All three Mazda RX8's, entered in this weekends Britcar 24 Hour Endurance Race at Silverstone, came through unscathed to show reliability is key to Mazda's long term success.

The three cars were driven again by an experienced endurance racing driver line-up as well as a team of motoring media racing drivers. Race Car 96 was led by regular Mazda endurance racing driver Mark Ticehurst who was joined by ex-F1 driver and veteran 24 hour endurance racing driver Mike Wilds, Auto Express journalist and experienced racing driver Owen Mildenhall and touring car and sportscar specialist Ian Flux, all of whom drove with Mazda in the 24 hour race last year.

The second Mazda RX8 Race Car 98 was headed by ex-Lotus and Arrows F1 driver Martin Donnelly – for the second year - along with experienced endurance racing driver David Leslie, who raced the famous Mazda 767B to a successful finish at Le Mans in 1990. David and Martin’s combined F1 and Le Mans endurance race car experience complimented our three motoring journalist drivers Andrew Frankel from The Sunday Times Driving section - who competed last year - freelance motoring writer Ben Whitworth and car magazine editor Jason Barlow who both raced with Mazda for the first time this year. The third car, sponsored by the Financial Times, was headed by experienced endurance racer John Griffiths with his team from last year Rachel Green, Richard Chamberlain and Andy Shephard.

The three Mazda RX8s were essentially production cars with only the suspension changed to account for the slick tyres and safety equipment fitted to conform to RACMSA, (Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association), race rules. The rotary engine and gearbox are standard and the same as found on the road-going version.

All three Mazda RX8 race cars were entered by Mazda Motors UK/Guglielmi Motorsport led by Team Director Steve Guglielmi who commented: "The cars which we used in the 24 Hour Britcar Endurance Race are based on the standard, road‑going Mazda RX8 sports coupés. The seats and many interior panels have been removed, and each car has undergone a number of essential safety modifications – including the addition of a roll‑cage, fire extinguisher, race seat and some suspension alterations necessary for racing.

"The revolutionary 1.3-litre, 231 ps RENESIS rotary engine is standard and the only slight modification we have made is to fit a racing gearbox."

Mazda PR Director Graeme Fudge commented: "This 24 hour endurance success further reinforces the reliability and exciting handling of the Mazda RX8 and the rotary engine. To enter three cars in this sort of reliability test and have all three finish is a testament to the quality of the Mazda RX-8 and the dedication and commitment of the whole team."