2003 GT Champion Randy Pobst to Drive MAZDA6 in Speed World Challenge Series

- Tri-Point Motorsports to Field Three-Car Team for Pobst, Altenburg and Crescentini -

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 19 -- MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development today announced that Randy Pobst will drive one of Tri-Point Motorsports' MAZDA6 racecars in the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car series. Joining the 2003 GT-class champion Pobst will be long-time Tri-Point driver Jeff Altenburg and 2004 Rookie of the Year, Dino Crescentini. This is the first time that Tri-Point will field three cars on a full-time basis in the series, and the first full season for the team's MAZDA6 racers.

"Randy is a great addition to the Mazda family, and his proven talent in the World Challenge series will be the key to Tri-Point competing for the Touring Car championship this year," said Steve Sanders, manager, MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development. "Adding Randy's proven title-winning skills to Jeff's multiple-year experience with the team, and Dino's enthusiasm and talent, makes Mazda's World Challenge assault as strong as it's ever been."

Pobst has a long history driving Mazda racecars, racing a Miata to the SCCA Showroom Stock C national amateur championship in 1992, and a number of endurance races in an RX-7 Turbo later in the 1990s. In 33 SPEED World Challenge races, Pobst has recorded eight wins and an amazing 23 podium finishes.

"It's a pleasure for me to be back with Tri-Point team boss, Craig Nagler," said Pobst. "Craig was my crew chief in 1997 when I won the North American Super Touring Series, so we are old friends, and I have great respect for him and the entire Tri-Point team. Together, our 2005 goal is to bring the World Challenge Touring Car championship to Mazda."

While a strong driver lineup is critical for winning races and championships, even the best driver is nothing without a competitive car. The 2004 season saw Tri-Point drivers Altenburg and Shauna Marinus start the season driving MAZDASPEED Proteges until their new MAZDA6 racers were complete at mid-season. From that point forward, both drivers were regularly competing for pole positions and race wins, with the high point for the season being Marinus qualifying second and Altenburg taking the MAZDA6's maiden win at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

SPEED World Challenge races are 50-minute sprint-format events, and feature the only standing-start in a professional racing series in North America. Each race is televised on SPEED Channel and provides some of the closest and most competitive racing in the world.

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