Mazda Motorsport

MAZDA MOTORSPORT READY FOR FINAL 2009 EVENT

Mazda Motorsport head into the final round of the 2009 Bridgestone Production Car Championship satisfied with a third place finish in just their second year of competition. The last two races of the season will be held at Kyalami (Midrand) on 17 October 2009.

The Mazda 3 MPS has held its own against some far more established teams. MFC driver Heinz Bose has taken two race wins this year and a further five podium finishes. The Mazda’s reliability and pace have been superb with Heinz scoring points in all but three of the 16 races held so far.

“I am ecstatic with our third place finish, I think that the team has done an excellent job and our passion and persistence have taken us to the front of the class,” commented Heinz.

Etienne Prinsloo (BIZHUB) has not experienced the same success as his teammate and his season took a downward turn following an accident, in which he was an innocent bystander, at Kyalami in July.

“The 2009 season has been a disappointing one for me. I was unlucky on more than one occasion to be on the wrong piece of track at the wrong time. The car has a huge amount of potential and I was able to set some good lap times. I hope that I can end the final round on a high note,” remarked Etienne.

Team manager Hennie Prinsloo made the following statement, “I think that what Heinz has been able to achieve is fantastic for him and the team, especially when you consider that the GTIs have an unfair power advantage and the restrictors we all carry, don’t seem to effect them as much as the rest of the field. I hope that the series controllers rectify this situation for the 2010 season. “

“As far as Etienne is concerned, he earned 2008 Rookie of the Year status for good reason. He needs to regain his confidence and we believe in his ability to take the Mazda 3 MPS to the front of the pack,” concluded Hennie.

The Mazda Motorsport Team look forward to the continued support from their fans, at Kyalami on Saturday 17 October 2009.

MAZDA BRAVE COLD AND WET CONDITIONS IN CAPE TOWN

Bitterly cold winds and treacherous wet track conditions typified the Bridgestone Production Car return to Cape Town for round 8 of the 9 round championship. Mazda Motorsport were represented by only one Mazda 3 MPS. The second car, that of BIZHUB driver Etienne Prinsloo, being too badly damaged at Phakisa to be repaired in time for the event. Prinsloo suffered an overheating problem which was thought to have been caught in time for any permanent damage, unfortunately this was not the case and rather than have the engine endure any further damage, the team withdrew the car.

Heinz Bose therefore flew solo, making the track set-up process more time consuming and had a difficult time during the Friday practice sessions. “Etienne and I normally work together and pass on information to our race engineers who are able to process it in order to find a good set up for both cars,” commented Heinz. By Saturday’s qualifying, Heinz was still not happy with his car’s handling and languished in 11th place.

An uneventful first race saw him make up a position but still finish in an unaccustomed 10th position. “I am giving my all but just don’t seem to be able to close the gap to the leaders. I have an ace up my sleeve and will be making a major handling change to my car for the second race,” mused the disconsolate driver.

Race 2 showed Heinz to deliver on his promise as he weaved his magic and was able to run with the pace setters, finishing the race in fourth place and grabbing enough points to guarantee him 3rd place in the 2009 championship. “It was a much better race for us and I was able to hold on to the leaders. When the rain came in the second half of the race, I saw that the Mazda was a lot more stable in the slippery conditions and I could actually make up ground on the top 3 drivers, something I couldn’t do all weekend.”

“I am thrilled to have finished the season in the top 3 and although there is still another round to go, there is no mathematical chance of me losing my place. It is a great testimony to the car and to my team,” concluded Heinz. Mazda Motorsport will end the season on a high note at Kyalami on the 17th October.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT HEAD BACK TO WESTERN CAPE

Round eight of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship will take place at Cape Town’s Killarney circuit on 26 September 2009 and Mazda Motorsport will be at the event in full force.

The Mazda 3 MPS entries of Heinz Bose (MFC) and Etienne Prinsloo (Bizhub) will be well received by the passionate Western Cape fans.

Heinz has had an impressive season, taking two race wins and five podium finishes so far this year. With only two events left, it looks certain that Heinz will finish third in the Class T championship. An impressive feat considering that it is only the teams second year of competition.

