Mazda back on track for the Celebrity Challenge at the 2014 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

SYDNEY – Oct 4, 2013: The Australian Grand Prix Corporation today announced the return of the Celebrity Challenge to the 2014 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix with Mazda confirming their sponsorship of the race featuring the soon to be released, All-New Mazda3.

Mazda3 has been Australia’s best-selling car for the last two years and the third-generation Mazda3 has been newly designed from the ground up. Like the Mazda6 and CX-5 before it, All-New Mazda3 has adopted Mazda’s award winning ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design theme and the full-suite of SKYACTIV Technology.

The Mazda3 Celebrity Challenge will showcase the All-New Mazda3 powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2.5 litre petrol engine and SKYACTIV-Drive six speed automatic transmission in a combination of hatchback and sedan offering celebrities maximum power of 138kW and 250Nm of torque for the big race.

With All-New Mazda3 to go on sale early next year, the Mazda3 Celebrity Challenge at the 2014 Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix will form a core part of launch activities for the car.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott said he was thrilled to welcome Mazda back in 2014.

“We’re delighted to welcome Mazda back on board for the 2014 Mazda3 Celebrity Challenge. The race adds so much excitement and glamour to an already action packed weekend of racing,” said Westacott.

Marketing Director at Mazda Australia, Alastair Doak said: “With huge crowds watching both trackside and at home, the 2014 Mazda3 Celebrity Challenge provides us with a great opportunity to showcase All-New Mazda3. We look forward to working with a dynamic mix of celebrities and introducing them to a whole new world of Zoom-Zoom.”

Mazda ambassador and Melbourne media personality, Lauren Phillips, was unveiled today as the race’s first official starter.

“I participated in the Celebrity Challenge at the 2011 Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” Lauren said.

“Since then I have been lucky enough to become a Mazda3 ambassador and, like most Australians, have fallen in love with the car. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the All-New Mazda3 and just know that the new celebrity drivers are in for a treat.”

The Mazda3 Celebrity Challenge will feature 20 vehicles and will bring together celebrities from wide-ranging backgrounds and disciplines to compete at Melbourne’s spectacular Albert Park street circuit.

The next round celebrities and the final Mazda3 race car design will be revealed at a special media unveiling later this month.