"Mazda assures that the current driver lineup will remain unchanged going forward"
how many times I've heard this lie...
The next time you see the Mazda TR24-P prototype racers at Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta or Sebring—whenever those may be—they will be run under new management. Mazda is handing control of its premier racing program to Multimatic Motorsports, who have run several successful racing efforts since 1992.
Mazda assures that the current driver lineup will remain unchanged going forward, aside from Ryan Hunter-Reay joining Johnathan Bomarito and Harry Tincknell in the number 55 RT24-P, and Olivier Pla joining Oliver Jarvis and Tristan Nunez in the number 77 TR24-P.
Read the press release below:
IRVINE, Ca. (March 19, 2020) – Beginning at the next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the pair of Mazda RT24-Ps will be operated by Multimatic Motorsports, the competition arm of Multimatic.
With its broad experience in racing operations and race car development, Mazda has now tasked Multimatic with the operation of its flagship racing program.
"Mazda is looking forward to going racing with Multimatic when IMSA resumes racing, with a shared goal of winning the IMSA driver and manufacturer's championships," said Nelson Cosgrove, Director, Mazda Motorsports. "The management and engineering staff at Multimatic is familiar with our team and will continue to elevate our program.“
The driver lineup for Mazda Motorsports will remain unchanged. Jonathan Bomarito and Harry Tincknell will share the No. 55 Mazda RT24-P and will be joined by Ryan Hunter-Reay in the remaining Michelin Endurance Cup events at Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta and Sebring. Oliver Jarvis and Tristan Nunez will continue in the No. 77 Mazda RT24-P and be joined by Olivier Pla at the three endurance races.
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.
Mazda Motorsports boasts the most comprehensive auto racing development ladder system of any auto manufacturer in the world. The Mazda Road to 24 (#MRT24) program offers a number of scholarships to advance drivers up the sports car racing ladder, beginning with the Global MX-5 Cup series and culminating with Mazda Motorsports' Daytona Prototype International program. In grassroots road racing, more Mazdas race on any given weekend in North America than any other manufacturer. Follow all the latest news at MazdaMotorsports.com, @MazdaRacing on Twitter, and Mazda Motorsports on Instagram and Facebook. Follow MNAO’s social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.
"Mazda assures that the current driver lineup will remain unchanged going forward"
how many times I've heard this lie...
In reply to _ :
Okay, true, they're scouting JG and I for one of the cars. (That would so rock.)
Weren't they paired with team joest? Isn't joest like one of the winningest teams in endurance racing?
Wonder why they would switch?
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
Yes and yes.
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
Because even the Masters of prototype endurance racing can't get a production based 4-cylinder to last and or win?
Multimatics was involved in setting up the Global MX5 Cup chassis, so there's already an existing relationship there.
Plus Multimatic helped build/develop the car in the first place.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Even with all of that, how many teams has Mazda gone through?
In reply to alfadriver :
A few. Seriously, isn't it SpeedSource ==> Joest ==> Multimatic?
The other article I saw said their agreement with Joest was due to expire after Sebring, which is obviously postponed, which means it expires now.
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-multimatic-joest-switch-2020/4770940/
I just don't understand why they would sign that type of deal in the first place, or which side didn't want to renew. Joest got the best results that car has ever had.
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