Petrolicious – Mazda RX-3 – Video

 

“My car is a perfect example of me, in a sense of—it’s no frills. When you look at the car, and know it’s about business,” says Savant Young. “I carry the same demeanor myself—when you get locked in a cage with someone else, business needs to be done at that point.”

For mixed martial artist Young, martial arts and cars have much more in common than you may first think. They both enjoy strong, inclusive communities, both have their highs and lows, and both provide a rewarding challenge that can last a lifetime. “It’s a labor of love in both aspects,” Young says.

Young’s car of choice is a 1973 Mazda RX-3, a car he calls Mazda’s “enforcer”, because it was brought out to compete with sports cars from Nissan, Toyota, and Honda. It’s been extensively modified, and from its aerospace-grade braking system to its Toyota pickup truck rear end, it’s prepared to be a thrilling canyon companion. Young estimates the rotary is pushing out an “all business” 400 horsepower.

“There is an emotional connection. I like to be seen in the car, I like people to ask me about it, and tell me stories of how their uncle had one, because that’s how I came across it, it was through my uncle.”

“I work hard Monday through Friday, and I drive my car every weekend,” Young says. “If there’s a car show, I swear I’m probably out there most of the day, drinking beer and cleaning the car. It’s therapeutic…”