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Mazda’s Road to Indy

    Have you ever wondered how race car drivers learn to do what they do? At Velocity Mazda, racing is in our blood, which is part of the reason we love the cars we sell. Mazda supports racing at every level, but not everyone in East Texas knows about their driver training program. The Mazda Road to Indy is like college for race car drivers. It attracts competitors and aspiring drivers from around the world for extensive scholarship-funded driver development. About the Mazda Road to Indy At the end of 2010, Mazda became the title sponsor of a program aimed at helping drivers develop their skills and prepare for life as a racing professional. The program is based on a ladder system that involves millions of dollars in scholarship money. In the past four years, 16 drivers have gone from the Mazda program to participate in the IndyCar series. Last year participants received more than $3.5 million in scholarships and awards. Each series champion received a scholarship that allowed them to go to the next step on the ladder. The Ladder System Drivers start the Mazda Road to Indy with the Cooper Tires USF2000 Series Powered by Mazda. The American series uses a variation of the Formula Ford F2000. The objective is to give drivers open-wheel training as they work toward an IndyCar career. Next, drivers progress to the Pro Mazda Championship, the same series that has offered training to drivers like Marco Andretti and Tristan Vautier. The 2017 champion Victor Franzoni won scholarships valued at $790,300. The final run on the Road to Indy ladder is Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. Indy Lights is a developmental open-wheeled racing series and the highest step on Mazda’s Road to Indy. Drivers learn much more than just how to hone their competitive driving skills. The program teaches participants how to communicate with the press, focusing on the big picture and identifying ways to stand out as a driver. Coaches take young adults straight out of karting or participation in a school series and teach them what they know each step of the way. According to Ed Jones Mazda’s Road to Indy, “prepares you exactly for what you need.” James Hinchcliffe says, “No one arrives at the top…the Road to Indy helps you get there.” This year at least five of the previous seven IndyLights champions will participate in IndyCar 2018. Watch for Kyle Kaiser, Ed Jones, Spencer Pigot, Gabby Chaves and Josef Newgarden. Request more info on the driver training program at pr@roadtoindy.net. If you want to stick with your day job and still experience a vehicle that handles like a race car, stop by Velocity Mazda. Check out our online inventory or get in touch today.   Content by Missy for Velocity Mazda

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Brand New 2025 Hybrid CX-50 is now available at Velocity Mazda

Velocity Mazda had a visit from a Mazda Product Training Specialist recently for the brand new 2025 Mazda Hybrid CX-50 which are now in our inventory on the lot. He shared a lot of details about this new model and also explained the differences between the CX-50 Hybrid and the CX-70 & CX-90 PHEV. This hybrid knows when to switch back and forth between the engine or battery and still has efficient and effortless acceleration. It is a seamless joyful driving experience. This Mazda Hybrid CX-50 has many beautiful colors and interior colors and accessories to choose from to make it truly personalized which holds true to the Mazda brand. Mazda is so proud of this new model because they have crafted something to be proud of and they always craft cars that move you in every way that matters.

Velocity Mazda-Backed Drivers achieve huge success at 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup

Velocity Mazda-backed drivers achieved remarkable success at the conclusion of the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Cup, held at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta mid October. The Round 14 podium featured a dominant performance by McCumbee McAleer team, with Gresham Wagner (No. 5) securing first place overall, followed by Nate Cicero (No. 83) in second, and Jeremy Fletcher (No. 22) claiming third place.

Alongside the champion's trophy, Wagner is awarded a grand prize of $250,000 from Mazda. After winning his first MX-5 Cup Championship in 2021, Wagner becomes only the second driver in history to achieve two MX-5 Cup titles.
Fletcher dominated the race by leading the most laps and making no mistakes, ultimately winning the final race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. However, he concludes the season in third place in the championship standings, which is still an impressive achievement for a young 17-year-old racer wrapping up his sophomore year in racing. Velocity Mazda is so proud to watch these drivers earn these achievements this year and excited to see what comes next for them!

Inside The Mazda3 We’ve All Been Waiting For

Since 2004, Mazda3 has been one of the auto maker’s most popular options, and it just got better. The newest Mazda3 debuted at the 2018 Los Angeles auto show and car enthusiasts have been drooling over it ever since. If you missed the 2019 Mazda3 reveal, see it here. If it connects with something deep inside, that's what it was designed to do. Every detail of the new Mazda3 was designed to spark emotion. "Open the door to our future," the Mazda website says. Mind-blowing technology meets heart-breaking purity in the Mazda3 we've all been waiting for. 2019 Mazda3 Pricing and Trim Mazda3 will still come in both sedan and hatchback options, with five different available motors. In 2018, Mazda3 cost between $18,100 and $25,000 with three levels of trim and two motors. Dealers expect similar pricing in 2019. Interior Design Changes Mazda extensively researches driver seating position and designs car interiors to make the vehicle an extension of driver bodies. Inside 2019 Mazda3, the interior is simple and elegant. The steering column has more room for adjustment, so it's easier to access for drivers of different heights. Tilting front seat cushions now come standard. Designers reduced the distance between the shifter and steering wheel to make driving safer and provide more room for cup holders. The cabin also has added insulation for reduced road noise and sumptuous new interior fabrics. The Active Driving Display has more user-friendly fonts, a digital owner's manual and an improved sound system. PowerTrain You read right earlier, you have five motor options when you pick your new Mazda3. Three of them are SKYACTIV®-G four-cylinder engines. One is the SKYACTIV®-D 1.8L inline 4 engine. Possibly the most exciting is the SKYACTIV®-X, an engine that uses "spark-controlled compression ignition" to maximize fuel economy. Safety Features for 2019 Mazda3 Again, there are upgrades all around here. The 2019 Mazda3 uses infrared cameras to watch the driver's eyes, and it will alert you if it has reason to believe you're getting sleepy. 2019 Mazda3 has available front cross traffic alert, a feature that checks blind spots and lets you know if there's something you might not see. The car has optional semi-autonomous driving, with cruising and traffic support that responds to vehicles around you. If you get in an accident, in addition to all the other safety features, Mazda added a standard knee airbag. 2019 mazda3 Availability Velocity Mazda has two on the boat as we write this article. Get in touch now and we'll let you know when they're here. You could be one of the first East Texans to own the new Mazda3. After that, more should be available sometime in March 2019.