News

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Feb. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Mazda Canada announced today that after a successful launch in 2012, it will increase its support for competitors who race Mazdas across the country by adding three additional motorsports properties for 2013.

Entering their second year of Mazda's contingency support programs are the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC), and the Toyo Tires Spec Miata Championship.

New for 2013, Mazda Canada is excited to announce the addition of three new grassroots properties whose Mazda racers will be eligible for cash contingencies in 2013. Those three properties are:

• The VCMC Motorsport Club, which has been a cornerstone of the Vancouver, British Columbia area autocross scene since 1982 and has become one of the largest clubs in the region with 280+ members annually.
• Sigma Racing Time Attack, which hosts motorsport events at various race tracks with personal lap timers, professional timing systems with live leaderboard standings, and Time Attack competitions. Off the track, SRTA continues driver development with its range of driving simulators and virtual racing events.
• The Sports Car Club of British Columbia (SCCBC), which was founded as a non-profit society in 1951.  It is their mission to promote, encourage and support motorsport within the Province of British Columbia; organize competitive motor sport events; foster sportsmanship; and give mutual guidance and assistance within the membership.

In addition to cash, Canadian racers are also eligible to compete in the Mazda North American Club Racer Shootout. Bruce McNutt, who won the Toyo Tires Spec Miata Championship in 2012, was awarded entry into the 2013 Shootout. The 2013 shootout prize will be a full season in the 2014 SCCA Pro Racing Mazda MX-5 Cup valued at $75,000 USD.

For 2013, Mazda Canada is paying contingency awards, for those competitors who are racing eligible Mazda race cars, and who place well in events organized by these five series. Class structures, schedules and vehicle eligibility dictate that the contingency prizing has been customized for each organization.

"Mazda is committed to supporting grassroots motorsports in Canada," said Sandra Lemaitre, National Manager of Public Relations, Mazda Canada. "The expansion of our Canadian contingency program is our way of thanking and supporting those amateur racers who choose to race Mazdas, and helping them pursue their passion."

"Our inaugural year was a tremendous success as we added several Mazdas to our CTCC line-up.  We look forward to 2013 and are thrilled by the continued participation of Mazda Canada Inc." - John Bondar, President, Canadian Touring Car Championship.

"Spec Miata Championship Drivers Association (SMCDA) is very excited that Mazda Canada is a part of the 2013 Toyo Tires Spec Miata Championship. Moving into our second year with Mazda Canada contingency program is exciting for everyone. Thank you Mazda Canada, on behalf of all the competitors in the Toyo Tires Miata Championship. - Blu Vandaalen, President, Toyo Tires Spec Miata Championship.

"VCMC Motorsport Club is extremely excited to be a partner in the Mazda Contingency Program for autocross. This program gives a clear and direct statement to drivers in the region that Mazda is serious about grassroots motorsports. We are grateful for this direct and significant support that Mazda Canada has contributed to grassroots motorsports and are confident that this will help grow grassroots motorsports in the region.  Thank you, Mazda!" - Zachary Wong, Vice-President, VCMC Motorsport Club.

"Mazda cars have always been a big part of Sigma Racing Time Attack events and have dominated our leaderboard. We are very excited to see Mazda Canada getting directly involved in grassroots racing.  For most of us, this passion has always been what Mazda is all about." - Peter Sosinski, Sigma Racing Time Attack.

"The Sports Car Club of British Columbia is looking forward to the 2013 race season, and the excitement that the Mazda Canada contingency program will bring to motorsport in BC.  This program will support our commitment of growing grassroots motorsports, and continue to raise the level of competition.  We are pleased to see Mazda's continued involvement in motorsports in Canada, and believe they are a leader in motorsport development." - Steve Hocaluk, President, SCCBC.

Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 165 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca

SOURCE: Mazda Canada Inc.