Can a 1994 racing car measure up to a 2017 sports car? The Ferrari 412 T1 from 1994 is valued at a whopping $1,800,000 today, this makes it approximately a hundred times more expensive than the Mazda RT24-P from 2017.
These two vehicles, despite being decades apart, can go head-to-head due to the impressive innovations done by Ferrari and Mazda. They were built to be champions and endurance machines. They both feature a carbon fiber-enforced body with a streamlined design for better aerodynamics.
SHORT INTRODUCTION
Ferrari 412 T1
The Ferrari 412 T1 is famous for participating in the 1994 Formula One World Championship. Developed by Gustav Brunner, the Ferrari 412 T1 was designed and continuously modified by John Barnard. As matter of fact, the 412 T1 was redesigned and modified over time that its name had to be changed to 412 T1B.
The first engine used in the system was a 3.5-liter V12 65-degree Ferrari E4A-94 Tipo 041 engine. Later on, in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, the Tipo 043 debuted with a wider 75-degree vee-angle. Ferrari chose to adopt the Tipo 043 engine design in the 412 T1 to give it more power.
The Tipo 043 was such a great engine characterized by its huge power output of 750-850 horsepower. Another great feature of the engine was the distinct noise it made. Any well knowledgeable vehicle enthusiast will be able to tell this engine amid a busy road.
Even though the 412 T1 was a great car, it did not win a lot of races till the last quarter of 1994. After taking a long break from the Grand Prix competitions, Ferrari returned in 1994 with Gerhard Berger as the driver. Berger was able to win the 1994 German Grand Prix, giving the car its first and only win.
Mazda RT24-P
Also known as the Mazda Road to 24-Prototype, the Mazda RT24-P is a 2017 sports racing car made by Mazda Motorsports. The design and entire project concept of the car were borrowed from the infamous and well-performing beast, Riley-Multimatic Mk, 30 from 2017.
Despite the production number not being known, the Mazda RT24-P is set to go onto customer sales for the general public to be able to buy it. However, such concrete plans have not been seen to fruition yet, leaving this impressive performer to be the stuff of legends.
The RT24-P is a Daytona Prototype International made to comply with the 2017 IMSA Dpi regulations. It is allowed to participate in the Daytona Prototype International (Dpi) category in the WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.
Construction started in 2016 with various design changes to the chassis, almost the entire form was redesigned in this period. Several updates were made during this period till 2017 with inclusions of Periscope exhausts and cooling updates.
The 2017 season-opening 24 hours of Daytona marked its first race. It managed to gunner position 9 and 10. The race was disappointing and challenging for Mazda, the car retired at one point just four hours from the end of the match. In another instance, the vehicle became engulfed in flames in the pitlane, something that was caused by an oil fire.A few improvements were made to make it perform better at the 2017 12 hours of Sebring. Which it did, the vehicle was able to rank at positions eight and ten. Regardless of the improvements, the Mazda Rt24-P still needed several repairs during the race. It wasted so much time in the pitlane, making
SPECIFICATION TABLE
| Ferrari 412 T1 | Mazda RT24-P | |
| Production year | 1994 | 2017 |
| Curb weight | 1,113 pounds/ 505 kg | 930 kg / 2050 pounds |
| Engine | 3.5-litre V12 65-degree Ferrari E4A-94 Tipo 041 engine 3.5-litre V12 75-degree Ferrari E4A-94 Tipo 043 engine | 2.0-liter Inline-four turbocharged Mazda MZ-T engine |
| Valvetrain | Chain driven DOHC, four valves per cylinder | Chain-driven DOHC, four valves per cylinder |
| Engine capacity | 3498 cc / 213.5 cu in | 1997.6 cc |
| Fuel capacity | 15.9 US gallons / 60.19 liters | 19.8 US gallons / 75 liters |
| Bore | 90 mm / 3.54 inches | 3.54 inches/ 90 mm |
| Stroke | 45.8 mm / 1.8 inches | 3.1 inches/ 78.5 mm |
| Compression ratio | 12.8:1 | 9.0:1 |
| Maximum Power | 750 – 850 hp / 551 kW at 15300 rpm | 600 hp / 447.42 kW at 6200 rpm |
| Body frame | Chassis made out of carbon-fiber and honeycomb composite structure | Chassis made out of carbo fiber monocoque |
| Front tires | Goodyear BBS 13” | 320/680/R18 |
| Rear tires | Goodyear GBBS 13” | 325/710/R18 |
| Front brakes | Carbon-carbon composite discs | Hitco carbo disc and pads with Brembo calipers |
| Rear brakes | Carbon-carbon composite discs | Hitco carbo disc and pads with Brembo calipers |
| Suspension | Front: Independent pushrod with torsion rod springs, telescopic absorbers and twin wishbones. Rear:Independent pushrod with torsion rod springs, telescopic absorbers and twin wishbones. | Front: Independent double A arms, Multimatic DSSV dampers Rear: Independent double A arms, Multimatic DSSV dampers |
| Transmission | Six-speed sequential semi-automatic transverse transmission, rear-wheel drive with electronic control | Xtrac, six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters |
| Maximum speed | 115 mph / 185 kph | 200 mph / 321.86 kph |
Experience Comparison
The driving experience in the Ferrari 412 T1 was affected by the change in regulations during the 194 Grand Prix competition season. Elements such as traction, active ride suspension, launch control, and ABS were prohibited causing a huge demand for innovation.
