In an effort to promote motorsports and train future race car drivers, Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, banded together with the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), to establish the Jinba Ittai Academy. Held at the sprawling grounds of the Megatent facility in Libis, Quezon City, the motorsports development program not only aims to share Mazda’s philosophy of connecting the driver with his car to make driving fun and engaging, but to also correlate this with proven driving techniques and Mazda’s design and engineering innovations that together enhance car control and elevate driving pleasure.
The two-day event was also held in conjunction with the AAP’s Motor Sports Development Program Module One training exercises and the formal handover of five brand new Mazda2 S SKYACTIV hatchbacks for exclusive use in the training of future racing talents. Mazda Philippines president and CEO Steven Tan, reiterated Mazda’s commitment not only in discovering new racing talent but also in doing its share in educating the youth on the proper way to drive.
“It is really important to start out learning how to drive well,” shares Tan. “It is less useful to be criticizing driving on the road because we all have to do our part in teaching people the right way to drive. We are proud to be associated with the AAP in supporting MSDP. It started off small two years ago and now that the program has taken off, we are very encouraged with the results. And this is why we decided to give AAP five fresh Mazda2 cars for them to use in the MSDP. This is one program that really works. “
Mandy Eduque, Chair of the AAP’s Motor Sports Committee, also affirmed AAP’s commitment in developing motor sports through the MSDP. “The objective of our Motor Sport Development Program is not only to get drivers interested in racing but more importantly, to make them learn how to drive properly on and off the track. The support of Mazda is very important to the MSDP. The partnership has worked very well for us these past three years. So I’d like to take this occasion to really thank Mazda for the support and we hope to continue this relationship for a long time for the betterment of motor sports.”
As a highlight to Mazda’s three-year support for Philippine motor sports, Steven Tan likewise led the company in appreciating the extraordinary efforts of Edwin Rodriguez, its official race driver in the Philippine Touring Car Championship and the Philippine GT Championship, both top level national racing events. Rodriguez formally accepted ownership of the championship-winning Mazda2 SKYACTIV racecar that he had been campaigning since 2015. “Thank you so much to Mazda Philippines for believing us as well as giving us this opportunity to compete at the top levels of Philippine motor sports, “ says Rodriquez, whose PTCC racing career with Mazda began in the 2013 season in Division 3, a class he handily won with an earlier model Mazda 2.