Profile: Racing Beat

Racing Beat History

Through a joint effort with Car and Driver Magazine, Racing Beat supplied and built engines used in a Car and Driver Magazine-sponsored RX-2 which raced in the IMSA R/S Series. This car won two (2) races and finished second in one (1) race, out of five (5) starts. Teamed again with Car and Driver Magazine, Racing Beat-prepared engines boosted the RX-4 production class record from 139.1 to 160.3 MPH on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

In 1977, Racing Beat designed and prepared an RX-3 NHRA spec drag racing car. Driven by Racing Beat co-founder Jim Mederer, this vehicle won the Modified Eliminator class at the NHRA Winter Nationals held at Pomona, CA.

With the introduction of the RX-7, Racing Beat designed and fabricated an RX-7 to attempt a Bonneville Land Speed Record in the summer of 1978. Entered in the E/GT class, and driven by Car and Driver Magazine Editor Don Sherman, this RX-7 boosted the class record from 167 to over184 MPH.

1980’s

The 1979-80 racing season was an ambitious and highly successful season for Racing Beat. Racing Beat prepared two (2) RX-7s to compete in the IMSA GTU series. These cars dominated the GTU class and captured 1st and 2nd place, with a total of eight (8) wins. These victories delivered the IMSA Manufacturer’s Championship Trophy to Mazda Corporation for the first time. IMSA further recognized Racing Beat’s efforts by honoring Jim Mederer as the 1980IMSA Mechanic of the Year.

After being approached by NASA, Racing Beat agreed to develop a series of single-rotor engines. Engineered and developed by Racing Beat, these engines were highly successful, meeting the strict performance criteria of NASA.

Designed to compete in endurance road-race events, the 1983 Racing Beat RX-7 successfully competed in IMSA GTO series. This car captured victories at the 24 Hours of Daytona (1st in class, 3rd overall) and Mosport 6-Hour races. Through the mid-1980s Racing Beat accepted several race engine development projects.

Racing Beat developed and built engines for the BF Goodrich IMSA GTP/Group C classes, Jim Russell Mazda Pro-Series, and the Mickey Thompson Off-Road series. During this same period, Racing Beat constructed a Bonneville Land Speed Record Car based on the newly introduced 1986 RX-7. Driven again by Car and Driver Editor Don Sherman, this RX-7 shattered the existing re c o rd by over 37 MPH! The record run of 238.4 MPH still stands today.

In late 1986, not wanting to wait for a factory RX-7 convertible (not released by Mazda until the 1988 model year), Racing Beat built an RX-7 open-top hot rod-- referred to as the Racing Beat “California Roadster”-- literally from a stock coupe and sheet metal panels. This roadster was featured on the cover of Car and Driver Magazine.

Stretching its designing efforts again, Racing Beat designed and built the 13B Turbo rotary powered “California Haulin” pickup truck based on a 1989 Mazda B2000 Pick Up. This truck was featured in Hot Rod Magazine, Truckin Magazine, and several other automotive publications.