The success of the MFC sponsored Mazda means that Heinz will be carrying a massive 70Kgs of success ballast. Not only will this hamper the MPS’ straight-line speed, but it will also take its toll on the Mazda’s brakes and tyres.

“The car is going to be exceptionally heavy, but I think that our race pace will be consistent enough to stay in the leading pack. I enjoy Killarney’s fast sweeping corners and look forward to the event,” commented Heinz.

Etienne Prinsloo has had a difficult year. His season started out well, but has been marred by some bad luck and niggling problems with the specially designed racing suspension.

“I am under no illusion that motorsport can be quite fickle, but I could really use some good luck. It has been very disheartening to be sidelined by circumstances that are beyond my control. I have to remain positive that Killarney will be the turning point for me, “ remarked Etienne.

Team manager, Hennie Prinsloo had the following to say before the race; “Our cars have always been quick at the coast and I am confident that this trend will continue. I am thrilled that Heinz is consistently in the top positions and has been scoring valuable championship points for the team. Etienne has been on the receiving end of some bad luck, but he has faced every race with grit and determination that shows his true character and he must be commended for this. I hope Killarney will reward him.”

Qualifying and both races will take place on Saturday 26 September 2009.

ANOTHER GOOD OUTING FOR MAZDA MOTORSPORT

Round seven of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship took place at Phakisa Freeway this past weekend (5 September 2009) and Mazda Motorsport used the opportunity to claim two more podium finishes.

The weekend didn’t start out as well as it ended. Heinz Bose (MFC) battled with an overheating problem throughout Friday’s practice sessions and wasn’t able to show the Mazda 3 MPS true potential.

By Saturday morning’s qualifying session, both Mazda’s were in good shape and the team were confident of a good showing. Qualifying was however a closely contested session with less than a second covering second and eighth position. Heinz Bose qualified in an unaccustomed eighth place with Etienne Prinsloo (BIZHUB) 11th.

Although disappointed with their qualifying performance, the team lined-up on the grid with confidence. The first race got underway from a rolling start and Heinz had an incredible start, going from eighth to third in one lap. Heinz drove hard for the remainder of the race to take his sixth podium finish of the season.

On the other side of the Mazda camp, things weren’t going as smoothly. Etienne was struggling for pace and finally on the fourth lap of the race an integral part of the engine’s cooling system malfunctioned leading to Etienne’s retirement. Unfortunately, the team were unable to find stock of the broken part during the short break between races.

“I am disappointed with my result and although it is disheartening I have to try to stay positive. All I can hope for is a bit of luck at the next race,” commented a very demoralised Etienne after the race.

The partially inverted grid for the second race meant that Heinz had to start in seventh position. Although not as impressive as his race one start, Heinz still blitzed past two competitors in the first lap. By lap three, Heinz was up to third. Although he had the race leaders in his sights, they had opened up too much of a gap and Heinz was unable to challenge for position. Then, on the final corner of the final lap the car ahead of him slowed with a problem and Heinz was able to cross the finish line in second place.

“I am thrilled with the results. To be able to finish consistently in the top three is exceptionally rewarding and I am confident now that I will clinch third place in the championship,” commented Heinz exuberantly after the race.

Mazda Motorsport will be back in action in Cape Town on 26 September 2009.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT CONFIDENT FOR PHAKISA

Mazda Motorsport are still on a high following their win at Zwartkops three weeks ago and will be looking to continue this winning trend at the next round of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship to be held at Phakisa on 5 September 2009.

The Mazda 3 MPS’ were exceptionally quick at the 4.24Km Welkom circuit last year, locking out the second row of the grid during the qualifying session. The circuit’s long straights and sweeping corners seem to suit the 2.3 litre turbo charged MPS engine.

The racing beauties will once again be in the capable hands of Heinz Bose (MFC) and Etienne Prinsloo (BIZHUB).

Heinz Bose has taken a staggering 35 championship points in the last two events, securing third place in the Class T standings. His success has served to further inspire the hard working team and more silverware is sure to follow.

“Our maiden victory was threatening for a few months and I am still feeling exuberant that it happened at Zwartkops,” commented Heinz. “I am looking forward to the Phakisa event, with my only concern being tyre wear. The circuit has in the past taken a huge toll on our brakes and tyres, but I am confident that our handling set-up will counter this effect.”

