and the Poolrite 3 hour "Showroom Showdown". It claimed pole in the 1998 3 hour event and won the race in 1999 at the hands of Terry Bosnjak and Mark Williamson.

Eastern Creek, 1995
Mazda Motorsport entered 2 SP's at the Eastern Creek 12 hour - one white and one black. Both cars were sponsored by MMM. The white car driven by Bowe/Johnson won, the black car of Skaife/Waldon finished 4th. Allan Grice who was a reserve driver badly crashed the black car during practise on Saturday. The car was brand new and suffered severe damaage both front and rear. An amazing effort by the team mechanics repaired the car for the race, albeit in average looking condition.

A 3rd SP at Eastern Creek was the privately entered Bosnjak/Jones car that may have even led the race at one stage but finished early. Speculation suggests that it was an ex Mazda car from the previous 12hour races privately upgraded SP spec.

The race result was protested by the Porsche team due to what they claimed was a safety car error that gave the white car an advantage early in the race, but the protest was not successful. Additional controversy abounded over the Mazda team's use of chilled fuel, allowing denser fuel to be filled into the tank.

Thanks to Greg E for much of this race information.



Production Numbers
The exact number of SPs produced by Mazda is vague and widely argued. It is known that an initial pre-race batch of 25 road cars was produced, with a minimum of 10 required to meet homologation rules to allow the SP to race. Some view these as the "original" SPs. It is widely, though not universally, accepted that Mazda built another 10 SPs after its racing success at Eastern Creek. Different sources from Mazda Australia provide conflicting information on this. RICE RACING has provided the following letter from Mazda, dated prior to the Eastern Creek event and hence prior to any plans for a possible further 10 cars.



As many as 4 SPs were built as race cars, though only 2 were used in the Eastern Creek race. Conflicting information abounds over whether these cars were drawn from the initial batch of 25, or if they were in addition to those 25. Terry Bosnjak commissioned the 1994 Bathurst winning Series 6 to be upgraded to SP specification, though this likely does not count as one of the "official" SP builds. There is also speculation that 2 cars were used as press test mules, though it is unclear if these were drawn from the initial 15 or built in addition to them.

Ian Pollard, responsible for fabricating parts for the SP, is quoted as saying:
Quote courtesy of suprspt.

DMRH has reported that Daniel Deckers, responsible for actually building the cars, claims that as many as 42 cars were built, including all race, road, and test cars.

A 1998 Mazda RX-7 SP2 was developed but failed to go into production as Mazda Australia ceased importing the RX-7. The one and only prototype was stripped back to standard trim, but later privately restored.


Factory Specifications
Power
Power: 204kW @ 6500rpm
Torque: 357Nm @ 4600rpm

Chassis
Kerb Weight: 1218kg
Wheel Base: 2425mm
Length: 4295mm
Width: 1750mm
Height: 1230mm
Track Front: 1460mm
Track Rear: 1460mm

Suspension
Front: Independant double wishbone with coil springs and anti-roll bar
Rear: Independant upper wishbone trailing link coil springs and anti-roll bar

Brakes
Front: 319mm Venitlated Disc
Rear: Ventilated Disc

Wheels
Front: 8" x 17" 235/45
Rear: 8.5" x 17" 255/40
BBS alloy rims

Miscellaneous
Diff ratio: 4.3:1
Redline: 7000rpm
Rev limit: 8000rpm
Fuel consumption: 13L/100km (city)

Standard Equipment
The RX-7 SP included most of the standard equipment of the base model RX-7:
- ABS
- Alarm
- CD Player
- Cruise Control
- Power Door Mirrors
- Power Steering
- Power Windows
- Rear Spoiler
- Electric Sunroof

Standard equipment specific to the SP includes:
- 17" BBS alloy rims
- Intercooler water spray
- Recaro kevlar seats

Optional Equipment
- Air conditioning
- Leather seats (from S6)

Factory Modifications
Engine Bay
Carbon fibre ram-air ducting to airbox
Carbon fibre airbox
Flywheel
Turbos (Hitachi)
Battery
Larger intercooler
Intercooler water spray (redirected from headlight washer)

