John Walko Racing team exuded too much effort for the fourth round of the Star Mazda Championship. The starters of the team found almost every aspect of the round long from Pennsylvania to Tooele, Utah. The Miller Motor Sports Park track was too long with 24 turns over a 4.5 miles course that nets lap times of just 3 minutes.

Nonetheless, according to John Walko, the team owner, over all length of the course gave some exciting technical challenges for drivers Russell Walker and Charles Anti. But he asserted that the track was really long with several turns. In effect, there were so many obstacles in terms of setups that many approaches can work. He added that if one corner is fixed, it will not leave you; rather it will hurt you on another part of the track. And the team owner considers this an interesting compromise.

Their team was on track for more than eight times during those four days plus six practice sessions, qualifying and the main event – the race. The race itself indeed gave their drivers extreme challenges. This happening is experienced for the first time by Charles and Russell since their joining the series. Such much time is both physically and mentally demanding for the team.

Charles was running in the top five slots during the opening session Russell was finishing the first day of practice at the top spot. From this, one can say that nothing really went wrong and everything started off really good. However, the track changed a lot from as days go by. But the team still managed to cope up with those changes.

The team owner admitted that Russell had over driven a little bit during the qualifying. But he defended that for some reasons, it was something that easily happen on the track. Good thing, he qualified in the ninth place. On the other hand, Charles had very few quick laps out of the gate. But he ended up behind another car. And because of this, he was not able to grab a real clean lap after that.

All through out the race, Russell and Charles had different car running styles and strategies.

John Walko said that Charles started excellently. In fact, before he settled 6th, he was in the top 5 during the opening laps. Walko commented that in the middle of the event, Charles was consistent but he did not prosper in the end. Russell’s starting position was great but that was not maintained all through out the race. Some cars made contact with him but he struggled and managed to do a great job with a poor handling car.

At the end of the race, Russell placed 8th while Charles did not qualify to the top 10, settling at the 11th spot.

The result of the race was not the one that the team was hoping for but it definitely gave them an idea of what strategy to use in the next round.

The team owner said that Charles never experienced a complete race and the amount of endurance and concentration needed. With this, they need something to work on so that their aim could be achieved in the next round and the rest of the season.

Russell Walker said that they have been in the top two before; however, they never have been fastest at the end of any race like what they did in this race. Although he knew he could run up front, they just had to stay where they were. According to him, they were overdue for the first win so he is looking forward to an exciting Portland race where he is optimistic that could be their wining event.

Teammate Charles Anti said that the race was a new experience that was a very long one. In his two years experience in the Star Mazda Series, this was the first time where he had to be on top for 45 minutes straight. He added that he is challenging himself to improve his condition and concentration to have better racing results.

With big regrets, Walko said that if Charles did the same speed in the race as what he showed off in the practice session, he could have reached the top five. But the owner still firmly anticipates for a better result at Portland.

The fifth round of the championship will be held on at Portland International Raceway. Drivers interested to join the Star Mazda Team Champions for the forth coming races should contact the team as early as possible.

About Mazda and its Auto Racing

Mazda Motor Corporation is the sponsor of the Star Mazda Championship. Aside from manufacturing quality auto part such as Mazda engine mount, the company is also known in the world of auto racing.

In the field of racing, Mazda is successful with two-rotor, three-rotor, and four-rotor cars. Private racers have also had considerable success with stock and modified Mazda cars with Wankel engines.

Mazda’s competition in race started on October 20, 1968. This was when two Mazda Cosmo Sport 110S coupes entered the 84 hour ultra endurance race in Marathon de la Route at Nürburgring. One car finished as the fourth placer and the other broke an axle after 81 hours.

Now, Mazda continues its legacy in the race world. And more recent is the fifth round of Star Mazda Championship at Portland International Raceway.



By: Kraig Johanssen

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How to save money on your next Mazda service

Mazda servicing is now much cheaper, for those in the know.

Thanks to European legislation, you no longer have to be tied to high Mazda service costs, dictated by your local dealer.

In October 2003 new European legislation affecting the motor industry came into force called “Block Exemption Regulation” 14002002 (BER), and this now means that you can book your next Mazda car service online and save up to 50% on what you might pay at your local Mazda dealer.

Before the law changed it was difficult to have new cars within their warranty period serviced outside a franchised dealer. If you wanted to shop around for the best prices on Mazda servicing, your hands were tied.

The change in the law now gives every car owner the freedom to service their car away from the main dealers, and still have their warranty protected.

Thousands of Mazda car owners have now taken advantage of their new right and reduced their Mazda serving costs, whilst benefiting from the convenience of booking with national car service providers such as Service A Car.

Service A Car is a leading online car servicing network that prides itself on the quality of its Mazda servicing, their customer service and transparent pricing. Because the company is not tied to any particular car manufacturer, they are able to service any make of vehicle and compete freely in the market, on a like-for-like.

Every vehicle is rigorously serviced according to the manufacturer’s servicing schedule, using genuine recommended parts fitted by qualified technicians. This means that every Mazda car service fulfils the warranty criteria and there is no compromise on the servicing standards of a main dealer.

Companies like Service A Car, who fulfil the warranty criteria when servicing your Mazda, are able to maintain your service book, just as main dealer can – thereby protecting your warranty and helping you to maximise the resale value of your Mazda car.

Of course, booking direct with a national car servicing network has its own advantages:

·         You no longer have to do all the running around. Service A Car collects your Mazda in the morning and delivers it back that afternoon, free of charge

·         You pay a fixed Mazda service price, which can be up to 50% below the price at the Mazda servicing desk of your local dealer

·         No additional work is carried out without your agreement, which means no nasty surprises when it comes to paying the bill

·         Trained Customer Advisers are on hand throughout the day to keep you informed of progress, and report back on problems you asked to be investigated as part of your Mazda service e.g. knocks and rattles

·         Your Mazda service includes a free wash and vacuum clean

·         You simply pay with your credit or debit card and your car is delivered back to your home or work address.

Our advice for saving money on Mazda car servicing is to contact a national car servicing network, who is not tied to any one particular car manufacturer, like Service A Car.

So, before you book your next Mazda service, why not ask your local dealer to tell you the cost of the service (plus parts, oil and any extras) and then compare it with a fixed price quote from a national servicing network, like Service A Car?

Happy motoring,

Howard.

Chairman Service A Car



By: Howard Thomas

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