MAZSPORT RX-7 GETS A BIG HUFFER

One of New Zealand’s longest-serving import drag cars, the Mazsport FC RX-7, has seen a few different engine combinations over the years, but none as serious as what now sits under the bonnet. The car has undergone a major rebuild over the off season, as owner Brian Connell put together a new 20B block using a Turbosmart centre plate and new-design Precision Engineering three-piece crank. The oiling and cooling systems have also been reworked, along with a full rewire to combat the charging issue the car suffered last season. But it’s the turbo that’s the crazy bit, it’s a 98mm GEN2 Pro Mod item, the latest technology available from Precision in the USA, and a unit that driver and tuner Tony Markovina had sitting at home.

To give you an idea of this turbo’s capability, the 20B made 611kW (819hp) at the wheels with next to no boost. Tony told NZPC, “The car can make as much grunt as anyone else can, but it’s an old chassis and just can’t compete. We are basically using it as a test bed for a future project, aiming to get some reliability,” This car is a piece of import drag-racing history, so the team wants to keep it that way, which is also why he has refitted a stock RX-7 dash and reverted to the old livery . But that’s not to say they aren’t hoping to better the current 7.84 at 286kph PB.