Exterior
Vented aluminium bonnet (to lessen underbonnet temperatures)
Carbon fibre nose cone (larger intakes, splitter)
Carbon fibre rear wing (more downforce than S6)
17" BBS alloy rims

Other
Larger brake discs (Unbranded, but sourced from Brembo)
Complete 3" exhaust (downturned 4" tip)
4.3:1 Differential
Carbon fibre fuel tank (110 litre)
Rear wiper removed (not done on all cars)
Recaro kevlar seats

Badging
Window corner plates with kangaroo design
"SP" rear decal
Wheel centrecaps with kangaroo and wreath design
"Mazda Motorsport" badge on strut brace

Performance
The following figures are for a completely stock RX-7 SP on street tyres.

Tested by Motor Magazine, June 1995
0-100: 6.07s
400m: 13.98 @ 100.66mph

Tested by Steyr, August 2001
0-100: 5.77s (G-Tech)
400m: 13.75 @ 102.66mph (Calder Park)
Timeslip (left lane)

Common Aftermarket Modifications
The RX-7 SP is not as commonly modified as standard models, due to it's rarity and hence value in original condition.
The two areas most commonly modified are:
- ECU
- Exhaust

The factory modified 3" exhaust still retains the standard S6 muffler, with the standard twin-tip replaced with a 4" downturned tip. The two holes exiting the muffler are retained and restrict the exhaust flow. The muffler can easily be changed and the original unit kept for later restoration if desired.

The factory ECU is often replaced to provide additional tuning flexibility (typically more boost).

Modified Performance
With exhaust restrictions removed and boost increased to 13psi, 1/4 mile times are typically in the high 12s/low 13s.

Magazine Articles
Wheels Magazine, June 1995
Article reprinted with the kind permission of Wheels magazine. Article first published June 1995.


Motor Magazine, June 1995
Article reprinted with the kind permission of MOTOR magazine. Article first published June 1995.


Genuine RX-7 SP Identification
Following is a list of VIN (and vehicle colour) for the 25 RX-7 SPs (plus 3 race cars).
JM0FD103300100007 SP RED
JM0FD103300100033 SP RED
JM0FD103300100035 SP BLACK
JM0FD103300100037 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100038 SP SILVER
JM0FD103300100040 SP RED (Owned by RICE RACING)
JM0FD103300100041 SP RED
JM0FD103300100042 SP RED
JM0FD103300100045 SP RED (Also reported as being black)
JM0FD103300100046 SP BLUE (Owned by Steyr)
JM0FD103300100047 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100048 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100049 SP RED
JM0FD103300100050 SP BLACK
JM0FD103300100051 SP WHITE
JM0FD103300100052 SP SILVER
JM0FD103300100053 SP RED
JM0FD103300100054 SP WHITE
JM0FD103300100056 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100057 SP RED
JM0FD103300100058 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100069 SP WHITE
JM0FD103300100076 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100077 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100079 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100080 SP WHITE
JM0FD103300100082 SP BLUE
JM0FD103300100083 SP BLUE


Links
Discussion on the RX-7 SP
RICE RACING's RX-7 SP project to challenge the Ferrari F40
Craig's Rotary Page
Fast Fours & Rotaries, Dec 1995

Glenn of FD Owners sat next to Fitz (at a presentation dinner) and he swore black and blue the ONLY reason he lost to Mazda was because they had a technician in a Helicopter modifying the cars tune during the race via telemetry!@!

This is a true story!

After the race I went to the Fitzgerald garage to catch up with Barry Jones cause I hadn't seen much of him over the weekend. Whilst I was there they started speech's etc and the tent/marquee was chockers with the Porsche team. Cause I had been talking to Barry I was up the front of the tent and of course I'm dressed in full Mazda Motorsport gear.

So I figure I should have left shown some respect etc but I also figured that Horsley would get a kick of me being there and right up the front in full view so I stayed just to stick it up em - quietly. Hey they hadn't asked me to leave. All the time Im there fake clapping etc I'm thinking wish Horsley could see this and where's the bloody camera.