Etienne’s Zwartkops event was plagued by handling maladies. Something in the racing suspension had gone awry and with the limited time between qualifying and the races, the team were unable to repair the problem. They have used the last three weeks to ensure that the Mazda is in top form.

“I enjoy racing at Phakisa and feel positive that the team have been able to sort out my Mazda’s handling. The cars are so strong and I am sure that we will be able to compete at the front of the very competitive field,” stated Etienne.

The Class T field is in fact so competitive that Etienne is currently lying 10th in the championship with a mere seven points deficit to fourth place. A good showing could easily launch Etienne into the top four.

Team Manager, Hennie Prinsloo surmised; “We have worked hard to get where we are and I am on top of the world with the team’s performance. I hope that Heinz’s excellent form continues and that Etienne’s luck takes a good turn. We are now a race winning team and nothing can stop us.”

Practice sessions will take place during the afternoon of 4 September, with qualifying and both races on Saturday 5 September 2009.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT VICTORIOUS AT ZWARTKOPS

Mazda Motorsport have been inching closer and closer to a Bridgestone Production Car victory and finally, their grit and determination paid off at Zwartkops this weekend (15 August 2009) when Heinz Bose took his Mazda 3 MPS to its first on-track Class T victory to the delight of the Pretoria crowd.

Although Heinz finished second at Kyalami in June, the race winner (Graeme Nathan) was later disqualified from the race for poor driver conduct, giving Mazda Motorsport their first race win. This weekend however, marked the much more rewarding first on-track victory.

Heinz (MFC) was quick from the get go and was never more than 7 tenths of a second off the leaders during Friday’s practice sessions. He was able to maintain this pace and set the fourth quickest lap during Saturday morning’s qualifying session, just 0.077 of a second off third place.

After a good start to race one, nothing was going to get in Heinz’ way. By the end of lap two, he had passed and disposed of Andre van der Merwe (Renault Megane), who just couldn’t find an answer for the Mazda’s consistent pace. Heinz held onto third place for ten laps before losing a challenge from Shaun Duminy (Ford Focus ST). The Mazda 3 MPS crossed the finish line in fourth position.

The second race’s reversed grid meant that Heinz had to start from sixth position. After what can only be described as a momentous start, Heinz found himself in second place by the end of the first lap. Half-way through lap two, Heinz was leading the hard charging pack of 12. With the chequered flag in his sights, Heinz drove with an unrivalled passion to take his team to victory.

Heinz is third in the Class T championship standings and has opened a 15 point gap to Curt Alchin (VW GTI) in fourth.

“I have no words to describe what I am feeling, I am overjoyed. Throughout the entire season we have been threatening to take the on-track win and have until now just missed out on the gold. It is thanks to the continued support and belief from the team, sponsors and fans that we have finally come out on top. Nothing can stop us now,” commented an ecstatic Heinz after the race.

Etienne Prinsloo (BIZHUB) was however not as fortunate and suffered with suspension problems all weekend.

A very disappointed Etienne had the following to say; “I tried to drive around the problem, but the car just wasn’t handling well and was always out of control. We did everything we could to find the problem, but it eluded us. I am confident that once back at the workshop, with more time and less stress, that we will be able to find and repair the problem before the next race.”

Team manager Hennie Prinsloo concluded: “We are very happy with Heinz’ result, it is a real boost to the team and will give us renewed vigour as we head into the final rounds of the championship. Etienne’s car just hasn’t been the same since the Kyalami accident and because of the extensive damage, we were unable to conduct pre-race testing. Unfortunately that is just how it sometimes goes. I have full faith that the team will find the problem before Phakisa.”

The next round of the championship will take place at Phakisa (Welkom) on 5 September 2009.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT HEADS HOME

Following the huge success of the team at Kyalami a month ago, Mazda Motorsport head to their home race at Zwartkops (15 August 2009) with renewed zest for another good result.

Heinz Bose took his MFC backed Mazda 3 MPS to its maiden victory at Kyalami on 27 June 2009. Although at the time, Heinz finished second on the track, the race winner (Graeme Nathan) was later disqualified for poor driver conduct, giving the Mazda team maximum points for the race and moving Heinz into third place in the championship standings.

