Rotary Runners is a Motorsport team specialising in 13B Wankel Rotary Engines in the UK. The team owns a Mazda Rx8 which has been highly modified to meet Motorsport regulations & competitiveness.
THE CAR
Hover over the yellow circles below to learn more about our race car!
Air Intake
The Air Intake system has been replaced by a high-performance AEM Intake. Placing the filter outside of the engine bay allows colder air to reach the engine, which of course means more bang for your buck! An easy way to increase performance, easy to install too!
Cooling System
The Standard Radiator has been replaced with a 36mm Koyo Rad to improve cooling efficiency. With the engine screaming down the road at 9000 rpm this is one of the most crucial upgrades made to the car. Installed and provided by Essex Rotary it has performed spectacularly from day 1.
Camber Arms
The Front Camber arms have been replaced with JapSpeed parts, giving us with the ability to adjust the car's settings on the go without the need to visit a garage. Powder Coated for protection these Camber arms are the perfect solution for the racer hunting those lap times!
Brake System
Top of the range Drilled & Grooved brake discs and pads from Black Diamond allow the car to dive deep into the brake zones at all the circuits we visit with confidence. The surface modifications help dissipate the immense heat created from slowing down at speed! The car also has rebuilt callipers all around to ensure ultimate efficiency when it comes to slowing things down.
The Engine!
Underneath the hood we have the 1.3 Rotary engine. Rebuilt for motorsport she is in her prime as she screams her way through the corners. Iconic for its unique noise & power output from x2 650cc spinning triangles.
The engine has remained standard, with no bridge porting or further modifications made besides the ignition system (D585) and uprated spark plugs
Safety Equipment
In order to participate in motorsport, the car had internal & external switches installed. These both cut off the electrical component of the car, as well as the fuel.
Should all else fail, the car has a Lifeline Firemarshal system installed to put an end to any fires that may occur during our time on the track. Let's hope we don't need that one anytime soon though eh?
Other improvements include bucket seats, 6-point safety harness and uprated steering wheel.
Roll Cage
The piece of equipment that we hope we never need. The roll cage from custom cages meets all MSV requirements for club racing. With a cross bar to protect the body and several supports running across the roof, it will protect us from the worst of collisions. Let's not find out though.
I've banged my head on this more times than i can count already.
Suspension
Though the OEM suspension is very good, we exchanged them for Coilovers for that race track feel! Firming up the ride and lowering the car produces a sharper response from steering inputs and reduces body roll when cornering. The MaXpeedingRods are an effective way of achieving this, without breaking the bank.
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Wheels
Team Dynamics 18 inch Monza Alloys in Powder Coated white have replaced the standard OEM wheels. Lighter, better looking, they really improve the cars looks and matches the winning blue of the car perfectly. What do you think?
Tyres
with resources so tight and, with no spare wheels, it was important to find a tyre that could meet the challenges of all the conditions we could potentially face. The Nankang NS2R's provide a perfect balance between road & Track performance. They have the grip required to take on the faster corners, while also having the ability to disperse any rain with ease when things get hairy. For a firm ride, the tyres are run at 225/40 R18.
Rear Subframe
With all the power going to the rear, its important to upgrade the subframe for maximum potential. With JapSpeed Arms and links we have the ability to adjust the Camber & Toe of the rear wheels to extract the full potential of the powertrain. An expensive upgrade, but well worth the extra time it can find out on track.
Exhaust system
Using JapSpeed Parts we have replaced the Manifold, Mid-pipe & BackBox to improve efficiency and, of course, the noise!
The Rotary is clearly identifiable as it screams around UK circuits as we are the only Rotary powered car on the grid!
TEAM HISTORY
The team was created by owner & founder Matt as he worked to get onto the grid for the first time. Buying the car in 2014 it required several new components & repairs to ensure the vehicle was both roadworthy and competitive for its first-ever season.
It took Matt 8 years to complete the build, money being the primary reason behind the delays. In 2021 the team was registered to compete in the MSV Trackday Trophy, a novice series perfect for finding one's feet in the daunting world of Motorsport.
The series consisted of 8 rounds, the Rx8 showing up to 6 of 8 to see what she could do. The debut round took place at Brands Hatch GP, highlighting several imperfections in the car which required attention going forward. The largest drawback being the lack of power & tyres.
Stretching the budget the car got treated to some Nankang NS2R's, a 50/50 track/road tyre which suited all conditions and, with these, the car was able to consistently hit top 5 finishes at each round, the front runners running semi-slicks which were just too fast in the corners.
At Silverstone GP, we acquired our first trophy! A 2nd place podium position, with some teams ahead running into trouble and getting penalties. That moment was extremely special for team owner Matt, having worked relentlessly for 8 years straight to achieve that very moment.
From there on, the car was fighting for 4th & 3rd place each and every round, but, sadly, no further podiums or wins would emerge. Still, despite running an extremely tight budget, Rotary Runners were still able to pose a serious problem for the teams despite running inferior tyres and lacking experience and, the largest achievement that season was the knowledge gained for future years.
our first trophy - Silverstone GP 2021
WHAT'S NEXT
2023
In 2023, Rotary Runners will be improving the car front to back to go even faster out on track! During the 2021 season we noticed a few things that were starting to go wrong and 2022 was so hectic we never really had a chance to investigate or rectify them. 2023 though is a whole different story and we will be removing everything from the car, leaving just the shell. We will then address the rust that has slowly been creeping in & give her a nice coat of paint for good measure before upgrading the engine, suspension, injectors & much much more. We hope to be out & testing in Q4 of 2023, ready to race in 2024!
Expect videos, images and more as we continue our journey through motorsport and that elusive 1st place trophy!
List of Upgrades:
- Engine mounts
- Suspension - Adjustable dampening
- Clutch release & pilot bearings
- Rear Wing
- Front Bumper - Fibreglass
- AR1 Tyres
- Brake Lines
- Custom Livery
- Lightweight Pulleys
- Tune ECU
- Weight Reduction
- Engine rebuild
- Full bridge port
- HKS exhaust
- Fuel injectors
- Lightweight Flywheel
2024
- In 2024 the team will enter the Trackday Championship with our new build & begin the long process of fine-tuning the car until its suitable for victories.
- Acquire 2nd Rx8 for customer hire (Track Days & Arrive & Drive seasons)
Future Ambitions
Beyond 2024 and with no specific date yet made:
- Acquire FC RX7 & modify for track use.
- Modify FC RX7 for modern performance, Triple rotor?
- Acquire MX5 to Modify & make available for Arrive & Drive usage
VLOG
Come check out our journey so far by using the videos below.
Don't forget to follow us on social media for regular updates!
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Thank you to
