- 2016/01/30
Mazda Prototypes Pass Through Torrential Qualifying Session. Rolex 24 At DAYTONA Official Qualifying Report
On January 28th (Thur) the practice runs for the 24 at Daytona began and the roar of the 54 competing machines reverberated around the circuit. However, from the morning the weather had been exceedingly unstable and, when qualifying began at 5:00pm, the rain became a deluge and how the prototype session would unfold became extremely unpredictable.
With the weekend of the 24-hour race forecast to have clear weather, and every team loathing the dangers that rain brings, most finished up their free practice session as soon as the minimum required setting confirmations were completed. In the same vein, Mazda Motorsports’ #55 Tristan Nunez and #70 Tom Long, who were to take the reins for qualifying, carried out a restrained session after checking their machine setup. Since the rain wasn’t showing any signs of worsening the team cancelled their afternoon session. The decision was made to avoid the risk and focus on qualifying. However, when the time came for the qualifying sessions to begin at 5:15pm, the rain suddenly became a severe downpour meaning visibility would be difficult to secure due to the massive sprays emitted from preceding vehicles. Despite this, the green light was flashed from the flag tower and so the two Mazda prototypes headed out onto the track. In the end, the session ended without either of them having the opportunity to go all out on their time attack. The final qualifying results saw the #70 grab 10th and the #55 12th on the grid. On top of this, amazingly, the overall top times were monopolized by GTLM class machines, whose session was held while the rain was still relatively light. However, the rules stipulate that the front row be occupied by the prototype group, so the starting grid will still take the form of a regular race.
#55 Nunez’s stated, “I’ve never experienced rain like that. It was like driving in a swimming pool. It felt like I needed a rudder rather than a steering wheel. It took everything I had to keep her on the course, pushing it any harder was out of the question. I’m just glad I could bring the car back to the garage in one piece.” Mazda USA Motorsports Director, John Doonan continued, “Qualifying turned into quite the upset. It’s disappointing because if it had been dry we definitely had a chance at a higher position. Still, we were driving really well with a dry set up at the tests so I think we’re more than ready for the final race. Although we’re starting from the rear, it’s a very long race so I don’t think we need to worry about that too much.”
The weather on the day before the race was clear from morning till night, just as forecast, so completely dry track conditions are expected. On this day, the prototype cars were only allocated one hour of practice runs in the morning. The two Mazda Motorsports Prototypes went out both sporting slick tires. All 3 drivers of each car had a chance to take the wheel, while the pit crew practiced tire changes, nose changes and so on. During this session, the #55 recorded the 4th fastest time, while the #70 marked the 9th, but unfortunately this will have no effect on their starting position in the final race. However, they were able to confirm that there are no issues with their current settings and the team was confident and full of positivity heading towards race day.
On the morning of the 30th an autograph session will be held for each team’s drivers, then all drivers and teams will be introduced to the crowd, after which the race will kick off at 2:40pm.
[Related links]
IMSA DAYTONA 24 Hours 2016
>>> 3 Days Until The Rolex 24 At DAYTONA
>>> Mazda Prototypes Pass Through Torrential Qualifying Session
>>> Two Mazda Prototypes Leave Fray Before the Sunrise
IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring 2016
>>> Keiko Ihara to Compete in IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring in Mazda Prototype
>>> High Hopes for Success With New “Mazda MZR-2.0T” Engine
>>> DAY1 Practice Sessions Start
>>> DAY2 Mazda Prototypes Qualify Their Highest Ever, 5th and 7th
>>> DAY3 Both Mazda Prototypes Achieve Top 10 Finishes
IMSA Long Beach 2016
>>> Mazda Prototypes Finish 4th and 5th at Long Beach
IMSA Montrey GRAND PRIX 2016
>>> Mazda Prototypes Just Miss Out on Podium from Front Row Start
IMSA Belle Isle GRAND PRIX 2016
>>> Mazda Prototype Grabs First IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Podium
IMSA SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN 2016
>>> Mazda Prototype to Compete in 6 Hours of the Glen Sporting Special Livery
>>> Mazda Prototypes Qualify 2nd and 3rd
>>> Mazda Prototype Finishes in Top 5 at Watkins Glen
IMSA Sportscar Grand Prix CTMP 2016
>>> Mazda Prototypes Qualify Pole & 3rd at IMSA Sportscar Grand Prix CTMP
>>> Mazda Prototype Finishes 5th in Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix at CTMSP
[Related video clips]
>>> DAYTONA 24 HOURS 2016
>>> Watkins Glen 6 Hours 2016
Photo by MZRacing
With the weekend of the 24-hour race forecast to have clear weather, and every team loathing the dangers that rain brings, most finished up their free practice session as soon as the minimum required setting confirmations were completed. In the same vein, Mazda Motorsports’ #55 Tristan Nunez and #70 Tom Long, who were to take the reins for qualifying, carried out a restrained session after checking their machine setup. Since the rain wasn’t showing any signs of worsening the team cancelled their afternoon session. The decision was made to avoid the risk and focus on qualifying. However, when the time came for the qualifying sessions to begin at 5:15pm, the rain suddenly became a severe downpour meaning visibility would be difficult to secure due to the massive sprays emitted from preceding vehicles. Despite this, the green light was flashed from the flag tower and so the two Mazda prototypes headed out onto the track. In the end, the session ended without either of them having the opportunity to go all out on their time attack. The final qualifying results saw the #70 grab 10th and the #55 12th on the grid. On top of this, amazingly, the overall top times were monopolized by GTLM class machines, whose session was held while the rain was still relatively light. However, the rules stipulate that the front row be occupied by the prototype group, so the starting grid will still take the form of a regular race.
