I spent one day in Las Vegas, and about four hours walking around the SEMA show floor. Talk to anyone that's attended SEMA before and they'll say that one day walking around is not enough to see everything. After my four hour excursion, I have to completely agree. You need at least a few days walking around the gigantic convention center to see and take the time to appreciate everything that the show has to offer. 

At dinner that evening with a few of the Speedhunters and Team Need for Speed folk, the question of what was their show favorite was asked by me over and over. My personal favorite? This track prepped Mazda 2. I mean, just look at it! Isn't it the cutest, yet most menacing little track car you've ever seen? I'd pinch its cute little cheeks but also fear that it'd bite my hand clean off. 

This car looks like an absolute hoot to drive.

This car features a Mazda designed body kit which includes side skirts, front and rear air dam and a carbon fiber rear deck spoiler. 

If SEMA had a cute butt award, it'd go to this car. 

Being that this is a car built for series racing, the interior has been completely stripped. All creature comforts are extinct and the safety equipment has met SCCA and NASA regulations. The full roll cage was built by the guys at AWR. 

The office area features a Sparco Circuit pro seat, Sparco Steering wheel, Sparco Safety Harness and of course, a fire system. Let's hope the radio and CD player still works so the driver can jam to some amazing tunes while they're going all out wheel to wheel.

What surprised me most about this car is the set of wheels that it runs on. The "6UL" 15×9 wheels are from a small Lake Forest, California based company called 949 Racing. These wheels have become the quintessential track wheel for many different cars including Mazda Miatas and various Hondas because of their size, perfect offset for track use, quality of casting, and of course, an affordable price tag. It's great to see Mazda give back to their community and supporting small companies in this way. 

The 6ULs are wrapped with 225/45/15 Hoosier Race tires and the car features a full race suspension and coil over kit from H&R. 

I was also surprised to see these HID projectors. The showroom Mazda 2s feature Halogen bulbs. 

The exhaust was also upgraded to a race-tuned Magna-Flow system.

Knowing Mazda, the car isn't about outright speed but rather a smile inducing, lightweight racetrack hoon-mobile. So, the important question of the day is: would you? 

I would. 

-Linhbergh