When Audi wanted to showcase its TDI dieseltechnology, it chose to compete in the 2006 Le Mans 24-hour race with a diesel-powered prototype. It was a risky move, as the R10 TDI replaced the all-conquering gasoline-powered R8 that had five straight wins under its belt. The success of the R10, and later the R15, proved that Audi was right.Now Mazda is following the same path by entering the new Mazda6 powered by the company’s Skyactive-D clean diesel engine in the Rolex Daytona 24 endurance race, which will be held on January 26-27.
It’s a move intended to show the qualities of its advanced clean 2.2-liter diesel that will join the 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G gasoline-powered Mazda6 in the second half of the year in its U.S. line-up.
The Mazda6 that will compete in the new Grand-Am GX class is not a bespoke prototype like the LMP-1 Le Mans racers, but a race-spec version of the four-door compact saloon with 400+ HP from a diesel engine utilizing, among other production parts, the stock car’s block.
Today, Mazda announced the team and driver line-that will compete with the first-ever diesel-powered car in the most famous endurance event in the States.
SpeedSource, which according to Mazda North America motorsports director John Doonan, has led the technical development of the new racing car in cooperation with company engineers in Japan and the U.S., will be joined by Freedom Autosport and VISIT FLORIDA Racing/SpeedSource/Yellow Dragon Racing.
The SpeedSource #70 car, which is currently on display at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show, will be driven by Jonathan Bomarito, Marino Franchitti (the younger brother of IndyCar champion Dario), James Hinchliffe, Tom Long and Sylvain Tremblay.
Joel Miller, Tristan Nunez, Spencer Pigot, and Tristan Vautier will be joined by Mazda veteran Yojiro Terada, who has competed in more than two dozen Le Mans races in the VISIT FLORIDA Racing/SpeedSource/Yellow Dragon Racing #00 car.
Finally, the Freedom Autosport team #25 car will be driven by Andrew Carbonell, Tom Long, Rhett O’Doski and Derek Whitis.
The pairings for the rest of the 2013 Rolex Grand-Am season will be announced at a later date. Meanwhile, you can view a video of the #70 car at Mazda's Detroit stand.
By Andrew Tsaousis
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