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NEWS
B-Spec racing an affordable option
Production class racing gaining ground in the USA with a new category aimed at limiting costsAmerican fans are getting behind a new type of motor racing – one that could also establish a following in Australia, given the chance.
Named 'B-Spec', it's not a racing series as such. As the name hints, it's a specification for racing small, B segment cars against each other. And the formula is simple: limit the power to 100 horses.
We learned of this new type of racing from Mazda's Dean Case, Communications Officer for MAZDASPEED Motorsports during a presentation to Australian journalists at the car company's North American design HQ in Irvine, California.
According to the Mazda spokesman, the formula was developed jointly by Mazda and Honda, but since then other companies have thrown in their lot – including Fiat with its (non-Abarth) 500, Kia with the Rio and Ford with the Fiesta. At least one of those cars – the Rio – has had its power restricted to keep below the 75kW power ceiling. The Mazda2's foe from the Honda side of the fence is the Fit, which we know as the Jazz.
MAZDASPEED can supply American buyers a B-Spec kit to suit the Mazda2 for the reasonable sum of USD $2575. For that the B-Spec racer gets Bilstein dampers, helper springs/spacers, front anti-roll bar end link, adjustable rear anti-roll bar, adjustable camber bolts (front), brake line kits, cat-back exhaust, air filter, oil cooler kit and an idler pulley for air-conditioning delete. To go racing B-Spec drivers will also need to budget for the mandatory safety equipment. Case says that despite the B-Spec Mazda2's lowly output, it's a lot of fun to drive.
And obviously the other cars competing in B-Spec racing rounds are similarly fun.
Case says that he has been approached by entrepreneurs on numerous occasions, offering to run 'the series'. The Mazda exec lets them down gently, explaining that there is no series per se. But both the Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sports Association run their own series based around the formula. It's accessible racing that's beginning to attract real race-goers who enjoy the close-fought contests.
Any chance it could reach Australia? We asked the Public Relations Manager for Mazda Australia, Steve Maciver.
"It's something we've looked at," he replied, acknowledging that it might be a form of motor sport Mazda could support in Australia – something missing from the importer's agenda following the demise of the RX-8.
But as much as Maciver saw the point of the formula in the US, in a small market like Australia the importer would run up against high logistical costs to support the drivers and owners. He didn't rule it out altogether though.
"Let's just wait and see," he concluded.
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Written byKen Gratton
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