Head out to any open track day and it's likely that you'll find more Mazda vehicles making the rounds on the tarmac than almost any other make. It's not rare to find out that at least one of the instructors doing a ride-along campaigns a Spec Miata, and during our last event, the same guy that flogged his caged MX-5 around the course (and was kind enough to help us figure out turn six) got into a Mazdaspeed3 for the long trek home from Thunderhill.
Mazdas currently account for around half the cars running during SCCA events, something that seems to be better for the brand than throwing big money at NASCAR or F1 in pursuit of serious performance credibility. And it's not just good for perception. Mazda sold $6.9 million in parts to grassroots teams last year and is expected to increase that amount to $7.8 million this year. While that's a small percentage of the overall Mazdaspeed sales for the year (MS products account for around $130 million total), it's obvious that Mazda has set the pace for any other automaker that wants to get in on the ground floor of racing.
Mazda's success is primarily based around its expansive lineup of products – everything from basic bolt-ons to ceramic apex seals for rotary engines –plus, SCCA-licensed racers can buy cars at discount, hit up the dealer for parts and if they forgot something come race day, there's a good chance that Mazdaspeed has a trailer at the event. The old adage of "race Sunday, sell Monday" holds less value today than it has in the past, but Mazda could redefine the saying to "Sell (parts) Friday, race hard Sunday."
[Source: Autoweek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ehisforadam @ Mar 25th 2008 9:11AM
I really don't think being in NASCAR is any way of proving your brand is about serious performance, at least not in its current incarnation.
LBuzzer @ Mar 25th 2008 9:21AM
The SCCA Showroom stock classes are where the real action is. Winning here means your cars are good sporty cars, whereas winning in NASCAR means....
uh...
Help me out here...
vintage @ Mar 25th 2008 12:27PM
That a v8, RWD version of the car you are driving that shares zero parts with the one you bought is .... uh...
help me out here....
mikomi @ Mar 25th 2008 12:16PM
Sorry, can't help you there.
R @ Mar 25th 2008 12:36PM
This is hilarious. Anyway I wish more brands would support amateur racing like Mazda. I think Ford does, but I'm not sure beyond that.
f1fan @ Mar 25th 2008 9:25AM
Once again, this only counts for US, so throwing F1 in the mix is wrong. Outside "the states" mazda doesn´t have THAT much of a racing credibility, other than street racing.
John R @ Mar 25th 2008 9:43AM
you mean, "in europe". Mazda's credibility in Asia is solid.
gotsmart @ Mar 25th 2008 9:42AM
The Mazda 3 and MX-5/Miata are great, affordable sporty fun cars. We're in the market to replace our aging VW Golf, and we took the Mazda 3 Sport GT for a test drive a couple of weeks ago, and even in non-MazdaSpeed form, it was a very capable vehicle, with excellent ride and handling. It's no wonder that they're such popular cars for daily drivers, and with such strong factory support for performance products, they're also very popular with tuners and weekend track racers and autocrossers.
As one auto blog pointed out, it's pretty incredible that even after over five years on the market, the Mazda 3 is STILL a better car than most of its direct competition.
MajorGeek @ Mar 25th 2008 9:50AM
When I first could afford a second car, I bought a used Miata, about 10 years ago. I never regretted it. No one will claim that it's the fastest, best handling car, but it is fun to drive, affordable and easy to clean and maintain. Top was easily removed and gas mileage was great. Great first second car for someone watching the wallet. Compared to my current line of cars, which all have their advantages, I often miss the fun and simplicity of my Miata.
Way of the Future @ Mar 25th 2008 9:49AM
Mazda Rules!! It really does. I have a 335i coupe and a RX-8 and I truly enjoy the Mazda more. It handles so well and their grassroots participation is great. (BMW also participates in grassroot events, BMWCCA, is also great but really only to BMWs) Mazda also has a racer's program as mentioned and gives discounted parts to racers, etc. They really do get drivers excited to go out and compete.