“It is always an amazing feeling to win on the track, in front of your fans. That being said, I am ecstatic to have taken the win with the knowledge that the team deserved it and we were able to get the win fairly,” commented Heinz. “The pace of the MPS is incredible and I anticipate a great weekend at Zwartkops.”

Due to Heinz’ success however, he will be carrying 40kgs of success ballast. This is the most weight Heinz has had to carry this season and it will be an added obstacle.

Etienne Prinsloo (Bizhub) was having a great outing at Kyalami, but was unfortunately on the receiving end of an out of control Graeme Nathan (GTI) and had his race ended prematurely in the wall. His Mazda 3 MPS has since been repaired, but development time was drastically reduced due to the visit to the panelbeater.

“Although one expects a certain level aggression and contact in Production Car racing, this incident was completely beyond the scope of racing. The unfortunate aspect to the whole situation is the fact that I couldn’t do anything to avoid the accident and I can never get that race back,” commented a disheartened Etienne. “We just have to look forward now and go to the next event with the knowledge that we have the pace and reliability to take race wins and podium places.”

“It is unfortunate that Etienne was taken out at Kyalami by what we thought was a very experienced driver who showed a complete lack of experience,” commented Team manager, Hennie Prinsloo. He concluded, “We are Pretoria based and do a fair amount of testing at Zwartkops, as with any sport, home ground advantage is always a boost and we are going out to give Mazda fans what they want. Our confidence is at an all time high and although racing is unpredictable, we are aiming for an out and out victory.”

The team will have two practice sessions on Friday afternoon, with qualifying and both races taking place on Saturday 15 August.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT TURN UP THE HEAT AT KYALAMI

A bitterly cold highveld afternoon was served some respite by the hot pace of the Mazda Motorsport team who pranced to their best finish yet in Class T of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship.

The race weekend began with a second row qualifying spot. Heinz Bose took his MFC sponsored Mazda 3 MPS to an impressive fourth spot after posting his best ever time at Kyalami. Two rows back in eighth place was team-mate Etienne Prinsloo in his Bizhub sponsored example.

“I went off the circuit at Sunset corner on my flying lap. Had it not been for this, I would have easily taken third, if not second. The car is so strong and I feel confident of a great race,” remarked Heinz after qualifying.

Etienne had the following to say; “I am not impressed with my qualifying time, the car is so much quicker than that, but there was just too much traffic on the track and I couldn’t get a clear lap in. It will now be a fight to the flag.”

Heinz had a great start to the first race and was up to third place by the end of the first lap. He held this position for a further three laps, watching as Gary Formato (Ford Focus ST) and Graeme Nathan (VW GTI) participated in a boxing match ahead of him. Heinz’s instincts to stay well clear of the duo paid off when Formato was sent ploughing into the barrier a lap later. The Mazda driver gladly accepted second place as the safety car was deployed in order to recover Formato’s stricken Ford. The race would finish two laps later under safety car conditions.

A little further down the field Etienne Prinsloo was also having a good race. By the end of the first lap, Etienne had made up two places. A lap later, he was lying fifth. As the drama at the front unfolded, Etienne was left to claim fourth place.

With the second race starting from a reversed grid, Heinz would have to start seventh, with Etienne in fifth.

Etienne had a blistering start and was easily lying third by the first corner. Unfortunately, contact between Graeme Nathan and Gary Formato resulted in Nathan’s GTI hitting Etienne’s Mazda and sending both parties into the wall. The damage was severe and the safety car was deployed. It was a sad end to what was shaping up to be a great race for Etienne.

When the dust had settled, Heinz was putting in a storming drive and was lying in third place. When the safety car returned to the pits, the race was on and Heinz blitzed into second and by the fifth lap, Mazda had taken the lead. Heinz went on to lead for five laps only for the race victory to slip through his fingers in the final corner of the last lap when a very determined Graham Donker (GTI) muscled his way into the lead and took the chequered flag two tenths of a second ahead of Heinz.

“It was the most heartbreaking moment of my life. I could see the race win, but it was stolen from me in a do or die out-braking manoeuvre from Donker in the final corner. I am so happy for the team, this is a great result and although we didn’t take the win, it is well within our grasp,” commented Heinz.

