The Mazda MX-5 has further proven its worth after receiving accolades at the recently-concluded 2023 Petron 4-hour Kagitingan Cup.
Mazda Philippines shared in a statement that the Team MSCC Mazda Miata was able to complete 89 laps with a best time of 1:56.054, bagging them the Class 1 and Open A categories for the four-hour competition.
Aside from that, the team also finished second overall for the two-hour race.
Despite the rain pouring non-stop during the race day, racing veterans Angie King, Tyson Sy, and Windy Imperial were able to maximize the MX-5’s abilities at the Batangas Racing Circuit.
“I’m fatigued from doing all the racing at the Batangas Racing Circuit, but I’m thankful for the performance of the MX-5,” King said. “It was not a clean sweep this time, but we are happy to take the four-hour win. As I always tell people, Miata is always the answer.”
Per Mazda Philippines, the MX-5 race car used in the competition is nearly identical to the one-make MSCC Miata Spec Series race car — differing only with minor setup changes to the suspension and chassis for the endurance race.
The company noted that its powertrain — a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine matched to a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive manual transmission — remains stock. Such performance showcases the sports car's performance, reliability, and durability.
The team continued using the “Imagine” livery for the race. The digitally-printed vinyl wrap uses contrasting colors to exude a sense of power, motion, and energy. Its race number, #55, meanwhile, is an homage to the Mazda 787B which won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“It is no surprise that the Mazda MX-5 is the most-raced car in the world. Its performance at the four-hour Kagitingan Cup proves not just the outright capability of the sportscar, but its reliability and durability as well,” Mazda Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Steven Tan said.
“It took every ounce of determination from our team of racing drivers because of the tricky weather conditions, but they got the most out of the car,” he added.
The Mazda MX-5’s four-hour victory at the 2023 Kagitingan Cup is the latest endurance race win for the sportscar. Last year, it managed to take the overall victory at the eight-hour Makabayan Endurance Race Challenge. It won the 8-Oras ng Pilipinas and 12-Hour Kalayaan Cup in 2019, and the 12-Hour Kalayaan Cup in 2021. In 2020, the annual race was sidelined by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Mazda Philippines
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