The design changes affected the braking system and suspension mostly leaving major critical parts uninterrupted. Riding the car was as exhilarating as any Formula One car would be. The cockpit did get annoyingly warm, but this was counterbalanced by the massive amounts of water the drivers drank.
The Mazda RT24-P on the other hand faced major traction issues. The race car drifted from the track a couple of times and also got caught on fire due to an oil fire. A few structural issues befell the RT24-P, at one point a plastic component broke off and got stuck in the air intake.
The rear wing assembly was also known to malfunction and get loose at high speeds. Moreover, the Mazda RT24-P experienced clutch and transmission system-related problems after six hours on most tracks.
These two models were not the best performers in their years, they were just average performers with acceptable driving experiences. The Ferrari won only one race while the Mazda RT24-P has not yet won first place in any competition due to intense pressure from the likes of Cadillac Dpi-V. R.
Suspension Design Comparison
The Ferrari 412 T1 came with the same suspension on the rear as the front. It included an independent pushrod with torsion rod springs, telescopic absorbers, and twin wishbones. This design lacked a few features from prior suspension systems such as the active ride suspension which affected its efficiency.
Mazda RT24-P pushes the efficiency of its suspension up a notch by using independent double A-arms and Multimatic DSSV dampers. This is the same suspension system for the rear and front.
Aerodynamics Comparison
Mazda designers are said to have utilized the ‘Kodo-soul of motion’ design philosophy to create the sleek design of the RT24-P. The design philosophy echoes the instant transformation of energy to motion. The design is pronounced by the body contours and a Mazda’s five-point grille.
The company worked with multimatic’s aerodynamic engineering team to create a dynamic, aerodynamic, and yet purpose-driven look. The overall aesthetics are bewildering and can right away be identified as a non-street-legal car.
Its design is comparable to that of the Ferrari 412 T1 due to the use of carbo-fiber on both of their chassis. The 412 T1 is more streamlined with its sleek rounded nosecone that also aids its aerodynamics. The Ferrari also comes with sculptured sidepods and wings which were continuously redesigned throughout its use.
Engine Comparison
During its first production stages, tests, and races, the Ferrari 412 T1 used a 3.5-liter V12 Ferrari E4A-94 Tipo 041 engine. The Tipo 041 had a vee-angle of 65 degrees and could produce a maximum power of 750 horsepower.
The amount of power produced increased when Mazda opted to upgrade the engine from a Tipo 041 to a Tipo 043. The Tipo 043 was designed by Claudio Lombardi and Osamu Goto to have a larger vee-angle of 75 degrees instead of 65 degrees.
The Tipo 043 also had a shorter stroke that added to its efficiency and power production. By the end of 1994, the model had boasted an astounding maximum power of 850 horsepower with its new engine design.
Ferrari 412 T1 has a bigger engine than Mazda Rt24-P which has a 2.0-liter Inline-four turbocharged Mazda MZ-T engine. The turbocharger did make the Mazda’s engine powerful, but not as powerful as the 412 T1. It was only capable of producing 600 horsepower at 6,200 rpm compared to the 850 horsepower at 15,300 rpm for the Ferrari.
The engine capacity of the 412 T1 is 3498 cc, a bigger engine size than the 1997.6 cc on Mazda. Mazda on the other hand has more fuel capacity and features the highest top speed of the two at 200 mph. The speed difference can be attributed to the weight of the cars, their aerodynamics, and fuel efficiency.
Transmission Comparison
The transmission system used in the 412 T1 is a six-speed sequential semi-automatic transverse transmission, rear-wheel drive with electronic control. It was a reliable transmission system that proved the car’s competitiveness throughout the seasons. Mazda opted for an Xtrac, six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters.
Since they are both racing cars, there were problems with the semi-automatic transmissions that led to clutches breaking and vehicles losing traction. The high speeds and revolutions required the companies to continuously replace parts that could break at any given race.
Conclusion
None of these vehicles are street-legal. But unlike the Mazda RT24-P, the 412 T1 can be commercially purchased by collectors and race car enthusiasts. One of the thirteen 412 T1s to be made went on sale for an incredible $1,800,000.
Mazda is making plans to avail the Rt24-P to the masses, but the official details have not been finalized yet. For anyone who may be interested in getting one, you will have to keep up with Mazda news reports to get notified when one is available.