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Mazda New Zealand is about to inject some Zoom-Zoom into the New Zealand motor racing scene this summer with its decision to enter a car into the New Zealand Production Racing series.
The company will enter a fully race prepared Mazda3 MPS in the FWD class of the highly competitive production series that takes place at circuits around the country between November and April.  It is the company’s first factory entry into motor racing since the early 90s however Mazda vehicles have always featured prominently on race tracks around the country for a number of years with the RX-7 and RX-8 proving very popular vehicles.
Andrew Clearwater, managing director Mazda New Zealand says the company has watched with interest as motor racing - much like the Mazda brand – has gone through a renaissance in recent years.
“We have a pool of very talented drivers coming through and the crowd numbers at race meetings are growing all the time,” he said.
“We thought long and hard about getting into motor racing because it can be a very expensive exercise.  However we are confident the performance-bred Mazda3 MPS will ably compete with the best in its class and further enhance Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom brand image.”
The stunning blue vehicle with prominent yellow Zoom-Zoom graphics, was prepared by the Mazda New Zealand technical team in conjunction with Octane Automotive in Palmerston North.
Later in September Mazda is giving some well known up and coming drivers the chance to drive the vehicle at Taupo’s Centennial Raceway after which a driver will be selected to race the car in the series.
In addition to the Mazda New Zealand factory entry Mazda is making other fully race prepared Mazda3 MPS vehicles available to other drivers to buy at a very competitive price.  The drivers will need to secure their own sponsorship and back up crew.
“We already have expressions of interest from a number of parties so we may end up with three or four Mazda3 MPS cars in the series which would be fantastic,” said Clearwater.
People interested in discussing the purchase of Mazda3 MPS race car need to contact John Van der Velden at Mazda New Zealand.     n
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