Given that there is a large fanbase for the Mazda rotary engine in Australia and that our unofficial national vehicle is the ute, it is a shame that Mazda never saw fit to bring in the Rotary Engine Pick-Up (REPU) to Australia. Powered by a 13B, the REPU was a proper sports truck, with a wider track (6in at the front and 5in at the rear), flared guards, full instrumentation and bold ‘Rotary Power’ signage on the
tailgate.

Melbourne racer Nick Skarajew reckons there are 10 or so REPUs in Australia, including his, which he imported from Florida in 2022.

“The ute was purchased back in 2020 for Rocky Mountain Race Week, which unfortunately didn’t go ahead due to travel restrictions,” Nick says. “The previous owner was running it with a 408ci SBC, with nitrous, a TH350 and a nine-inch. It was quite a successful grudge racer, with a PB of 10.8@126mph, but it was well overdue for a birthday.”

Nick got to work overhauling his REPU, with the goal of running it in Tuff Mounts 235 Blown at Drag Challenge, and his philosophy for the build was therefore framed around drag-and-drive events. “I started with a body-off restoration, blasting away the rattle-can matte-black paint and then coating it in epoxy,” he says. “After that was a solid year of rust repairs and blocking. The paint is A4J Mazda Lightning Yellow, with just the engine bay, tailgate and bonnet to go. I’ve got the full factory sticker
pack ready to go on it.”

Nick replaced the Chev drivetrain with a built Series 5 RX-7 13B Turbo and a built three-speed Jatco auto. Only the 9in has been retained from the original build; everything else has been redone, including new plumbing and fabrication work, Wilwood brakes and a front-to-back rewire with a Haltech Nexus R3 and PD16.

“The wheels [not shown] are Billet Specialties Comp 5s,” Nick says. “At the rear, we stuck with split mono-leaf springs and CalTracs, just in case I ever want to run no-prep, where a four-link might pump me out of a class.”

The extended semi-peripheral-port 13B was built by Buzzme Rotamotive. To make sure the motor can survive the rigours of drag-and-drive events, it has been dowelled and fitted with a 10mm stud kit, with a clearanced and balanced rotating assembly. Other goodies include an isotropic-finished eccentric shaft, 95psi oil regulator and Metal Tech apex seals.

Nick has opted to keep his REPU left-hand drive. Not only does this preserve some of the car’s originality, but it’s also better for both weight distribution and exhaust clearance.

And if that has whetted your appetite for REPUs, check out this 20B-powered example out of Mazsport Racing!