Team manager Hennie Prinsloo concluded; “We finished first overall for the day and while I am ecstatic about Heinz’s result, I am saddened that Etienne was unable to complete the race through no fault of his own. It is the best feeling in the world to see our Mazda leading the pack around Kyalami. It has been a good day’s racing.”

The next race will take place at the team’s home circuit, Zwartkops, on 15 August 2009.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT READY FOR KYALAMI

The Mazda Motorsport team have shown great pace in Class T of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship and they will be looking for another podium finish at Kyalami on 27 June 2009.

Heinz Bose (MFC) currently lies fourth in the Class T Championship and will be looking to continue his success in this, the fifth round of the 2009 season. The Mazda 3 MPS has shown tremendous pace in the previous rounds and has ensured that Heinz has taken home points in every race day this year.

“Class T is highly competitive and I am proud to see the Mazda running with the front pack. With every race, we gain knowledge and experience that is used to further enhance our racing package,” observed Heinz.

Etienne Prinsloo (Bizhub) put in a good performance in East London three weeks ago, where he was able to keep far more experienced drivers like 10 time SA Champion Curt Alchin behind him to take fourth place. Etienne will be hoping to continue this trend at Kyalami.

“I am very happy with my result in East London and have gained a great deal of confidence from the result. I will be giving it my all at Kyalami to match and improve on this result“ commented Etienne.

Team Manager Hennie Prinsloo is upbeat about the team’s chances at Kyalami. “We have two great drivers, two fast cars and a very dedicated team. We are continuously making strides forward and are now serious podium challengers. Our first race win can’t be far off now.”

Whilst Lady Luck hasn’t always smiled upon the Mazda Motorsport team, the team has approached every event with enthusiasm, passion and dedication. Their never say die attitude has seen many 24 hour work days and they can hold their heads high as they continue to thrill Mazda fans.

Practice sessions will take place on Friday 26 June, with qualifying and both races on Saturday.

MAZDA EXPERIENCE STERN TEST IN EAST LONDON

A frustrated Mazda Motorsport team were once again well at the front in terms of pace but at the back of the grid when luck was handed out.

Bizhub backed Etienne Prinsloo hustled his Mazda 3 MPS to fourth and fifth places in the 2 Friday practice sessions, relishing the opportunity to race on his favourite circuit.

Qualifying on Saturday saw his team-mate, Heinz Bose (MFC) slot his identical racer into sixth, with Etienne seventh. Tragedy struck Heinz almost immediately whilst on the warm-up lap, Heinz was swerving the car left to right in attempt to warm the tyres when a rose-joint in the suspension snapped. Although very lucky that this didn’t happen during the race, which would have been disastrous, the team were gutted at the misfortune.

Fortune smiled on Etienne though as he managed to hang on to the leading pack and match their pace lap after lap. The results will show that the race was won by Formato (Ford) with second places shared by Nathan (Volkswagen) and Duminy (Ford) with Prinsloo fourth. “I was very happy with my car and had great pace all race long. The battle in front of me for second place was very physical and I was sure the two drivers were going to take one another out. I sat back and waited not wanting to get involved in their crash.”

Race 2 saw a resurgent Bose take to the track, at the back of the huge pack due to his non-start in race 1. By the end of the first lap, he was fourth, after an amazing and very brave display of racing. By lap 3 he was second, a place he looked set to hold to the end. With one lap of the ten remaining, chunks of tyre rubber were seen to be flying from his overworked front tyres and he was forced to slow, eventually finishing sixth.

A heartbroken Bose commented, “I had a super race and showed that our pace is as good as any other car in the class. I think that I may have over-cooked the tyres at the beginning of the race when I was coming through the field from the back of the grid. From lap seven I felt the car squirming and backed off a little, hoping to make the end. I couldn’t believe my luck on the final lap when the tyre began to delaminate.”

Etienne suffered a more serious fate when he suffered a high speed excursion from the track, attempting to outbrake a fellow competitor. Leaving the track at undiminished speed and then returning over all the bumps broke a shock absorber and Etienne was forced to retire.

The championship continues on the 27th June at Kyalami.

EAST LONDON AWAITS MAZDA MOTORSPORT

The next round of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship is scheduled to take place in East London on 6 June 2009. Following their impressive showing at Killarney four weeks ago, Mazda Motorsport will be heading into the event will all guns blazing.