#55 Nunez’s stated, “I’ve never experienced rain like that. It was like driving in a swimming pool. It felt like I needed a rudder rather than a steering wheel. It took everything I had to keep her on the course, pushing it any harder was out of the question. I’m just glad I could bring the car back to the garage in one piece.” Mazda USA Motorsports Director, John Doonan continued, “Qualifying turned into quite the upset. It’s disappointing because if it had been dry we definitely had a chance at a higher position. Still, we were driving really well with a dry set up at the tests so I think we’re more than ready for the final race. Although we’re starting from the rear, it’s a very long race so I don’t think we need to worry about that too much.”
The weather on the day before the race was clear from morning till night, just as forecast, so completely dry track conditions are expected. On this day, the prototype cars were only allocated one hour of practice runs in the morning. The two Mazda Motorsports Prototypes went out both sporting slick tires. All 3 drivers of each car had a chance to take the wheel, while the pit crew practiced tire changes, nose changes and so on. During this session, the #55 recorded the 4th fastest time, while the #70 marked the 9th, but unfortunately this will have no effect on their starting position in the final race. However, they were able to confirm that there are no issues with their current settings and the team was confident and full of positivity heading towards race day.
On the morning of the 30th an autograph session will be held for each team’s drivers, then all drivers and teams will be introduced to the crowd, after which the race will kick off at 2:40pm.
[Related links]
IMSA DAYTONA 24 Hours 2016
>>> 3 Days Until The Rolex 24 At DAYTONA
>>> Mazda Prototypes Pass Through Torrential Qualifying Session
>>> Two Mazda Prototypes Leave Fray Before the Sunrise
IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring 2016
>>> Keiko Ihara to Compete in IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring in Mazda Prototype
>>> High Hopes for Success With New “Mazda MZR-2.0T” Engine
>>> DAY1 Practice Sessions Start
>>> DAY2 Mazda Prototypes Qualify Their Highest Ever, 5th and 7th
>>> DAY3 Both Mazda Prototypes Achieve Top 10 Finishes
IMSA Long Beach 2016
>>> Mazda Prototypes Finish 4th and 5th at Long Beach
IMSA Montrey GRAND PRIX 2016
>>> Mazda Prototypes Just Miss Out on Podium from Front Row Start
IMSA Belle Isle GRAND PRIX 2016
>>> Mazda Prototype Grabs First IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Podium
IMSA SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN 2016
>>> Mazda Prototype to Compete in 6 Hours of the Glen Sporting Special Livery
>>> Mazda Prototypes Qualify 2nd and 3rd
>>> Mazda Prototype Finishes in Top 5 at Watkins Glen
IMSA Sportscar Grand Prix CTMP 2016
>>> Mazda Prototypes Qualify Pole & 3rd at IMSA Sportscar Grand Prix CTMP
>>> Mazda Prototype Finishes 5th in Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix at CTMSP
[Related video clips]
>>> DAYTONA 24 HOURS 2016
>>> Watkins Glen 6 Hours 2016
Photo by MZRacing
Archive
2024
2023
- 07/10
Mad Mike Breaks Records at Pikes Peak - 05/03
S-Tai Completes Official Testing for 24 Hours of Fuji
2022
2021
- 11/16
Mazda wins 2021 Petit Le Mans in last race for the Mazda RT24-P 10/01
Tenacity maintains Mazda Motorsports’ third place in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship standings09/22
Frustrating fifth in Monterey for Multimatic Motorsports08/16
Idemitsu No. 55 Mazda Motorsports Mazda DPi Takes Second at Road America06/30
Mazda’s DPi Win at Watkins Glen Good to the Last Drop06/18
Championship hunt still on for Mazda Motorsports after a bruising race in Detroit05/21
