Mazda backed ALMS Team BK Motorsports closes shop
11-08-2008, 10:36 PM
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Mazda backed ALMS Team BK Motorsports closes shop
Friday, 7th November 2008
Lola Mazda team announces closure as team owner confirms retirement.
BK Motorsport has closed its doors for the final time following the retirement of team owner Bob Bach.
The team has been responsible for Mazda's entry in the American Le Mans Series since 2005 and scored the first victory for the Japanese marque at Mid-Ohio back in 2005. Beyond that, the team also took a total of ten podium finishes but, despite switching to a closed coupe Lola chassis late in 2008, BK has now closed for business after Bach confirmed his retirement.
"I cannot begin to thank Robert Davis, John Doonan and the entire Mazda staff for their amazing support," he said. "We have been so proud to represent Mazda on and off the track. Recently, we also had the special chance to represent BP, Castrol, SPARCO, ASG, Peirspeed, Staubli, AER, Lola, BBS, Mother's Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners, Piloti and Nike Hydraulics. All of these Mazda partners have the same will to never give up attitude as Mazda and our team has had for the last four seasons. We thank them for their continuous support, as we could not have done it without them."
In addition to the ALMS programme, BK also raced in the Star Mazda Championship and Mazda's Club Racing from 2000, scoring the 2002 SCCA Runoffs National Championship in Formula Mazda.
"Retirements always leave mixed feelings," Robert Davis, the man responsible for Mazda's North American motorsports operations under the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development banner, said. "We're happy for Bob, but we're sad that we won't be seeing him at the track on a regular basis. Bob and the entire B-K team were a part of the MAZDASPEED family for almost a decade and will be missed on both a professional and personal level. B-K was a great example of a team moving up the ranks with Mazda.
“I remember when Bob was racing in the Star Mazda series before moving up to the American Le Mans Series. B-K will forever have a place in Mazda history having scored our first American Le Mans Series win in 2005. They have also been a tremendous help in developing the new Mazda MZR-R engine. We wish Bob the best in retirement, but suspect he'll still come out to watch us race at Road America."
Mazda's 2009 American Le Mans Series plans are in the process of being finalised and will be announced in due course.
Lola Mazda team announces closure as team owner confirms retirement.
BK Motorsport has closed its doors for the final time following the retirement of team owner Bob Bach.
The team has been responsible for Mazda's entry in the American Le Mans Series since 2005 and scored the first victory for the Japanese marque at Mid-Ohio back in 2005. Beyond that, the team also took a total of ten podium finishes but, despite switching to a closed coupe Lola chassis late in 2008, BK has now closed for business after Bach confirmed his retirement.
"I cannot begin to thank Robert Davis, John Doonan and the entire Mazda staff for their amazing support," he said. "We have been so proud to represent Mazda on and off the track. Recently, we also had the special chance to represent BP, Castrol, SPARCO, ASG, Peirspeed, Staubli, AER, Lola, BBS, Mother's Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners, Piloti and Nike Hydraulics. All of these Mazda partners have the same will to never give up attitude as Mazda and our team has had for the last four seasons. We thank them for their continuous support, as we could not have done it without them."
In addition to the ALMS programme, BK also raced in the Star Mazda Championship and Mazda's Club Racing from 2000, scoring the 2002 SCCA Runoffs National Championship in Formula Mazda.
"Retirements always leave mixed feelings," Robert Davis, the man responsible for Mazda's North American motorsports operations under the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development banner, said. "We're happy for Bob, but we're sad that we won't be seeing him at the track on a regular basis. Bob and the entire B-K team were a part of the MAZDASPEED family for almost a decade and will be missed on both a professional and personal level. B-K was a great example of a team moving up the ranks with Mazda.
“I remember when Bob was racing in the Star Mazda series before moving up to the American Le Mans Series. B-K will forever have a place in Mazda history having scored our first American Le Mans Series win in 2005. They have also been a tremendous help in developing the new Mazda MZR-R engine. We wish Bob the best in retirement, but suspect he'll still come out to watch us race at Road America."
Mazda's 2009 American Le Mans Series plans are in the process of being finalised and will be announced in due course.
11-09-2008, 08:10 AM
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honestly, I'm not sad that team is closing shop. They seemed perpetually ill preparred, underfunded, and half of the time the car was broke and couldn't even qualify or race more then a quarter of the race
11-09-2008, 10:15 AM
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aye
but as for it closing, i am not really missing much. i never really notice them on the track to even care . to be honest, i wouldnt care if someone uses mazda as their car. because more then likely, it will be just another piston engine.
but as for it closing, i am not really missing much. i never really notice them on the track to even care . to be honest, i wouldnt care if someone uses mazda as their car. because more then likely, it will be just another piston engine.