Think Jim Richards even mentioned me at one stage. Least he didn't call me an arsehole. They were as shitty as too.

I told Horsley and I think he smiled. That was rare.

01. Worth noting is that none of the SP's are listed in the Mazda Australia system as an actual SP. They will just pop up as a regular FD1033 version.

02. Daniel wanted unique build plates made for each car like HDT was doing for the Commodore but Horsley prevented it because it wasn't his idea

03. All the 12-hr engine where built by Mazda-Japan

04. Targa TAS engines where built by Daniel Deckers

05. John Waterhouse (Reliance Automotive) assisted with the SP program. Although 300km away with his own business to run, John kindly liased between Mazda & an engineering company for the production of the flywheels.

06. Mazda Japan rotary development engineer "Sekita?" arranged for Hitachi to custom make larger twin turbo's specifically forthe RX-7 SP.

07. 12-sets of Bathurst-turbo's where sent to Australia. Daniel wrecked 3x sets getting them right. Boso purchased 3x sets for himself. The rest where used on the race cars except 1x set which was not allowed to be used or sold.

08. Mazda-Japan where so impressed with Daniels technical abilities, they wanted him to move to Japan

09. No bathurst turbo's where sold to or fitted to the 38x road going SP's

10. Many SP parts can now be purchased direct from original suppliers as the original bad deals meant that some suppliers are still recouping costs many years later.

REgards

The theme continues, well almost ...........................The SP-II

Come 1996 and the series-7 update was released, Mazda Australia sales simply didn’t hold. Maintaining an overpriced $89,000 sticker, sales floundered with just 33 sold for the year. (about the same number Mazda Japan sold in a week) Despite the RX-7 costing under $50,000 in its Japanese homeland, Mazda Australia where reluctant to lower the price to a more realistic level. Another alternative to boost sales was to revive the “SP” name tag and do another limited run.

However time was not on the RX-7’s side. Internal discussions started in early 97 & the approval to build a prototype granted soon after. By late 97 Daniel Deckers from Mazda NSW had modified the first prototype using the local Series-7 press-test car. Using many original SP-I parts aswell as a few new unique SP-II features. It was then displayed at Australian motor shows to hails of glory and editorial triumph but by early 98, the axe came down on the whole program. Mazda Australia was pulling the pin on the RX-7 at the end of the Series-7 production run scheduled for late 98. Leaving the Series-8 as a JDM only.

Come early 99 and Mazda Australia had no further requirement for the car. It was placed up for sale at a Mazda dealership in Sydney. Priced as a new car ($89k) that’s when Marcus Read stepped in to make his significantly lower offer. (perhaps the yellow interior turned others away?) However, Marcus had read all the stories about the RX-7 SP and knew about this one-off SP-II. Being no stranger to these cars, his previous ride was a mildly modified series-6. Now with this unique series-7 in his garage it was time to approach the Mazda people to find out more about his one-off beast.

Going direct to the source seemed logical and a trip to Mazda NSW at Kingsgrove introduced him to the builder of both the SP-I and his stillborn SP-II. Daniel Deckers proved to be a very approachable and professional member of the Mazda NSW team. In stark contrast the program Mgr quickly demonstrated his renouned reputation ensuring Marcus wanted to deal with Daniel only. He quickly filled in any blanks about the SP-II and assisted in pointing out where parts suppliers where to be found & re-selling any removed SP-II parts prior to it winding up at the John Newell Mazda dealership.

Modifications was similar to the SP-I. Meaning the brakes, diff ratio & other go-fast enhancements remained the same. The new rear wing was simply a raised series-7 spoiler to get the downforce happening where the air flow actually was. The bonnet was a copy of the SP-I design but in carbon fibre rather than aluminium. There where two reasons for this. The locally made bonnet was cheaper than the modified Japanese “M2-1020” bonnet which required extra vents cut and fitted into the back of each one. The other was thanks to the bonnet stamping getting misplaced in Mazda Japans inventory.

