With 1000hp, 1000kg and a 91-inch long wheelbase, Mad Mike’s RADBUL Mazda MX-5 is going to be an absolute weapon. That build is coming along very nicely, and I’m going to be back with another update on progress in few weeks time. Of course, it’s not the only project our crazy Kiwi driver has on the go though…
Late last year Mike posted up Miura-san’s digital renderings of the Rocket Bunny TRA-Kyoto 6666 Mad Mike FD3S RX-7 body kit he had hand in designing. Using Rocket Bunny DNA, the idea was to move away from the bubble-fendered and big lipped kit that has provided MADBUL with its identity for the past seven years, and give the RX-7 a fresh new retro-inspired look that’s not only super-aggressive; but works more cohesively with the Mazda’s original lines.
In Mike’s eyes Miura-san absolutely nailed the vision, and considering the overwhelmingly positive feedback given to those original design concepts, you guys obviously thought so too! It might have just been a virtual dream then, but eight months on the MM x Miura Rocket Bunny FD3S kit has become a reality.
No one, of course, is more happier about that than Mike, so when a delivery truck pulled up to is workshop on Tuesday with a big brown box from Kyoto on board, he wasted no time getting stuck in to fitting the prototype parts that were stacked inside. And when I say ‘no time’, I literally mean at that very moment – until 4.00am the next morning… Why the rush? Well, apart from the obvious reason, MADBUL is actually jetting off on a secret overseas mission next week; and with the car to prep, the kit to fit and a complete new livery needing to be rolled out before that happens, there’s a lot do in a short amount of time.
Even with the FRP panels only partially fitted and still in their raw state, with a new bunch of Seibon carbon fibre parts in the mix the FD3S is looking positively bad ass. Not only is the fitment of the kit is absolutely perfect, the front and rear works-style over fenders are in perfect harmony with the wheels. Given the way that Miura-san designs his parts using laser scanners and 3D modelling in CAD, plugging in Mike’s wheel size and offset and calculating that against the wheel hub faces in relation to the original body work, it was always going to be millimetre perfect though. And yes, this is the height it’ll run at…
Before the rear fenders can go on properly, Hybrid Lab factory-style FD3S rear three-quarter panels in FRP need to be added. There’s still a few bits to come from TRA-Kyoto too; namely a duckbill rear spoiler, a front under-tray and bumper canards, plus a custom wing with huge stays that bolt to the chassis, and a rear diffuser. Those two latter components have been designed in a similar vein to wing and diffuser Miura-san created for the Ben Sopra 380SX. This is next level awesome.
I’ll leave with this view for now, but don’t worry – there’ll be full feature on MADBUL’s Generation 6 reimagination coming soon… Who can’t wait?
Brad Lord
brad@speedhunters.com
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Come back to Formula D U.S. ! they need more rotary action
I don't like the front at all, but the rest of the kit = wow!
To be honest I don't like this kit all that much. But oh the anticipation of what the final product may turn I may re-consider on which kit to purchase for my 7.
It looks pretty incredible just judging by the teaser pics here and I have to say this might be the very first Rocket Bunny kit that I've genuinely liked. Having said that tho, that may be down to the fact it's going on a race style car (well, drift really) with graphics + sponsors.
I've never wanted an FD more than I do right now! Possibly my favourite Rocket Bunny kit yet... bring on the full feature!
"plus a custom wing
with huge stays that bolt to the chassis"
Call me an idiot, but I don't see that in the render.
"secret overseas mission"
Gatebil?
The guy is a legend
ToyotaSupraMan You're right, it's not there, but the digital render is of the kit that will eventually be available for anyone to purchase. Of course, Mike needs a big wing for drifting though..
I didn't want to unveil everything in a render dude these add on's are for major performance gains in the aero department.
Brett Allen I'll try to grab a few shots of it when it's just in carbon and black FRP
BradLord Sweet, that'd look pretty evil on it's own I'm guessing. Maybe I just need to see the RB kit on something close to home to finally come round to the idea of bolt on overfenders...
*jizz in my pants*
Brace yourself....Rocket Bunny FD3S awesomeness is coming!!
Scha-wing!!! Been looking forward to an update on this. The world's hands-down-meanest FD just got hands-down-meaner. Excited to see the new livery too. No doubt it'll be awesome as it has been with each incarnation.
MadMike Whiddett Will the 8 and 5 get some TRA love too?
Thanks! I am working with Autokonexion based in CA USA for the RADBUL MX5 and Miura San does like the RX8 so we may look into designing something for that platform.
