Bangkok--9 May--Mazda Sales
With the Thailand motorsport season kicking off through the Thailand Super Series 2017 that has been popular among Thai and ASEAN fans, Mazda continues to roll out new achievements with the diesel-powered Mazda2 SKYACTIV-D. This year the Mazda Innovation Motorsport team welcomes Mana Pornsiricherd, who will race alongside teammate Michael Freeman. Mana shows his brilliant performance and together they lead the points standings and ranked No.1 in the Thailand Super Compact class.
Mr. Thee Permpongpanth, Senior Marketing Director of Mazda Sales (Thailand) Co. Ltd., said Mazda has been participating in the Thai motorsports scene for a long time and shares the same sporty DNA. Mazda Innovation Motorsport is proof of Mazda's motorsports heritage and its outstanding performance. "This is the third year that Mazda is competing in the Thailand Super Series, with Michael driving the Mazda2 SYACTIV-D sedan (No.55) while our new member Mana Pornsiricherd, who has a long list of outstanding achievements throughout his racing career, drives the Mazda2 SKYACTIV hatchback (No.43). Both compete in the Thailand Super Compact class, with 8 races to be held this year," he said. "This is a class that has a variety of competitors, so there is a bigger challenge." He said the team is supported by Mazda Motor Corporation taking an important role in enhancing the performance of both cars to maximize the chance to win.
During the opening leg at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram from April 27-30, In Thailand Super Compact Class, in the first race Mana drove past the checker flag and finished in second position and Freeman came in third. In the second race Freeman came in first while Mana came in second so both racers' and overall team scores now lead the points standings.
The newcomer Mana Pornsiricherd expressed his feeling in joining the Mazda Innovation Motorsport Team that "I've actually been very familiar with Mazda cars because I've experienced all Mazda SKYACTIV vehicles. I've been able to transfer these knowledge to Mazda Sales Team and I've done a lot of advanced driving skill courses to Mazda customers, especially in Mazda Motorsports activities. This is a great opportunity for me being a part of Mazda Innovation Motorsport team. With my familiarity with Mazda cars, I've been able to apply these experiences to racing and finished in second position in both races, and now second in the points standings". This impressive performance surely opens the door for Mazda Innovation Motorsport Team to win this season.
The following legs will be held as follows:
v Races 3-4 June 27-July 2 Bangsaen Street Circuit Chon Buri
v Races 5-6 September 21-24 Chang International Circuit Buriram
v Races 7-8 October 26-29 Chang International Circuit Buriram