Mazda LMP2 SkyActiv-D racecars testing for 24 Hours of Daytona

Mazda USA, along with their official racing team Speed Source, recently tested their Mazda LMP2 SkyActiv-D racecars in preparation for the 24 Hours of Daytona on January 24-25, 2015.

The 2015 season marks the return of two Mazda prototypes as last year's debut season was a struggle for the racing team due to car problems such as lack of power and exhaust heat buildup. Speed Source then spent the last three months making improvements to the car's components like an updated cylinder head and a better cooling system. The team did not further elaborate on what they did to the engine, but they did say that the 2.2-liter SkyActiv-D turbo-diesel engines now produce 50 PS more than last year's output rating and still uses parts from the company's production cars.

Driving protype car #70 were Speed Source team owner and driver Sylvain Tremblay, young racing driver Tristan Nunez and American Le Mans Series driver Jonathan Bomarito. Assigned to prototype car #07 were Joel Miller, Dempsey Racing driver Tom Long and Dyson Racing driver Ben Devlin.

Sylvain Tremblay was pleased with the results after three days of testing were finally complete.

"It was a great last session. Just really pleased with all of the changes and all of the hard work that the guys put into the car up to that point. I had a job to basically get more envelope for the car through some really fantastic changes that the guys came up with with the engineers and all of the chassis sim work that they do. We were able to find something that was big. Very comfortable car, lots of envelope, comfortable enough that if they had the race this evening, I’d be ready to start with it. Great piece, super happy," said Tremblay.