Famous Toyota and Mazda Racers, JNC Issue 3 Sneak Peek

toyota2000gt_yatabe Time to check in with our friends at Speedhunters, who have had the fortune to see the famous yellow and green Toyota 2000GT land speed record car in person.

If you’ve read Lifelong Pursuit, our profile about Shunichi Kasai’s Toyota 2000GT, you’ll know that in 1966 a prototype 2000GT broke 16 FIA-sanctioned world and international land speed records in a 72-hour endurance run at the now-decomissioned Yatabe test track. Oh, did we mention that it was during a torrential rainstorm?

However, if you’ve read the story about Caroll Shelby’s 2000GT in JNC magazine Issue 1, you’ll know that the car in this photo is not the actual record breaker. It is in fact a replica, built from Shelby’s third SCCA racer, which was shipped back to Japan when the SCCA program ended. Click here to see more of this car’s details and learn about stuff like the hood cutouts.

While we’re on the subject of record-smashing Japanese race cars, how about the 1979 IMSA RX-7 that won the 24 hours of Daytona?mazda_top_secret_garage
This is actually a behind the scenes look at JNC as well as a sneak peek for Issue 3, which will feature this car. In December we had the opportunity to go to Mazda USA’s top secret underground garage, which was full of old goodies like this. Antonio was helping us with the photo shoot (thanks again!) so Dan and I got roped into pushing the iconic machine out of what looks like another room but is actually Mazda’s giant freight elevator. Ha, we left our grubby paw prints all over it! Here’s Antonio’s take on it.

We can’t wait to show you the rest of our photos when Issue 3 comes out!

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8 Responses to Famous Toyota and Mazda Racers, JNC Issue 3 Sneak Peek

  1. J.Ramirez (zetozeto99) says:

    Rubbing elbows with Jay Leno? Pushing out IMSA champion cars from their garages? LUCKKKKKKKKKKY! 😉

    Can’t wait for issue 3!

  2. Sr-FairladyZ says:

    WOOOOOOoo!! HOOOOooooo!!11!… *Cough* I mean, this is very relevant information. Thank you. 🙂

  3. TSiSS350 says:

    Nice! I saw that rx7 in person at Road Atlanta. Looking forward to the mag!

  4. Dan says:

    Thanks again Antonio!

  5. Mr.L.J. Nordvik says:

    I wait in breathless anticipation!

  6. Ben says:

    Breathless? We are not responsible for any medical complications you may encounter 🙂

  7. I purchased a subscription at the Motoring J Style show and have yet to receive anything. Will I ever get the magazine?

  8. Ben says:

    My apologies Lance. We have had some delivery issues but I will follow up with an email to double check your address.

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