Catering for any gutter time mishaps, the nose was now a 1-piece carbon unit increasing strength. Keeping with the times, wheels increased from 17” to 18” BBS with lower profile rubber. The whole stance and poise of the car was a show winner from any angle. Under the bonnet sees the SP-I type intake and intercooler set up maintained but with the addition of twin gold external blow-off valves. The Exhaust system was the same as before but with a redesigned rear muffler in what "Daniel Deckers" termed a more mature look.

Performance wise, the SP-II was similar to the original but a different clutch/pressure plate combo made for a more refined drive between the gears. Many motoring magazines at the time gave the car a big thumbs up hoping a mini production run would go ahead but all in vain.

Overall, the SP-II still has its place in Mazda & Australian racing history. Think of it this way..... Ford Australia had the still-born Phase-IV GTHO, GM-H had their still-born XU-2 now Mazda Australia can add their still-born SP-II to the list. Canned for different reasons but still a "what-if" race special that could have continued the racing glory for the manufacturer for years to come. Thankfully its owner understands its historical signifigance & has vowed not to ruin its SP theme for as long as he owns it.

REgards

JM0FD103300100049 SP RED

This is the GAS motorsport SP. Worth adding to the original list

I'll post pics of the car in completed trim soon. In the mean time, here are some pics of it during the build.






















REgards

Looks like a s8 to me -

Here is the finished result of a spare no expense SP restoration. Dont ask the sort of dollars the paint is worth.

This is the GAS motorsport RX-7 SP in final guise. Simply stunning at any angle..........

Dont get all anal on "non original paint" or anything else ridiculous because the GAS team are not interested in negative opinion from wanna-bee's.

They did take posative feedback from DAZ-13B & remove the originally installed Series-8 dash to be replaced by a "new" Series-6 dash in the name of authenticity. All done by DAZ-13B too.

























For reference, this RX-7 SP will be used as a GAS motorsport show piece & do several car shows aswell as magazine features.

Worth noting is the RX 7 rego plates. Mazda NSW had to settle for RX 7 RX 7 years ago as the GAS motorsport owner beat Horsley to the punch making Mazda settle for 2nd best choice.

REgards

For the air bag wheel to work it needs the wiring harness and crash sensor mounted to the front cross bar
Got no cruise control module fitted either.
Why does it have S8 head light washer bottle behind left hand head light?
S8 Y pipe and hard alloy pipe to IC
Why does it have S8 ABS module fitted?????
Boys should have removed the S8 passenger foot brace and ashtray pad for full original look
***Did you boys use a S8 Donor car to build this car up???? what is the real history behind it, why does it have so many S8 carry over parts on it***

^All minor shit only an SP owner would pick though^ Daz, I am guessing you boys removed the ABS computer from the back left hand side of the car along with all the original loom? I only know this so well after fitting Race Logic to both SP and Spirit R

It looks fantastic though very nice job all round, good to see they picked the best FD3S model ever made to adorn the RX7 number plate

Pic of original SP engine bay below *spot differences*

you can see the missing/different bits

the gas motorsports SP need the sticker for the rear like the one below.

Guys, I've tried to consolidate a lot of the provided info into the original post and then cleaned up the thread.
I've left some posts that are useful (but not needed to be merged in with the first post), or an interesting personal experience.

And quote of the thread so far has to go to Pete.

"Terry Bosnjak commissioned the 1994 Bathurst winning Series 6 to be upgraded to SP specification, though this likely does not count as one of the "official" SP builds. "

WHO DID THE UPDATE FROM A std S6 to a SP, boso or someone else?


"03. All the 12-hr engine where built by Mazda-Japan"

Was the boso 12hr engine supplied by mazda japan or because boso's car was a privalty entered for the 95 12hr he wasn't previleged to a factory Jap race engine?


At the end of the day, is the Boso race car an SP, it was entered in the 95 and the 99 race as a SP. How would you SP guys refer to the Boso car?

is the difference between the boso car and the MMM car just the build date? ( understand that the boso car is a 93/94 car) I mean is there an idetification plate or anything stating that one car IS and the other ISN't an SP?


Were the 2 MMM factory cars once road cars then they were transformed into a race car? If not, then they were just a 95 S6 spec'ed up to SP race specs just like the boso car is a 93/94 car spec'ed up to SP race specs?