Mazda PH launches driver development program

MANILA: Mazda Philippines has launched the Mazda Driver Development Program during the second leg of the 2025 Petron Makabayan Endurance Race.

According to the local wing of the Japanese carmaker, the said driver development initiative was the brainchild of Windy Imperial and Mazda Philippines, coming from the build of a second car to race in the Endurance Cup that was to have the exact specification as the Manila Sports Car Club (MSCC) Mazda Spec Miata Race Series car.

“This is meant to really accelerate the development of the younger high-potential MSCC race drivers and broaden the racing skills through the rigor of the endurance format of racing,” Imperial said in a press release.

The team handpicked promising talents for the Bermaz Team 09 (named after Bermaz Auto Philippines, exclusive distributor of Mazda automobiles and parts in the country), which includes the following:

• Javier Toledo, last year’s champion in the MSCC Mazda Miata Sportsman Category
• Jeff Balao, a driver with a solid one-year experience under his belt
• Lawrence Celestino, MSCC Spec Series driver who started in Season 1

At the team’s first outing in the six- and 12-hour Kalayaan Cup, they finished an impressive second runner-up. They had a best time of two minutes and 15.141 seconds and managed to complete 279 laps, which is just 14 laps down from the winning car.

Imperial is joined by co-mentor Angie King. The two, Mazda Philippines pointed out, share a commitment to developing the next generation of racers.

Bermaz Team 09 used a modified version of the Mazda MX-5. Here are its five major upgrades:

• Winmax brake pads
• Front brake cooling ducts
• Cusco racing suspensions
• Concept One wheels
• GT Radial SX-R tires

“The Mazda MX-5 is an amazing sports car, given its capability to be so competitive, even with very little modification to the road car version,” Imperial noted.

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