A Wanganui mechanic has achieved a world first by building an engine that Mazda New Zealand didn't think was possible.
Warren Overton, along with colleagues Gareth Lewis, Vaughn Campbell and Ben Simkin, took five months to build the first 2000hp, six rotor engine for a friend's car.
"He wanted something different, and so did we. We thought about doing a five rotary engine but largely because of balancing issues we went with six," Mr Overton said.
The engine was built in Pulse Performance Race Engineering's workshop, known for its high powered engines.
Mr Overton said Pulse Performance had worked with well known drifter MadMike and sprint boat racer Peter Huijs, providing him with four rotary engines for competition.