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MAZDA 3 MPS Tames Bathurst
as new generation works racing car takes share
18 February 2010
While the ex-works Mazda3 MPS racing cars of Osborne Motorsport and Grand Prix Mazda were busy moving mountains at Bathurst 12 Hour, Mazda Motorsport has been developing the company's first-ever New Generation hot-hatch racer.
The Osborne Motorsport Mazda3 MPS finished 1st in the 12 Hour's Performance class and 8th outright, while Grand Prix Mazda3 MPS came a close 2nd in the same class and 10th overall.
"The Mazda3 MPS is a hard-wearing, and competitive out of the box race car, that continues to prove its worth at gruelling endurance events like the 12 Hour and Targa Tasmania," said Mazda Motorsport chief Allan Horsley.
Both former works racing cars, the Mazda3 MPS Bathurst cars battled for class glory amid a field littered with performance cars from rival marques Holden, Ford and BMW.
It was a bittersweet victory for Osborne Motorsport chief Colin Osborne, with his other Mazda3 MPS driven by himself forced out with turbo issues.
The team's hard work paid off over the weekend, with the winning Mazda3 MPS having to pit only six times during the 12 hour race. "We called every pit stop perfectly and on each occasion we were able to capitalise on the safety car, which ultimately led to a fairly significant advantage".
Grand Prix Mazda motorsport manager Graeme Murray hailed his team's performance in the face of what turned out to be a challenging yet ultimately successful campaign.
"To finish second on the podium is a fantastic way to kick off the season," said Murray. "We had a few niggling issues with our brakes which basically forced us to throw our original pitting strategy out the window, but despite all of this the team pulled together and achieved an excellent result."
19.2.2010
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