Mazda donated a stock MX-5 to Mission Motorsport to modify it for the Race of Remembrance, and this is the result.
The Mission Motorsport team and charity organization provides ex-military personnel the opportunity to put their engineering and driving skills to the test in a very competitive environment, by supplying them with rehabilitation, support and training. In fact, this gorgeous looking MX-5 art car was conceived, designed, built and wrapped entirely by Mission Motorsport wounded soldiers.
The 1.5-litre model features a poppy-themed design, honoring the sacrifices made by service personnel and their families, whilst the 101 decal commemorates the 101st anniversary of the First World War.
The Mazda will be put through its paces and also make its U.K. racing debut at the Race of Remembrance – an event that takes place at the Anglesey circuit in North Wales – which this year will see racers and teams competing around the demanding track for 1000 km, as Mission Motorsport charity CEO, James Cameron explains:
“Mazda’s support of this fantastic event is incredible. Race of Remembrance has fast become an institution – and we are very excited to be building the first 1.5 Mk4 MX-5 racecar in the UK, which will debut in the race, driven by two Mission Motorsport beneficiaries. The inaugural Race of Remembrance last year was a transformational event both on and off track for the servicemen and veterans involved. For some, it was truly life changing, leading to training opportunities, and full time employment.”
“Since the inception of the charity in 2011, servicemen and women recovering from the effect of war have benefitted from Mazda’s support. Mazda UK understand the impact that sport can have in rebuilding shattered lives, and Mazda’s headline sponsorship of this great event – for the second year in a row – is hugely appreciated. Thanks to our sponsors, our team this year will include 10 racers on the grid, and more than 40 in the pits and behind the scenes.”
Unfortunately, details on the MX-5’s performance are scarce, but we can see that besides the visual enhancements, the car received some structural upgrades, such as a mandatory roll-cage, a sport suspension, and new wheels. One thing is for sure, this tweaked Mazda looks better than many tuning projects.