Mike V. @ Mar 25th 2008 10:03AM
When you give cars to all the SCCA board members and give more incentives to the drivers than anyone else to drive their cars, than yes, you will dominate. That's why people are leaving SCCA for NASA and other organizations. If you don't run Mazda you are effectively gridded out by the rules. SPEC Miata isn't policed and is plagued with cheating and it goes on from there.
Mazda has effectively bought the SCCA, of course they are going to be the supreme vehicle. It all started in the 90's when they cried wolf over the Dodge Neon destroying them in showroom stock.
BTW: Yes, I am a current licensed SCCA club racer.
Jay @ Mar 25th 2008 11:43AM
"SPEC Miata isn't policed and is plagued with cheating and it goes on from there."
Since a Mazda wins in Spec Miata no matter what, why would Mazda have anything to do with who cheats in Spec Miat??????
If Mazda controls the SCCA, why did the SCCA toss the MX-5 MSR out of SSB at the last minute last year? That ticked Mazda off enough to consider dropping their SCCA support.
Seems you (as do many others) have a problem with the SCCA not Mazda.
bobby @ Mar 25th 2008 10:09AM
This is what happens when a car company loves to race and then it shows in their consumer products. Unlike other manufacturers who are just into racing to for the appearance that they really like to race.
Rick C, @ Mar 25th 2008 10:23AM
This article is about a spec Miata series. It has nothing to do with them taking over the SCCA. There are MANY other categories to race in, namely, all of the production classes, which ARE meant to have variety.
Alex @ Mar 25th 2008 10:13AM
Mazda has it easy in the grassroots. All the other companies are too busy worrying about NASCAR or F1 or WRC. Those are some serious and expensive ventures. I'm surprised more of the smaller auto manufacturers are not trying to compete with Mazda, or even companies like MINI or VW. Both have very capable and relatively inexpensive cars that could compete against the MS3 or MX-5. Hell, Honda should get their ricer boys from the street to the track. ... actually this is a great idea. Then they would figure out how useless all that kit is on their cars and maybe get rid of it!
Dude @ Mar 25th 2008 11:03AM
What Mazda has done is great, but Pontiac has been winning with the Solstice for the past two years.
2006 National Championship: C Stock Open
2006 National Championship: C Stock Ladies
2007 National Championship: C Stock Ladies
2007 National Championship: A Stock Ladies
2007 National Championship: B Stock
2007 National Championship: Touring 2
Guenther @ Mar 25th 2008 11:01AM
please see http://www.hondachallenge.com/ for more info on hondas going fast.
blogged to death @ Mar 25th 2008 12:20PM
Solstii are winning b/c of GM Performance is building cars and Hienricy is driving and helping the cars compete (that man is a legend).
But outside of that for Amateur road racing Mazda is the cream of the crop with their support - I'd be driving a Spec Miata if I could actually fit in one (6'4") comfortabley and safely - instead I can't and race a 944 in 944 Spec with NASA and a Civic hatchback in SCCA ITC and Honda Challenge.
MikeInNC @ Mar 25th 2008 1:28PM
No cred in Europe? I believe Mazda was the first Japanese company to EVER win Le Mans. Granted, they don't spend a lot of time/money in Europe anymore but, when they put their mind to it, I'd say credibility isn't a issue.
Aetius @ Mar 25th 2008 3:27PM
I love Mazda. My first Mazda I drove was aunt's '97 626, which was so much fun to drive than it's competitors even back then. Then she bought the '05 Mazda6 Sport GS (the 5-door one) and I was hooked to the connected feel of the driving and handling of the chassis. And of course the looks. I myself received a '06 Mazda3 Sport GT from my parents and I absolutely love it. Sure there are many fantastic cars out there but there is something driving a Mazda which is so hard to describe. Once you feel the traits I mentioned, you can't go back. Is it as glamorous, expensive, powerful as some other products? No. But when you have a smile on your face every time you drive one, you don't really care.