Rally driver Simon Evans recently tested a G2-spec Mazda2 rally car ahead of its potential inclusion in the Australian Rally Championship.

The Mazda2 G2 rally car was developed as a demo-car for rallyscool.com.au, with cooperation from Mazda Australia. Though given its initial shakedown in only May of this year, the test was conducted by 4-time Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans. The G2-spec machine is built specifically to Australian regulations. For homologation purposes, the car must be a model that's sold in Australia, is a 2WD car, but can have its engine and transmission swapped with any other 4-cylinder 2-litre N/A power plant made by the manufacturer.

The Mazda2 G2 rally car has a 2L DOHC MZR engine with a 6-speed sequential transmission. Although its outer body panels are almost identical to that of the road car, it has front and rear overfenders and a roof air ventilator, making it look as aggressive as a rally car. The Mazda2 G2's suspension system was developed by Marlay Coot, the man who won the Australian Rally Championship with a Mazda323 back in 1988.

The Mazda2 G2 rally car project was started only last October. Nobody knows whether the Mazda2 MZR G2 rally car will be campaigned in the Australian Rally Championship. However, Simon said, “The Mazda2 G2 car is very nice, and really exciting to drive. I love this car and am eager to drive it in the Australian Rally Championship,” showing his eagerness to snatch a 5th Aussie title.