This is going to be so cool.
God damn it, now I'm going to have to buy another fucking FD. This kit is a long time coming, looks rad.
In my humble opinion, the MADBUL is the dreamy drift car. Period.
If i could chose now, no budget limitations, to have _ANY_ car on this land, i would choose and RX7, and if it was really possible, one like Mad Mike`s
No matter the version, even the Mk1 MADBUL was raddest than anything, and it`s crazy style is only surpassed by MMs piloting skills that made him victorious many times even with less power than other people in the grid.
I truly think Mad Mike and his Madbul are an enbodyment of the "Jinba Ittai" philosophy on so many levels...
and i wasnt paid to say that, before anybody out there asks...
OMA GOODNESS THAT'S HOT!!
THAT LAST PIC MAKES ME WANNA ZOOMA ZOOM ZOOM AND A BOOM BOOM!!!
Thanks for the kind words!
so are the tires in the rear the same size as he had before? that meat/stretch is just perfect in my opinion. I'd love to know if his sidewall is 35 or 40.
MadMike Whiddett Mean Bro! Can't wait to see them. "RADBUL" - Love it
WOW!
@AllCarsFTW 35 profile
Saw this on his Facebook and had to check it for myself. And I thought these bulls were mean looking already....
Even NASA's Shuttle Designers ain't got nothing on this.
MEEE MEE ME! I CAN'T WAIT!! I have been so excited for this ever since that concept drawing!
Even Bruce Waynes Batmobile Ain't got nothing on this.
Was thinking that, the big wing is gonna be necessary for dem clipping points =)
Even the Black car from 'men in black' ain't got nothing on this.
Forget the quarter panels and back bumper, that tail line is absolutely PERFECT as it is right now!
That neeeeds to happen!
Even............... ..............................nah thats all i got.
@Mad Mike please do something different with the camo...i know its your trademark but for this version, subtle will absolutely be key. Let the kit speak for itself.
Bunny up the badbul..........bdbny
The way the tires stick out seeming from the cut-out rear section of the fenders and flares is just pure sex
Love how this baby looks!
I sure can't!!! Great job!
"...but works more cohesively with the Mazda’s original lines."
Riiiiiiiight.
Hope this is still going to have a bit of kiwi style amongst the Japanese kit - none the less guards look great, front not so convincing but sure livery will tie it together.
I love it. I have to ask what are you going to do with the badbul.?
"Mad Mike’s RADBUL Mazda MX-5" Rx-7
yes yes yes
I couldn't quite make out the front fender shape in the rendering, but damn it looks good in real life.
anyone else miss FURSTY? (anyone else even know what car that is?)
Secret clandestine mission known as Gatebil...
Meh. Just don't do the camo again.
@Lou May as well. he can't win anything in NZ
I like the car but those wheels are uglyyyyyyyyyyy
nixon600 He was close this season but was hampered by bad luck in the last two rounds, if it wasn't for that I think he would have been the New Zealand Drift King this year
DEADHYPE it would be his rx7
Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble coming to terms with the concept of getting a carbon fibre replacement fenders/guards and then cutting it up to glue and rivet on a FRP piece? This is a high end competition vehicle, and I can't help but feel like it's just a bit "backyardish".
Same size, I run 265/35R18 Nitto NT05
this kit has made up my mind, looks like my RX5 is going to be a weekend toy, got to get an FD daily and get this on it!!!!
So is he running the duck bill spoiler or the "Ben Sopra" wing? I think the duck bill would look the best but I'd be interested to see how each look on the car.
MadMike Whiddett So the real question is how the heck can I get Miura-San to build me one of those big wings?!
I even asked him in English & Japanese with no reply yet (undoubtedly due to his busy-ness!! )
I LOVE THIS KIT. It takes the FD from one of my least-favourite Japanese icon cars to one of my most favourite. Spot on.
Mr Whiddett, sir, i know you won't... but please don't apply your livery and leave your car in natural black FRP and carbon fibre.
Mad mikes mx5 is what mazda should have done themselves, at the very least as an option. It should be awesome .... Go mad mike, go rota mota! And mazda, DO bring back another rotary, AND DO GET SERIOUS about Motorsport. Nissan and Toymota are back to Le Mans, MUST return as well, but with a rotary. Mazda is rotary.
I can't wait!!!!
This looks epic! Cant wait to see the finished result!
Can't wait to see/hear this car at Goodwood next week, missed him in the UK last year.
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