Mazda take another podium at Mid-Ohio03/24
Mazda RT24-P takes 2nd place in IMSA Sebring 12 Hours02/01
Mazda RT24-P Takes Miraculous 3rd at the 24 Hours of Daytona01/29
Countdown Begins for 2021 Daytona 24 Hour Race
2020
11/16
Mazda RT24-P takes overall victory legendary 12 Hours of Sebring11/15
Multimatic enjoys change in fortune with the Mazdas back on upward curve at Laguna Seca10/23
Lady Luck dominates Multimatic Motorsports’ Petit Le Mans weekend10/02
Mazda RT24-Ps finish 4th and 5th at Mid-Ohio09/07
2nd place finish for #55 Mazda RT24-P at Road Atlanta08/04
Mazda RT24-Ps grab 5th and 6th at Road America07/06
Mazda RT24-P Welcomes Season Return with 1-2 Finish at Daytona 24001/27
Mazda Drives To Second Place In Rolex 24 At Daytona01/26
Mazda RT24-P earns Daytona pole for second consecutive year01/09
Pla and Mazda Qualify First, Set Unofficial Daytona Course Record
2019
12/10
Mazda 2 R1 Has Amazing Debut at the FIA NACAM Rally10/24
IPS “Jinba Ittai Academy’s” Mushitani grabs first win10/15
Mazda Team Joest Just Misses Victory At Petit Le Mans10/02
Mazda Unveils Mazda3 TCR09/20
After Close S-Tai ST-5 Motegi Race, Demio Takes 2nd and Roadster 3rd09/20
Sixth For Mazda In Monterey09/01
RE Miata’s 2019 Bonneville effort struggles with loose salt08/06
Mazda Scores IMSA Hat Trick07/08
Mazda Doubles Down With Second Straight Victory07/01
Mazda Dominates In Watkins Glen For Breakthrough IMSA Victory06/10
Up and Down Day in Detroit for Mazda05/09
Mazdas Battle to Double Podium at Mid-Ohio04/26
Okada Demio 15MB Takes 3rd place at JRC round 304/16
Mazda Comes Home Fourth in Long Beach03/18
Mazda Team Joest finish 6th and 11th at Sebring 12 hours01/28
Two Mazda RT24-Ps retire due to technical trouble01/28
Mazda RT24-P grabs pole position
at Daytona 24 official qualifying01/25
24 Hours of Daytona Race Week Begins
2018
10/23
Double Podium For Mazda At Petit Le Mans10/09
Nikko Reger Claims Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship09/14
Mazda Dominates Before Finishing Fourth At Laguna Seca08/20
#720 RE Miata Records 280km/h at Bonneville08/07
Mazda Narrowly Misses Victory At Road America07/24
Sixth Place in Canada for Mazda Team Joest07/06
Mazda Finishes Tenth At Watkins Glen06/26
RE Powered MX-5 Miata Set to Once Again Challenge the Bonneville Salt Flats05/09
Mazda Scores First Podium of the Season at Mid-Ohio04/16
Fighting Fourth At Long Beach For Mazda03/19
The Mazda RT24-P Encounters Misfortune With the Podium in Sight03/17
Mazda Team Joest Prepared For 12 Hour Challenge Of Sebring03/16
Mazda Team Joest Charges To Sebring01/29
Mazda Team Joest Have a Rough Start to the IMSA Season01/27
The Teams Take It Easy on Friday Ahead of the 24 Hours of Daytona01/26
24 Hours of Daytona Schedule Officially Kicks Off
2017
08/17
RE Miata Falls Short of Rewriting Bonneville Record07/12
Strong Performances See Mazda RT24-Ps Finish in Top 507/04
Mazda Prototype Team Grabs Second Consecutive 3rd Place Podium Finish06/05
#70 Mazda RT24-P Grabs 3rd Place at Belle Isle05/09
Rough Day at COTA For the Mazda Prototypes03/20
Mazda RT24-P Passes Checkered Flag After a Tough 12 Hours of Sebring02/01
Mazda RT24-P Falls Short of Checkered Flag at 24 at Daytona01/28
On The Cusp of the 55th Rolex 24 At DAYTONA
2016
10/18
Mazda Prototype Misses Out on Podium Finish at Petit Le Mans09/12
Yui Tsutsumi Takes 3rd Place Podium in Global MX-5 Cup Invitational Race 209/12
Tsutsumi Grabs 8th in Global MX-5 Invitational Race09/12
Tsutsumi Secures 5th Place in Global MX-5 Cup Invitational Race Qualifying09/09
Mad Mike’s HUMBUL RX-7 Grabs 9th at Formula Drift Okayama Round07/11
Mazda Prototype Finishes 5th in Mobil 1 Sportscar Grand Prix at CTMSP07/10
Mazda Prototypes Qualify Pole & 3rd at IMSA Sportscar Grand Prix CTMP07/04
