By Drew Dowdell
Managing Editor - CheersandGears.com
July 26th, 2013
Mazda is bringing the first diesel to compete at Indy in over 60 years and the first ever to compete in the Brickyard 400 race established in 1994. The last time a diesel powered race car ran on the Indy speedway was when a Cummins Diesel Special ran in 1952.
Mazda will be razing a Mazda6 Skyactiv-D Clean Diesel with an engine over 51% stock. The engine is a 2.2 liter, direct injected turbo-diesel producing 400 horsepower @ 5000 rpm and 445 lb-ft of torque at 3600rpm. Mazda is counting on the fuel efficiency of diesel technology to result in less need to pit and refuel the car.
It appears to be working. In an impressive season start, Mazda is behind lead manufacture Porsche by 1 point after 4 wins in 7 out of 12 races.
Update: The Mazda6 Diesel is the first diesel to win a race at the Indy Speedway on Saturday. Mazda's #70 car took the lead with 47 laps remaining and held that position till the checkered flag waved. Mazda now leads Porsche in the GX class.
Source: Mazda Media
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