bob penkhus Mazda "zoom zoom " racing
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bob penkhus Mazda "zoom zoom " racing
World-Class Success Mazda's racing spirit shines in many vehicles currently racing in American motorsports series, including the Speed World Challenge and Star Mazda Series. The Mazda Miata has dominated SCCA Showroom Stock racing since its introduction in 1989 and first national championship in 1991- first in Showroom Stock C and, more recently, in Showroom Stock B. Highlights of Mazda's racing heritage include: Mazda's first rotary-engine sports car, the Cosmo 110S, makes its international racing debut in the 72-hour Marathon de la Route endurance competition. Building on the success of the Cosmo 110S, Mazda unleashes the rotary-powered R-100, RX-2, RX-3, and RX-4 and piston-powered 323, 626 and MX-6 onto the motorsports circuit. The Mazda RX-7 quickly establishes itself as the dominant car in its class in the late 1970s and 1980s. The most successful model in International Motorsports Association history, the RX-7 collects more than 100 victories. In 1986, the second generation RX-7 is built by Racing Beat to break a class land speed record. At the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, this car sets a new record of 238.44 per hour using a turbo charged 13B Two Rotor engine. In 1991, Mazda's four-rotor 787B captures the world's most famous endurance race, the LeMans circuit in France. Mazda is the first and only Japanese manufacturer to win this prestigious race. Following the 1991 Le Mans, the FIA outlawed rotary engines, and Mazda entered its first piston engine for 1992. Even with alternate technology, Mazda scored an impressive fourth place finish, despite the team's developing the sports racer against incredibly tight deadlines. In 2001, Mazda's great road course becomes Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Mazda becomes the first automaker to be the title sponsor of a major motorsports facility. Mazda plans to use this new alliance in developing and debuting its new vehicles, among other things. It's a natural fit for two heavyweights in the racing arena.
YouTube | January 15, 2009
