Mazda Announces Engine Program For New GRAND-AM GX Class

[MINX]

http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_News/tabid/141/Article/50276/mazda-announces-skyactiv-d-clean-diesel-engine-program-for-new-grand-am-gx-class.aspx

June 1, 2012 (DETROIT) Mazda Motorsports today announced that it will supply racing versions of its new SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engines to customer teams competing in GRAND-AM’s new GX Class for advanced/clean technologies, beginning with the 2013 season.

“This opens a new chapter in racing for us,” said Jay Amestoy, Vice President of Mazda Motorsports, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “We’ve won with rotary technology, and now we’re looking to again put our customers in the winner’s circle with what we believe will be the most advanced and cleanest production-based powerplant the sport has ever seen.”

Since 2007, Mazda has been competing with great success in the GRAND-AM GT class with the rotary-powered RX-8. Mazda racers have secured manufacturers, team and drivers championships, along with 2008 and 2010 GT-class wins by the SpeedSource RX-8 in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. With the RX-8 no longer in production for the U.S. market, Mazda needed a new challenge.

The actual Mazda model in which the SKYACTIV-D racing engine will be installed will be announced after the conclusion of the 2012 GRAND-AM racing season.