| by Uncle Sha | 22nd Jul 2009 |
Richard Hammond test drives the Mazda MX5 in Ireland, and puts the car to the test with an unusual race against a greyhound at Shelbourne Park. Who will win? Man or dog?
The Mazda MX-5, also known as Miata in North America and Roadster in Japan, is a two-seater roadster sports car built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan – introduced in 1989 and now in its third generation.
With an approximate 50:50 front/rear weight balance, the car has nearly neutral handling. Inducing oversteer is easy and very controllable, thus making the MX-5 a popular choice for amateur and stock racing, including, in the USA, the Sports Car Club of America’s Solo2 autocross and Spec Miata race series.
The 250,000th MX-5 rolled out of the factory on November 9, 1992; the 500,000th, in February 8, 1999; the 750,000th, in March 2004; and the 800,000th in January 2007.
