With one race left in this year's SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car schedule, Mazda was able to clinch the Manufacturer's title. The title was the company's first with the MAZDA6 platform.
Tri-Point Motorsports' drivers Jeff Altenburg and Randy Pobst were the leading players in Mazda's title chase. Altenburg finished 10th and kept his lead in the driver's championship race, while Pobst finished 15th after being punted off the track late in the race, reported JMS Motorsports Marketing.
"Congratulations to Mazda on winning the SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Manufacturer's Championship! I'm proud of the Tri Point Motorsports Team for their part in winning it after many years of trying so hard. Now we head to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the finale to settle the Driver's Championship!" said Altenburg of #72 Tri-Point MAZDA6.
"We were uncharacteristically off the pace this weekend. The Tri Point Motorsports Team was super professional as always, and all the ingredients were there in my MAZDA6, but the package didn't net the results we were hoping for. This series is so competitive that being off just a little bit can relegate you toward the back of the field pretty quickly. From my position on the grid and during the race, all I could do was look after my quest for the Driver's Title," Altenburg added. "Keeping an eye on the competition, I kept the #72 car out of trouble and brought it home and was even able to increase my points lead heading into Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We got some crazy rain footage with our Chase Cams and, even in the wet, my Stop Tech brakes were great. Thanks to Tony Manzer and Dean Dodge for being there to offer technical support for our Comptech engines and Sachs Shocks."
Weather for the 45-minute scheduled Touring Car race was wet but both Tri-Point drivers were happy for the condition. This is because they know that their MAZDA6 have usually been fast in rainy conditions. Matter of fact, the efficiency of the car is mega under the rain compared to .
"In the rain on the warm up lap at Road Atlanta, I was optimistic. I'm normally really good at such conditions, and my Mazda 6 felt much improved in the rain at Mosport in practice. Well, after a good start, we were hit hard in the second turn of the race by an overzealous competitor. The suspension was bent, but we were able to continue in a wounded condition, which is much better than Mid-Ohio," noted Pobst of #73 Tri-Point MAZDA6.
"A difficult race became a tragic comedy when a Mazda friend punted me and him into the gravel in the last corner. On to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca! Special thanks to Tri-Point Motorsports, Mazdaspeed, Chase Cam, Stop Tech, Weathertech, APR Tuning, and Team Janica Racing... what an adventure!" added Pobst.
The Tri-Point squad is now heading to the second finale at Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey, California. It will start on the 19th and will end on the 21st of this month. With the title secure in Mazda's hand, the fight will be between Altenburg and Pobst.
This season, the momentous racing event is sponsored by Mazda, Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development, Racing Hart, Stop Tech, Sparco, Chase Cam, Crocotile, Quarter Master, Ron Davis Racing, Hawk, Pro Parts USA, and Race Sign Specialists.
