Mazda RX8 - Tarmac Rally, Circuit, or Road car

I'm listing up my 2005 Mazda RX8 - 6 speed manual for a regretful sale.

This is a fantastic car for fun tarmac rally, circuit, or just drive it on the road. It is still fully road registered (not club etc) and if desired you could return it back to factory spec. I deliberately kept the build modest so future owners could return things to original, or go wild and continue to build.

I would love to keep this car; but the reality is that it sits in the shed all but 7 days a year. I have another RX8 which I daily drive; and I've also got an Audi S4 project which needs my attention.

I purchased this RX8 in 2018 (100% stock) and built it into a hobby tarmac rally car. The RX8 is a very capable chassis, and even with stock power and suspension they run with some of the best out there. In total I have entered this car in 7 Adelaide Rally events, along with 1 Gorge Rallysprint. It has been entered in Challenge multiple times (before the regs changed), Spirit Tour, and I have also participated as a tour leader for a few events.

This car has never let me down and still runs perfectly. Always garaged, no rust or corrosion in the body. Never crashed or even dinged in my ownership.

The suspension is still tight on the car, with no unusual knocks or bangs. No oil leaks that I found when I last had the car on the hoist.

The paint is in good condition; with the exception of some minor stone chips in places. Unfortunately on a black car everything shows up!

Interior is in great condition; AC works, as does both power windows and other features.

The motor always starts - hot, cold, or otherwise. I have never had concerns about the compression or health of this engine. Gearbox also shifts smoothly with no syncro problems at all. API GL-4 fluid has always been as per Mazda spec.

Here is a list of the things I have done to the car:

- AGI bolt in half cage (registered with MA/CAMS, see photo of sticker, not log booked). Only 2 minor notches in trim, and 2 flaps of carpet were cut to fit the cage.

- 2-stroke SOHN adaptor with remote 2-stroke reservoir. This feeds 2-stroke oil into the OMP, rather than engine oil. These are a big improvement for lubrication and longevity of the engines.

- Bennett Built LS1 Ignition coil conversion. Works fantastically compared to the factory units.

- Atkinson Rotary thermal plug delete kit (runs full oil flow to rotors at all times, hot or cold).

- Front main seal replaced in 2019 (only done about 4000km since then).

- Aftermarket rear muffler with single exhaust tip, but sale includes (and I can fit) the factory one if you like.

- I replaced the clutch when I bought the car in 2018. I have always treated it with respect and never launched the car hard. Has plenty of life left with zero shudder or slip etc. Total distance on the clutch is about 6000km.

- Catch can fitted, vent plumbed back into intake.

- Always ran Motul 600 brake fluid, changed yearly.

- Always premixed 200:1 into the fuel tank (150:1 during an event) in addition to the stock OMP.

- Fire extinguisher securely mounted in passenger footwell. Purchased in Nov 2025.

- MA first aid kit, safety triangles, and spill kit all fitted and included in the boot.

- SPARCO Sprint seats fitted to adapter brackets (using factory mounting points on floorpan). No holes drilled. There are no sliders installed on these seats - to adjust requires unbolting. I have the factory seats (minor wear on drivers bolster, but otherwise great condition) which may or may not be included depending on the agreed sale price.

- Full 6 point harnesses fitted to driver and passenger seats (all with MA approved mounts).

- Battery is basically brand new; fitted in Nov 2025. Always disconnected when car is not in use.

- 245/40R18 Nankang AR1's currently fitted. They have about 25% tread left. Good for another event or two.

While this car is great, it does have some unique features you may want to change:

- Alternator has been modified to internally regulated (with new brushes and regulator). The factory externally regulated setup overcharged the battery at high RPM once, and I didn't want to risk it happening again. No wiring has been cut; so you can literally fit a stock unit back into the car with zero changes. The only downside of the internally regulated unit is the ECU triggers the charge warning lamp (on the dash) as it can't communicate with the factory unit. The battery is still charging though.

- Radio doesn't work correctly. It decided to 'pop and crackle' through the speakers randomly; so I unplugged the amplifier in the boot. It needs either a new amplifier or head unit. The central controls for the HVAC still work fine though; as does the clock. Since I don't really drive the car outside of events it never bothered me having it unplugged.

Overall this is a great car looking for a new home where it can be used. If you are looking for a great weekend car which you can also take to tarmac rally, hillclimbs, circuit racing, etc - this is perfect for you!

Will come road registered for the new owner, ready to drive home.