[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-releases\/motorsport\/mazda-2017-imsa-racer\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-releases\/motorsport\/mazda-2017-imsa-racer\/","headline":"Mazda 2017 IMSA racer","name":"Mazda 2017 IMSA racer","description":"There just seems to be no stopping Mazda right now. After the recent arrival of the fourth-generation MX-5 roadster and with a new CX-5 SUV on the way, their current car range is pretty much flawless (seriously, look at their offering right now and point out a weak model). It looks like they\u2019re going to be doing the business on the track too, as this – their new IMSA championship racer – suggests. This is the Mazda RT24-P, a prototype […]","datePublished":"2016-11-18","dateModified":"2018-12-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/feature-22.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/feature-22.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-releases\/motorsport\/mazda-2017-imsa-racer\/","about":["Mazda","MOTORSPORT","TRACK DAYS"],"wordCount":358,"keywords":["IMSA Championship","LA motor show","mazda","Mazda CX-5","Mazda MX-5","Mazda RT24-P","motorsport"],"articleBody":"There just seems to be no stopping Mazda right now. After the recent arrival of the fourth-generation MX-5 roadster and with a new CX-5 SUV on the way, their current car range is pretty much flawless (seriously, look at their offering right now and point out a weak model).It looks like they\u2019re going to be doing the business on the track too, as this – their new IMSA championship racer – suggests.This is the Mazda RT24-P, a prototype racing car that will compete full-time in the International Motor Sports Association\u2019s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Prototype class from January.Revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the car uses a 591bhp two-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine called MZ-2.0T, and sits on a Riley\/Multimatic prototype chassis with specially-designed Mazda bodywork.And that\u2019s one of the crazy things about it: the bodywork incorporates Mazda\u2019s \u2018Kodo – Soul of Motion\u2019 design language so successfully that it is instantly recognisable as a Mazda, whilst remaining an undeniable track-only race car.That\u2019s because the exterior includes body contours, a five-point Mazda grille and that luscious Soul Red colour which graces every new car Mazda reveal.\u201cThis car is nothing short of breathtaking,\u201d said IMSA president Scott Atherton. \u201cIt represents a benchmark example of the vision we have for how manufacturers incorporate their production car design elements into a prototype race car.\u201dAerodynamic performance and the new technical regulations for 2017 were at the forefront when Mazda Design Americas were devising the race car\u2019s design, revealed Mazda\u2019s design senior manager Ken Saward.\u201cWorking with Multimatic\u2019s aerodynamicist and engineers, we discovered that applying the Kodo design philosophy to the surfaces and the silhouette of the car enabled us to create a dynamic, purposeful-looking design and a very aerodynamically efficient one,\u201d he added.On-track testing will begin before December in preparation for the 2017 WeatherTech Championship season, which kicks off on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th January with the 55th Rolex 24 at Daytona.\u201cWe believe we have the right team, the right drivers and the right chassis to win races and championships,\u201d concluded John Doonan, director of Mazda Motorsports North America."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Latest News","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"New Releases","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/new-releases\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Motorsport","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/\/new-releases\/\/motorsport\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Mazda 2017 IMSA racer","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/latest-news\/new-releases\/motorsport\/mazda-2017-imsa-racer\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]