Mazda
Races Into the Midwest to Dominate Valvoline RunoffsMazda
Races Into the Midwest to Dominate Valvoline Runoffs
LEXINGTON, Ohio, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- As the smoke lifted and the
strong smell of burnt rubber and exhaust fumes began to clear the air Sunday
evening, Mazda emerged victorious at the 38th running of the Valvoline Runoffs
-- one of amateur road racing's largest and most celebrated events. Mazda
took home six national championships during the three-day event presented by
the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). The Valvoline Runoffs were recently
named by Car and Driver Magazine as one of the top-10 racing events in
motorsports.
Mazda walked away from the weekend's racing competition with six out of
the 24 national championship medals awarded, including two wins on Friday as
the event got underway. The opening "winner-take-all" sprint race was
captured in wet conditions by Ben Beasley in his Beasley B-7 powered by a
Mazda rotary engine, while David Roush, of nearby Shelby, Ohio, took the
checkered flag in Showroom Stock C in a Mazda Protege ES.
"It feels great," said Roush, who completed the first leg in his attempt
to sweep the Showroom Stock classes at the Runoffs. "I've been second twice
before, but this is my first win. The Mazda Protege ES is new to us this year
... we got it right today."
Roush, steering a Mazda Miata the next day, was unable to complete the
sweep, however, falling to yet another Mazda, a Miata piloted by Randy
Saucier. Roush and Eric Morehouse, also in a Miata, dueled for second place
for the majority of the sprint as Saucier, the pole sitter, put the hammer
down early en route to his second straight Runoffs crown.
In addition to wins by Beasley, Roush and Saucier, Mazda also came up
victorious with wins by Marc Hoover (Cheetah with Mazda Power), Pratt Cole
(Mazda Miata) and Keith Roberts (Star Mazda). Mazda also took the honor of
having the most wins of any brand in "head-to-head" classes.
MAZDA RACING HERITAGE
"Zoom-Zoom" is not just a new slogan for Mazda. It has been a way of life
since the auto manufacturer began racing its cars in the 1960s. Since then,
the Japanese company has boasted a strong presence in the world of auto racing
in an effort to support its products. From Mazda's international racing debut
in the 72-Hour Marathon de la Route endurance competition with the Cosmo 110S,
the company's first rotary-engine sports car, to the triumphant win of the
coveted LeMans race with the Mazda 787B, the company continues to be a leader
in motorsports.
Mazda's racing history has spanned more than three decades claiming
victory in some of the world's most renowned races. And 2001 marked another
pinnacle move by Mazda when it inked the title sponsorship of one the world's
most demanding street courses -- Laguna Seca Raceway.
Mazda's Zoom-Zoom spirit is evident in many vehicles currently racing in
American motorsports series, including the SCCA Speedvision World Challenge
and Star Mazda Series. The company also is title sponsor of the upcoming NHRA
World Import Finals.
Mazda's motorsports roots run deep. Following the success of the Cosmo
110S, the Japanese auto manufacturer continued to make its mark in the world
of motorsports with the rotary-powered RX-2, RX-3 and RX-4.
In the late 1970s and 1980s, the Mazda RX-7 quickly established itself as
the dominant car in the class, ultimately becoming the most successful model
in International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) history. During its run, the
RX-7 gathered more than 100 victories and more than 10 manufacturers'
championships.
Mazda raced at the famed LeMans circuit in France throughout the 1980s,
finally capturing the overall victory in the world's most famous endurance
race in 1991. Powered by the four-rotor engine, the 787B made Mazda the first
and only Japanese manufacturer to win the prestigious race.
Since its introduction in 1989, the Mazda Miata has dominated SCCA
Showroom Stock racing, first in Showroom Stock C and, more recently, in
Showroom Stock B.
Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and
marketing, customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United
States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has over 700 dealerships
nationwide.
Unlike years previous where they broadcast them in one long marathon, they've now split them up into individual 1hr programs.
Mazda won races in Shworoom Stock B (Miata), Showroom Stock C (Protege), E-Production (Miata), and Formula Mazda, and one other class - maybe Sports Racer.
The first and third of the classes listed above (SSB & EP) have Miatas quite well represented in them and are usually great races. The winner of the SSC race nearly won the SSB one as well...tune in to see the drama.
All segments premiere at 10pm ET. Check listings for replays.
Thu, Oct 11 C Sports Racing
Fri, Oct 12 G Production
Sun, Oct 14 Formula 500
Thu, Oct 18 Touring 1
Fri, Oct 19 Formula Ford
Sat, Oct 20 Showroom Stock C
Sun, Oct 21 Formula Vee
Thu, Nov 1 GT 4
Fri, Nov 2 GT 2
Sun, Nov 4 G Production
Mon, Nov 5 Formula Mazda
Thu, Nov 15 American Sedan
Fri, Nov 16 Showroom Stock B
Sat, Nov 17 F Production
Sun, Nov 18 Spec Racer Ford
Mon, Nov 19 Formula Atlantic
Thu, Nov 22 S 2000
Sat, Nov 24 GT 5
Sun, Nov 25 H Production
Mon, Nov 26 GT 3
Fri, Nov 30 E Production
Sat, Dec 1 Formula Continental
Sun, Dec 2 GT 1
Mon, Dec 3 D Sports Racing