- 2017/07/07
Mazda 2 SKYACTIV-D Grabs Consecutive Victories at TSS Bang Saen
The two races for round 2 of the Thailand Super Series (TSS) were held over June 29th to July 2nd at the Bang Saen street circuit. Here the Mazda 2 SKYACTIV-D entered into the Super Compact Class by the official team of Mazda Sales Thailand, Mazda / Innovation Motorsport, grabbed victory in both races, more than demonstrating the “Mazda 2’s speed.”
The Super Compact Class is a popular category in Thailand. In addition to the Ford Fiestas, which have boasted formidable speed until now, Honda Fits and Jazz also compete in this class and the Mazda 2 is the only car racing with a diesel engine. The class is garnering a lot of attention from those who want to see just how competitive the Mazda 2 can be. The #43 Mazda 2 hatchback, produced in Thailand, was driven by veteran, Mana Pornsirichard (Thailand) who pushed aside his powerhouse rivals in qualifying, held on the 29th, to secure pole position. Riding on that momentum the #43 Mazda 2 went on to achieve an outstanding lights-to-flag victory in the first race held on the 30th. As for the #55 Mazda 2 of Michael Freeman (Australia), it unfortunately made contact with another car and received damage to the body, forcing an emergency pit for repairs. He ultimately passed the finish line in 12th place.
The starting grid for the second race, held on July 2nd, was decided through the results of the first race. The #43 began from 5th on the grid, while the #55 started from 12th. Immediately after the green light was lit, the #43 Mana amazingly passed five cars in one go to jump straight up to the top spot. From then on, the chasing competition could do nothing but watch as he went on to pass the checkered flag unchallenged. As for Freeman’s #55, it began from 12th on the grid and immediately leapt up to 7th place. From there he passed a further two rivals to finish the race in 5th. After the race, one of the top finishers received a penalty, which raised him up to official 4th place. With his two consecutive victories Mana has risen to the top of the driver’s rankings.
After the race, Mana stated, “The car was in perfect form and I was able to carry out a consistent race. However, I was given handicap weight for race two, which weighed down the body and, in combination with the heat, I struggled with tire grip in the second half. Corning was particularly difficult but I’m ecstatic that I could win. I will do my best in the next race.” Freeman continued, “After passing 5 cars at the start I lost a bit of engine power. Still, I was able to mark down a personal best time and get points with a 4th place finish so I can say I had a good weekend. This is an incredibly competitive class and I’m sure the other teams will improve by the next race so we will have to ensure that we are fully prepared as well.”
Photos provided by Mazda Sales Thailand
Archive
2021
2020
11/20
Mazda2 SKY-D Takes Championship in Thailand’s TSS Series10/04
GHR Mazda 2 R1 Takes R1 Class Victory at Rally Patrio
2018
09/13
Mazda 2 SKY-D Takes Victory at TSS Bira08/24
Frustrating day for Brendan at Coromandel Rally07/26
Mazda 2 SKYACTIV-D Grabs 2nd in TSS Bang Saen07/04
Mazda 2 AP4+ Finishes 2nd at Rally South Canterbury
2017
12/11
Hawkeswood’s Mazda 2 AP4+ 2017 New Zealand Rally Champion11/27
Dèng’s Mazda 3 Axela Finishes 4th at CTCC Wǔhàn11/24
Disappointing End for Reeves’ Mazda 2 AP4 At Rally Australia Despite Strong Start10/07
“Mazda 2 SKY-D” Becomes TSS Champion09/05
Reeves’ Mazda 2 AP4 Takes Rally Coromandel Victory08/23
MX-5 Cup Car Takes Class 2nd at 24 Hours of Zolder07/07
Mazda 2 SKYACTIV-D Grabs Consecutive Victories at TSS Bang Saen06/27
Mazda 3 Axela Finishes 6th After Intense CTCC Battle at Guangzhou06/22
The Legend, Yojiro Terada, Races at Road to Le Mans05/05
Mazda 2 SKY-D Achieves 1-2 Finish at TSS Buriram03/01
Mazda 2 Diesel Makes Major Breakthrough in Thailand TSS Bangsaen GP
2016
11/11
Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 Show Strong Performance at CTCC Final at Shanghai Tianma Circuit11/02
First Victory for Mazda 3 Axela in CTCC Guiyang Round09/30
MZRacing Beijing Liusu Team Takes CTCC Super Cup Club Championship09/05
4 Mazdas Compete at CTCC Guangzhou08/26
Mazda Belgium Press Team Competes in Global MX-5 Cup Car at 24 Hours of Zolder07/17
Mazda 2 SKY-Ds Have Strong Showing at TSC Chang Int’l. Circuit06/22
Mazda 3 Axela Finishes 7th in Both Classes at CTCC Rd. 3 Shanghai06/21
Mazda 3 Finishes 7th in CTCC Rd. 2 at Zhuhai International Circuit06/01
Mazda 3 Grabs Third Step on Podium at CTCC Opening Rd
2015
11/12
Mazda 6 Achieves Season Best 5th Place in CTCC Rd. 811/02
Mazda 3s Have CTCC Rd. 7 1st Place Finishes Revoked Due to Vehicle Violations09/21
The Mazda R100 Rotary Coupe Makes Kato’s Dream a Reality09/20
Kato’s Mazda R100s Finally Run at Spa09/04
Kato Expresses His Feelings Going Into Spa Classic Race08/25
Mazda 6 Grabs First Podium in Inaugural Year of CTCC Competition07/23
Mazda 3 Completes CTCC Korean Round06/24
Mazda 6 Grabs 5th at CTCC Round 3 – Shanghai Tianma Circuit06/08
Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 Fight Hard Battle in Front of 300-Strong Mazda Cheer Squad05/20
Mazda 6 and Mazda 3 debut at CTCC05/13
Mazda 2 SKYACTIV-D Challenges Thailand’s Super Series02/17
Mazda RX-8s and Mazda 3 Perform at Australia’s Bathurst 12 Hour
2014
12/15
Freeman’s Mazda 2 takes 2nd place in Super Production final round.Bangsaen Speed Festival12/14
Bangsaen Speed Festival a Most Hectic Day.Pete Thongchua Becomes Pickup Champion12/13
Mazda BT50 Achieves Turnaround Victory at Super Pickup Race Round 7. Bangsaen Speed Festival 2014.11/19
Knight Sports RX-8 Misses Competing in its 6th Macau GP11/10
Mazda 2s Fight Tough Battle at Thailand’s Super Production Race10/27
The RE Sound Roars Across Australia’s Eastern Creek.
World Time Attack Challenge 201410/01
Macau GP spec Knight Sports RX-8 completes last test in Japan09/30
Another win for Reeves at Rally Australia09/04
Macau spec Knight Sports RX-8 gets shakedown08/05
Hard-fought second for Brendan at Scouts Rally SA07/17
#07 Mazda prototype takes 6th at the TUSC Canadian round07/08
The Mazda 2s fight tough battle at Thailand Super Production Race07/06
Mazda RX-7 Gr.B rally car takes a run up Goodwood06/28
The 25th Anniversary Roadster in the automobile “Holy Land” of Goodwood06/22
Mazda MX-5 retires due to crash (3:00am report)06/21
Mazda MX-5 qualifies 4th place in class05/13
Mazda 2 comes back from the brink at the opening round of the Thailand Super Series in Sepang (Malaysia)04/06
Overall victory for Brendan at Forest Rally03/20
Soccer great wins 2014 Mazda3 Celebrity Challenge03/05
Brendan Reeves leads ARC after victory in Canberra