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Bruce Newton10 Aug 2015
NEWS

MOTORSPORT: Mazda says no to Supercars

Turbocharged four-cylinder Maxda3 pitched as a potential racer

Mazda has confirmed it won't be joining the revised V8 Supercars formula from 2017 when new Gen2 rules will be introduced that allow four and six-cylinder turbocharged engines and body shapes other than sedans.

The decision follows a recent meeting between Mazda executives including managing director Martin Benders and marketing director Alastair Doak and V8 Supercars bosses including CEO James Warburton and marketing chief John Casey.

While the mid-size Mazda6 most logically fits the standard Supercars wheelbase, it is understood V8 Supercars pitched the concept of Mazda running a turbocharged four-cylinder engine housed in the shape of its popular Mazda3 small car.

But Benders told motoring.com.au at last week's ND MX-5 launch that the rules structure that equalised all vehicles did not appeal to Mazda.

"They will let us do our own bodies and engines but ... all of the dimensions and weights are still geared on the V8 base engine and not on a turbo four or something else, so making those other things work would require a lot of adaptation.

"I just don't think it works for us."

While first announced late in 2014, the detail of Gen2 was further fleshed out in July. V8 Supercars – which is expected to become simply Supercars when the new rules come into play – describes the rule package as a way to retain existing manufacturers in the category, as well as potentially enticing new ones.

Its management team has consulted with manufacturers currently involved in the series and explained the Gen2 concept to other brands besides Mazda as well.

All cars will be based on the current control chassis and be required to conform to the current measurements and weights. V8 Supercars has committed to aerodynamic and engine performance parity being maintained across multiple engine and body shapes.

Ford, Holden, Nissan and Volvo have factory-backed cars in the championship. Mercedes-Benz is represented by privateer team Erebus Motorsport, but provides no support.

Ford has already announced its withdrawal from the end of this year, while the other manufacturers have yet to commit for the Gen2 era. However, Holden is already said to be investigating a twin turbo V6 engine.

Benders said he understood the rationale behind the change Supercars was making, but was not won over by the pitch.

"I wasn't 100 per cent convinced," he said. "It was sort of like we [Supercars] want to change but we haven't quite changed yet.

"I may have that wrong but my guess is that it still needs to change a bit more before we could even entertain it. It is still set up to be a V8 racing series.

"I think they realise that change has got to happen, but they think they won't be able to change it too fast because they realise they have to take their supporter base with them and I get that.

"It just means we are probably not ready for it."

Benders said Mazda Australia was conscious of motorsport and kept an eye out for potential opportunities, such as the new one-make MX-5 Cup.

"We keep looking for things, there is still talk globally about the one-make thing with MX-5, but that is more possible in Europe and America where there is more grass roots racing," he said.

"Here you end up nowhere pretty quickly once you go past V8s and GT series."

Separately, another Mazda executive made the point that Mazda doesn't fit the profile of manufacturers Nissan and Volvo who have recently entered Supercars seeking a boost in profile and image.

Based on 2015 VFACTS registration figures to the end of July, Mazda is running a clear number two in the market with 65,957 sales and a 9.8 per cent share.

Image: bathurst12hour.com.au

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