August 10, 2013 (ELKHART LAKE, Wisc.) — VisitFlorida.com Racing Team Extends Win Streak at Road America — Momentum is a powerful thing. The SpeedSource Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel team scored their sixth straight Grand-Am GX class win to extend the manufacturers championship points lead for Mazda. Taking the win was Joel Miller and Tristan Nunez in their #00 VisitFlorida.com Racing Mazda6.
The #70 Castrol Edge Mazda6 of Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long qualified on the pole and led early before being delayed with a power-steering problem. The middle part of the race was led by the BGB Motorsports Porsche before Miller closed in on Spencer Pumpelly and took the lead with under five minutes remaining in the two hour and 45 minute race.
The SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engine in the all-new Mazda6 is a true production-based engine. The engine is 51 percent stock by parts count, and 63 percent stock by weight. Mazda chose this path as it is the most honest way to demonstrate the quality, durability, and reliability of Mazda cars.
Quotes:
John Doonan, Motorsports Director, Mazda North American Operations: “Road America is one of the greatest tracks in America, one that we all enjoy. Every win is special. This one was special as Road America is within a short drive of the Mazda Midwest Region office and we had a fantastic group of Mazda dealers here to share the success with our team and our amazing Mazda fans.”
Joel Miller, Co-Driver #00 Mazda6: “SKYACTIV-D again proved its strength in the extremes of endurance racing. The long straights here at Road America, coupled with the four-mile circuit, makes the engine work hard. The SpeedSource crew prepared a great car for us today and together we brought home another victory for the Mazda SKYACTIV Technology.”
Tristan Nunez, Co-Driver #00 Mazda6: “Our Road America race was packed with drama, but yet again our Mazda6 continues to show its strength. I’m just so honored to be a part of it and to be in the history books as one of the winners. I can’t thank Sylvain and everyone at both SpeedSource and Mazda for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this program, I have learned so much this season and look forward to learning more and more each day I spend with this extraordinary team. This dream is priceless.”
2013 Grand-Am GX Point Standings after nine of 12 races:
Manufacturers:
1 Mazda 302
2 Porsche 297
Teams:
1 BGB Motorsports (Porsche #38) 292
2 SpeedSource (Mazda #00) 287
3 SpeedSource (Mazda #70) 280
Drivers
1 Jim Norman (#38) 297
2 Joel Miller (#00) 287
3 Tom Long/Sylvain Tremblay (#70) 280
Joel Miller continues to lead the Grand-Am Rookie of the Year standings.
About Mazda, Mazda Motorsports, and MAZDASPEED
Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America among both club racers and professionals. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world’s largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda Motorsports established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda’s success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Mazda Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
Consumer information can be found at www.mazdausa.com, with press information at www.mazdausamedia.com. Racers and fans can follow the action on facebook (Mazda Motorsports).