New Zealand's road racing and rally driver, Peter Farrell, is another motorsports figure to turn his attentions to the street. Specifically, modifying a Mazda RX-7 for increased performance, handling, and, glory be, ride comfort. Farrell's experience in preparing RX-7s for competition in the IMSA Supercar and SCCA World Challenge series has paid off well in this street version he modestly calls the "Peter Farrell Supercar."

Based on the tautly suspended R1 model, this lowered, fat-tire brute should now ride like the shocks had been replaced by bags of moon rocks from the Apollo 11 expedition and come equipped with a "chiropractor wanted" license plate frame. Guess again. Even as outfitted with eight-way adjustable GAB shocks and 60-percent-stiffer-than-stock anti-roll bars, this concoction proved more compliant over virtually every kind of road surface than not only a stock R1, but even the base RX-7. The secret appears to be Farrell's own "Comfort-sport" progressive-rate springs; ride comfort is nice on all but the choppiest of concrete highways, body roll is virtually nil, and lateral grip is a brawny 0.98 g.

Be advised, however, the car does suffer from low-speed understeer. A problem aggravated by use of smallish 235/45ZR17 front tires and mega-tread 275/40ZR17 rears. To a skilled driver, this is of little concern: A bit of clutch modulation and a hefty wallop of boost should clear it up. At higher speeds, the car feels far better, becoming very easy to point-and-squirt through tasty corners. Its curb weight (2780 pounds) remains the RX-7's best attribute.

We doubt anyone will gripe about this rotary rocket's acceleration. Fitted with a PFS intercooler that's twice the size of the stock unit (and can reduce charge temperatures by 100 degrees more than the factory piece), plus a recalibrated computer and 3-inch diameter exhaust, the boost limit is raised to 14 psi, delivering an estimated 360 horsepower. Combine that with a lower-ratio (4.30:1) rear axle, point it down a vacant stretch pf pavement, and you're to 60 mph in a scorching 4.4 seconds and past the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds/111 mph. Shazam!

1993-94 Mazda RX-7
Engine: 1.3-liter twin-turbo rotary
Major modifications: Intercooler, intake & exhaust system
Horsepower: 360 (est.)
Transmission: Stock 5-speed man.
Brakes f/r: Discs/discs, ABS
Wheels f/r: OZ Mito 17x8.5; 17x10
Tires f/r: 235/45ZR17/275/40ZR17 BF-Goodrich Comp T/A
Other mods: GAB shocks, PFS springs, anti-roll bars, bodywork
Price of modifications: $13,800(includes labor) Carbon-Kevlar racing pads bless the PFS RX-7 with virtually fade-free brakes, while a 105-horsepower boost gives it true 170-mph potential. Body mods include a revised rear wing and fiberglass front fascia. Despite the extra suspension work, it rides better than a stock RX-7...and a Viper.