Miata

Mazda Cup: Team MER announces driver lineup

Motorsport Enterprises Racing has announced their driver roster for the 2006 Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Hankook. Team MER, owned and operated by Jim Daniels and Shannon McMasters; instrumental figures in the creation of the extremely popular SpecMiata class; is poised to attack the inaugural season of this exciting new championship with a five-car assault. Featuring identically prepared 2006 Mazda MX-5's, the new televised series sets the standard for one-make racing in the United States and is the pinnacle of the Spec Miata concept. For more information on the series, visit www.mx5cup.com or www.mazdamotorsports.com.

Mazda Miata-Based MonoCraft MH1

The Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan's version of the U.S. SEMA show, is notable for the fruits of smaller, more esoteric companies such as MonoCraft, which is showing an extreme makeover of the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Yes, it really is the latest-spec Mazda MX (MX-5 Miata), although visually, you might never guess. The MH1 is the latest Miata variant from Tokyo's MonoCraft, which previously did a neat coupe, and it's the real deal with unique hood, fenders, bumpers, grilles, lights, and rear spoiler.

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2006 Spec Miata Endurance Championship Schedule Announced

The United States Endurance Racing Association, Inc. announced today five of the proposed six endurance events for the inaugural 2006 season of the USERA Spec Miata Endurance Championship, including events with Busch East, Grand-Am Cup and American GT Challenge.

The Spec Miata Endurance Championship, designed specifically for the Mazda Miata sports car, will consist of three hour or longer endurance races culminating with a season ending Driver and Team Champion.

The races will be held in Kershaw, South Carolina; Bowmanville, Ontario; Garrettsville, Ohio; Lime Rock Park, Connecticut; and Alton, Virginia. Two additional events, one in July and one in August, may be announced shortly.

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Mazda to Overhaul U.S. Dealers to Raise Market Share

Mazda Motor Corp. and others said they are rebuilding their U.S. dealer networks to improve market share from last year's combined 3.4 percent. Mazda said it will convert half of 700 dealers into exclusive sellers of its brand by the end of 2006.

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Mazda's 3+1 concept would be stand-alone product

Mazda is showing this Kabura front-engined, rear drive layout sports coupe concept at this week's Detroit Motor Show.

Replacing the typical 2+2 layout is a 3+1 seating arrangement which presents a new interior concept giving greater passenger comfort, compared to a traditional coupe, without increasing weight or size. All passenger seats fold flat to provide storage space.

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SCCA Pro Racing to Sanctioned USERA Spec Miata Endurance Championship

TOPEKA, Kan. (January 10, 2006) - SCCA Pro Racing Ltd. announced today that it would sanction the inaugural season of the United States Endurance Racing Association Spec Miata Endurance Championship.

Mazda debuts Kabura Sports Coupe Concept

Mazda has released its first official photos of the Kabura concept's premiere at NAIAS. It is larger than the Miata, but smaller than the RX-8. It is front engine, rear wheel drive and has something that Mazda calls a "3 1" layout (3 seats across in front, with a single seat behind) in place of the normal 2+2 layout. .

The car is strictly a concept. Unfortunately, there are no plans at this time to go into production.

You can click on any of the photos to see a larger image.

Louisville, KY Miata Owners to Meet

The Bluegrass Miata Club's monthly social and meeting will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Lonestar Steakhouse and Saloon, 340 Whittington Parkway. All Miata owners are welcome. (502) 762-5117.

Broadband Internet and even MSN TV in your Auto

KVH Industries Inc. and Microsoft Corp. rolled out an agreement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to bring the MSN TV service to consumers traveling in cars, trucks, RVs and boats throughout the United States.

KVH's Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV service, a customized version of the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media Player, will provide in-motion access to web browsing, Microsoft Windows Media Player, MSN Mail and MSN Messenger, digital photo viewing, MSN Video, and MSN Radio with two-way connections made possible by broadband EVDO cellular services.

Mazda Announces December 2005 and Year-End Sales

Mazda North American Operations has released sales figures for December 2005. Sales of the MX-5 Miata increased 47% over the same month last year and the total Miata sales in 2005 were up 5% in comparison with the previous year.

Full details are available here.

Related post: Mazda Announces December 2005 and Year-End Sales