Mazda to Race SKYACTIV-D Diesel Engines at 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans

Mazda Motorsports today announced that it will sell racing versions of its new SKYACTIV-D CLEAN DIESEL engines to teams competing in the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class of racing's greatest endurance challenge – the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans.

As part of Mazda’s expanding global motorsports activity, Mazda Motorsports is developing a version of the race-tuned new 2.2-liter SKYACTIV-D diesel engine for teams contesting the new Advanced Technology GX Class of the 2013 GRAND-AM championship.

The SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engines are being developed jointly by Mazda Motor Corporation, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) and SpeedSource Race Engineering.  Dyno testing has already begun and on-track testing begins in late 2012.

The engines will be stock-block Mazda SKYACTIV-D 2.2-liter diesel four-cylinder, dual-stage turbocharged powerplants.  According to John Doonan, MNAO's Director of Mazda Motorsports, the engines "will deliver outstanding performance and fuel economy coupled with the kind of quality, durability and reliability needed to produce great street cars and win endurance races."

Dempsey Racing planning to be first SKYACTIV-D customer
Currently, Dempsey Racing (co-owned by racer/actor Patrick Dempsey) is making preparations to become the first team to use Mazda’s SKYACTIV-D racing powerplant in LMP2 next year.

Patrick and his business partner/co-driver Joe Foster have both competed at the Le Mans 24 Hours in the GT category, and are eager to return in 2013 contesting the LMP2 class with Mazda clean diesel-power.  The team expanded its operations this year to include running in the American Le Mans Series, competing in both the Prototype Challenge (LMPC) and Prototype 2 (LMP2) classes as they prepare for their 2013 Le Mans effort.

“Our long-term partnership with Mazda has been fantastic, and we look forward to mutual success as we prepare for 2013,” comments Patrick Dempsey.  “We are already focused on that preparation which is why we are currently testing our LMP2 car in the US in preparation for the next ALMS event.  Our team and partners are excited to be associated with SKYACTIV-D technology and the cutting-edge green technology it represents."