27th April, 2006
In an exciting development for motor racing across the world, Mazda Australia
is running the new Mazda 6 MPS in the 2006 Targa Tasmania Rally which
commenced today.
This will be the first time that the Mazda 6 MPS has been entered in a motor
race of any kind anywhere in the world.
Mazda's Motorsport Manager said “Obviously we are very excited that Targa
Tasmania will be the first race that this car will be tested. We have a strong
history at Targa and this is a superb car, so we are hoping for great things."
“The Mazda 6 MPS is perfectly suited to Tasmania’s conditions. Ultimately, we
are hoping to get a bit of rain and snow, which is fairly standard at this time
of year, as the all-wheel drive capabilities and 2.3 litre DISI turbocharged
engine will come into their own in adverse weather.”
Completing the Prologue in a time of 3.12.59 minutes at the event yesterday in
Georgetown means that Mazda will start 51st for the first leg of the 15th Annual
Rally tomorrow. Mazda Australia will enter the vehicle in the standard car
category.
Mazda 6 MPS driver Dean Evans said that he was very pleased with the result,
“We are very happy with how we finished today. The car ran perfectly and we are
delighted with the strength it has already demonstrated. To finish 51st today puts
us in a really good position on the field, particularly in the standard car category,
so we are thrilled.”
As well as Mazda Australia entering the Mazda 6 MPS, there will also be a
number of other driver’s entering Mazda vehicles in Targa, three of whom will be
joining Evans and his navigator in the team section.
Glenn Ridge will be racing his 1996 RX-7 with navigator Bob Edwards. Rick Shaw,
who finished 8th last year in his debut run, will be racing a 1997 RX-7 with navigator
James Parish. While racing stalwart Barry Faux will drive his 1979 RX-7 with Ray
Pollard navigating. All drivers have entered Targa in previous years and have
considerable experience and success between them.
Evans and Drake have joined with Ridge/Edwards, Shaw/Parish and Faux/Pollard
to form Team Mazda and will enter in the team award category.
Evans and Drake will now be competing for Mazda Australia on an individual
basis as well as for Team Mazda.
Other Mazda news: here.
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