11-09-2008, 10:29 AM
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Got to meet the team last year at MidOhio. Great team and a great bunch of guys to talk to. Big thanks to Marlon for setting things up and getting us the access. I wish all the members of the team luck in finding another Mazda to wrench on.
11-10-2008, 08:16 PM
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The team did well the first couple of seasons, but were pretty much left uncompetitive after intake manifold and weight restrictions were put in place.
Here are a couple of pictures of the old car from Sevenstock 8 back in the glory days before Penske came along and dominated the series.
Later on, the team switched to the AER/Mazda engine which while having much promise (several UK teams are going to start using it) BK never fully was able to take advantage of it. Add in the changing cast of drivers and it's easy to see why they had such a rough time of things.
Here are a couple of pictures of the old car from Sevenstock 8 back in the glory days before Penske came along and dominated the series.
Later on, the team switched to the AER/Mazda engine which while having much promise (several UK teams are going to start using it) BK never fully was able to take advantage of it. Add in the changing cast of drivers and it's easy to see why they had such a rough time of things.
12-13-2008, 03:40 PM
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Just as follow-up in case someone finds this thread later...
Dyson Racing's 2009 program will feature a pair of Mazda Lola LMP2 coupes with sponsorship from BP.
Dyson Racing and MAZDASPEED Motorsports have joined forces for a long-term partnership in the top echelon of American sports car racing. Sponsored by the BP energy company, the team will campaign two Lola LMP2 coupes in the 11-race American Le Mans Series for the 2009 season. The BP Dyson Racing Mazda coupes will be powered by the 2.0 liter turbo Mazda MZR- engines prepared by Advanced Engine Research (AER) Ltd.
"No other car company can match Mazda's breadth of motorsports involvement," stated Team Principal Rob Dyson. "They are an ascendant car company and while other car companies are cutting back their on-track programs, Mazda is strengthening theirs which highlights the depth of their commitment and dedication. Throughout all of our discussions, it has impressed us how closely their passion for the sport matches ours."
Robert T. Davis, Senior Vice-President Quality, Research and Development, said, "We are excited that the Dyson team is coming onboard. It was clear in the preparations they are making leading up to the announcement that they have a family mindset that will fit in well with the Mazda family of racers and teams. We're expecting big successes together."
Rob Dyson (left) and Chris Dyson are reuniting with Lola while forming Dyson Racing's new alliance with Mazda.
"We have enjoyed great success in the past with the Lola-AER combination," said Vice President and Sporting Director Chris Dyson. "We know how to get race-winning speed from this package and our valued partner, Michelin, will be adding their competitive expertise. When you combine this experience with the enthused support of our new partners BP and Mazda, Dyson Racing has a very promising future. This is a long-term commitment and we look forward to utilizing Mazda's breadth of involvement in racing to build programs of driver training and team development. Our new facility is about to come on line shortly and will lend itself well to developing additional platforms in partnership with Mazda. It will be a good new year for Dyson Racing."
The team will begin testing before the end of the year and will be announcing the driver line-up in the near future.
Mazda is the brand choice of road racers across North America. On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand. You will see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car.
Dyson Racing and MAZDASPEED Motorsports have joined forces for a long-term partnership in the top echelon of American sports car racing. Sponsored by the BP energy company, the team will campaign two Lola LMP2 coupes in the 11-race American Le Mans Series for the 2009 season. The BP Dyson Racing Mazda coupes will be powered by the 2.0 liter turbo Mazda MZR- engines prepared by Advanced Engine Research (AER) Ltd.
"No other car company can match Mazda's breadth of motorsports involvement," stated Team Principal Rob Dyson. "They are an ascendant car company and while other car companies are cutting back their on-track programs, Mazda is strengthening theirs which highlights the depth of their commitment and dedication. Throughout all of our discussions, it has impressed us how closely their passion for the sport matches ours."
Robert T. Davis, Senior Vice-President Quality, Research and Development, said, "We are excited that the Dyson team is coming onboard. It was clear in the preparations they are making leading up to the announcement that they have a family mindset that will fit in well with the Mazda family of racers and teams. We're expecting big successes together."
Rob Dyson (left) and Chris Dyson are reuniting with Lola while forming Dyson Racing's new alliance with Mazda.
"We have enjoyed great success in the past with the Lola-AER combination," said Vice President and Sporting Director Chris Dyson. "We know how to get race-winning speed from this package and our valued partner, Michelin, will be adding their competitive expertise. When you combine this experience with the enthused support of our new partners BP and Mazda, Dyson Racing has a very promising future. This is a long-term commitment and we look forward to utilizing Mazda's breadth of involvement in racing to build programs of driver training and team development. Our new facility is about to come on line shortly and will lend itself well to developing additional platforms in partnership with Mazda. It will be a good new year for Dyson Racing."
The team will begin testing before the end of the year and will be announcing the driver line-up in the near future.
Mazda is the brand choice of road racers across North America. On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand. You will see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car.
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