Not only was the native RX8 transmission swapped for the RX-7's Getrag when the 13B originally went in, but even that was replaced with a Hewland SGT six-speed manual gearbox, upgraded with an Exedy twin-plate clutch and flywheel. Not that Knight Sports can't knock together some impressive hardware itself; the company claims to have made the suspension here, fitting 14kg springs up front and 8kg springs to the rear in an adjustable coilover setup. The front anti-roll bar measures 29mm and its counterpart at the other end is 19mm in diameter. Even the bushings are sourced in-house.

But why mess around with brakes when Brembo already does such a great job? Hook up some stainless steel braided lines from Aeroquip and move on. In front of the anchors are Yokohama Advan RS racing wheels, sized 18x9.5 with a +38mm offset at each corner, dressed in sticky Yokohama R-compound rubber.

Nakamura started work on this car in spring 2009, with a goal of running at Macau the following November. It wasn't just a case of stripping everything out and bolting on choice parts. For example, the front hub assemblies and suspension uprights were deemed not man enough for trackside punishment. So a redesign and bespoke build was called for. After something like $90,000 was spent, it was time to head to the Road Sports Challenge Race in the aforementioned most famous street circuit in Asia. And guess who became the B-class winner. Nakamura tells us he intends to field this car again in 2010, and we're thinking we could make some money on a little wager here . . .

Behind The Build

Hometown.
Tokyo, Japan

Occupation.
Tuners, race prep

Build time.
Approximately nine months

Feedback.
support@knightsports.co.jp

Knight Sports Mazda RX-8

Output: 500 (max.)

Engine 13B-REW; Turbonetics 60-1 trim/0.84 exhaust turbocharger: Knight Sports turbo manifold, radiator, intercooler, piping, rotor-shaped catch can, clear brake and clutch fluid reservoirs, modified intake manifold, "Rotor Tail" turbo-back exhaust; HKS blow-off valve, GT-II wastegate, EVC-5 boost controller, fuel pressure regulator; A'pexi Power FC engine management; Accel 300+ digital ignition; NGK Racing 11.5 spark plugs; SLR manifold, radiator, radiator diversion panels; Samco Sport hoses; Setrab oil cooler; Run Max oil filter relocation; Earl's stainless lines, aluminum fittings; Bosch fuel pump (x2); Arias fuel rail; 550cc/min primary injectors; 850cc/min secondary injectors

Transmission Hewland SGT six-speed gearbox; Exedy twin-plate clutch, flywheel

Suspension Knight Sports coilovers, springs (14kg/mm front, 8kg/mm rear), anti-roll bars (29mm front, 19mm rear), bushings

Wheels 18x9.5 +38mm offset Yokohama Advan RS wheels; 250/660-18 Yokohama Advan competition tires

Brakes Brembo brakes; Aeroquip stainless steel braided lines

Exterior Knight Sports Type II front bumper, front lip, vented hood, side skirts, rear bumper, rear valance, GT wing

Interior Knight Sports bucket seats (front), roll cage, fire suppression system, carbon fiber door panels; Sabelt four-point harnesses; Sparco window netting; Defi Super Sports Cluster-03; A'pexi FC Commander; Nardi Torino steering wheel; Defi gauges; NGK AF boost meter