IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- There are many
reasons to race. For Mazda it's all about showcasing the
quality, durability and reliability (QDR) of its products in
racing, especially endurance road racing. For most people,
racing is a personal challenge, and a lot of fun. But
enjoying racing and the fun it provides can be expensive.
With its new B-Spec race car, Mazda wants to greatly reduce the
financial cost of racing so many more can share in the excitement
and fun.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121120/LA17193)
"B-Spec is showroom stock racing at the most basic level.
Our Mazda2 is an affordable car with track performance that will
bring a surprising grin to your face," says John Doonan, Director of Mazda Motorsports. "It's not a
straight-line demon, but the Mazda2 with a B-Spec kits is
amazing in the turns. Our goal at PRI is to show how
easy it is to build, and to allow a diverse team of Mazda racers a
chance to race it one week later."
Mazda partnered with Honda to develop the B-Spec concept two
years ago. It was announced at the 2010 Performance Racing
Industry (PRI) Trade Show and has since developed to the point that
over a half-dozen car companies have developed kits.The B-Spec
class is now recognized on both the professional and club racing
level in the U.S. and Canada.
Mazda Motorsports sells a B-Spec
"kit" for $2,575. A driver
looking for a brand new turnkey racecar could have one delivered
ready-to-race from a prep company for about $25,000. Starting with a used car, and a
few DIY skills, a car could be completed for under $15,000. Winning a SCCA or NASA National
Championship earns $5,000 in Mazda
contingency payments, and a shot at the Mazda Club Racer Shootout
worth $75,000. Did we mention
that Mazda is seeking to make racing more affordable?
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MAZDA2
B-SPEC BUILD
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What:
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Transform
a stock Mazda2 into a B-Spec racecar in about 25 hours (three days
at the PRI trade show) with a Mazda B-Spec kit plus safety
equipment.
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When:
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Thursday,
November 29, 2012 – Saturday, December 1, 2012
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Where:
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Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show,
Orlando, Fla.
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Who:
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The work
will be managed by Long Road Racing with the assistance of partners
BFGoodrich, SBox Engineering, SafeCraft Safety Equipment, HRP
Racing, AiM Sports, MOMO, Miller Welding Products and
Optrix.
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Why:
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To
demonstrate how EASY it is to do.
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How:
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Mazda2 +
B-Spec Kit + Safety Equipment + Teamwork = Racecar
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MAZDA2
B-SPEC RACE
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What:
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NASA 25
Hour @ Thunderhill Raceway
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When:
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Saturday,
December 8, 2012 – Sunday, December 9, 2012
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Where:
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Thunderhill Raceway, Willows, CA
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Who:
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The driver
lineup will consist of six Mazda alums. Professional
road-racers Tom Long and Charles Espenlaub will be joined by former
Import Drag Racing Champion Ed Bergenholtz, 2011 MX-5 Cup Rookie of
the Year Scott Shelton, 2011 Star Mazda Champion and 2012 Indy
Lights Champion Tristan Vautier, and 2012 Skip Barber Racing School
MAZDASPEED Challenge Champion Kenton Koch.
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Why:
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To
demonstrate how much FUN it is.
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How:
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Reliability & Teamwork
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About Mazda & MAZDASPEED
Mazda is the
number-one brand for road-racers across North America.
Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various
classes with the SCCA and NASA highlighted by Spec Miata, the
world's largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In
2006 Mazda established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports
Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the
ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to
Indy. Key to Mazda's success is strategic partnerships with
the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
MAZDASPEED Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American
Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales,
marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in
the United States and Mexico through nearly 700
dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de
Mexico in Mexico City.
Consumer information can be found at www.mazdausa.com with press
information at www.mazdausamedia.com Racers and fans can
follow the action on Facebook (Mazdaspeed Motorsports).
SOURCE MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development