Rotary Speed Magazine

Sweet Home Alabama for SpeedSource

It could have been anybody's day in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Porsche 250 on July 20.  For SpeedSource, just getting to the grid was an event in itself. In the practice just before qualifying, the #69 FXDD Mazda RX-8 GT took a hard hit from a DP, breaking both the axle and rear upright. Crew from both cars pitched in to make the repairs and get the car ready for qualifying. SpeedSource #70 Castrol Syntec Mazda RX-8 GT took the pole. Then a technical infraction by another team moved #69 up to start P2, the first time both cars have qualified in the top spots.

Project RX-8 hits the track!

Not even fortnight has passed since we rolled it off the dealer lot and our project RX-8 is already going to hit the track for some introductory Time Attack race action! Still have a few extra miles for break-in to be complete, but the drive down from Seattle to Portland should take care of those. Given that the car is still 100% stock (except for an awesome sticker, good for at least 20 more horsepower) I really don't stand a chance against the "big boys" coming out to play. But putting my neck out there will give a much better sense of what the cars strengths and weaknesses when pushed full-tilt.

If you're in the Portland, Oregon, area this weekend, come on out. The Time Attack is part of the first Mazda Grand Prix of Portland, which also includes the Brewers Festival (mmm beer!), and runs through the weekend (July 25-26). The Time Attack action immediately follows Formula D, with the first car hitting the tarmac at 5pm for the Saturday race (warm-up on Friday starts at 3:45p).

For more event info, go to www.mazdagrandprix.com or visit the official time attack site, here, to see a complete list of entrants.

Stickers Arrived!

The new stickers for Rotary Speed Magazine just arrived and they look great! Each one is high-quality, screen-printed vinyl, sporting the Rotary Speed logo with a rotary-inspired design floating behind it. Looks great on any Mazda! Charter subscribers to Rotary Speed Magazine will automatically receive a sticker along with their first issue. Additional stickers can be purchased through our official online swag and back-issue store: www.carzines.com

2009 RX-8 R3 First Photos

The real test is penciled in for the magazine, but here's a couple of snapshots to whet your appetite for the new 2009 RX-8 R3. In person it looks even better.

2008 RX-8 in the Garage!

I went out and bought a 2008 RX-8 for the magazine yesterday. This is the car you'll see us at events with and it will appear quite frequently in the magazine; either as the victim of a modification or as our ride of choice for a road tripping adventure.

This being the 40th Anniversary Edition it has the special Bilsten suspension package, a performance-oriented crossmember, special 18-inch wheels and a Cosmo-hued interior -- bringing us back to the first Rotary sold around the world (one Cosmo Sport still lives in Jay Leno's Garage.)

More pictures after the jump.

SpeedSource Weathers Mid-Ohio, Wins at Daytona

Mother Nature mixed it up a bit for the recent race in the Rolex Sports Car Series at Mid-Ohio raceway.  Going into the race, the SpeedSource team knew conditions would dictate much of the strategy, but bad weather didn't dampen their ambition for another win for the #70 Castrol Syntec Mazdaspeed RX-8 GT or the #69 FXDD Mazda RX-8 GT. Little did they know, the team would have to wait until the Brumos Porsche 250 at Daytona to collect that trophy.

"We've put a lot of work into the car since Watkins Glen," said team owner Sylvain Tremblay at Mid-Ohio.  "We're anticipating the stormy weather.  We have a good strategy and the Castrol Syntec Mazda RX-8 GT is prepared by one of the hardest-working crews in the series.  These upcoming races are important for our bid for the championship, and we're working nonstop," he added.

"We've put a lot of work into the car since Watkins Glen," said team owner Sylvain Tremblay at Mid-Ohio.  "We're anticipating the stormy weather.  We have a good strategy and the Castrol Syntec Mazda RX-8 GT is prepared by one of the hardest-working crews in the series.  These upcoming races are important for our bid for the championship, and we're working nonstop," he added.

2009 Models Arriving

Though I know our local dealer (here in Redmond, Wash.) has had a pair of 2009s in stock for a few days already, Mazda recently announced that the first shipments of the 2009 RX-8 we're being released on June 4. And, though it hasn't yet been confirmed, there should be at least a handful of the ultra-slick R3 models in the bunch.

All the 2009 cars feature some changes to the RENESIS rotary motor as well as updated styling elements that now makes the first generation RX-8s face appear dated by comparison.

With the new models now hitting the lots, Mazda is offering some big cash and financing incentives to move the older models off the lot: $3500 cash back and 0% financing. Mazda also has a new 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty to assuage any fears on reliability. If you're thinking about an RX-8, now's the time to make a deal.

Read the press release in its entirety after the jump.

Subscription Bonus!

We have a bonus for our first new subscribers to Rotary Speed Magazine -- a free sticker set! These are high-quality, weather resistant vinyl stickers featuring the Rotary Speed Magazine logo. Subscribe now! Free stickers go to the first 1,000 new subscribers!

Stickers will be included along with your first issue of Rotary Speed Magazine in August.

To start your subscription, and get your free stickers, click here.

Coming up in Issue #1 of Rotary Speed Magazine: R-Y-O JDM FD RX-7, First Drive of the 2009 RX8 R3, Project RX8 introduced, Mazda motorsport action, drifting, and more!

Introducing: Rotary Speed Magazine

We love the Mazdaspeed3, think the Mazda6 is a fine car and even dig the Mazda5. But the time has come to bring this magazine into focus.

With our recent launch of the all-Miata title, Forever MX-5, our Miata readership now has a title to call their own. It was time to do the same for our dedicated rotary readers. We're not going to leave non-rotary owners in the total cold, but our piston brethren will have reduced coverage as they'll now be part of a Mazdasport magazine-within-a-magazine section of what is, essentially, an all-new publication: Rotary Speed Magazine.

So, what will Rotary Speed Magazine do for you, the dedicated Mazda RX enthusiast? We'll be covering the hottest rotary-powered cars from all over the world, plus cover modifications, news, and all the motorsport action you can handle.

If you're already a Mazdasport subscriber, you will automatically start receiving Rotary Speed (with Mazdasport now as an insert) in lieu of the traditional Mazdasport Magazine. If you would rather convert your remaining subscription to a new or add-on subscription to Forever MX-5, just send us a request using this form.

I'll be personally stepping into the Editor in Chief role here at Rotary Speed magazine. And, to be completely honest, I'm excited to be taking the reigns of a magazine at the editorial level once again. For the past few years my focus has been on just handling publishing and design of our various titles here. Also, this gives me an excuse to buy a new RX-8, a car I've been dieing to own since I first drove a press sample back in 2004. It's essence was very much the same as my old RX-7 GSL-SE, but with more power and a heck of a lot more in the way of creature comforts. Yes, admittedly, I'm in my mid-30s and  have started to like little things, like power steering.

The first issue of Rotary Speed Magazine will ship in August, but you can place your subscription right now by clicking here. 1-year (4-issues) is only $19.99 or 2-years (8-issues) is only $36.99.