Heinz Bose gave Mazda fans something to cheer about in Cape Town, after he took his MFC backed Mazda 3 MPS to two class T podium finishes. Rejuvenated and more determined than ever, the team will be going into the East London event confident of a good showing.

If history is anything to go by, the team’s confidence is not misplaced. Heinz finished fourth there last year, while Etienne Prinsloo (BIZHUB) set consistently quick lap times that would have featured him in the top four had it not been for a minor technical glitch.

“The East London Grand Prix Circuit is my favourite track. I enjoy driving there and this is reflected in my lap times. I won my very first production car race there in 2007, so the track holds special significance to me. I am confident that I will be able to compete with the championship front runners,” commented Etienne confidently.

Heinz Bose had the following to say about the upcoming event: “I was ecstatic about our result in Cape Town and thrilled to be lying fourth in the championship, just seven points behind Curt Alchin. Although it is still early in the season, I can see the potential of finishing in the top three in the championship. As for East London, the Mazdas were strong there last year and I look forward to the event.”

Team manager Hennie Prinsloo concluded, “The cars are running well and our pace is translating into good results. Class T is a highly competitive class and I think that the key to success is having well prepared vehicles, confident drivers and although it is at times difficult to do; staying out of the bumping and barging. “

The East London practice sessions will take place on Friday afternoon, with qualifying and both races taking place on Saturday 6 June.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT ON THE PODIUM IN CAPE TOWN

Cape Town’s Killarney circuit hosted round three of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship this past weekend (9 May 2009) and Mazda Motorsport overcame some major hurdles to take two podium finishes.

Heinz Bose in the MFC backed Mazda 3 MPS had shown great pace throughout Friday’s practice sessions and was confident of a strong qualifying performance. Whilst on his flying lap however, Heinz’ hopes were dashed when he came flying down the main straight at some 204km per hour. He braked and pitched his Mazda into the left hand corner, just to have his brake pedal go straight to the floor. Unable to slow the car down, Heinz smashed into the concrete barrier, coming to a grinding halt and causing the session to be red flagged. When qualifying recommenced, the team’s only solace was the fact that Heinz walked away from the accident unharmed and Etienne Prinsloo was able to get his BIZHUB MPS to seventh on the grid.

When Heinz’ stricken car was brought back to the pits on a flat bed, the team showed true grit and immediately began to access the damage. Their never say die attitude saw the team take the decision to repair the severely damaged car. With the help from fellow competitors, Mazda Motorsport achieved the impossible and had the MFC Mazda on the grid in time for the start of the race.

Heinz had to start at the back of the Class T grid. He had a brilliant start and by lap three was lying third. Heinz defended his position like a man possessed to cross the finish line in third place.

Etienne also had a great start, making up two positions on the first lap. The car was performing well, but a few laps into the race, the gear selector jumped off, leading Etienne into retirement.

“I had a good start, the mid-field competitors were so focused on each other and didn’t expect me to have the pace that I did, so I was able to blitz past them without too much delay. It is one thing to get the car back onto the track after a big accident; it is something else completely to have that car on the pace. I take my hat off to the team for a job brilliantly done,” commented an upbeat Heinz after the race.

With the first nine finishers from the first race being reversed, Heinz had to start the second race from seventh place. He had another blistering start and was up the third position by the end of the first lap. He drove his Mazda to its limits and was lying second three laps later. After a four way battle for the position, Heinz decided that discretion was the better part of valour and settled for third position and his second podium of the day.

Unfortunately, Etienne Prinsloo had a front shock absorber brake and was unable to complete the race.

“I am disappointed with my weekend. The Mazda was running well and I felt that I had the pace to challenge for a good position. The parts that let us down were specially engineered racing items, which just didn’t stand up to the test this weekend. Despite my poor luck, I am pleased with Heinz’ result and believe we can only get stronger from this point,” remarked Etienne after the race.

Team Manager Hennie Prinsloo concluded “The results of our hard work are showing, the Mazda’s were exceptionally quick and we have now proven we can race at the front with the best of them. We will continue to make strides forward and our first race win will follow soon.”

