Dear Mr. Lamar:

 Autoblog.com just came out with an article about Mazda's commitment
 to the rotary engine:  http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/21/report-mazda-rotary-reportedly-at-least-a-year-behind-schedule/

 Here is a quote from it:  "'We will never give up,' says Mitsuo Hitomi,
 general manager of Mazda's power train division, referring to the
 automakers long-running investment into the rotary engine."

 If only those idiotic emissions rules could get turned around,
 and people could understand that rotaries need to use oil,
 like 2-stroke piston engines!

 I'm still rooting for you and for the Wankel rotary engine!

 Yours,

 Les Nordman
                        
 Good news indeed. Perseverance is one of the noblest
 of human traits.

 I mix 1/2 ounce per gallon 2 cycle oil with the
 fuel in my RX8 and it still passed the smog test with flying colors.

 Here is the full text.

 "We will never give up," says Mitsuo Hitomi, general manager of
 Mazda's powertrain division, referring to the automaker's
 long-running investment into the rotary engine. This vote of
 confidence in Felix Wankel's replacement for displacement will
 surely come as welcome news to rotor-heads the world over, but
 that doesn't mean there aren't problems in World of Wankel.

 Apparently, the so-called 16X engine, which is the latest take
 on the pony-keg-sized engine that spins into the stratosphere,
 is failing to meet emissions requirements set by the engineering
 team at Mazda, despite the fact that it is 30 percent more fuel
 efficient than the previous Renesis rotary. Impressively, Hitomi
 stated that the 1.6-liter 16X is slightly more fuel efficient
 than the automaker's standard 2.0-liter gas engine.

 It would seem that the rotary's well-known thirst for fuel has
 at least partly been quenched, but until the 16X is tuned to hit
 its emissions targets we can expect it to stay in the
 engineering department and off the showroom floor. So, when
 might we see a new rotary-powered machine from Mazda? "Maybe
 within two years we can tell you when we will introduce it to
 the market," responds Hitomi.

 Now, let the debate continue as to what kind of body and
 platform that engine will be featured in...
------------------------------------------------------------


 Paul Lamar

Les,
Did you know that if you mix 1% of biodiesel in with the  two
cycle fuel the engine doesn't need two cycle oil?  I have been
doing it for years on my weed eater. Of course it only gets 30
hours of use per year. The exhaust smells like fried foods.   I
am hopeful that Mazda is trying the blend on their engines. AGE
bioethanol aviation fuel uses biodiesel in the mix as well.  It
is a documented lubricant for the rings.  Biodiesel is a no
brainer to make at home, wash and filter to professional
standards.  And NO sulfur.   Good fit with ethanol. The local
town processor just hit the  50,000 liter BDF production mark
last month.

Mazda Corp. marketing correctly reasoned that unless the rotary
outshines the piston engine in fuel performance,  even if it is
only for a short time,  they are always going to be fighting its
detractors,  engineers both within Mazda and on the outside.

The rotary engine guys within Mazda are some really determined,
hard core, stubborn son of a guns.  I love em.

Doug in Japan.