Mazda Embraces "Win On Sunday, Sell on Monday" Racing Philosophy

[Ming]

Interesting article on everything Mazda is doing to boost its technology and image through racing thse days.



Mazda Loves Racing
By Anne Proffit
paddocktalk.com

2/19/07

It’s evident this brand thrives on its racing endeavors, which it uses to create a “performance halo” for Mazda. By gaining awareness of its core models (Mazda3, Mazda6, MX-5 and RX-8, as well as all of its Mazdaspeed machines), the factory-engineered racing vehicles promote more accessory sales, attract new buyers and advance in-cycle model support, thereby increasing dealership profitability.

Well under 50 percent of all 700 Mazda dealers, 300 have signed on to be Mazdaspeed vendors, and most of them have sponsorship arrangements with their local racers.

Mazda has been involved with racing for 17 years and has had in excess of 9000 racers involved since 1990.

Mazda’s participation is led by its massive presence in club racing in five distinct classes – Spec Miata, Formula cars (Formula Mazda, SCCA, Atlantic), Showroom Stock SSB, SSC and T-3, E-Production and F-Production SCCA racing and four GT classes (GT-1, GT-2, GT-3 and GT-Lite).

Mazda also has a voluminous presence in professional racing, from its Mazda MX-5 Cup, Star Mazda Championship, SPEED World Challenge, Grand Am Rolex GT and Koni Challenge, Rally America, NHRA pro FWD, ALMS LMP2 to its Champ Car Atlantic Championship.

It’s not just armchair racing here, as many in the R&D center, including Davis, of course – keep their hand in by competing using Mazdaspeed products. And Mazda promotes its champions through the racing ladder, trying to get the best prospects into the higher classes as they accumulate titles.

In most cases, racers are winning with a stock sealed motor, stock-based suspension and drivetrain, including NHRA Pro FWD racer Ed Bergenholtz, class winner the last two seasons in a stock-based 1400 horsepower MZR!

According to Davis, racing improves what Mazda builds because racers are hardest on the products and the most demanding clientele. They allow design changes to be effected in months, not years. Recent changes include an upgrade to the MX-5 shift forks, RX-8 tie rod ends and extreme altitude/temperature packages.

Lapping days at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca are definitely part of the appeal for Mazda, which considers the track its “spiritual home” in Northern California. The company also has commercial affiliations with Skip Barber Driving/Racing schools, SIRIUS Satellite radio, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Piloti shoes and Sparco equipment, among others.

Its technology partners include Garrett division of Honeywell, AER (maker of their first P2 chassis), SpeedSource, Advanced Systems Group and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

“We embrace racing from the business side,” Davis explained. And it’s sales of competition parts and accessories that keeps Mazdaspeed Motorsports humming. Last season Mazda sold more than $7 million in parts and is projecting another million dollar bump for the 2007 racing season in amateur and professional ranks.

Mazda rewards its successful teams and drivers with more than obligatory reduced parts prices and minimalist contingency awards. For instance, when Brazilian Raphael Matos won the Star Mazda championship in 2005, he was rewarded with a seat in the b-K Motorsports ALMS P2 car.

Continues / Full Article: http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html...rder=0&thold=0

[SUPERBADD75]

and yet they lag behind Nissan, Toyota, and Honda in horsepower for their midsize offering (Mazda6). that car is a great driver, but definitely would be better with a bit of a boost. you shouldn't have to buy the 'Speed version to get class competitive power. and where is the Mazdaspeed MX-5?

[carscomblogger]

Originally Posted by SUPERBADD75

and yet they lag behind Nissan, Toyota, and Honda in horsepower for their midsize offering (Mazda6). that car is a great driver, but definitely would be better with a bit of a boost. you shouldn't have to buy the 'Speed version to get class competitive power. and where is the Mazdaspeed MX-5?

Remember the Mazda6 is coming to the end of its lifecycle and the Nissan and Toyota are relatively new. Honda is also quite a few grand more in V-6 trim.

I think the next 6 will offer a larger V-6, perhaps even the 3.5 Ford is putting into everything.

[Sinner]

Forget the 6, how can they call the RX8 a sports car?

As per Mazda.ca "Two versions of the RENESIS rotary engine provide 212 hp and 232 hp for impressive performance"

They go on to list the MT 0-60 as 6.0 seconds. That's slower than an Impala SS.

Race on Sunday, Sell on Monday....maybe a Cobalt SS Supercharged.