Competitively specified Mk1 (NA) Mazda MX-5 race car, presented in dark blue with a silver interior
Built to a high standard by renowned Ferrari specialists SMDG Motorsport, featuring a motorsport engine, shimmed differential, polybushed suspension with GAZ dampers and more
Eligible for the BRSCC Clapham North MOT Mazda MX-5 Clubman Championship, the Kent Models Mazda MX-5 Championship, the 750 Motor Club MX-5 Cup, and further series

Introduced in 1989, the Mazda MX-5 marked a return to the pure, lightweight sports car philosophy that had all but disappeared by the late 20th century. Drawing inspiration from classic British roadsters but reinterpreted with Japanese engineering reliability, the Mk1 (NA) MX-5 combined a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout with near-perfect weight distribution, a slick five-speed manual gearbox and simple, robust mechanicals. Its compact dimensions, low kerb weight and wonderfully communicative steering quickly established it as a benchmark for balance and driver engagement.

Celebrated almost universally as one of the finest driver’s cars of its era, the MX-5’s appeal lies in its purity rather than outright performance. The combination of modest power, excellent chassis balance and forgiving handling allows drivers to explore the limits with confidence, rewarding smooth inputs and precision. These qualities have earned the MX-5 enduring praise from journalists, enthusiasts and racing drivers alike, and have made it an ideal platform for both learning and honing driving skills — particularly in a competition environment.

It is this inherent balance and accessibility that has seen the MX-5 become one of the most popular club-level race cars in the UK and beyond. The Mk1 enjoys strong representation in a number of competitive one-make and multi-class championships, most notably the 750 Motor Club MX-5 Championship and the various BRSCC Mazda MX-5 series. These championships are renowned for close, affordable and fiercely competitive racing, further cementing the MX-5’s reputation as a car that delivers pure driving enjoyment in its truest form — equally at home on a circuit, a track day, or the starting grid.

This particular MX-5 was built from a bare shell to 750MC and BRSCC specification by respected Ferrari specialists SMDG Motorsport in circa 2018. Finished in an attractive shade of dark blue with a silver interior, the car boasts a strong and competitive specification, including a motorsport-prepared engine with recent setup and dyno work by NHA, a shimmed differential, polybushed suspension with GAZ adjustable dampers, a sports exhaust system and more.

Alongside their work restoring and maintaining some of Ferrari’s most exclusive models, SMDG Motorsport built and ran a number of MX-5s for customers competing in the BRSCC championship. This particular car was selected to be raced by the team themselves, underlining both the quality of the build and its competitive potential.

Over the past two years, the car has been run and maintained by respected historic specialists Lackford Racing, on behalf of a customer seeking a cost-effective and reliable way to gain valuable seat time, rather than using his FIA-specification MGB. Offered for sale due to a subsequent lack of use and still presenting well, as illustrated by the accompanying photographs, the car is supplied with two spare wheels and a small selection of running spares.

Viewings are available in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

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