News
TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Mazda Canada announced today it will support motorsports competitors across the country through an all-new contingency program. Canadian racers racing a Mazda in the Canadian Touring Car Championship (CTCC), including the all-new B-Spec class, and the Toyo Tires Spec Miata Championship will have the opportunity to win cash prizes.
In addition to cash, Canadian racers are now eligible to compete in the Mazda North American Club Racer Shootout. For the past six years, one American club racing champion was annually promoted to the professional ranks. Now it becomes a true North American event with Canada included. The 2012 shootout prize is a full season in the 2013 SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup valued at $75,000 USD.
For the Canadian Touring Car Championship and the Toyo Tires Spec Miata Championship, Mazda Canada is paying contingency awards, for those competitors who are racing eligible Mazda race cars, for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each points-paying race in the Championship, as well as Year-end Championship awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall.
"Mazda has a strong motorsports heritage. On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle, and we're committed to extending that legacy to Canada," said Don Romano, President of Mazda Canada. "To show our support, we have committed over $100,000 in contingency prize money in Canada for 2012."
Mazda Canada's contingency payouts are as follows:
| 2012 CTCC | |||||
| "Super" Class | "Touring" Class | "B-Spec" Class | |||
| Per-race Contingency Payouts: | |||||
| 1st place: | $1,500.00 | 1st place: | $1,000.00 | 1st place: | $500.00 |
| 2nd place: | $1,000.00 | 2nd place: | $ 750.00 | 2nd place: | $300.00 |
| 3rd place: | $ 500.00 | 3rd place: | $ 500.00 | 3rd place: | $150.00 |
| Year-end Overall Contingency Payouts: | |||||
| 1st place: | $10,000.00 | 1st place: | $6,000.00 | 1st place: | $5,000.00 |
| 2nd place: | $ 3,000.00 | 2nd place: | $3,000.00 | 2nd place: | $2,000.00 |
| 3rd place: | $ 2,000.00 | 3rd place: | $1,000.00 | 3rd place: | $1,000.00 |
| If a 2012 CTCC championship is won in a Mazda, that driver is eligible for the Mazda North American Club Racer Shootout. | |||||
| 2012 Spec Miata | |||||
| Per-race Contingency Payouts: | |||||
| 1st place: | $200.00 | ||||
| 2nd place: | $100.00 | ||||
| 3rd place: | $ 75.00 | ||||
| Year-end Overall Contingency Payouts: | |||||
| 1st place: | $2,000.00 | ||||
| 2nd place: | $1,000.00 | ||||
| 3rd place: | $ 375.00 | ||||
The 2012 Toyo Tires Spec Miata Champion is eligible for the Mazda North American Club Racer Shootout.
"Mazda has always been a leader in both amateur and professional motorsports in the U.S.," said John Doonan, Director of Motorsports for Mazda North American Operations. "Developing the Canadian contingency program and expanding our support to Canadian competitors is a logical extension of our motorsports program."
"This is exciting news for motorsports in Canada. We are grateful for the commitment that Mazda Canada and Mazdaspeed are making to the Canadian motorsports community," said John Bondar, President, Canadian Touring Car Championship. "We have worked very hard to gain the attention of the automotive manufacturers and it is wonderful to see Mazda Canada showing leadership in this area. I am particularly appreciative of the commitment being made in the Canadian Touring Car Championship."
"Spec Miata Championship Drivers Association (SMCDA) is very pleased to include Mazda Canada in the 2012 Toyo Tires Spec Miata Championship," said Blu Vandaalen, President, Spec Miata Championship Drivers Association. "Today's announcement, that Mazda Canada is offering a contingency program, is exciting for everyone. Mazda has been involved in motorsports for a long time and we look forward to working with them by offering incentives to those competing in this exciting new Spec Miata Championship Road Racing Series."
For more information on MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development and Mazda's contingency programs, visit www.MazdaspeedMotorsports.com
Mazda Canada Inc. is responsible for the sales and marketing, customer service and parts support of Mazda vehicles in Canada. Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mazda Canada has a nationwide network of 165 dealerships. For additional information visit Mazda Canada's media website at www.media.mazda.ca
Image with caption: "Mazda B-Spec race car prototype. (CNW Group/Mazda Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120211_C3468_PHOTO_EN_10015.jpg
Sandra Lemaitre, National Manager, Public Relations (905) 787-7167; slemaitr@mazda.ca