Mad Mike’s Mazda MX-5 – RADBUL Does Battle in Scorching Hot Orlando Heat07/04
Mazda Prototype Finishes in Top 5 at Watkins Glen07/03
Mazda Prototypes Qualify 2nd and 3rd07/01
Mazda Prototype to Compete in 6 Hours of the Glen Sporting Special Livery06/05
Mazda Prototype Grabs First IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Podium05/25
Mad Mike Takes Victory at FD Ebisu in HUMBUL RX-705/03
Mazda Prototypes Just Miss Out on Podium from Front Row Start05/01
Global MX-5 Cup Launches at Mazda USA’s Home Course04/18
Mazda Prototypes Finish 4th and 5th at Long Beach03/20
IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring Day 3 Both Mazda Prototypes Achieve Top 10 Finishes03/19
IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring Day 2 Mazda Prototypes Qualify Their Highest Ever, 5th and 7th03/18
IMSA 24 Hours of Sebring Practice Sessions Start03/16
High Hopes for Success With New “Mazda MZR-2.0T” Engine03/11
Mazda Racers Take 3 Class Victories and 8 Podiums02/01
Two Mazda Prototypes Leave Fray Before the Sunrise Rolex 24 At DAYTONA01/30
Mazda Prototypes Pass Through Torrential Qualifying Session. Rolex 24 At DAYTONA Official Qualifying Report01/28
3 Days Until The Rolex 24 At DAYTONA01/18
The 2016 Mazda Prototype Team Lineup
2015
12/09
All Four Global MX-5 Cup Cars Complete 25-Hour Race11/23
Glenn McGee wins Mazda USA Shootout to Secure 2016 MX-5 Cup Scholarship10/16
Mad Mike Takes 5th in FD Final Round Driving His 4-Rotor Twin Turbo Mazda MX-510/05
Mazda’s 3-Year LMP2 SKYACTIV-D Program Comes to a Close10/02
Mazda 6 and Mazda 3 Complete CCTC Round 609/24
Mazda Prototypes Retire From TUSC COTA09/23
Mazda Grabs Wins in Two Classes at Pirelli World Challenge Final Rounds, Mazda Takes Manufacture’s Championship08/11
Mazda Motorsports Prototype Finishes Seventh at Road America07/15
Mazda Motorsports Prototype Finishes Seventh in Canada07/03
Mazda Motorsports Prototype Earns Top-Five Finish06/02
Mazda Motorsports Prototype Finishes Eighth at TUSC Belle Isle05/05
Mazda Prototype Matches Best-Ever Finish at Mazda Raceway05/04
Staff Sgt. Dwyer and Carbonell Win, Mazda Sweeps the CTSCC Podium04/23
Diesel-Powered Mazda Prototypes finish TUSC Long Beach Race Seventh and Eighth03/23
2 Mazda Prototypes Retire Mid-Race03/21
Mazda Prototype Sets Best Time 4.4 Seconds Faster Than Last Year03/21
Practice Begins For TUSC Round 2, The 12 Hours Of Sebring01/26
Two Mazda SKYACTIV-D Prototypes Pull Out Before The Morning Sun01/24
#07 Mazda Prototype Will Make Starting Grid After Engine Change01/23
Two Mazda Prototypes Complete Qualification for 24 Hours of Daytona01/14
Updated Mazda Prototype Makes Decisive Start Towards 24 Hours of Daytona
2014
12/11
Mazda dominates 2 classes at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill10/14
Numerous Mazda Racers Shine At America’s Largest Club Event09/22
#07 Mazda LMP2 completes TUSC Austin round in 9th08/14
Mazda Prototype comes home 9th at TUSC Road America08/04
Complete finish for the 2 LMP2 SKYACTIV-Ds at Brickyard
TUSC round 9, Indianapolis07/30
Mazda SKYACTIV-D racing engine07/01
After a tenacious run, the #07 Mazda Prototype takes class 9th06/29
Qualifying begins for TUSC at Watkins Glen06/06
The two Mazda LMP2 cars finish at the TUSC Belle Isle05/26
Mazda MX-5 Miatas Sweep Lime Rock Podium05/07
Mazda LMP2 SKYACTIV-D finishes 7th at TUSC, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca04/13
#07 Mazda LMP2 finishes 8th at TUSC Long Beach04/12
Sprint spec Mazda LMP2 SKYACTIV-D takes on the TUSC third round at Long Beach.03/17
Mazda LMP2 SKYACTIV-D achieves its first complete finish at the 12 hours of Sebring03/16
Sebring 12-hour race : Half way point / 16:1503/15
Anomalies with two Mazdas during the 12 hours of Sebring Qualifier