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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."
In 2012, Mazda came in second in the ALMS Manufacturer Championship, eight points out of first at the end of the ten-race season with first place ALMS points to its credit in the two toughest endurance races of the year, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 1,000 mile Petit Le Mans.
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 the 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 MAZDASPEED Challenge, the Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda, and the Star Mazda Championship.
Performance is a hallmark of the Mazda experience, and it's put to the test every weekend at racetracks and autocross tracks by racers and enthusiasts across the nation. Mazda involvement in professional motorsports has grown from a grassroots program in 1967 to a competition footprint that now includes the most complete driver development program in the country – the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Ladder stretches from sponsored go kart races to the prestigious Mazda Road to Indy program.
Mazda competes at the highest levels of motorsport competition in North America, including in the American LeMans and Grand American Rolex GT series. This competition, with some of the world’s best teams and engineers, results in knowledge and experience that translate into exciting Mazda vehicles.
The MAZDASPEED Motorsports Ladder revolutionized the North American motorsports landscape for drivers aspiring for a professional career. Beginning with Mazda-sponsored youth karting events, Mazda helps drivers realize their potential by paving a clear cut path to success. From karting, the Ladder includes the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Challenge, the Mazda MX-5 Cup, the Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda, and the Star Mazda Championship – the latter two series are integral components of the 3-part Mazda Road to Indy. The Mazda Road to Indy program culminates in the Indy Lights Series, from which graduates have a chance to compete in the pinnacle of open wheel racing – IndyCar.
All Mazda-supported series and competition programs are powered by Mazda engineering, ingenuity, and the passion for a true driving experience.
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