The Thailand Super Series was held on October 5 (Sat.) and 6 (Sun.) at Bira Circuit in Pattaya, Thailand, where a Mazda2 (Demio), supported by Mazda Sales Thailand, took its first victory.

At this time of year, Thailand has rainy, unpredictable weather. On both days of this Super Cup event (Round 3), there was rain interspersed with cloudy skies. The Super Production race, in which a pair of Mazda2 entries appeared, was hotly contested by a field of veteran machines including the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, and Honda Fit, with a total of 27 machines taking part.

In the first race on Saturday, Michael Freeman's #55 Mazda2, entered by the Mazda Innovation Team, started from ninth on the grid, while Pete Thongchua's #17 Mazda2 started tenth. In the middle of the race, the #55 rose to third place, while the #17 advanced to fourth, and it was in these positions that both cars finished.

However, a subsequent disqualification during the second vehicle inspection moved the Mazda entries into second and third places respectively. In the second race on Sunday the 6th, the #55 car started in second, with the #17 machine next up in third. Conditions were wet at the start, with puddles scattered here and there around the track, and within the first two laps, the #17 had jumped into the lead! Immediately after, the second place car went into a spin and left the track. The #17 gained an instant advantage as the cars immediately behind were forced to slow down in the wake of their spinning rival. Thongchua protected this lead all the way to the end, earning a much-desired first victory. Freeman's #55 car came fourth.

This was the second time that the Mazda2 has appeared in the Thailand Super Series. Later on this season, the climactic final round will be held on the Bangsaen Street Course, from December 18 through 22.

Pete Thongchua's comments:
“It was a difficult race with the rainy conditions, but I'm happy about the excellent results we achieved, finishing third and first. I am grateful for Thai Mazda's support and for my team getting the car in top shape. I promise to give everyone an excellent race next time.”

Michael Freeman's comments:
“I'm happy that everyone at Mazda was so eager to support me, and that I was able to have such a good race. I am proud to be able to race in Mazda's cars, and I'm looking forward to our next outing.”