MZR

SCCA’s Spec formula class begins the transition to 2.0-liter Mazda MZR engine in 2018 SCCA Formula Enterprises cars will be transitioning from their current 2.3-liter engine to a 2.0-liter Mazda MZR engine. As a result, a new class for cars fitted with the new engine will be created for 2018, FE2. Both FE and FE2 […]

Read More

Is it possible to start with a $5000, flood-damaged car and win a Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Championship race? Adam Poland says yes, and backed it up by winning Round 8 at Road America in his Eastex Motorsports/Poland Construction Mazda MX-5. “We stumbled across that car for a really good price,” Poland said at […]”

Read More

The late, lamented Formula Atlantic Championship, in its final iteration, used Swift 016/Mazdas powered by the MZR engine as its racecar. When the series folded under economic pressure, many of the cars were left orphaned, with only SCCA Club Racing as an option. However, Formula Race Promotions, which already had series for F2000 and F1600 cars on the East Coast, created the Atlantic Championship Series. In 2014, the Series will expand to include five full event weekends with two races each, comprising a 10-round Championship calendar presented by Hoosier Racing Tire.

Furthermore, for competitors racing with the MZR-powered cars, Mazda will offer a year-end championship fund. The first pair of races at Road Atlanta were dominated by Mazda-powered cars, with Daniel Burkett winning both events.

“We’re happy and thrilled to welcome Mazda to the revived Atlantic Championship Series and into the Formula Race Promotions family,” said Chip Robinson, Formula Race Promotions race director. “Manufacturer support and recognition, along with a contingency, furthers the progress of bringing back a professional atmosphere and Championship for Atlantic cars.”

Competitors taking part in the contingency program will need to brand their cars with Mazda signage and register with the manufacturer. In addition, to be eligible, a competitor must use Mazda power for the course of the season.

“The Swift .016 Mazda-MZR Atlantic cars has been a favorite of both drivers and fans since 2006,” noted John Doonan, Director of Motorsports for Mazda North American Operations. “We’re happy to see so many of these cars back on track for 2014. Mazda supports racers who race with Mazda power and we’re pleased to post contingency prize money to the Atlantic Championship Series.”

The Atlantic cars will join the F2000 and F1600 Series on all their race weekends in 2014.

Similar to the business model behind F2000 and F1600, Atlantic drivers and teams can expect hefty amounts of track time, reasonable entry and registration costs, a controlled spec tire from Hoosier, and a dedicated and hard-working Series staff at every event.

Mazda’s payout structure for year-end points

Position Payout
1st Mazda $5000
2nd Mazda $3000
3rd Mazda $2000
4th Mazda $1500
5th Mazda $1000

 

2014 Atlantic Championship Schedule

Date Venue
April 11-13 Road Atlanta
May 16-18 Watkins Glen International
June 6-8 VIRginia International Raceway
July 4-6 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
August 30-Sept. 1 Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

 

 

 

The trend in the past few years to create a winning C Sports Racing car in Sports Car Club of America Club Racing competition has typically followed two paths – rebody a Formula Atlantic car, or use a high-revving motorcycle engine in a lightweight chassis. Yet Dudley Fleck has managed to buck that trend and […]”

Read More

As I was trying to write this blog entry to introduce myself and outline my career and my relationship with Mazda, I got stuck with a blank page for a couple of days. I really didn’t want to start out with the cliché: “Hi, my name is Peter Portante,” although I suppose I just did. […]”

Read More

For many years, racers and fans alike decried the lack of a proper ladder system to guide young racers to the top of U.S. open wheel racing. Mazda, by consolidating and endorsing the Mazda Road to Indy, went a long way toward answering those complaints. There is now a clear path to the IZOD IndyCar […]”

Read More