Mazda3 MPS To Rally At Targa Tasmania

Mazda Motorsport Australia is using the hot hatch Mazdaspeed3 (called Mazda3 MPS there)at the tarmac-based rally known as the Targa Tasmania. This will be the eighth race for Mazda and the second for the MPS rally car. The MPS develops 255 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with power transferred to the road via a standard six-speed manual transmission. It weighs 3,093 pounds and uses 320mm (12.6 inch) ventilated brakes in front and 280mm (11.0 inch) solid discs in the rear.

Built under the watchful eye of Mazda Motorsport chief Allan Horsley, the 190kW Mazda3 MPS front-wheel-drive hot hatches will contest the event's 2WD Showroom competition, travelling 2000km over five gruelling days of competition. Targa Tasmania's racing regulations require that the Mazda 3 MPS rally car remain essentially standard. That means both cars are competing with standard audio equipment, power windows and carpets and upholstery intact. This makes it a bit more comfortable for Alister McRae and his co-driver.

necessary safety equipment fitted on the Mazda includs a PCD roll cage, racing seats, five-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher, but the performance modifications are kept to a minimum. The MPS is equipped with upgraded springs and struts, brake pads, a new steering wheel, navigation equipment, cat-back exhaust (cats are still fitted), some additional ducting to cool off the brakes and a revised ECU. Among the competitors in the "Showroom 2WD" class are a Mazda 3 diesel, a Peugeot 206 GTi 180, a Fiat Punto Sport and a Toyota TRD Aurion.

Mazdaspeed3 (Mazda3 MPS) Photo Gallery