Mazda Motorsports Races Ahead Under MAZDASPEED Name

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 8 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that all of Mazda's U.S. motorsports activities, including competition parts sales, motorsports engineering development, contingency programs and professional racing, will be part of the company's MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development division.T

Mazda has long supported all levels of racing -- from grassroots through professional efforts -- and it's more evident today than ever before. With one of the sport's most respected and best-supported contingency programs, Mazda attracts diehard enthusiasts of all levels of racing prowess.

The company has quickly become a major force in the SPEED World Challenge -- winning two out of the last three Touring Car races with its MAZDASPEED Protege. It recently solidified its support of the Star Mazda open-wheel, rotary-engine series with the American Le Mans Series and has plans to debut a new Star Mazda prototype in September.

In addition, the inaugural MAZDASPEED Cup Spec Miata event drew the largest starting line-up of any race ever held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

"Our grassroots motorsports program is one of the best in the industry, and it's getting stronger every day," said Steve Sanders, manager of MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development. "Combine it with our competition parts program and professional racing activities, and MAZDASPEED Motorsports has become a major player."

Last year alone, Mazda sold nearly $4 million in competition parts and is on track to beat this figure in 2002. Nearly 5,000 drivers have registered with the Mazda Team Support Program since 1990. The program offers amateur and professional racecar drivers and engineers a quick and affordable opportunity to access competition and stock parts.

Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer parts and services support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has more than 700 dealerships nationwide.