From the legendary skid fest 2004 to the hearts of drift fans worldwide. Whether it’s the AvD Drift Championship, Drift Kings, Drift Masters, Formula D or the Japanese D1 GP, there is probably no other drifter who has managed to establish himself as an icon and brand in this sport.
We are talking about none other than Mad Mike Whiddett. Over 1.3 million followers on Instagram, Red Bull brand ambassador, family man and simply a great guy. We have been working with the likeable New Zealander for over ten years. Sometimes more and sometimes less.
This old Mazda is an affair of the heart for Mike Whiddett. Because this old Mazda Grand Familia, aka Mazda 808 estate, was actually the vehicle that Mike used to take part in the Summer Bash in New Zealand.
He was 22 years young at the time. There are even old videos on Vimeo, YouTube and the like that show the 808 in action and how Mike stole the show with his Mazda all the participant V8s.
Back then, a Wankel engine with a Weber carburettor had already been transplanted from a Mazda RX-3 into the estate. IIn 2005, Mike sold his 1974 Mazda 808 station wagon, nicknamed ‘Fursty,’ and took off in drifting with his RX-7.
Over the years, the old Mazda 808 passed through numerous hands until Mike bought it in 2023 from someone who had restored the estate to its 2004 look. At the beginning of 2024, the Mazda Grand Familia appeared at the Tokyo Auto Salon with a completely revised design.
To do this, the estate was dismantled into its individual parts and IMR Fabrication chopped the body, welded a new transmission tunnel, adapted the frame and modified the entire axle geometry and steering gear. This alone has lowered the body by 150 millimetres.
The entire drivetrain, including the gearbox, steering gear and other components, also had to be adapted accordingly. The Mazda was then shipped to TCP Magic in Japan. There, the numerous other customisations and the engine part were taken care of.
The suspension, for example, was also customised based on ST suspensions and KW suspensions applications. While a KW V4 Racing suspension in upside-down design with external reservoirs provides is installed on the front axle, ST dampers with adjustable rebound are used on the rear axle.
The entire body is reinforced with a welded-in cell and the fenders were modified in the sheet metal and then TRA Kyoto Rocket Bunny wide-body wheel arches. They grew around 180 millimetres in width on each side.
Beneath these, the Rotiform wheels with Toyo R888 semi-slick tyres are almost as wide as they are large. The most impressive feature, however, is the engine installed under the bonnet.
TCP Magic installed an R26B four-chamber Wankel engine. Depending on the setup, the engine delivers up to 700 hp including nitrous oxide injection and is basically based on the racing engine from the Mazda 787B with which Mazda won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991.
Mad Mike Whiddett is currently competing in select drift championships with his Fursty.
Images Mad Mike Motorsport
