Mazda2 achieves Wall Of Death feat
Japanese car manufacturer Mazda has put the new Mazda2 through the most rigorous of tests after the model was recently driven around a carnival-style Wall Of Death.
Mazda put the machine in the capable hands of a daredevil driver named Dynomyte Dave in order to show what the car is capable of.
Prior to the event, the car was handed over to Kent-based tuning team Jota Sport.
Jota's past work includes developing the race-winning MX-5 GT, which Mazda has entered into the current British GT Championship campaigns.
"[The team's] ace technicians removed the seats and installed a grippy driver’s bucket chair with full race harness. Simon Cotterell, one of Mazda's own technicians, was then on hand at the track to deactivate the Mazda2's sophisticated electronic stability system and dual front airbags," the firm explained.
Dynomyte Dave then managed to gather enough speed and control to guide the Mazda2 around the Demon Drome a number of times before bringing it safely back down.
Built in the US in 1927, the Demon Drome is the oldest Wall Of Death still in operation.
Its illustrious career has seen it take in spells at US raceways, the UK's Pat Collins Funfair and as a crowd pleaser in Skegness in the early 1980s.
Commenting on the feat, Dynomate Dave said: "That was incredible. Just amazing - I'm so stoked.
"It was a bit tricky getting the Mazda up onto the vertical, but once it was there it was rock steady. Great fun. But I don't think I'll be doing it again. Not for a long while."
In other Mazda news, the company revealed earlier this year that it will soon launch a luxury version of its MX-5 sports car.
The MX-5 Venture Edition will feature a number of luxury additions including Havana Brown heated leather seats, alloy pedals, cruise and climate control and air-conditioning.
Posted by Sebastian Turkenburg