MAZDA MOTORSPORTS TAKES ON NORTH AMERICA’S LONGEST ROAD-RACE
Mazda Dealers Versus Factory Guys, Part II: This Time It’s Personal
December 3, 2014 (IRVINE, Calif.) — Last year, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) threw down the gauntlet, entering three modified-for-racing-but-otherwise-stock Mazda6s in the longest endurance race in America, the National Auto Sport Association (NASA)’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill Presented by Hawk Performance. One car was raced by Mazda employees, while the other two were raced by Mazda dealers. After 25 hours, the dealers earned the bragging rights, scoring the intramural win with a third-in-class finish. But because the factory always claims it’s right, the factory guys are calling for a rematch.
“Who’s quicker, Mazda dealers or factory guys? It was the dealers on top last year, but I’ve told the factory guys that I expect revenge this year,” said Robert Davis, Mazda’s Senior VP, of the company’s official three-car Mazda6 clean-diesel entry. “After 25 hours, we’ll know who’s eating crow, who’s eating crayons and who’s eating the victory dinner. Revenge is expected, or my guys may be looking for new employment!”
The twice-around-the-clock-plus-an-hour race will take place December 6 and 7, 2014, at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, Calif. The action will be streamed live for all 25 hours from inside the Mazda6s at www.MazdaLIVE.com Additional live coverage will be posted to the Mazda Motorsports Facebook page, and via the Mazda Racing Twitter account.
Mechanically, the cars remain nearly stock, but the interiors were removed to accommodate an Anthony Woodford Racing roll-cage, a Sparco Pro-ADV racing seat , Safecraft racing seatbelts and plumbed-in fire systems and AIM MXL Pista dashes and data acquisition. Under the skin, the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine has seen some upgrades since last year, with help from Derrick Ambrose and the team at CorkSport, Mazda performance specialists. A cold-air intake, larger intercooler, aluminum radiator and custom tune should mean the Mazda6s will offer serious performance, as well as outstanding fuel economy, as they fight for the E1-class podium.
As last year, the cars put their power to the ground through a custom-designed ProParts USA suspension utilizing Koni dampers and Hypercoil springs, and custom ProParts rear stabilizer bars. Connecting all this to the track are 17×8” Enkei Kojin wheels wrapped in 245/40R-17 BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires. And when it comes time to slow down, the experts at StopTech delivered their four-piston STR-40 calipers and AeroRotors, backed by custom braided lines.
On the driving side, representing the Dealers in cars 55 and 56 will be Richard Fisher (The Autobarn Mazda, Evanston, IL), Joel Weinberger (Continental Motors, Naperville, IL), Taz Harvey (Dublin Mazda, Tracy Mazda, Dublin/Tracy, CA), Chris Wilson (CJ Wilson Mazda, Countryside, IL), Camden Jones (Velocity Mazda, Tyler, Tex.), Ben Robertaccio (Morrie’s Mazda, Minneapolis, Minn), Jason Meise (North Park Mazda, San Antonio, Tex) and Daniel Tremblay (representing SpeedSource, the official professional racing partner of Mazda Motorsports, Sunrise, Fla.).
The Factory Guys will be in car 70, represented by Randy Miller (Mazda R&D), Ken Saward (Mazda Design), Mike Allen (Mazda Motorsports) and Jeremy Barnes (Mazda Public Relations and Brand Experience).
The three Mazda6s will line up alongside 56 other cars competing in six different classes, as well as 14 other Mazdas. This race, now in its 12th year, attracts an extremely diverse entry list of teams, cars, and drivers from around the world, ranging from professionals to club racers, and from Mazda Miatas to prototype racers.
About Mazda, Mazda Motorsports, and MAZDASPEED
Mazda is a leading player in all aspects of sports car racing with an emphasis on endurance road racing. 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. Via the Mazda SportsCar Racing Academy, Mazda supports racers at all levels of the sport from club racing up to the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship where it races with production SKYACTIV Technology.
Mazda remains the only Asian car company to score an overall win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1991). Mazda has had a naming rights agreement at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca since 2000.
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), Twitter (@mazdaracing), Instagram (MazdaMotorsport) and www.mazdamotorsports.com.