Group N Mazda RX-2

I see now that the Mazda RX-2 is allowed to race in the Group N class, and being a bit of a Mazda Rotary fan I have a few questions if anyone can answer them.

Firstly, is there a list of rules that tell me what modifications are allowed to the vehicle, particularly in relation to the engine?

Secondly, I noticed in the results from the last Wakefield Park last year and the Oran Park meeting early this year that there was a W. Rogerson driving a 1971 Mazda RX-2.

Now, I had looked back through the Bathurst results for 1971 and there was a "Wayne Rogerson / Alan Mayne Mazda RX2" in 1972 there was a "Wayne Rogerson Mazda RX2" and in 1973 and there was a "Bernie Haehnle / Wayne Rogerson Mazda RX2 (1st Class C)".

Can anyone tell me if this is the same W. Rogerson racing now as it was then. Also would anyone have any pictures of thecar as raced either now or way back then?

The reason I am asking is that I have a Mazda RX-2 Coupe that I have thought about buiding to Group N specs rather than going all out Improved Production aka Club Cars, and am curious about what is allowed and what isn't.

Does anyone know if this W. Rogerson Mazda RX2 will be at the next Historic meeting at Wakefield Park on the 27th-28th of April as I would love to have a look at it.

G'day Dazz and welcome to the forum.

Yes, it is the same Wayne Rogerson who raced at Bathurst in the early '70s has now returned to racing, in Group N.

The best place to find the Group N regs is the Cams Manual, or you can contact the Appendix J Assn. of NSW.

Briefly, the Group N rules, as they apply to the Mazda RX-2 are:- Engine must be 12A, may be mild port or extend port, must not be bridge port or peripheral port. Must have carbies, no injection or electronic ignition. Must have 4 speed box and rear drum brakes. Must have standard bodywork with no scoops or aerodynamic add-ons. Must have full interior, only the carpet may be removed. Must run 13" wheels, maximum rim diameter 7". You can use the Improved Production control tyres or Hoosiers.

Thanks very much David for the info, it's greatly appreciated.

There are not too many people who care about the old Mazda Rotaries, which is a shame because they really are good cheap fun.

Originally posted by DAVID PATERSON
.... Must run 13" wheels, maximum rim diameter 7". You can use the Improved Production control tyres or Hoosiers.

I checked all the suppliers, David, after you posted this...

None of them can supply the control tyres in 7" diameter. What can a bloke do about this?

Wayne Rogerson, by the way, was best known for driving his V8 Falcon Sports Sedan in that era...

Gordon Leven and Tyretech both carry the A032-R in 205/60/13. It's a very popular size.

I am of course referring to 13x7 wheels, despite what my typo may have suggested.

It's ok, I knew that you meant 7" in width so I figured a 195/60/13 or 205/60/13 would be the go. I assume that obviously means that you can use alloy wheels of any offset as opposed to the original steel wheels too, as long as the tyres clear the std bodywork.

Rogerson's RX2 at Wakefield Park

Thanks for posting the pic of the RX-2, the car looks pretty sweet. Do you have any other pics of it?

This is the only other I could locate

Thanks for posting the second pic, the car looks really good in that shot.

Yeah Dazz, wheels can be alloy, but they must be of period style, modern billet wheels etc. are out. Offset is free, but you must clear the standard guard, though you can beat the inner lip flat.

Yeah I was thinking of probably Hotwires, Minilite's (copy not originals, worth more than the car probably!) or Rebel's.

I have some BBS lookalikes for a Mazda... 14 x 6 or 14 x 6.5, they are... wire style.. going cheap, even if you only want them for wets...

Do you have any pictures of them, brand? They're not, ummmmm, Performance Delta's or something like that? Might be interested for my other RX-2 road car though if the price is right.

I don't think your allowed to run 14' wheels on the RX-2 though by what I have been told in Group N.

You must run original wheel diameter in Group N, also 14"
tyres are very hard to get atm.

Yeah going to 14" wheels would make tyre clearance a concern as well, definitely no beneift to be gained there.

I've just found out too that a guy I knew years ago is also building an RX-2 for Group N, so it looks like there might be a couple out there soon which I think is great as it adds to the variety.

You Mazda rotary fans might be interested in a book that has just been published in New Zealand. The title is Mazda Rotary Down Under and the author is Chris Denby. He's only printed 1000 copies and I don't know how many he has left but you can contact him at
cjdenby@clear.net.nz

Yes I saw that book advertised a few weeks ago somewhere or another. It looked interesting, although I must admit to prefering to have a flick through a book like that before purchasing it.

It looked to be mainly New Zealand domestic racing by what I saw, not that there is anything wrong with that. Has anyone actually seen the book to see how many of the older cars are in there or if there is any Australian content.

I have a copy of the book and it is purely about New Zealand cars and drivers. The first two chapters are on the principles & develpment of the rotary engine and the production models. Then there are chapters on various race, rally and speedway drivers who used the rotary engines in their cars. I've just started reading it and it seems like a very thorough account of an important part of our motor sport scene.

The wheels are of Japanese origin, I'm fairly sure, and cheap... I need to unload some stuff... can deliver anywhere.

Do you have any pictures of them?

Unfortunately no... they're in Brisbane at the moment and I'm 1200km to the south... I'll be there in a fortnight... should I drag them back with me?

So they are definitely 4x110mm stud pattern with the correct offset to suit Mazda RX-2? What $$$ are you asking for them?