Mazda arrives with the 3 TCR

It is through Long Road Racing, a partner for several years of Mazda Motorsports in the United States, that the Japanese brand will make its entry into TCR. The Mazda3 was unveiled last night on the other side of the Atlantic, and is due to debut in competition in January 2020 in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

Based on the 2019 version of the civilian sedan, the TCR version will be powered by a 4-cylinder turbo engine unit developing 350 hp and mated to a six-speed gearbox. Long Road Racing was already busy preparing for the Mazda MX-5 Cup.

“TCR represents a great opportunity for us to showcase the new Mazda3 and provide our customers with another way to race Mazda vehicles, emphasizes Masahiro Moro, CEO of Mazda North American Operations.

Some of our most significant successes in IMSA and TC Americas have been achieved thanks to dedicated customers who choose to race with Mazda. We hope the next generation of Mazda drivers see the same potential in the Mazda3 TCR. »

The brand is also involved in IMSA via the program entrusted to Team Joest, and with an RT24-P which largely shone this year in the DPi category. It remains to be seen whether we will see the Mazda3 TCR entered globally in WTCR.