Mazdatrix RX-7 with AWR Suspension and Bodywork

“In Group Four, the largest group of the Sprints, which crowned six separate class winners, it was more a test of longevity than speed, especially in E Production, where top-qualifier Tony Rivera couldn’t make it to the end, spinning on the track (after braking hard in order to avoid another car) and smacking a wall during lap seven at the beginning of the front straightaway. Rivera walked away from the accident, but was diagnosed with a slight concussion after being examined by medical personal. It was a disappointing end for Rivera, who had come into the race posting two record-breaking qualifying runs on Friday and Saturday.

With Rivera out, the door swung wide open for the rest of a field that also battered the old track qualifying mark set by Rivera in 2001. Second-qualifier, David Lemon, of Signal Hill, Calif., claimed the win by more than five seconds in his Mazdatrix/Mazdaspeed Mazda RX-7. Lemon broke out early and led start-to-finish to capture the EP Sprints crown. Jon Brakke, of Fargo, N.D., ran his Calibrated Combustion Motorsports Mazda Miata to second place and Ken Kannard, of East Troy, Wis., finished third. Brakke’s brother, Mark, of Coon Rapids, Minn., grabbed fourth.”

The fiberglass E-Production body panels, and the suspension pieces that are installed on this car were all developed by AWR. Installation was done by Mazdatrix. Mazdatrix began racing in E-Production in 1971. After the last year racing in Pro-7, Mazdatrix is returning to it’s roots and has built an E-Production RX-7 convertible. Following, is a photo history of it’s build up, which began 7-21-2000. It’s first event, PIR Jan 17-20, 2003, Mazdatrix took a 1st and a second place finish. Photos and other content provided courtesy of Dave Lemon, of Mazdatrix.

Dave Lemon used AWR’s EP Bodywork on his 2nd gen Mazda RX-7. See the photo below during the build up. Dave’s RX-7 also uses all of AWR’s suspension for the second gen RX-7, including AWR’s suggested valving for his Bilstein shocks and front sway bar. See our PRODUCTS section in the menu above to find parts for yours.The AWR designed and fabricated suspension has paid off helping Dave Lemon to win all but two of his events so far campaigned in this car. Many top RX-7 racers are finding that the best suspension for them is AWR’s. At the June Sprints that Dave Lemon won, the pole sitter, Tony Rivera also uses AWR’s suspension on his RX-7.

AWR’s crossflow radiator keeps Dave’s Mazdatrix built engine cool. AWR makes a large variety of specialized parts for RX-7′s.