Mazda Motor Corporation will compete in the 2022 Super Taikyu Series Powered by Hankook under the Mazda Spirit Racing banner, fielding their Mazda2 Bio Concept powered by next-generation biodiesel fuel for the full season.
“By participating in the race with a vehicle that runs on next-generation biodiesel fuel, Mazda wants to conduct a demonstration test of the vehicle, as well as to expand the use of next-generation biodiesel, an alternative option toward achieving carbon neutrality,” the company said in a press release. “Through our participation, we also aim to contribute toward revitalizing motorsports in Japan.”
The Mazda2 Bio Concept is equipped with a Skyactiv-D diesel engine and uses a 100 percent biomass-derived next-generation biodiesel fuel called Susteo offered by Euglena Co., Ltd.
This engine debuted in the 2021 Super Taikyu finale at Okayama International Circuit, mounted inside an older third-generation Mazda Demio. It completed its maiden three-hour race without trouble. This year, the engine will be mounted in a newer version of Mazda’s third-gen subcompact car, now sold around the world as the Mazda2.
Ikuo Maeda, the Managing Executive Officer of Mazda, will be the team’s representative director and one of four regular drivers of the #55 Mazda Spirit Racing Mazda2 Bio Concept. Maeda will share driving duties with professional drivers Kaoru Ijiri and Yutaka Seki, and fellow in-house driver Kazuhiro Terakawa.
The car will compete in the ST-Q class, a category which allows entries from manufacturer-developed, non-homologated special racing vehicles.
Assisting in the development of the programme will be Super Taikyu stalwarts Team NOPRO (Nogami Project Ltd.), and Hiroshima Mazda dealers’ team HM Racers.
Beginning from the third round at Sportsland Sugo in July, Mazda Spirit Racing will also field a conventional, petrol-powered Mazda Roadster (MX-5). According to Mazda, the aim of this car is for “drivers who engage in grassroots motorsports races will have opportunities to participate in more challenging races,” and will be supported by “internal and external engineers and mechanics.”
Drivers of the #12 Mazda Spirit Racing Roadster will be announced at a later date.
