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| Mazda won the 2011 American Le Mans Series Engine Manufacturer Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the penultimate round of the season. John Doonan, Director of Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations, said, "It is a very special day when you can win three championships (driver, team, and manufacturer) at your home track on the same day. We're thrilled for Chris and Guy and the entire Dyson team, and appreciative of the countless hours of hard work and effort from everyone at Mazda, Dyson Racing, and AER. The Mazda battle cry of "Never Give Up" rang loud today."
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in the U.S. in 2010, Mazda is the number one brand in road racing. It is the most involved car manufacturer in racing and on any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other vehicle brand. Mazda started racing in the 1960’s and debuted on the international racing stage in the 1968 84 Hour Marathon de la Route endurance race at the Nurburgring in Germany. Mazda is the only Japanese manufacturer to have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, accomplishing that honor in 1991 with the four-rotor 787B sports racer, and the only Japanese manufacturer to have won the Petit Le Mans when Dyson Racing took home the LMP2 honors in 2009.
“Zoom-Zoom” is not just a marketing phrase. It is a way of life for Mazda. At the track you will see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car. In fact, the largest road-racing class in the U.S. is the SCCA’s Spec Miata class, with nearly 1,500 first and second-generation Miatas, making it the most-raced production car in the world. Mazda’s involvement in motorsports extends to its relationship with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, one of the world’s premier road-racing circuits, and multiple race series including the Mazda MX-5 Cup, the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing, the USF 2000 National Championship, and the Star Mazda Championship.
Mazda is the title partner in INDYCAR’s Road to Indy driver development program and will provide scholarships to the 2011, 2012 and 2013 champions in the Cooper Tire Presents USF2000 National Championships Powered by Mazda, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and Firestone Indy Lights to help them graduate to the next level of the sport.
“We are committed to developing the next generation of racers with a ladder system that provides drivers with Mazda and Mazda-powered open and closed-wheel cars throughout their careers,” said Robert Davis, Senior Vice President, Product Development and Quality. “Similar to our contingency program, these are performance-based rewards. Too often the cost of racing has meant that a promising career has stagnated due to a lack of budget. With our initiatives, Mazda will change that.”
Mazda’s racing presence is a competitive factor in an even wider cross section of racing. Last year, Mazdas also mounted challenges in the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Drag Racing Pro FWD and Modified, and a pair of Grand-Am classes: GT racing in the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special and ST competition in the KONI Challenge.
Nothing showcases Mazda’s philosophy of 'Always the Soul of a Sports Car' in every car they build better than their depth of involvement in these multiple levels of racing. It is a car company driven by engineering, ingenuity and a passion for a true driving experience.
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