1. Mr.Cool
2. RacerJason
3. CS13B
4. Ka Kui
5.Drift/Mike
6. IPWinsor
7. RXeckless
8. Scottish#1
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

 

1. Mr.Cool
2. RacerJason
3. CS13B
4. Ka Kui
5.Drift/Mike
6. IPWinsor
7. RXeckless
8. Scottish#1
9. IAN
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

 

FYI Ron Fellows is speaking right after Mazda, to talk about his career - but more importantly (at least in current news) he's going to talk about the changes and expectations at Mosport.

 

This is one reason it sucks to living out west, very hard to include ourselves in such activities...

Damn...

Well guys represent us well!!!


J.

 

I never got an invite for a free ticket, I've been harrassing mazda about this for a while now on their facebookabout showing more support for their racing community. I went and left a bunch of troll comments on those people all out dancing and crap about how they could pay all those dancers but couldn't pay a couple representives to go around and support more events

 

All you need to figure out is who's budget was being tapped for the dancers and who's budget will be tapped for the Canadian Mazdaspeed effort.

In reality, who cares what goes on as long as Canadian competitors are shown some love by Mazda. Heck if they want to send smokin' hot dancers and drink tents to Solo events or Regionals or CTCC events, I will go over and look as long as I can participate in a program similar to what has been going on in Mazda US for a long time.

Not going to nitpik the program. Anything is better than what Canadian Mazda competitors have had for the last 15 years, which is as long as I have been racing my RX7!

Eric

 

Are the club members meeting before the Mazda announcement? Maybe the food/drink table area, shoot the breeze, have a few drinks? Anyway i'm in!
1. Mr.Cool
2. RacerJason
3. CS13B
4. Ka Kui
5.Drift/Mike
6. IPWinsor
7. RXeckless
8. Scottish#1
9. IAN
10. Hockley Comet
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

 

Exactly my question, Hockley. Maybe get there around noon and eat some overpriced International Center food first, then watch the mazda dog and pony show? Anyone?

Carl Edwards Q and A at noon, BTW.

 

I'm not going to be able to make it but am really interested in what's happening.... can somebody please post cole's notes after?

 

I think those people who are interested in or already regularly participate in some level of motorsports will be pleased, not overjoyed but pleased. Solo, Time Attack, Regionals, CTCC, etc.

 

ill make and audio recording of it, lets hope it sounds ok

 

I'll be attending with my brother, and nephew. He'll be looking for sponsorship. He's 19 months and ready to roll!!

 

I had a quick meeting with John Doonan tonight. He wouldn't give me any details and I didn't really ask for any. He looked pretty tired, but pleased that they were able to put something in place for Canadian sanctioned "competitors". It is not a program for "Sponsorship" but a program to reward people who are racing Mazda products.

I think some applause at the announcement would be a good touch and please don't ask dumb questions about why you can't get sponsorship or any support for your stereo car, show car or drift car at the announcement. Just get names and you can follow that up with them later. I got the distinct impression that there was some hard negotiating to get this put into place. I also got the feeling that for some classes of cars the potential winnings could be strong and for others just okay. He really went out of his way to commend Al Balinsky for putting this all in motion a couple of years ago and was sorry that he wasn't still with Mazda. I also got the distinct impression that Mazda 2's in the CTCC are the car to have to make money, but he loved the fact that I had been racing a 2nd Gen RX7 since 1997. Crypes, he even knew who I was and asked me how my car was going ........

Please pass the word that everyone should have their "Happy Happy, Joy Joy" faces on. It will work out better for every one in the end. Just a suggestion ahead of time.

Eric

 

Let's not forget RacerJason and Can-Saf Eric, I have a feeling this this had equally (if not more) to do with their 'social media push' in the past 8 months. If Al is being credited with the Mazdaspeed end I think it's equally important to credit Jason and the Can-Saf team with the Mazda Canada half.

 

I am not forgetting the efforts by others, I am only mentioning what John said to me. I personally commend everyone involved in the effort, as I thought it would never happen in Canada.

Man, going out to the shop to work on the wee beasty again today. May need to make it slower to meet the new CASC Breakout times and drop back to GT5............

Eric

 

rx7... slower...? now thats something i dont hear much. i hope the weather doesnt change anyones minds about going. ill be there in my gxl, so im sure everone else should make it in their 4x4 whatever. personaly i like this weather better for the na lol

 

Yeah I hear you. The reasoning is that the CASC has shifted all their Bracket times by one second at Mosport. GT4 Breakout is now a 1:35 and slower where as previously it was 1:36 and slower. I had a chance of getting into the 1:36's, but I need another 60 to 70 HP to do a 1:35. GT5 is now a 1:40 flat where as it was a 1:41 previously. Thats an easy peasy drive in 3rd and 4th all day and float kind of time in my RX7.

If the Canadian Mazda program is anything like the US, you will only get stuff if you place in the top 3. Can I pull a 1:35 out of it to place in the top 3 in GT4, I don't know but it will cost mucho $$$$. Can I get a 1:40 to win GT5, hell ya baby. I just need to run my 8 year old RA1's, float into and through the corners and scream up the straights. Have a great radio and timing system and good crew chief and great brakes going into turn 10.

Maybe I can run the car in GT5 in the GT Challenge Series to win stuff and GT4 in the Sprints to see how fast I can make it go. This is the kind of thinking that makes me not like Bracket road racing in the way that the CASC has re-arranged it to, but you run where you can and still get some support. It is never as easy as just driving what you have as fast as it can go. I wish it was.

CASC Time Attack rules based on Car Prep points is a far purer way of doing it and I would prefer that type of system for road racing and then you can run the car "Full Out", LOL.

Have fun guys it will be interesting.

Eric

 

Here's the press release. They said competitors in series that are not listed should register with Mazda and they would look at expanding the program based on the registrations they see.

------------------------------------------------------


Mazda Canada Announces Grass Roots MotorSports Program for Racers

Check out the press release from Mazda Canada below!
-----------------------
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
Per-race Contingency Payouts:
1st place:
$1,500.00
2nd place:
$1,000.00
3rd place:
$ 500.00

Year-end Overall Contingency Payouts:
1st place:
$10,000.00
2nd place:
$ 3,000.00
3rd place:
$ 2,000.00

“Touring” Class
Per-race Contingency Payouts:
1st place:
$1,000.00
2nd place:
$ 750.00
3rd place:
$ 500.00

Year-end Overall Contingency Payouts:
1st place:
$6,000.00
2nd place:
$3,000.00
3rd place:
$1,000.00

“B-Spec” Class
Per-race Contingency Payouts:
1st place:
$500.00
2nd place:
$300.00
3rd place:
$150.00

Year-end Overall Contingency Payouts:
1st place:
$5,000.00
2nd place:
$2,000.00
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

 

A little disappointed that the program wasn't broader i.e. Regional Sprints, Solo, etc. but really what they put together in literally six months is an amazing turnaround from zero support all these years (Mazda Canada that is).

The seminar was good, I remember the one at PRI being about 30 minutes longer and a little more inspirational/thought provoking but again, a step in the right direction. Jim x 2, John, and Dean are class acts.

The most important thing for anyone planning on competing with their Mazda in any discipline is to register with Mazda Canada when the details emerge on their Facebook page. This will demonstrate where interest is strongest and the next additions to the program could very well be your very series/events.