Honda, Mazda Create New Subcompact Racing Series

Here’s a recipe for motorsports success: take some of the most popular cars on the planet, and here’s the crucial part: turn them into race cars. An idea as old as motor racing itself, it’s an idea that’s led to the popularity of everything from Trans Am to NASCAR (in its early days, at least) to Australian V8 supercars. But sadly, it’s not that common amongst the larger, more heavily backed series’ nowadays.

So, it’s quite exciting that, with the goal of providing close racing in affordable cars from a variety of manufacturers, Honda and Mazda have jointly announced the formation of "B-Spec" Showroom Stock racing. Honda Performance Development, the racing arm of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; and Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development, the performance division of Mazda North American Operations, unveiled their entries for the proposed new low-cost B-Spec last week, developed from the Mazda2 and Honda Fit. Both cars will be on display at the annual Performance Racing Industry trade show in front of 40,000 racing insiders.

B-Spec refers to all cars meeting a common set of rules that can be adopted by any race circuit or sanctioning organization. Together, Honda and Mazda solicited an independent body to develop a set of vehicle specifications that will be available for all to use – the motorsports equivalent of "freeware." The final rules should be ready for release within two months.

One of the fastest-growing segments of the automobile business, B-segment cars are among the most affordable, and enjoy great support from younger demographics. In addition to the Mazda2 and the Honda Fit, the category includes the Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris.

Two prototypes for the class – a Mazdaspeed-run Mazda2 and a Honda Fit, prepared and entered by Team Honda Research-West – debuted at last weekend's 25 Hours of Thunderhill season-ending NASA endurance racing contest in Willows, CA.

Designed to be an entry-level category, B-Spec cars will feature showroom stock racing cars utilizing stock engines and chassis, fitted with a competition roll cage, racing seat and other safety equipment; and manufacturer-approved suspension components, tires and wheels. Weight distribution will be used to balance performance among competing manufacturers.

The manufacturers will use an independent third party to homologate competing cars and provide equalized specifications to any interested sanctioning bodies or race tracks. A racer who builds a B-Spec car will be able to race the same car across multiple sanctioning bodies by simply changing the sanctioning-body decals. Only homologated OEM models will be eligible within the rules.