INDUSTRY PEOPLE Interview: John Doonan Manager, Motorsports Team Development at Mazda and MMNAO
QUESTION What is Mazda’s future in motor racing? ANSWER Sylvain Tremblay’s SpeedSource has been commissioned by us to carry out a study with regard to how our new production car based SKYACTIV programme can be used in motorsport. This includes the diesel engine architecture SKYACTIV-D. We are looking at GT as well as top level sports car applications of this. The 20th anniversary of Mazda’s win at Le Mans has us searching hard for what form of motorsport can serve as a tool to communicate the SKYACTIV message. It would be amazing to come back here and compete with the new SKYACTIV-D diesel technology, but it all comes down to budget and we have always lived within our means.
Q Are you saying that there might be a diesel Mazda at Le Mans? A There are certain questions you don’t have to answer just yet! SpeedSource is looking at areas of motorsport application for both the SKYACTIV-G petrol and SKYACTIV-D diesel initiatives and examining where these particular programmes can lie. SKYACTIV is Mazda’s new way of thinking. Rather than adopt hybrid or electric technologies, it is based on small displacement effi cient engines, transmissions and more rigid chassis. The internal combustion engine is going to be a critical part of the automotive story for decades to come. I believe SKYACTIV can assist our motorsport image in the same way that the rotary engine has done. It will bring the same spirit.
the availability of product, it will be late 2012 or early 2013 before any application of SKYACTIV can be announced for racing. .
1988-1992 : Augustana College, BA 1992-1997 : Western Illinois University, MBA 1993: Development Officer, Augustana College 2003: Regional Advertising Manager Mazda North American Operations 2005: : Manager, Motorsports Team Development, Mazda and MNAO
Q What is the situation in grass roots racing? A According to the SCCA, Mazda currently has a 50 per cent share of grass roots racing in the USA while 8-9,000 customers purchase competition parts from us. The first two generation RX-7s and the Miata have become staples in club racing. Although some of our competitors have withdrawn from running series at this level and car counts are down, we remain focussed on this sector. Our ladder programme also continues to be important as far as image is concerned, introducing younger drivers to the brand and presenting it as an alternative to the more expensive, premium makes. The Mazda Road to Indy and the Mazda Scholarship remain in place for open-wheel and closed car aspirants
Q When will SKYACTIV be used for racing?? A SKYACTIV technology is being introduced on road cars this year. The latest Mazda3 has elements of SKYACTIV-G with full SKYACTIV-D being introduced next year with new engines, transmissions and body styles. Depending upon
Obituary: Ron Winkleman
Well known race team owner, Roy Winkelmann, has died at the age of 81. Winkelmann, who was a
Former World Champion, Jochen Rindt, in a Winkelmann Racing Formula 2 car 94
www.racecarengineering.com • August 2011
successful Sportscar driver in his native United States during the ’60s, ran one of the best Formula 2 teams in Europe that decade and is credited with launching the international career of 1970 World Champion, Jochen Rindt. After closing his team at the end of the 1960s, Winkelmann
returned to the sport, working for Dan Gurney with the All- American Racers Eagle outfi t, on the commercial side of the operation, chiefl y in Formula 5000 and IndyCars. Winkelmann was also behind
a plan to run the Lotus 96T in IndyCar in the 1980s but sadly, after a change in the regulations, the car never started a race. Roy Winkelmann 1930-2011
Q What are your short term plans? A We will continue in ALMS and Grand-Am racing for now, at least until the end ot the year. Initially, the MZR-R engine had reliability problems, but we and AER have overcome this. The changes in regulations mean that we now compete in LMP1 and the car count is well down. The Grand-Am RX-8 also comes to the end of its life next year. We are, thus, currently assessing what we do in ALMS, Grand-Am and on a bigger scale.
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