Rally Spec GTR

 

Bear gives this beast the big thumbs up!

Craig Jones owns this immaculate ex-Australian Rally Competition (ARC) Familia GTR and competes in the Victorian Rally Competition (VRC) in class (PRC) Production Rally Car 6. This class requires a 32 mm restrictor to be mounted in front of the factory turbo to reduce maximum top end power, so by running a short close ratio dog box max power can be produced early as 5500 rpm. Craigs GTR has been built to homologation requirements, this meaning when the GTR was produced back in 1992 Mazda released a list of parts that are factory built and bolt on to the GTR and have been approved by the FIA to be allowed to rally with still passing class rules. Subaru, Mitsubishi etc: still produced these parts which include brake calipers, control arms, diffs, driveshafts etc. Listed below are some of the mods and parts on this fine example.

RALLY SPEC GTR:

Engine: standard gtr internals except for a set of cams from Mazda europe and forged pistons. Rules in production rally dont allow major engine work eg: machining, porting, boring. Factory IHI vj23 Rhf 6 turbo with 32 mm restrictor running 17 psi. A EMS ecu is used which is fully programable and allows fuel and ignition mapping. Exhaust is a 3 inch straight off the turbo thru a custom dump pipe and mandrel bends down to a lukey muffler.

Gearbox: Rules in PRC allow ratio s and after market parts to be used. Craigs GTR normally runs an albins dog box which has straight cut gears and closer ratio s. The centre diff and right had drive is the same as the standard box except for the dog gear set. These boxes are stronger and require quicker shifting and precise changing. Currentley this box has been replaced with a Bear Motorsport GTR gearbox with standard gtr internals, new bearings and some centre diff mods, this was replaced at the Rally of Melbourne after the Dog box stripped 3rd gear clean in the first stage of the day and we had to run the second heat on the sunday. Were currentley waiting for the new dog gears and primary shaft that needs to be replaced to be made by Albins in Ballarat who make a dog box for the familia. Before we rebuild the dog box we will have all parts crack tested internally, the outer casing secondary bearing modified, centre diff machined and planetry gears tacted. Extra pre caution has to be taken to ensure all pre loads are correct before the gearbox recieves full rally treatment. These close ratio boxes make the gtr totally different to drive to the standard gtr with factory gear box ratios. Being able to change thru the gears ex ordinarily fast with the short gears your able to keep the car in the max power band thru the forest. Rear diff also has been changed to a mechanical rear which acts more aggresiveley than the standard lsd diff, making the car act more assy on the gas thru corners.

Suspension: All four struts and springs are proflex coil over adjustable suspension with external gas caninsters. Rebound and bump can be adjusted accordingly to conditions as can height. Nolthane bushes improve ride to sway bars front and back with control arms front and back recieving spot weldings to strengthen and restrict twisting. Strut bar front has been installed as has the rear strut brace to improve body roll and turn in abilty at high speed on dirt.

Brakes: Larger front 2 spot calipers and disks stop the front with Rx7 series 4 type rears with ajustable front and rear bias and hydraulic hand brake.

Shell: The full shell has been seam welded to reduce movement and twisting and recieved a full 6 point cage.

Interior: Full custom dash with speed rev and boost guages, terra trip computer to calculate speed, distance travelled and stage positioning. Light weight internal door panels and trims help reduce weight. Recaro evo seat also looks the goods come race day.

Under body Protection includes alloy sump guard, kevlar fuel tank and diff protection plus nolathane rubber rear end drivetrain protection and of course mud flaps.

This example sets a bench mark in the attention to detail and rates as one of the best Familia GTR s going round. If you get a chance next season it ll would be a treat to catch the GTR of Craigs running a few rallies.