1994 Artnature Mazda RX-7 GTO IMSA GTS, 24 Hours of Le Mans
Third and main reason: the iconic FC3S-based RX-7 GTO, which competed in IMSA GT a short time between 1990-1991, was responsible for bring back the louder rotary layout engine to the classic French endurance race, in 1994.
This is basically the same IMSA chassis 001. With the decadence of “3.5L NA regs” for Group C cars after 1993, ACO (Le Mans organizer) decided to introduce a new class for sports prototypes (between LMP1, LMP2 and WSC) and to allow GT classes for the classic 24 hours race. For a short time, they also allowed the IMSA GTS class to compete in that edition - and it was on this class the RX-7 GTO saw a new light.
The chassis was entered by japanese Team Artnature for the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans, with half-factory support coming from Mazdaspeed, but nothing like Group C days. The IMSA GTS class for Le Mans was joined by the RX-7 GTO and its long-dated rival from US: the Cunningham Racing’s built 300ZX-GTS Turbo, with two chassis.
Driven by ex-Mazda’s Group C factory driver - and legend - Yojiro Terada and French duo Franck Fréon and Pierre de Thoisy, the RX-7 GTO was defeated by its rival at Le Mans, but the rotary screamer finished 15th overall, from 22 cars which saw the checked flag.
But that wasn’t the last run for the rotary wide boi. The same chassis was seen at Suzuka that same year, for the classics 1000km race, valid for the BPR Global GT Series between 1994-1996.
The car returned to US and was restored like it was new again. Since 2011, the car is seen in several historic events - and a curious fact is that Mazda USA combined both chassis made (001 and 002, right there in picture) in one. So yes, the car seen since 2011 in historic events with the white and blue IMSA livery is the same of this one. Mazda USA changes its livery every time depending of the event scheduled. It’s now kept at Mazda North America.
Latest Version of Custom Shaders Patch is required for proper working of the car's materials and other related stuff.
@JapaneseRacingCars on Facebook
Also read this story
https://japanesenostalgiccar.com/motorsport-mazda-fc3s-rx-7-artnature-le-mans/
****
0.99 (candidate)
updated to match real specs by GTS as IMSA addon for big FIA GT mega pack
* for personal use
1.0 27.12.2022
more real. reworked physics
Third and main reason: the iconic FC3S-based RX-7 GTO, which competed in IMSA GT a short time between 1990-1991, was responsible for bring back the louder rotary layout engine to the classic French endurance race, in 1994.
This is basically the same IMSA chassis 001. With the decadence of “3.5L NA regs” for Group C cars after 1993, ACO (Le Mans organizer) decided to introduce a new class for sports prototypes (between LMP1, LMP2 and WSC) and to allow GT classes for the classic 24 hours race. For a short time, they also allowed the IMSA GTS class to compete in that edition - and it was on this class the RX-7 GTO saw a new light.
The chassis was entered by japanese Team Artnature for the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans, with half-factory support coming from Mazdaspeed, but nothing like Group C days. The IMSA GTS class for Le Mans was joined by the RX-7 GTO and its long-dated rival from US: the Cunningham Racing’s built 300ZX-GTS Turbo, with two chassis.
Driven by ex-Mazda’s Group C factory driver - and legend - Yojiro Terada and French duo Franck Fréon and Pierre de Thoisy, the RX-7 GTO was defeated by its rival at Le Mans, but the rotary screamer finished 15th overall, from 22 cars which saw the checked flag.
But that wasn’t the last run for the rotary wide boi. The same chassis was seen at Suzuka that same year, for the classics 1000km race, valid for the BPR Global GT Series between 1994-1996.
The car returned to US and was restored like it was new again. Since 2011, the car is seen in several historic events - and a curious fact is that Mazda USA combined both chassis made (001 and 002, right there in picture) in one. So yes, the car seen since 2011 in historic events with the white and blue IMSA livery is the same of this one. Mazda USA changes its livery every time depending of the event scheduled. It’s now kept at Mazda North America.
Latest Version of Custom Shaders Patch is required for proper working of the car's materials and other related stuff.
@JapaneseRacingCars on Facebook
Also read this story
https://japanesenostalgiccar.com/motorsport-mazda-fc3s-rx-7-artnature-le-mans/
****
0.99 (candidate)
updated to match real specs by GTS as IMSA addon for big FIA GT mega pack
* for personal use
1.0 27.12.2022
more real. reworked physics
