The Mazda MX-5 once again proved to be a formidable racing platform by taking the 2023 Petron 4-hour Kagitingan Cup Win last April 16. Team MSCC Mazda Miata completed 89 laps with a best time of 1:56.054 bagging them the Class 1 and Open A categories for the 4-hour race. The team also finished second overall for the 2-hour race.
With rains pouring non-stop during race day, it meant tricky track conditions for all 24 teams that descended on the Batangas Racing Circuit. However, Team Mv racing veterans: Angie King, Tyson Sy, and Windy Imperial were able to maximize the MX-5’s abilities.
“I’m fatigued from doing all the racing at the Batangas Racing Circuit, but I’m thankful for the performance of the MX-5,” says Angie King. “It was not a clean sweep this time, but we are happy to take the 4-hour win. As I always tell people, Miata is always the answer.”
Team MSCC Mazda Miata is backed by Mazda Philippines, with a support team led by Edgen Dy-Liacco. It is nearly identical to the one-make MSCC Miata Spec Series race car, differing only with minor setup changes to the suspension and chassis for the endurance race. However, its powertrain—from its 184 PS, 205 Nm 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine and 6-speed Skyactiv-Drive manual transmission are stock, proving once again the unbeatable combination of performance, reliability, and durability of the sportscar.
Team MSCC Mazda Miata also continued to race its eye-catching “Imagine” livery for the race. The digitally-printed vinyl wrap uses contrasting colors to exude a sense of power, motion, and energy. Its race number, #55, meanwhile, is an homage to the Mazda 787B which won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Despite racing in a field made up of powerful and tuned race cars, the Team MSCC Mazda Miata put the MX-5’s nimble handling and perfectly balanced 50/50 weight distribution to good use. Thanks to its fuel efficiency and optimal power provided by Shell V-Power and Shell Helix Ultra lubricants, it eventually built a 19.216-second gap over the second-place car.
“It is no surprise that the Mazda MX-5 is the most-raced car in the world. Its performance at the 4-hour Kagitingan Cup proves not just the outright capability of the sportscar, but its reliability and durability as well,” says Steven Tan, President and CEO of Mazda Philippines. “It took every ounce of determination from our team of racing drivers because of the tricky weather conditions, but they got the most out of the car.”
The Mazda MX-5’s 4-hour victory at the 2023 Kagitingan Cup is the latest endurance race win for the sportscar. Last year, it managed to take the overall victory at the 8-hour Makabayan Endurance Race Challenge. It won the 8-Oras ng Pilipinas and 12-Hour Kalayaan Cup in 2019, and the 12-Hour Kalayaan Cup in 2021. In 2020, the annual race was sidelined by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
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