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The 1981 Mazda RX-7 associated with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) was the No. 40 Mazda Motul TWR Team entry that won the Spa 24 Hours on 26 July 1981. Pierre Dieudonné and Tom Walkinshaw drove it to victory. It was a distinct entry from Mazda’s RX-7/253 cars at Le Mans that year, which retired from the race.
Which 1981 RX-7 was the TWR race car?
At Spa, the relevant car was No. 40, entered as Mazda Motul TWR Team. The Racing Sports Cars event archive records it as the winner, with Dieudonné and Walkinshaw as its drivers. Pete Lovett appears in the entry listing but is recorded as not having driven. AutoGids also identifies the Spa RX-7 as TWR-built and names Walkinshaw and Dieudonné.
Here, “TWR” describes the car’s team and preparation connection; Walkinshaw was also one of its drivers. The available records do not establish a chassis number or a complete build history, so the name should not be used to infer a particular chassis identity.
How did the Spa entry perform?
The archive records the No. 40 RX-7 as starting second, with a grid time of 2:54, and finishing as the winner of the 24-hour event. It lists Dunlop tires and Mazda and Motul sponsorship. These details identify the recorded entry and result; they do not amount to a complete specification or lap-by-lap race account.
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- Plastic model kit-assembly required
- Glue and paint sold separately
- Manufacturer item #: 24116
What is known about its engine and specification?
Racing Sports Cars records a 1,146 cc, two-rotor rotary engine and a front-engined layout for the winning RX-7. It describes the car’s appearance as white and blue. Those are the event archive’s recorded details, not a comprehensive technical sheet for the exact race car.
Some commercial descriptions give higher-performance figures for a 1981 RX-7 race version, including horsepower, torque, top speed and weight. Those claims are not corroborated by a primary technical source here, so they should not be treated as verified specifications of the Spa-winning No. 40.
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- Detailed model kit in 1:24 scale.
- The high-quality kit from TAMIYA must be assembled by yourself.
- The independent assembly is accompanied by step by step or illustrated assembly instructions (English language not guaranteed). The assembly instructions are included (English language not guaranteed).
- Based on the assembly instructions (English language not guaranteed), the precise individual parts must be assembled. The parts can be painted according to your own ideas.
- Tools, glue and paints are not included with the plastic kit. These must be purchased optionally.
How was it different from Mazda’s 1981 Le Mans RX-7s?
Mazda’s 1981 Le Mans program involved Mazda Auto Tokyo and two RX-7/253 cars modified from the earlier 252i. Mazda’s retrospective says neither car finished, citing differential and transmission problems. Those Le Mans entries were separate from the Mazda Motul TWR Team RX-7 that won at Spa.
| Race entry | Team or program | Car identification | Recorded outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spa 24 Hours, 26 July 1981 | Mazda Motul TWR Team | No. 40 RX-7; 1,146 cc two-rotor rotary listed | Winner; driven by Pierre Dieudonné and Tom Walkinshaw |
| Le Mans, 1981 | Mazda Auto Tokyo | Two RX-7/253 entries, modified from the 252i | Neither finished; Mazda cites differential and transmission problems |
Is the Johnny Lightning model an accurate replica?
A Johnny Lightning 1:64 RX-7 collectible has been reviewed as a Mazda racing tribute, but it is not an accurate replica claim for the Spa-winning TWR car. The reviewed model has Daytona racer markings and later FB bodywork, rather than the documented identity and appearance of the 1981 Spa No. 40. Its current availability has not been established.
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- An import from Aoshima
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- Window frame masking stickers are included
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- Plastic Model Kit-Assembly Required
- Glue and Paint sold separately
- Manufacturer Item #: 24110
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- An import from Aoshima
- Detailed 13B engine
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- Also includes strut tower brace, muffler, special front bumper, water slide decal sheet, and window masking sheet
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