Mazda diesel

[Scooter185]

I didn't mean I expect this program to be doomed to failure every time they go out, but these growing pains happening in GX doesnt look quite as bad as it would in P2.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by Scooter185

I didn't mean I expect this program to be doomed to failure every time they go out, but these growing pains happening in GX doesnt look quite as bad as it would in P2.

I disagree. A failure of an anonymous-looking prototype in ALMS would be much less of a disaster compared to the sight of cars looking like the much-publicised brand new Mazda6 repeatedly stopping on the side of the road in smoke, and being toewed. And all of that in one of biggest races for the American market.

[Scooter185]

Originally Posted by Pandamasque

I disagree. A failure of an anonymous-looking prototype in ALMS would be much less of a disaster compared to the sight of cars looking like the much-publicised brand new Mazda6 repeatedly stopping on the side of the road in smoke, and being toewed. And all of that in one of biggest races for the American market.

As opposed to ALMS races which have a much bigger fan base here and world wide? Plus Dempsey is pretty well known. Either way Patrick is likely better off with his new program, and Mazda looked pretty bad. I hope they improve and refire their p2 program when they got the bugs worked out.

[Pandamasque]

I wasn't talking about Dempsey's programme in particular. Besides ALMS audience is more likely to understand such things and not write Mazda diesels off indiscriminately. But a very casual American fan, who's only sportscar race of the year is Daytona24, might. Didn't Speed's promo vid say something about the race '...at the center of racing'. I assume they expect a large part of the audience not to roll on the floor laughing after hearing something like that. I'm hopeful that the majority of ALMS fans can tolerate teething issues, modest budgets and understand the difference between a tube-framer with a stock block race engine and the road car.

[TF110]

Mazda did their first race and some of their first laps in the race. The car is yet to be released with the diesel! They have plenty of time to amend what you think is terrible publicity, Panda.

[joeb]

The lmp2 skyactiv diesel might not see competition this year but it sure looks pretty good!

http://mobile.zoomzoommag.com/custom...e_gallery2.jpg

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by TF110

Mazda did their first race and some of their first laps in the race. The car is yet to be released with the diesel! They have plenty of time to amend what you think is terrible publicity, Panda.

When was the last debut of a factory backed car/engine, that was both slow and unreliable, and eventually came good? Particularly one done on a budget.

[Mindspin13B]

Dyson needs to GTFO of LMP1 and run this in P2 instead.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by Mindspin13B

Dyson needs to GTFO of LMP1 and run this in P2 instead.

But their interest is the U.S. and there is no one for them to play with in P2 there. Besides, they are no longer building engines for Mazda.

[Maelochs]

That's just a photo of a Lola P2 Mazda has sitting around. It was supposed to be fitted with the P2 diesel of the FanMazda event or whatever on Dec 8, but apparently didn't actually show up there.

Dyson is in a tough situation---they won an engine company but need a commercial partner; they have a flybrid which needs more testing to really perform but they can't afford track testing. They have a dismal record form 2012, which can't help in finding partners, and are almost certain to be third in every race this season.

Then for 2014 ... ? No P1, maybe no P2, maybe no money. And the flybrid will be worthless.

Great team with a long, long history going through some bad times.

[picchiofan]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

When was the last debut of a factory backed car/engine, that was both slow and unreliable, and eventually came good? Particularly one done on a budget.

Lamborgh-?

Aston Mar-er...hmm

Jagu-oops.

Abruuz..ooh.

Yea.

[Jacques Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Mindspin13B

Dyson needs to GTFO of LMP1 and run this in P2 instead.

Dyson owns AER.

Mazda chose SpeedSource to build the LMP2 engine over AER.

If they go to LMP2, it sure as hell wouldn't be with the engine Mazda (with whom they have no association) wouldn't let them build.

Also, I'd never wish any entry out of LMP1 for any reason, personally.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

When was the last debut of a factory backed car/engine, that was both slow and unreliable, and eventually came good? Particularly one done on a budget.

Toyota's LMP1 wasn't reliable, and was slower (in qualifying) than Audi at LeMans. They won 3 of the 6 races they then did. Oh, and they only ran one car- that qualify as 'on a budget'?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by TF110

Toyota's LMP1 wasn't reliable, and was slower (in qualifying) than Audi at LeMans. They won 3 of the 6 races they then did. Oh, and they only ran one car- that qualify as 'on a budget'?

No.

[TF110]

I think 'budget' is debatable. But seems there's a huge difference between TMG and Speedsource.

[Félix]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

When was the last debut of a factory backed car/engine, that was both slow and unreliable, and eventually came good? Particularly one done on a budget.

The Porsche 9R6's first season wasn't glorious. I even remember their first time at Sebring when they were soundly beaten by a privateer who by all accounts generally sucks... I would trust Speedsource on this one, but they might have a shoddy first season.

[TheMightyM]

One impact of the Mazda diesel's problems is that it makes it harder for GA+ALMS to figure out what to do with GX going into the merger. The issue: Can GX reasonably be folded in with the combined GA-GT/ALMS GTC class next year or should it remain separate? Hard to know the answer when the key car in GX is currently both slow and very unreliable.

[TF110]

I don't understand, what's the issue here? It's one race, a brand new car. If it's slow after the whole season and won't last through any races then there's a problem. Until then maybe we should hold off on judging this as a failure and all that jazz. Things take time, and this has the whole year to become something worthy.

[Juarez Jed]

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...821-24k6w.html

The mazda oil burner hasn't had the best customer reviews in the Australian press, so the skyactiv moniker has some credibility issues it seems

[TF110]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130208/ALMS/130209800?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
talks about the Mazda's engine issues and says its an easy fix. The claim it was a 'hot spot on one of the pistons'.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by TF110

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130208/ALMS/130209800?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
talks about the Mazda's engine issues and says its an easy fix. The claim it was a 'hot spot on one of the pistons'.

Did they actually fix the problem already, or will they have the fix by the next round? If they get it working they can still win the gx title if the Caymans don't show.

[TF110]

The Caymans won't show. So it'll be between the two Mazda's.