When it comes to longevity and winning races across multiple disciplines in racing, it’s hard to top the track record of Roush Performance. When Mazda Motorsports went searching for the package that would make the Spec MX-5 an outstanding car both for spec racing and able to hang with the best in SCCA’s Super Touring Lite (STL) and NASA’s Super Touring 5 (ST5) class, Roush was the perfect fit for the programs’ cylinder heads. (Please note: racing classification within SCCA and NASA are TBD.)
Of course, there are a lot of companies that could simply make more horsepower. It was the additional qualities that put Roush Performance head and shoulders above any other option.
The experience Roush Performance brings to the table in its machining also means consistency. Roush can replicate identical cylinder heads over and over to the tightest of tolerances, eliminating the need for a complicated rule set in an attempt to level the playing field. With no one making adjustments or modifications to the cylinder head or the Mahle Pistons that are requirements of the Spec MX-5 engine, there’s no need to wonder if someone has a better system or to pay thousands of dollars for the latest and greatest trick.
It’s not enough just to tell the competition that they’re not able to modify the engine components, however. That’s why Mazda Motorsports and Roush Performance have worked together to create a very specific tool path and pattern. That path and the tools to follow it will be shared with technical inspection teams of sanctioning bodies to allow the Spec MX-5 motor to be easily checked for compliance.
In addition, Mazda Motorsports has designated a spec spark plug, which helps to cap the compression of the race engine at 11.0:1. This is only slightly higher than the stock compression at 10.8:1, keeping the Mazda reliability while the total package increases the horsepower and torque.
The carefully designed Spec MX-5 engine package, from top to bottom, provides an engine that is affordable to purchase and operate, retains reliability, will remain fair for everyone in the tech shed, and is faster. It’s a package that racers have been searching for.
Mazda Motorsports’ Part Number: 0000-01-5300
Mazda Motorsports’ Price: $1980.00
About Spec MX-5: Mazda Motorsports has combined decades of key learnings supplied by thousands of racers at every level of grassroots and pro racing to create Spec MX-5. We’ve applied these key learnings into four key pillars: affordability, reliability, tech-ability, and really fun to drive. We’ve considered every facet of Spec MX-5 – from the car spec, the suppliers and partners, the rule set, the schedules and tracks, the ease of maintenance and repair, fun and fair competition, prizes and awards, and more. Building on the abundance of already fun third generation NC (2006-2015) MX-5s, Mazda Motorsports has developed a race kit with nearly every necessary part to convert the road car into the Spec MX-5 race car, intended for everyone from novices looking to make a long-term stay in club racing, to those aspiring to ascend the Mazda Road to 24 ladder. The focus of the support program is to enable excellent sprint and endurance club racing competition through transparency, parity, rewarding racers with the best contingency awards in club racing, the best parts pricing, and assistance from Mazda Motorsports’ experts on everything from assembly, to set up, and driving. Spec MX-5 is club racing done right. Parts for the Spec MX-5 kit begin shipping in October, so call Mazda Motorsports at 800.435.2508 now to be first in line!
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