August 17, 2013 (KANSAS CITY, Kansas) — Mazda Teams Confirm There is No Place Like The Winners Circle — Mazda racers like the feeling of being in Kansas. The Mazda teams made their first ever visit to Kansas Speedway a night to remember taking wins in both the Grand-Am GX and the Continental Tire ST races.
The race was similar to Road America last week with the #70 Castrol Edge Mazda6 of Sylvain Tremblay and Tom Long qualifying on the pole with teammates Joel Miller and Tristan Nunez scoring the race win in their #00 VISITFLORIDA.com Racing Mazda6.
With their seventh straight Grand-Am GX class win the SpeedSource Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel team extended the manufacturers championship points lead for Mazda over Porsche. The win also closed the gap in the drivers’ championship with Mazda racer Joel Miller in second behind Porsche racer Jim Norman.
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.
Earlier in the evening, the i-Moto MAZDASPEED3 team of Taylor Hacquard and Derek Jones scored their first Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge ST class win. The win was the fourth of the year for Mazda who is in a tight three-way battle with BMW and Honda for the manufacturers’ championship. Five Mazda teams are in the top-ten in team points.
Quotes:
John Doonan, Motorsports Director, Mazda North American Operations: “If someone had told me coming into the season that we would win seven races in a row, I would have never believed it. What a thrill to get lucky number seven and the fifth of the season for the VISIT FLORIDA Mazda6. I could not be more proud of this SpeedSource team, the two young products of the Mazda young driver ladder system – Joel and Tristan, and the reliability of this Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel. We continue to have some drive shaft issues which is what hurt the #70 car tonight, but as we continue to turn up the performance of the engine in preparation for 2014, we will continue to learn. This program was about learning and developing from day one and to be leading the manufacturer’s championship with two races to go is truly a special accomplishment for Mazda and all of our partners.”
Joel Miller, Co-Driver #00 Mazda6: “The #00 had a plan coming into today’s race which we executed for the win. This is a challenging track with so much time spent on the oval. We were at full throttle 70% of the time. Our Mazda6 SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel performed again under these conditions which brought home our seventh victory in a row for the team, and my fifth this year. My teammate did a great job in the first stint, and I am very grateful to be part of this development program with SpeedSource. Big thank you to our supporters VISITFLORIDA.com and everyone at Mazda.”
Tristan Nunez, Co-Driver #00 Mazda6: “Our VISIT FLORIDA car was outstanding tonight. With the reliability of these clean diesel monsters we can concentrate on getting a good setup on the car. The Speedsource crew once again gave us an all-around fast and consistent race car. I learn so much from Sylvain Tremblay every race weekend, and I look forward to each race with confidence.”
2013 Grand-Am GX Point Standings after 10 of 12 races:
Manufacturers:
1 Mazda 337
2 Porsche 329
Teams:
1 BGB Motorsports (Porsche #38) 324
2 SpeedSource (Mazda #00) 322
3 SpeedSource (Mazda #70) 310
Drivers
1 Jim Norman (#38) 329
2 Joel Miller (#00) 322
3 Tom Long (#70) 310
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).