The team’s next race will be in East London on 6 June 2009.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT SET OFF FOR THE FAIREST CAPE

Cape Town’s Killarney circuit will be the venue for round three of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship on 9 May 2009. With five weeks between races, Mazda Motorsport will be at full strength for the event.

The long straights and sweeping high speed corners have always favoured the Mazda 3 MPS and Heinz Bose rates the circuit as his best in the country. “If ever there was a track that I could almost guarantee our maiden victory, it would be Killarney. The cars go really well down there and we have always been super-competitive.”

The Mazda team will have another slight advantage in the weight department after a recent shuffling of the class T base weights. The Mazda duo tips the scales at 1300kg’s (including driver) and although the disparity (GTI-1310 and Ford - 1325) may seem small in racing terms, every advantage however incremental, is accepted with glee.

“I have seen a huge change in the team since Kyalami and the determination to win seems palpable, The guys are all very focused and have been putting in a major effort in order to get the drivers onto the top step of the podium,” claimed Team Manager, Hennie Prinsloo.

Mazda 3 MFC driver, Heinz Bose managed to record the second quickest time of the race weekend in November last year en route to his second place, the team’s best result thus far.

The Bizhub backed car of Etienne Prinsloo managed a fifth place at the season closer last year, only fractionally slower than Heinz. “My car has good pace this season and we have managed to overcome the reliability problems that dogged us last year. I am aiming for a brace of podium finishes at least,” exclaimed an upbeat Etienne.

Practices begin at lunch time on Friday and qualifying will take place on Saturday morning.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT SUFFER SLIGHT SETBACK

The Centurion based Mazda Motorsport team suffered a slight setback this past weekend when niggling problems were sufficient to overcome great race pace and consistent lap times.

Etienne Prinsloo (Bizhub Mazda 3 MPC) was buoyant after a successful weekend in Port Elizabeth but suffered from unexpected problems. Showing good pace on Friday, Etienne’s Mazda suddenly found that on Saturday it could not select fifth gear. Having to change from 4th to 6th gear lost him a lot of time and he was soon swamped by cars that he had clearly outpaced during practice. Etienne struggled on with the car eventually finishing 7th.

Race 2 saw the problem manifest in the worst possible manner when hasty repairs made to the gear selector produced an even worse result. The gear selector popped off into his hand and Etienne was forced to retire the car, which was stuck in 3rd gear. “I was bitterly disappointed and felt that I had the pace to challenge for a podium position. The car felt good the entire weekend and I was heartbroken when the linkage broke,” commented Etienne.

MFC Mazda 3 MPS pilot, Heinz Bose, was quick all of Friday and confident of a good showing on Saturday. The race started and Heinz was soon in the thick of things, easily able to stay with the bunch challenging for 3rd place. “Things became a little frenetic and I think I just overcooked my tyres in an attempt to stay with the front-runners,” said Heinz. “As the race reached the final stages I felt the handling deteriorate and I eased off the pace a little.” Unfortunately, the damage had been done and Heinz’ tyres had suffered irreparable damage, forcing his retirement with a lap remaining.

Race 2 soon found Heinz in the thick of things and he managed to move from the back of the 12 car field to fifth place. In a skirmish for fourth, Heinz had a coming together with another car which deranged his wheel-alignment. With the front right wheel suffering from massive toe-out, the Mazda driver decided that discretion was the better part of valour and limped his car to fifth place and valuable championship points.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT READY TO ATTACK KYALAMI

After a strong showing in Port Elizabeth three weeks ago, Mazda Motorsport are ready to take on round two of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship to be held at Kyalami on 28 March 2009.

The Mazda3 MPS vehicles, sponsored by MFC and BIZHUB and driven by Heinz Böse and Etienne Prinsloo respectively, have shown great pace and will be capable of challenging for the front positions at the Midrand circuit.

“Aldo Scribante was a nice way to ease into the 2009 season and the team passed the test with flying colours. The next hurdle is Kyalami. The circuit is much harder on the cars and is a lot more technical from a driver’s point of view,” commented team driver, Heinz Böse. “We have started the season well, if not a bit conservatively and you can expect this standard to continue throughout 2009.”

The ultra competitive Class T battle is proving once again to be a challenging series with a number of competitors competing for top honors.

