Mazda FD3S RX-7 - Rando Sports

Race-Bred Tuning
Suspension tuning can be the difference between taking home the checkered flag or going home early. Rando Sports enlised the help of Tanabe Racing Development in search of a second championship title in Gymkhana for 2003. Tanabe sway bars on the front and rear, along with a set of Tanabe Sustec underbraces, provide the stability for tight maneuvering throughout the track. With the chassis spot-welded by Rando Sport engineers, Tanabe Sustec Pro RR suspension rides on all four corners of the FD complete with Tanabe aluminum upper pillar mounts to minimize flex on the car. A custom 6-speed cross transmission and EXEDY "hyper twin plate" clutch system transfer all 403PS to the rear tires. A Tomei "technical torax" LSD provides consistent lockup to keep both tires spinning in the rear end during those heated circuit battles. Rays Volk Racing 17-inch CE28N alloys are called on for the wheels, 8.5 inches wide in front and 9.5 in back. All four rims are wrapped in Dunlop DirezzA02G tires ensure the needed grip on the tarmac. A Wilwood 6-pot brake system, mated to a set of Endless Pads, ensures the car's driver, Hiroshi Yoshioka, is able to stop on a dime. Interestingly enough, the car's side-brake has been modified as a hydraulic system by Cardoc Nakayama along with a Wilwood brake baranser...er, balancer.

The hydraulic system has been a proven factor in enduro racing and is used to enable the car to slide sideways into the turns, similar to drifting. Sliding through the turns keeps the momentum going for the drivers without a loss in speed and RPM. To keep the driver firmly secure in the cockpit, a Rando Sports bucket seat and Takata harnesses are employed. The interior has been fortified with a 10-point roll cage for the purpose of added rigidity, and-god forbid this car should get into an accident-keep the driver safe.

It never ceases to amaze us that Japanese tuners can fabricate an ordinary daily driver into a artistic work of art, combining killer looks and horsepower figures that would impress any circuit or drag racer in the States. What's in store for Rando Sports in the near future? As long as they continue to dominate the Gymkhana circuit, you can be sure you'll be hearing more from this company and its demo cars in the near future. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go brush up on my Japanese language skills.