Targa Tasmania - Mazda2 Ready For Test

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – Apr 16, 2012: This year’s Targa Tasmania rally will go down as Mazda Motorsport’s biggest ever with the announcement that a Mazda2 has been added to the team’s line-up ahead of tomorrow’s opening prologue stage in George Town.

Bringing the total number of Mazda Motorsport entrants in this year’s Targa Tasmania to four, the showroom-spec Mazda2 joins performance heavyweights in the form of a Mazda3 MPS and two turbo rotary RX-8 SPs.

The Mazda2 has previously shown its versatility with rally outings across a number different surfaces including gravel at the 2008 National Capital Rally and tarmac at 2010’s Targa Tasmania.

As a showroom-spec entrant, the Mazda2 has only received minor changes from the Mazda2 that graces showroom floors Australia-wide.

The car’s suspension system has been redesigned by renowned Australian suspension tuning expert and former Mazda rally champion Murray Coote.

Coote configured a suspension package that tailors the Mazda2’s competent on-road skills for the intensity of rally competition. Sports-tuned springs and shock absorbers are mated to standard Mazda2 wheels shod with Yokohama A050 road tyres. The braking system has also been upgraded with larger discs and calipers.

The Mazda2 stands out visually with a striking black and white paint scheme that epitomises Mazda's Zoom-Zoom DNA. Black flared wheel arches give the car a more aggressive stance,.

The Mazda2’s cabin has been prepared for competition. A full roll cage has been installed and the standard Mazda2 front seats replaced with Italian Sabelt race seats each equipped with a five point safety harness. A Momo steering wheel, hydraulic rally handbrake and fire extinguisher complete the internal makeover.

The Mazda Motorsport Mazda2will be driven by MOTOR magazine editor Andrew MacLean with Rod Black as his co-driver.