“All the teams are constantly moving forward in the quest for motorsport glory. I do however believe that we have made great strides forward and the results are clearly evident,” said team manager Hennie Prinsloo. ”Heinz and Etienne are currently tied fourth in the championship.”

Etienne Prinsloo had the following to say about the upcoming event, “We have been receiving a tremendous amount of support from Mazda fans and I want to thank and encourage this continued support. I look forward to seeing you all at Kyalami - we won’t disappoint you.”

Mazda Motorsport will be in action at Kyalami on 28 March. With the new race day scheduling, qualifying will be on Saturday morning, adding an extra dimension of excitement for racing fans.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT SHINE AT ALDO SCRIBANTE

The Mazda 3 MPS racecars gave notice of their intentions this past weekend with great qualifying and race pace.

Heinz Bose (MFC Mazda 3) set the scene early on Saturday morning when he stopped the clocks fast enough to give him fourth place, marginally slower than the Golf GTI of defending champion, Graeme Nathan, the Ford Focus of Gary Formato and the Golf GTI of local track expert, Curt Alchin. Etienne Prinsloo (Bizhub Mazda 3) had a troubled qualifying, battling to get a clear track in order to have a flying lap unimpeded. Etienne qualified 8th.

Race 1 started well for both Mazda pilots, Etienne moving from 8th to a respectable 5th place. Heinz held station in fourth place until a V-belt broke and the car began overheating. The belt ran the water pump as well as the power-steering pump, which was damaged in the process. Heinz retired from 4th with only one lap remaining.

“I was bitterly disappointed and felt that trying to finish the last lap would have damaged the engine irreparably,” commented Heinz. “After the repair I was still able to easily drive the car to fourth place despite starting at the back due to non-finish. I had no power steering so I found the going a little tiring but the car is just so good I could manage all 12 laps.”

Heinz’ fourth place wasn’t the only good result as young Etienne drove another good race to take 6th, giving him a good points haul for the day.

“I was very happy with the car this weekend and completed both heats without any problems. The controllers have made us use a restrictor in the air intake system in order to equalise performance and we are just battling a little to map the ECU with the reduced air/fuel ratio,” said Etienne. “We felt that we had the pace to run with the fastest cars but were unsure of the effect of the restrictor at sea level over a full 12 laps. We could have eked out a little more power but decided to adopt a conservative set-up in order to finish both races,” he continued.

“We were thrilled with the pace of the cars this weekend, beating a number of drivers that are normally quicker than we are. Now that we know the pace of the 2 front-runners in the class I am sure we will match them by the Kyalami event in 3 weeks,” quipped team Manager, Hennie Prinsloo.

Without any major accident damage, the team will have no time lost due to repairs and have the opportunity to devote all of their time to further development, leading up to their home race on the 28th March at Kyalami.

MAZDA MOTORSPORT READY FOR 2009 SEASON

With their Bridgestone Production Car debut well behind them, the Mazda Motorsport team is ready to show fans and competitors alike that they will be a force to be reckoned with this year. The team’s first race of 2009 will take place on 7 March in Port Elizabeth.

The team will continue their championship quest with the car of choice - the Mazda 3 MPS. The vehicles will fall into Class T of the Bridgestone Production Car Championship and will be competing against the likes of the VW GTI, Ford Focus ST and Opel Astra OPC.

Team drivers, Heinz Bose and Etienne Prinsloo are back for the 2009 season, both with a year of vehicle set-up experience now behind them.

“Although both drivers have always been quick in the qualifying sessions, we now have to focus on keeping this pace during a race distance. We ended the 2008 season with a great second place finish at Killarney and I am confident that our success will continue in 2009,” remarked Team Manager Hennie Prinsloo.

Heinz Bose had the following to say during pre-race testing, “2008 was a roller-coaster year as we developed the MPS into a racing machine worthy of a championship contender. Our job didn’t end with the last race, the crew have spent most of the off-season working on the cars getting them in top shape for the season opener.”

“Our 2009 testing programme is well underway. The cars are performing superbly and I am sure that we will be challenging for race wins this year,” observed Etienne Prinsloo.

Mazda Motorsport’s popularity among motorsport enthusiasts grew tremendously over the 2008 season and fans will not be disappointed by the team’s 2009 efforts.

2008 NEWS ARCHIVE