Video: Rotary BTCC Mazda RX‑7 buzzes at Goodwood

At the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard in 2015 this car, which raced in the British Touring Car Championship back in the early 1980s, was driven up the Goodwood Hill by triple BTCC champion Win Percy. In fact, it was in the screaming RX-7 that Percy won his first two titles, so he is no stranger to its quirks.

Of course the biggest thing to note is that incredible sound, as it does sound incredible both on and off throttle. When Win has his foot down, the little Mazda is transformed into a swarm of furious hornets, angry that they’ve been encased in a little Japanese coupe. When he’s off it, it rumbles and unspent fuel makes its way through the system. What an awesome little car it is. Sadly the director on the Sunday of the Festival decided to cut to something more interesting, and we didn’t see the rest of this run. Even more sadly we can’t go back five years and remonstrate with them for this oversight.

There was no Festival of Speed in 2020, it’s been moved to 2021 due to the restrictions put in place to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. But, we will have a brand new, and one-of-its kind event – Goodwood SpeedWeek presented by Mastercard. This will combine all the best bits of the Festival and Goodwood Revival – and a little sprinkling of Members’ Meeting – into one lovely package and, although there will be no spectators at the event, you will be able to watch the whole thing, for free, right here on GRR. To find out all you need to know, you can click here.