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Mazda Sponsors Supercross Team Led by Jeremy McGrath

25 January 1999

Mazda Sponsoring Supercross Team Led by Motocross Superstar Jeremy McGrath; Team Mazda Chaparral Yamaha to Feature Defending Champion McGrath, Teammate Steve Lamson


    IRVINE, Calif.--Jan. 25, 1999--Proving that winners stick together, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) announced today that it has signed an agreement to become title sponsor of the defending Supercross champion, Chaparral Yamaha racing team. Motocross superstar, and five-time Supercross champion, Jeremy McGrath and teammate Steve Lamson will ride for Team Mazda Chaparral Yamaha in the 1999 AMA Supercross Series.
    The one-year sponsorship package includes signage on the team's bikes, uniforms and 18-wheel transporter. Mazda will showcase its 1999 B-Series trucks, including the limited edition Troy Lee Edition truck at a number of Supercross events this season and provide each team member with a truck. Troy Lee is well known in the cycling community for his "extreme sports" apparel and eye-catching helmet designs worn by many Supercross riders.
    "This sponsorship aligns Mazda and its products with the sport's top independent team and the reigning king of Supercross, Jeremy McGrath," said Ron Neale, Mazda's director of marketing. "Jeremy and Supercross embody the core values we build into every B-Series truck
-- ruggedness, athleticism and durability. Supercross spectators are truck buyers and they demand that their trucks be as tough as their bikes. The Mazda B-Series truck delivers on that promise."
    Demonstrating the depth of Mazda's commitment to using the sport as a marketing vehicle, this sponsorship builds on Mazda's existing title sponsorship of the AMA Mazda Truck National Motocross Series. The company's advertising integrates the youthful imagery and extreme nature of motocross in television ads for the B-Series trucks. Mazda got involved with motocross because the sport's demographics indicate a strong presence of 18 to 34 year old males, 70 percent of whom already own a pickup truck.
    The Mazda B-Series trucks are noted for their muscular, athletic styling and toughness. Mazda offers the only import-brand four-door truck, the Cab Plus 4. Mazda also offers a choice of three engines, two cab configurations and two- or four-wheel drive.
    The association with Team Mazda Chaparral Yamaha and McGrath is a fundamental component of the effort.
    McGrath has captured five of the last six AMA U.S. Supercross titles, placing second in the only year he did not win. In 1993, McGrath became the only rookie to win the Supercross championship. He also won the Western Region 125cc Supercross championship in 1991 and 1992.
    "My goal each week is to make sure Team Mazda Chaparral Yamaha is represented on the winner's stand," said McGrath. "This sponsorship under-scores Mazda's belief in our team's ability to repeat as Supercross champions."
    After taking first place this weekend in Phoenix, McGrath is the current AMA Supercross points leader. Lamson placed tenth in Phoenix and is thirteenth overall. This week's race in Seattle will be the fourth of a sixteen race series.
    McGrath's teammate Lamson won consecutive 125cc Outdoor National Championship trophies in 1995 and 1996. He also won the Elsinore Grand Prix in 1996 and 1997. Lamson was a 125cc Motocross des Nations Champion in 1996.
    Mazda North American Operations is responsible for the research and development, sales and marketing, and customer parts and service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., MNAO has approximately 800 dealerships nationwide and is owned by Mazda Motor Corp., Hiroshima, Japan.
    For further information on Mazda, please visit www.mazdausa.com. For further information on Chaparral Motorsports, visit www.chaparral-racing.com.