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Mazda commits over $100,000 to grassroots support 

March 16, 2007 (Sebring, FL).  Mazda North American Operations used the annual sportscar racing extravaganza known as Sebring to announce the signing of multi-year contracts with the leading kart racing organizations in the U.S.A.   These commitments further expand Mazda’s leadership in grassroots road-racing, and represent the largest ever commitment to karting from an automaker

 Mazda has signed partnership agreements with multiple sanctioning bodies and events, and will be highly involved with the following:

  1. World Karting Association (WKA)
  2. Champ Car Rotax Kart Challenge
  3. Snap-on Stars of Karting presented by IndyCar
  4. Superkarts! USA (SKUSA)
  5. Newcastle Motorsport Park (Indiana)
  6. Rock Island Grand Prix (the largest professional kart street race in the world)

Mazda’s support will consist of both traditional sponsorship funding towards prize money and operating costs, as well as unique benefits such as business-partner pricing on new Mazda vehicles for kart racers who belong to those organizations.

Over the past decade, Mazda has become the brand of choice for road-racers across North America.  Over 9,000 grassroots racers compete in various classes with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA).  Now, kids still years away from their driver’s license, can start their professional motorsports career in the Mazda family.
“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, and the man responsible for Mazda’s North American motorsports operations under the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development banner. “With this karting initiative, we can now connect with an even larger and younger base of enthusiasts.  Many Formula 1 and Indy 500 champions have started their careers in karting – kids may race, but it is not child’s play.” 
Now, a driver can begin in karts and progress upwards through the Skip Barber Race Series, Club Racing Formula Mazda, professional Star Mazda, and finally to Formula Atlantic, all with Mazda.

On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle.  At the track, you’ll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car.  In fact, the fastest growing road-racing class in the U.S. is the SCCA’s Spec Miata class, with nearly 1,500 first- and second-generation Miatas tearing up America’s racetracks, 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 the Skip Barber Schools for driving and racing.

For more information on karting, visit
www.starsofkarting.com
www.worldkarting.com
www.superkartsusa.com
www.rmaxchallenge.com
www.rockislandgrandprix.com

 

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